Compare Mossberg products

O.F. Mossberg & Sons is the oldest family-owned firearms manufacturer in America and one of the largest shotgun makers in the world. For more than a century the company has built its name on a simple promise — "more gun for the money" — and on pump shotguns rugged enough to pass US military durability standards. For a US buyer, Mossberg is the default answer to "I want a reliable, affordable shotgun I can configure for hunting, the range, or home defense," and the brand's reach now extends into bolt-action rifles and handguns as well.

The company was founded in 1919 by Oscar Mossberg and his sons Iver and Harold, originally in New Haven, Connecticut. It remains family-run four generations later. The corporate home is in North Haven, Connecticut, while the bulk of firearms production has moved to Eagle Pass, Texas.

History & background

Mossberg's defining moment came in 1961 with the introduction of the Model 500 pump-action shotgun, designed by lead engineer Carl Benson. The 500 was conceived as an affordable gun for the everyday hunter, but its combination of low price and high reliability made it a runaway success — more than ten million have been built, making it one of the most-produced sporting firearms in history.

That same reliability earned Mossberg pumps a place in US military service. The company's pump shotguns meet the government's Mil-Spec 3443 durability standard, which tests function and endurance under abuse far beyond anything a civilian gun will see in normal use. For hunters and home defenders, the practical takeaway is that a Mossberg is built to outlast its owner's needs.

What they're known for

Three design traits run through the whole lineup and matter at the point of purchase. The tang safety sits on top of the receiver, equally reachable for right- and left-handed shooters — a genuine advantage over competitors that mount the safety in the trigger guard. The dual extractors grip the shell at two points for reliable feeding even when shells are dirty or swollen. And the Accu-Choke interchangeable choke system lets you tune the pattern for the task, from open cylinder for close work to tighter constrictions for waterfowl at distance.

Pump-action 500 and 590 family. This is the backbone of the brand. The 500 uses an aluminum receiver and is built around classic hunting configurations; the heavier-duty 590 traces to military use and is set up for harder, tactical service. The 590A1 adds a heavy-walled barrel and metal trigger guard for the most demanding duty. The Maverick 88 is the budget entry point — same basic platform as the 500, with a trigger-guard safety and simpler finish — and remains one of the best values in American shotguns. Recent additions like the 590R/590RM "Chisel" models bring AR-15-style ergonomics — pistol grip, collapsible stock, optic-ready receiver — to the pump platform.

Semi-auto shotguns. The gas-operated 940 series, including the 940 JM Pro developed with competition legend Jerry Miculek, is built for fast follow-up shots in 3-Gun and clay sports, with an oversized loading port and slim fore-end for quick reloads. The 940 Pro Tactical and 990 extend the line into defensive and duty roles.

Bolt-action rifles. The Patriot series covers common hunting calibers — .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Win Mag, and more — with an adjustable trigger at a price point where that feature is uncommon. The rimfire and varmint lines round out the rifle offering.

Handguns. Mossberg also makes the striker-fired MC2c and MC1sc 9mm pistols, which have reviewed well, though shotguns remain the brand's center of gravity.

Buying guide — which Mossberg is right for you

Start with the action. Pump guns (500, 590, Maverick 88) are the right call for shooters who prioritize ruggedness, low cost, and the ability to run any load — light target shells to heavy magnums — without adjustment. They are cheaper, simpler to maintain, and forgiving of neglect, which is why they dominate both the hunting field and the home-defense market. Semi-autos (940, 990) cycle faster and soak up recoil through the gas system, which pays off in high-volume clay sports and defensive use, but they're pickier about very light loads and want more cleaning.

Next, barrel length and use. Short barrels (around 18.5 inches) handle fast in tight spaces — ideal for home defense and dynamic shooting. Longer barrels (26 to 28 inches) give a smoother swing for trap, skeet, sporting clays, and upland and waterfowl hunting. One compatibility note: Mossberg Accu-Chokes are not interchangeable with Browning Invector or Beretta Mobilchoke tubes, so existing chokes won't carry over from another brand.

Then ergonomics. Shooters coming from an AR-15 will feel at home immediately on the Chisel models; those who prefer a traditional gun should look at the standard 500/590 or the 940. Left-handed shooters benefit across the board from the ambidextrous tang safety.

Finally, the platform's biggest hidden strength: aftermarket support. The 500/590 is among the most heavily supported shotguns on earth — stocks, fore-ends, magazine extensions, sights, and rails are available in enormous variety, so the gun grows with you.

A common buyer mistake is paying for capacity and complexity you won't use: a 10-round detachable-magazine tactical model makes no sense for someone who only shoots trap, where a 4-to-6-round tube is plenty. Match the gun to the job.

Reputation & reviews

Mossberg's reputation rests on proven reliability and value. The 500 series is one of the best-selling shotguns ever made and a fixture in American gun reviews, consistently praised as dependable and affordable. The Mil-Spec 3443 qualification of the pump guns is a genuine durability credential, and the Jerry Miculek collaboration on the 940 JM Pro reflects real-world competition input rather than marketing. The brand is widely covered in outlets like American Rifleman and the broader US shooting press.

Mossberg on US-GUNDEALS

Mossberg sits firmly in the value-to-mid tier. The Maverick 88 is among the lowest-priced pump shotguns on the US market, while top-end tactical and competition models like the 990 and 590RM Chisel run toward four figures. The Patriot rifles and MC-series pistols are likewise priced to undercut much of the field. Mossberg's full lineup is compared across the shops on US-GUNDEALS, so you can check current pricing on a specific 500, 590, 940, or Patriot configuration and find the best available deal.

Sources: - https://www.mossberg.com/100-years-of-mossberg - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O.F._Mossberg_%26_Sons - https://resources.mossberg.com/journal/since-1919-a-look-at-the-storied-history-of-mossberg - https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/mossberg-a-family-owned-company-that-lives-on/