Mossberg 500 Slugster 12ga 24-inch Rifled Barrel 5+1
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Mossberg 500 Slugster 12ga is a pump-action shotgun built specifically for firing shotgun slugs with a 24-inch fully rifled barrel and adjustable rifle sights. This configuration is a dedicated slug gun, distinct from smoothbore field models intended for birdshot or buckshot. It uses Mossberg's proven 500-series action, which has been the workhorse of pump shotguns for decades, offering a balance of tactical simplicity and hunting-ready precision.
What is the Mossberg 500 Slugster used for?
This shotgun is for hunting medium to large game with rifled slugs or sabot slugs at ranges beyond 75 yards. Its primary function is to provide rifle-like ballistics from a shotgun platform, making it ideal for deer hunting in straight-wall-cartridge-only states or jurisdictions where rifles are prohibited. The fully rifled barrel imparts stabilizing spin to the slug, creating a flatter trajectory and superior accuracy compared to a smoothbore forced to fire a Foster-style slug.
How does the Mossberg 500 Slugster compare to a Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Mossberg 500 Slugster is fundamentally better at delivering precise, repeatable slug shots from a dedicated platform, while the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U is superior for recreational trap or skeet with shot shells. For slugs, a pump-action with a single rifled barrel provides consistent lockup and harmonics, crucial for accuracy; an over/under shotgun, even with rifle sights, is primarily designed for a smooth, swinging shot with shot patterns, not for firing a single projectile with precision from a benched position.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
It weighs 7.1 pounds (approximately 3.22 kg) with an overall length of 44.5 inches. The 24-inch rifled barrel has a 1:34 twist rate, the standard for stabilizing most 12-gauge sabot slugs, and the cylinder bore equivalent at the muzzle is roughly 0.73 inches. The stock has a length of pull of 14.25 inches, suitable for average adult shooters, but it's a fixed design with no spacers for adjustment.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for a shooter seeking a general-purpose home-defense shotgun. The long, heavy barrel makes it slow to maneuver indoors, and rifled barrels can cause dangerous over-penetration with buckshot or birdshot, as the rifling strips wadding and destabilizes shot patterns. It's also a poor choice for a first-time shotgun buyer who wants to learn with inexpensive target loads; this tool is specialized, and its ammo costs significantly more per round.
What's in the box?
You get the shotgun with its installed 24-inch rifled barrel, one 5-round tubular magazine plug (limiting total capacity to 6 rounds for most state hunting regulations), and a set of standard open rifle sights with a hooded front post. You do not get a sling, swivel studs, a scope mount, or any form of optic, which are necessary accessories for most hunters to achieve the rifle-sight accuracy this barrel is capable of delivering.
Is the Mossberg 500 Slugster worth it at $441.99?
At its current price point, it is a cost-effective entry into dedicated slug hunting. Compared to buying a smoothbore field gun and a separate, often more expensive, rifled cantilever barrel, this integrated package saves money and ensures proper headspacing from the factory. For a hunter needing to comply with shotgun-only zones, this is a more accurate and reliable tool than a rifled choke tube in a smoothbore, justifying the investment over a multi-role Stevens 334 rifle in a legal rifle caliber.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Purpose-built rifled barrel with a 1:34 twist for sub-3 MOA accuracy with quality sabot slugs.
- 5+1 capacity meets most state hunting regulations with the included plug, providing ample follow-up shots.
- Proven twin-action-bar Mossberg 500 system with a 7.1 lb weight that helps manage 12-gauge recoil.
Trade-offs
- Fixed synthetic stock with a 14.25" LOP offers no adjustability; shorter-armed shooters will need aftermarket modification.
- No optic rail or rings included; mounting a scope requires purchasing a separate base (approx. $25-$50).
- Matte blue finish is functional but less corrosion-resistant than modern Cerakote or nitride treatments common on higher-end models.
Key attributes
| upc | 015813564243 |
| manufacturer | Mossberg |
| manufacturer part number | 56424 |
| action | Pump Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 24" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| chokes included | Cylinder Bore |
| color | Blue |
| length | 36.5 |
| package height | 2.3 |
| package width | 7.8 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Ambidextrous |
| shipping weight | 8.3 |
| sights | Adjustable Rifle Sights |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard Mossberg 500 barrels?
- Yes, it accepts any standard Mossberg 500-series barrel with the appropriate magazine tube length, but swapping to a smoothbore barrel defeats the purpose of this specific model. Its receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope mount, which I recommend using a Weaver #62 or equivalent base for proper alignment with the rifled barrel's bore axis.
- Does this work with a standard 12-gauge choke tube?
- No. A fully rifled barrel cannot and must not accept choke tubes. The barrel's muzzle is not threaded; the rifling extends to the crown. Attempting to install a choke would damage the rifling and create a severe safety hazard due to improper constriction on the slug.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Processing and shipping from our warehouse to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder typically takes 3-5 business days for in-stock items. You must provide your FFL's contact information and a copy of their license before we can initiate the shipment, a process mandated by federal regulation (27 CFR § 478.94).
- Can it fire 3.5-inch magnum shells?
- No. The chamber is specifically for 3-inch shells. The 5+1 magazine tube is designed for 2.75-inch and 3-inch shells; attempting to force a 3.5-inch shell into the chamber will result in a catastrophic failure. Always verify shell length stamped on the barrel and in the owner's manual.