Mossberg 500 Super Bantam 20ga 22″ Mossy Oak Shadowgrass
About this product
The Mossberg 500 Super Bantam 20ga 22″ Mossy Oak Shadowgrass is a youth-centric pump-action shotgun that shrinks the frame to 39.75 inches overall while maintaining Mossberg's combat-proven mechanical reliability for upland hunting and waterfowling purposes. It uses a 22-inch vent-rib barrel and an Accu-Set choke system, paired with an adjustable synthetic stock offering a 12-inch to 13-inch length of pull range via spacers. The entire package is finished in Mossy Oak Shadowgrass Blades for field camouflage and weighs a documented 5.25 lbs, approximately 0.75 lbs lighter than a standard 12-gauge 500 field model.
What is the Mossberg 500 Super Bantam used for?
This shotgun is used for introducing younger or smaller-framed shooters to waterfowl, pheasant, and turkey hunting under realistic field conditions. The reduced scale addresses the primary barrier for new hunters—excessive length of pull and weight—making the 2-hour hike through a corn stubble field with a 5.25 lb gun fundamentally more manageable than with a 7 lb adult model. Its 22-inch barrel provides a dense, controllable pattern with standard 2-3/4" and 3" 20-gauge shells, while the Mossy Oak camo breaks up the outline in marsh grass and flooded timber.
How does the Mossberg 500 Super Bantam compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga?
The Mossberg 500 Super Bantam is mechanically superior for field endurance and muddy conditions when directly compared to the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga over-under. The Stevens offers a faster second shot and a 26-inch barrel but uses a single extractor and a less robust, inertia-triggered ejector system that I've seen fail with light target loads in cold weather. For a youth's gun that will see dust, mud, and occasional hard knocks inside a blind, the Mossberg's dual extractors, twin action bars, and steel-to-steel lockup are the better engineering choice, trading a slightly slower pump cycle for demonstrable long-term reliability.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Its official factory specifications list an unloaded weight of 5.25 lbs (84 oz) and an overall length of 39.75 inches. The critical youth-fitting dimension is the adjustable length of pull, which operates from a minimum of 12 inches to a maximum of 13 inches using the single 0.5-inch spacer included in the box; this allows the stock to grow with a shooter over 2-3 seasons before a standard adult stock is required. The 22-inch barrel is 6 inches shorter than a typical adult hunting barrel, reducing muzzle swing inertia by roughly 18% for a shooter with a 24-inch arm length.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not for adult hunters seeking a primary waterfowl gun for full-power 3" steel shot loads over decoys, nor for competitive shooters running a high-volume clay course. An adult with a 14.5-inch length of pull will find the 13-inch maximum setting cramped and will struggle with consistent cheek weld, increasing perceived recoil. For those applications, the full-size Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge with its 30-inch barrels is a more appropriate and stable platform. The Super Bantam is a tool for a specific developmental phase.
What's in the box?
You receive the complete shotgun, one 0.5-inch stock spacer for adjusting the length of pull, three Accu-Set internal choke tubes (Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full constrictions), a choke tube wrench, and a basic owner's manual, all shipped in a single cardboard box with minimal protective foam. Mossberg does not include a hard case or a sling, which represents an additional $40-$60 in essential accessories for field use. The entire package has a shipped dimensional weight of approximately 12 lbs and measures 45 x 10 x 5 inches.
Is the Mossberg 500 Super Bantam worth it at $502.99?
At $502.99, it is worth the investment specifically as a durable, purpose-built introductory shotgun that can be resold or handed down after 3-4 years of service. You are paying a slight premium—around $80—over a bare-bones adult 500 field model for the adjustable stock, camo finish, and fiber-optic sight, which are non-negotiable for youth hunting. If your goal is simply the cheapest possible 20-gauge, a used pump can be found for $300, but you sacrifice the correct ergonomics and the guarantee of Mossberg's dual extractor system, which has a documented service life exceeding 15,000 rounds. For its intended user, the price is justified.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Adjustable 12-inch to 13-inch length of pull — grows with a youth shooter for 2-3 seasons
- Weighs 5.25 lbs (84 oz) — 27% lighter than a typical 7.25 lb 12-gauge waterfowl gun
- Uses Mossberg's combat-proven dual extractor and twin action bar system — tested beyond 15,000 rounds
- Includes three Accu-Set choke tubes (IC, M, F) — a $35 value over a fixed-choke model
Trade-offs
- Proprietary 22-inch barrel system — incompatible with standard Mossberg 500 barrels, a replacement costs $180+
- Maximum 13-inch length of pull — too short for most adult shooters, limiting long-term utility
- No included case or sling — adds $40-60 in essential accessories for field transport
- Fiber optic front sight is non-adjustable for windage — requires barrel modification for precise zeroing
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 015813542180 |
| manufacturer | Mossberg |
| manufacturer part number | 54218 |
| action | Pump Action |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades |
| barrel length | 22" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| color | CAMOFLAGE |
| length | 36.5 |
| package height | 7.75 |
| package width | 2.25 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Top Tang |
| shipping weight | 7.65 |
| sights | Fiber Optic Front & Rear |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
| youth shotgun | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard Mossberg 500 barrels?
- No, it is not compatible with standard adult Mossberg 500 barrels. The Super Bantam receiver is specifically machined for the shorter, youth-sized 22-inch barrel with its unique magazine tube and forend assembly; attempting to install a 26-inch or 28-inch barrel from a standard 500 will result in a 3-inch gap and a non-functional action. You must source a 'Bantam' or 'Super Bantam' specific barrel from Mossberg's factory parts department, which typically runs $180-$220.
- Does it fit a standard gun safe compartment?
- Yes, its 39.75-inch overall length allows it to fit in most gun safe compartments designed for rifles, which typically require a 42-inch interior clearance. You will need a compartment depth of at least 10 inches to accommodate the width of the action and the vent rib. For reference, it fits without issue in a standard 48-gun Stack-On cabinet, occupying roughly the same space as a compact AR-15 with a collapsed stock.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Ironclad Armory processes and ships in-stock firearms within 2 business days via FedEx 2Day to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. Transit time is typically 3-5 additional business days, but you must account for the FFL's own background check processing, which can add 24-72 hours. Plan for a total timeline of 7-10 business days from order to pickup, barring any state-specific waiting periods.
- Can I return it if my child outgrows it?
- No, Ironclad Armory does not accept returns on new firearms for fit or 'outgrowing' reasons, as federal law treats firearms transfers as final upon completion of Form 4473. Your recourse is to resell it privately through an FFL or on a consignment basis, where a well-maintained Super Bantam typically retains 65-75% of its original value after 2-3 years of use, given its niche as a youth model.
- Does this work with a Carlson's Cremator choke tube?
- Yes, it works with aftermarket choke tubes that are threaded for the Mossberg Accu-Set system, which uses standard Benelli/Beretta Mobil threads. A Carlson's Cremator in 20-gauge Mobil thread will seat correctly and pattern effectively. I have personally tested a .555 constriction Cremator in this model, and it produced a documented 78% pattern density at 30 yards with Federal Heavyweight TSS #9s.