Mossberg SA-20 20 Gauge 26″ Vent Rib Walnut Blued
About this product
The Mossberg SA-20 is a 20-gauge semi-automatic shotgun built for upland hunting and clay target shooting with a gas-operated system that reduces felt recoil. It features a 26-inch vent rib barrel, walnut stock, and blued steel receiver with included choke tubes for versatility. This configuration balances traditional aesthetics with modern reliability for field use.
What is the Mossberg SA-20 used for?
The SA-20 is designed for upland bird hunting and clay target shooting, where its 26-inch barrel provides smooth swing dynamics. The gas system cycles 2¾-inch and 3-inch shells reliably while reducing recoil by approximately 30% compared to inertia-driven systems. Five included choke tubes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, Full) adapt patterning for quail to turkey ranges.
How does the Mossberg SA-20 compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 20 Gauge?
The SA-20’s semi-automatic action offers faster follow-up shots than the break-action Stevens 555 Sporting O/U, though the Stevens provides immediate barrel selection via its over-under design. For high-volume shooting like sporting clays, the SA-20’s gas system reduces shooter fatigue over 100+ rounds, while the Stevens excels in reliability with no gas ports to clean. Choose the SA-20 for rapid target engagement; choose the Stevens 555 review for simplicity and guaranteed second-shot availability.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight is 6.8 pounds (108.8 oz), with an overall length of 46.5 inches and length of pull at 14.25 inches. The 26-inch barrel has a vent rib width of 8mm tapering to 6mm at the muzzle, and the walnut stock has a 1.5-inch drop at comb. These dimensions place it squarely in standard field shotgun territory, comparable to most 20-gauge autoloaders.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not ideal for tactical or home defense applications due to its 26-inch hunting barrel and lack of accessory rails. The blued finish requires more maintenance than nitride or cerakote in wet environments, and the semi-automatic action may not cycle ultra-light 7/8-ounce target loads reliably. For defensive use, consider a shorter-barreled the Stevens 334 platform instead.
What's in the box?
The package includes the shotgun, five choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F), a choke tube wrench, and owner's manual. Mossberg ships these with a plastic trigger lock but no hard case—plan for $50-100 for aftermarket protection. Total packaging weight is 9.2 pounds, with dimensions of 48x10x4 inches for the shipping box.
Is the Mossberg SA-20 worth it at $720.99?
At $720.99, the SA-20 delivers proven gas-system reliability and walnut/blued finish at a mid-range price point. It undercuts comparable Beretta A300s by $200 while offering similar choke versatility and recoil reduction. For shooters needing a dedicated field gun that won’t beat them up over 3-box days, this represents solid value without frills.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Gas system reduces felt recoil by ~30% compared to inertia-driven shotguns
- Includes 5 choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F) — $120 value if purchased separately
- Walnut stock with 14.25" length of pull fits most adult shooters without modification
- Steel receiver withstands 3" magnum loads without fatigue over 10,000+ rounds
Trade-offs
- Blued finish requires oiling after wet field use — cerakote would add $200-300 refinishing
- 26" barrel limits maneuverability in tight blinds compared to 24" models
- No optics mounting requires gunsmith work ($80-120) for red dot compatibility
- Trigger pull measures 5.5 lbs with noticeable creep — not ideal for precision clay games
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 884110757890 |
| manufacturer | Mossberg |
| manufacturer part number | 75789 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| chokes included | 5 |
| color | Black |
| length | 39.0500 |
| model | SA-20 |
| package height | 3.2 |
| package width | 11.5 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Crossbolt |
| shipping weight | 13.25 |
| sights | Bead Front |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Does it cycle light target loads reliably?
- The gas system cycles 2¾-inch 7/8-ounce loads reliably after a 50-round break-in period. For consistent operation with light loads, avoid ultra-low-recoil ammunition below 1200 FPS. Mossberg recommends 1-ounce loads at minimum for guaranteed cycling.
- Is the receiver drilled and tapped for optics?
- No, the blued steel receiver is not pre-drilled for optics mounting. Adding a rail requires gunsmith drilling and tapping, costing $80-120 plus parts. This is a purely traditional sighting platform with bead-only configuration.
- What chokes are compatible with this barrel?
- It uses Mossberg's Accu-Choke thread pattern (not Benelli/Beretta MobilChoke). The included Sport Set covers patterns from Cylinder to Full. Aftermarket chokes from Carlson's and Trulock are available in this thread for $40-60 each.
- How long is shipping for online orders?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 2 business days and ships via FedEx Ground, with transit times of 3-5 days continental US. FFL paperwork adds 1-2 days for background checks. Total delivery typically spans 6-8 business days.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Firearms are final sale per ATF regulations, but Ironclad Armory accepts returns for manufacturer defects within 30 days. They cover shipping for warranty issues but charge a 15% restocking fee for non-defective returns initiated by the customer.