Mossberg 500 All-Purpose Field 20 Gauge 26″ Vent Rib
About this product
What is the Mossberg 500 All-Purpose Field 20 Gauge 26” Vent Rib?
The Mossberg 500 All-Purpose Field is a 20-gauge pump-action shotgun built around a time-tested dual-action-bar design and a 26-inch vent-rib barrel. This specific configuration uses a fixed hardwood stock and accepts 3-inch shells, making it an intermediate platform between heavier 12-gauge field guns and lightweight dedicated youth models. Mossberg's design incorporates the Accu-Set choke system and a cross-bolt tang safety mounted at the rear of the receiver, where it's ambidextrous and protected from accidental engagement during carry.
What is the Mossberg 500 All-Purpose Field used for?
This shotgun is primarily used for upland bird hunting over pointed dogs, sporting clays on shorter field courses, and general field training for newer shooters. You're deploying a system with a 26-inch barrel that provides a 47.5-inch overall length—short enough for quick handling in brush but long enough for a smooth swing on flushing game. The 20-gauge chambering, with its 3-inch capability, delivers adequate energy for pheasant, grouse, and quail at sensible ranges, while producing approximately 35% less felt recoil than a 12-gauge field load with the same shot weight, reducing shooter fatigue.
How does the Mossberg 500 All-Purpose Field compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge?
The Mossberg 500 Action is better for high-volume training, harsh-field durability, and modular customization, while the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge outclasses it for precision target work and refined handling. A 20-gauge over-under like the Stevens 555 has a lower bore axis and instantaneous second-shot capability, crucial for registered trap or sporting clays where split-second transitions matter. However, the Mossberg 500's pump action, with its dual extractors and simpler mechanical linkage, will tolerate neglect, dirt, and rapid fire where a break-open design's hinge pins and ejectors might require more frequent maintenance.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The shotgun weighs 6.75 pounds unloaded and measures 47.5 inches in overall length with a 13.87-inch length of pull from the trigger to the middle of the buttpad. That weight distribution, with the hardwood stock, puts the balance point approximately 3 inches forward of the trigger guard, giving it a slight muzzle-forward feel that aids in swing-through on crossing targets. For comparison, the 12-gauge version of this platform typically hits 7.5 pounds, making this 20-gauge model about 11% lighter, which is noticeable after carrying it for a 4-mile walk-in hunt.
Who is this NOT for?
This configuration is not for a shooter who exclusively shoots trap or skeet at a formal club, nor for someone who requires a dedicated home-defense tool with a sub-18.5-inch barrel. The 26-inch vent-rib barrel and field stock create a package optimized for carrying and swinging, not for dynamic maneuvering in tight quarters. If your primary use case involves mounting an optic and chasing precision rifle-like performance, a dedicated slug gun or a platform like the Stevens 334 rifle in .308 Winchester will offer superior ballistics and accuracy at distance.
What's in the box?
You receive the barreled action with the fixed hardwood stock installed, three Accu-Set choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder), a choke tube wrench, and the owner's manual. The receiver is drilled and tapped from the factory, and the integral 8-40 scope mount bases are installed, but you must supply your own rings and optic. Unlike some higher-end sporting shotguns, a hard case is not included; expect retail packaging designed for shipment, not for long-term storage.
Is the Mossberg 500 All-Purpose Field worth it at $450?
At $450, it represents strong value for a shooter who needs one durable, versatile shotgun to handle multiple field roles without specialization. You are paying for a proven action that has military and law enforcement lineage, not for fancy wood or intricate engraving. For the same price range, you might find a used semi-auto, but you are trading the absolute reliability of the pump mechanism for potential gas-system maintenance. If your budget is rigid and your needs are strictly for introductory clay sports, the investment is justified by the platform's longevity and the low cost of 20-gauge target loads.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 6.75 lbs — 11% lighter than the 12-gauge version for reduced carry fatigue.
- Includes 3 Accu-Set choke tubes (F, M, IC) for immediate patterning flexibility.
- Dual extractors and dual action bars eliminate binding for reliable feeding under adverse conditions.
- 13.87-inch length of pull fits most adult shooters without modification.
Trade-offs
- Fixed hardwood stock cannot be adjusted for length or drop — requires aftermarket purchase for significant fit changes.
- No factory-installed recoil pad — the hard plastic buttplate transmits more felt recoil than a premium limb-saver pad.
- Blued finish shows handling wear and corrosion faster than modern nitride or cerakote treatments in wet environments.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 015813501361 |
| manufacturer | Mossberg |
| manufacturer part number | 50136 |
| action | Pump Action |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| chokes included | F,M,IC |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 36.5 |
| magazine included | Yes |
| model | 500 |
| package height | 2.4 |
| package width | 7.9 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Ambidextrous Top Tang |
| shipping weight | 8.5 |
| sights | Twin Bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with aftermarket stocks and forends?
- Yes, the Mossberg 500 uses a standardized action tube and stock mounting system with a vast aftermarket. The action tube diameter is 1.125 inches, and the stock attaches via a through-bolt, allowing direct swaps to synthetic, collapsible, or pistol-grip configurations from brands like Hogue and Magpul. Just ensure any new stock maintains the 13.87-inch length of pull or includes spacers to adjust it for proper fit.
- Does this fit in a standard 48-inch gun safe?
- Yes, with room to spare. The shotgun's 47.5-inch overall length allows it to fit diagonally or upright in any safe with an interior height exceeding 48 inches. For secure storage alongside other long guns, plan for approximately 3 inches of width clearance due to the vent rib and the thickness of the hardwood stock.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Ironclad Armory processes in-stock items within 1 business day, and ground shipping to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder typically takes 3-5 business days. You must contact your FFL in advance to provide their license copy and coordinate the transfer, which usually involves a fee ranging from $25 to $50, before the shipment is released to you.
- Does this work with a Carlson's Extended Choke Tube?
- Yes, it accepts any choke tube threaded for the Mossberg Accu-Set/Accu-Choke system. Carlson's, Trulock, and Briley all manufacture extended and ported tubes in this pattern. The factory threads are standard, allowing you to use tubes designed for improved patterning or reduced recoil, but always verify the tube is rated for steel shot if you intend to use non-toxic ammunition.