Mossberg 500: Still a Strong Seller 60 Years Later

by
posted on October 10, 2020
mossberg-500.jpg

The first Mossberg 500s were produced in 1960, and it wasn’t long before enthusiasts discovered the reliability and performance that has kept it at or near the top in shotgun sales ever since. There’s a lot to like in this rugged pump-action, one designed before most readers were even born.

Sixty years—six decades—is a long time and an overwhelming endorsement of the Mossberg 500. Its popularity remains strong to this day. Last year it was No. 5 in GunBroker.com’s the top-10 pump-action shotgun list, ranked by sales volume. It would have claimed third, were it not for another pair of Mossberg models—the 590 and 590 Shockwave—claiming first- and second-place honors.

The 500’s design ensures reliable and smooth cycling with a pair of action rods attached to the fore-end pump. The distance between them and the receiver is generous enough to minimize wear during cycling, another feature that ensures years of fuss-free service.

It has served civilians and law enforcement and U.S. military personnel with distinction. Inside every model made today beats the heart of a 500, although their looks are often vastly different from the original.

The Model 500 ATI Scorpion, for example, features ATI components that give it a modularity and adaptability that rivals modern sporting rifles. Polymer furniture, a six-position adjustable stock, 1-inch adjustable cheek riser and side-saddle shotshell carrier are just the tip of the iceberg. American Rifleman ran the gun through its paces a while back and the review and video are available here.

If you’re a little more sporting in your firearm selection, Mossberg 500s are available in Hunting and Flex versions, wearing camouflage and black, respectively. Chamberings in the former include 12- and 20-gauge, along with .410 bore. The tubular magazines have a five shotshell capacity and barrel lengths vary from 20 to 28 inches. Flex models come in 12- and 20-gauge, most with 22-inch barrels. The youth model includes a 24-inch tube.

For home- and self-defense purposes Mossberg offers Cruiser models and a Retrograde. And there’s an entire line of 500s dedicated to young shooters.

Diversity is one reason the Mossberg 500 remains near the top of pump actions in popularity ratings. Add decades of uncompromising performance and it’s a solid choice for anyone in the market for a shotgun.

Latest

Precision Rimfire Christensen Arms
Precision Rimfire Christensen Arms

Review: Christensen Arms Modern Precision Rimfire Rifle

The Modern Precision Rimfire from Christensen Arms builds upon time-honored blueprints and is crafted from its maker's flash-forged carbon-fiber technology to create an accurate and fun-to-shoot repeating rifle.

New For 2025: H&K MR A4 Series

Building on its existing commercial line of MR556 and MR762 rifles, HK USA now offers A4 versions of both rifles, as well as large-format pistol variants.

Gun Of The Week: Smith & Wesson Model 1854

Welcome to another American Rifleman Gun Of The Week video, and this time we have a modernized American lever-action to take to the range. Meet the Smith & Wesson Model 1854.

New For 2025: Kimber 2K11

With its new 2K11, Kimber now has a dedicated design based on the 2011 concept that comes loaded with a number of added features.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 22, 2024

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for more than a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.