The most-produced shotgun in history was born from a quest for reliability

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1961, Carl Benson designed a pump-action shotgun intended for hunters. It quickly pivoted into a tool for law enforcement and the military, eventually becoming the most-produced shotgun of all time. Its legacy is built on a simple engineering choice: a modular design that balances low cost with extreme durability.

The Mossberg 500's dominance stems from its versatile 'hammerless' receiver and action. While it serves a wide array of models—including the 505, 510, 535, and 590—they all share a core architecture. This modularity allows for significant customization; users can swap barrels for different purposes, such as waterfowl hunting or tactical breaching, while maintaining the same basic firearm. By 2021, this design philosophy resulted in approximately 11 million M500s being produced. The series includes various bore sizes like 12, 20, and .410 gauges. It also features different stock materials like wood or composite. The 535 model can fire 3.5-inch shells. Some variants even offer camouflage paint patterns.

The weapon's transition to military service was not immediate. In the 1970s, the M500 failed to meet the MIL-SPEC 3443E protocol, which required firing 3,000 rounds with no more than two malfunctions. To meet these standards, Mossberg had to increase production costs, leading to the 1987 creation of the M590 specifically for military use. The Navy further modified this into the M590A1, featuring a thickened barrel to prevent deformation when catching on heavy steel ship doors, eventually making it the U.S. military standard. The first military order consisted of about 5,900 units for the Navy and Coast Guard. During the 1991 Gulf War, these shotguns defended supply depots. In later conflicts, they were used to breach doors. The M590A1 includes a bayonet lug and a sling swivel.

Mechanically, the 500 and 590 differ significantly in magazine design. The Model 500 magazine is closed at the muzzle, allowing for easy barrel changes by bolting the barrel into a threaded hole. Conversely, the 590 magazine opens at the muzzle, facilitating easier cleaning and parts replacement by removing a capnut. These nuances reflect the divergent needs of civilian versatility versus the rigorous maintenance requirements of military and police environments. The Model 500 holds five 2.75-inch shells in its standard magazine. The 590A1 features an aluminum trigger guard to meet material requirements. Some models use a special Mariner finish for corrosion resistance. The Bantam version offers a shorter length of pull for smaller shooters.

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