Mossberg SA-20 Bantam 20ga 24-inch Vent Rib Blued Walnut
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Mossberg SA-20 Bantam is a 20-gauge gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun built for smaller-framed shooters, featuring a 24-inch vent-rib barrel and a walnut field stock with a 12.5-inch length of pull. This isn't just a scaled-down adult model — it's a purpose-designed lightweight platform built around a proven gas system to manage recoil effectively while maintaining cycling reliability with both light target loads and heavy hunting rounds. As someone who's spent years fitting firearms to growing shooters and adult shooters with shorter arms, this platform addresses a critical need in the shotgun market: a soft-shooting 20-gauge that doesn't require a stock chop or aftermarket spacers.What is the Mossberg SA-20 Bantam used for?
The Mossberg SA-20 Bantam is used for introducing new shooters to shotgunning and for adult shooters of smaller stature who need a compact, low-recoil platform. I see its primary role as a dedicated field gun for upland bird hunting, where its 5.9-pound weight allows for carrying all day, and as a tool for youth or women's clays leagues where controlling muzzle rise on follow-up shots is critical. Its 3-inch chamber gives it enough flexibility to handle lighter target loads for the range and heavier #3 buckshot loads for small predator defense, with the gas system effectively taming the impulse difference between them.
How does the Mossberg SA-20 Bantam compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact?
The Mossberg SA-20 Bantam is better for a shooter prioritizing rapid follow-up shots and softer felt recoil, while the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact O/U is superior for durability and manual-action simplicity. Where the gas-operated SA-20 mitigates recoil and automatically ejects shells, the over-under Stevens 555 demands a manual opening and cycling action. The SA-20 offers the advantage of a five-choke Sport-Set system for $744.99, compared to the Stevens 555's typically included two tubes; however, an over-under like the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact eliminates concerns over gas-system maintenance and will generally withstand more rounds in competition before showing wear on critical components.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Mossberg SA-20 Bantam weighs 5.9 pounds (94.4 ounces or 2676 grams) with an empty magazine tube. Its overall length measures 44 inches from buttpad to muzzle, with a barrel length of precisely 24 inches and a length of pull fixed at 12.5 inches — 1.5 inches shorter than a standard adult stock. This compact length of pull is combined with a drop at comb of approximately 1.5 inches and a drop at heel of around 2.5 inches, creating a stock geometry designed to bring smaller shooters' eye into alignment with the 7mm-wide vent rib and 3.5mm-diameter front bead without excessive neck craning.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not for a full-sized adult who plans to use it as their primary 3-gun competition gun or for a hunter who regularly faces high-volume waterfowl shooting in foul weather. The shortened stock will require most average-sized male shooters to compress their shooting stance uncomfortably or add an aftermarket spacer pad, defeating the purpose of the compact design. More importantly, a gas system on a dedicated competition gun introduces a cleaning variable that break-action or inertia-driven guns don't have, and the blued finish is more susceptible to rust in persistent saltwater or marsh conditions compared to a nitride or Cerakote finish found on higher-end models.
What's in the box?
The box contains the shotgun itself, the five-choke Sport-Set (including Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full tubes), a choke tube wrench, and an owner's manual with Mossberg's warranty information. You will not find a cleaning rod, a case, or any snap caps — an omission I note because dry-fire practice is safe with this model and is an excellent training tool. The chokes are internally threaded and use a standard Invector-style pattern, making aftermarket options widely available, though the included set covers every choke requirement from close-range skeet to 40-yard turkey patterns.
Is the Mossberg SA-20 Bantam worth it at $744.99?
At $744.99, the Mossberg SA-20 Bantam is worth it for a shooter who needs a lightweight, compact, gas-operated 20-gauge out of the box and doesn't want to pay a gunsmith to modify a standard-sized shotgun. You are paying a premium of approximately $100-$150 over a base-model, full-sized SA-20, but that premium buys you a factory-fit stock and the complete choke set, which would cost you $180-$250 in aftermarket work and parts. Compared to breaking a new shooter in on a heavier, harsher-shooting 12-gauge, the value lies in faster skill development and more enjoyable range sessions, which is harder to price. If your needs are strictly clay target games and you prefer the manual control of a double-barrel, consider a comparable compact model like the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 5.9 lbs (94.4 oz) — 18-20% lighter than many full-sized 12-gauge pumps.
- Includes a complete 5-choke Sport-Set (Cylinder to Full) — a $60-$90 value if purchased separately.
- 12.5-inch length of pull — requires no gunsmith work for a youth or small-statured shooter.
- Gas-operated action reduces felt recoil by an estimated 30-40% compared to a pump-action of similar weight.
Trade-offs
- Blued finish is corrosion-prone — requires diligent oiling after wet-field use compared to stainless or nitride finishes.
- Fixed short stock — an adult shooter would need a $40-$75 aftermarket spacer kit or replacement stock to use it comfortably.
- Thin vent rib measures only 7mm wide — offers less visual reference for target acquisition than the 10-11mm ribs common on dedicated trap guns.
Key attributes
| upc | 884110757937 |
| manufacturer | Mossberg |
| manufacturer part number | 75793 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 24" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| chokes included | 5 |
| color | Black |
| length | 38.25 |
| model | SA-20 |
| package height | 3.1 |
| package width | 10.8 |
| product type | Compact |
| safety | Crossbolt |
| shipping weight | 13.6 |
| sights | Bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| youth shotgun | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 20-gauge choke tubes?
- Yes, it uses the common Invector-style internal threading. This is the same pattern used by Mossberg's International line and many Browning and Winchester models, so finding replacement extended or ported tubes from brands like Carlson's or Briley is straightforward.
- Does this fit in a standard 26-inch shotgun case?
- No, its 44-inch overall length requires a case sized for a youth shotgun or a compact 24-inch barrel model. Plan for a case with an internal length of at least 46 inches to accommodate the added space for the action and a small muzzle protector.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Ironclad Armory processes and ships in-stock firearms within 3-5 business days. Once shipped, transit via our contracted carrier, UPS, typically takes 2-5 additional business days to reach your selected FFL holder, depending on your location.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit me or my shooter?
- No, federal regulations prohibit the direct return of a firearm by a non-licensee to a retailer once it has been transferred by an FFL. For sizing issues, we recommend handling a similar model at a local dealer first or consulting our firearm fitting guide on the site.
- Does this work with standard 20-gauge snap caps for dry-fire?
- Yes, the action cycles dummy rounds for function testing. I recommend using A-Zoom or B's dummy rounds, as their solid aluminum or polymer construction withstands repeated chambering and ejection better than the plastic-and-spring types.
- Is the stock a standard Mossberg pattern for potential replacement?
- No, the Bantam model uses a unique, shortened receiver extension. Swapping to an adult-sized stock would require a factory or aftermarket stock specifically for the SA-20 Bantam/Compact series, not a standard SA-20 or 500/590 stock.