A Short History of the Mossberg 500 Shotgun

Since its introduction in 1961, the Mossberg 500 has become more than just a shotgun—it's a bona fide American icon. Known for its reliability, versatility, and accessible price point, the Model 500 series has earned its place in gun safes, police cruisers, and duck blinds across the nation. But how did this unassuming pump-action shotgun rise to such prominence? The story is a testament to clever engineering, market savvy, and a commitment to the working person.

In the late 1950s, O.F. Mossberg & Sons, a company with a long history of producing affordable and dependable firearms, recognized the need for a modern pump-action shotgun to compete with the likes of the Remington 870 and Winchester Model 12. Their in-house genius, designer Carl Benson, was tasked with creating a shotgun that was not only reliable but also easy and inexpensive to produce.

The result, unveiled in 1961, was the Model 500. Its design was revolutionary for its time, featuring an aluminum alloy receiver instead of the traditional steel. This choice was a game-changer. It made the gun significantly lighter, and more importantly, it was far cheaper to manufacture. While some purists initially scoffed at the "cheap" aluminum frame, Mossberg's engineers were simply ahead of their time, a fact proven by the countless firearms that now use similar materials.

Another key feature that set the Mossberg 500 apart was its ambidextrous, top-mounted safety. Placed on the tang of the receiver, it was easily accessible for both right- and left-handed shooters—a forward-thinking design that remains a favorite among many users today.

The genius of the Mossberg 500 lies in its modularity. The base receiver and action are shared across a vast range of models, allowing for an incredible variety of configurations simply by swapping out barrels, stocks, and forends. This "Mossberg Shooting System" was a selling point from the beginning, offering hunters and shooters the ability to convert their shotgun for different purposes with minimal effort. Today, you can find a huge variety of aftermarket parts for the 500 from companies like Brownells, making customization easier than ever.

Over the decades, the Model 500 evolved to meet changing demands. Initially designed as a hunting shotgun, it quickly found a home with law enforcement agencies due to its robust design and low cost. A significant design update came in 1970 when the Mossberg 500 adopted a twin action bar system. With Remington's patent on the design feature expiring, Mossberg integrated the dual bars for smoother and more reliable cycling.

Perhaps the most significant chapter in the Mossberg 500's history is its adoption by the U.S. military. In the late 1970s, the military began looking for a new combat-rated pump shotgun. The Mossberg 500 was put through a brutal test, and while some civilian models failed to meet the rigorous standards, Mossberg developed a new variant specifically for military use.

This led to the creation of the Mossberg 590 series, a member of the same family but with key differences requested by the armed forces. The 590 featured a heavier barrel, a metal trigger guard (instead of the 500's plastic one), and a bayonet lug. The 590A1 variant, in particular, was the only shotgun to pass the military's incredibly demanding Mil-Spec 3443E torture test, cementing its reputation for unbreakable reliability.

Today, the Mossberg 500 series is more expansive than ever. From the basic hunting models to the tactical-focused Maverick 88 (a more budget-friendly cousin) and the innovative Shockwave firearm, the Mossberg 500's legacy of "more gun for the money" lives on.

With over 11 million units produced, it is one of the most successful shotguns of all time. Its story is a classic American tale of innovation, practicality, and enduring value. It's the shotgun your father and grandfather used, and it's the one that countless new shooters will continue to rely on for generations to come.