Best Mossberg Shotguns (2026): 940, 590, 500 & More

The best Mossberg shotguns have armed soldiers, cops, turkey hunters, and homeowners for decades. Mossberg makes the 500 and 590 pumps, the budget Maverick 88, the magazine-fed 590M, the non-NFA Shockwave, and the 940 autoloaders, plus field guns and over-unders. There is a Mossberg for almost every job and budget.

Our writers have run them hard. We put 500 rounds through a 940 Pro Tactical SPX at a defensive shotgun class without a hiccup, dumped 10 rounds into steel in 1.75 seconds with a 940 JM Pro, kept every 00 buck pellet on a sheet of paper at 15 yards with a 590A1 Retrograde, and dropped a tom at 56 yards with a 20 gauge Mossberg 500 we bought new.

This guide is about the Mossberg brand. If you want the best gun for one job regardless of brand, see our best home defense shotguns, best pump shotguns, best semi-auto tactical shotguns, and best turkey shotguns guides. Every price here is labeled with when we saw it.

Use the buyer’s guide to narrow it down, or jump straight to the picks.

Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose The Best Mossberg Shotguns In 2026

Mossberg shotguns come in a few families. Start with the action.

Pump Or Semi-Auto

The 500, 590, Maverick 88, Shockwave, and 590M are pump actions. Pumps are simple, cheap, and run almost any shell. The 940 family is Mossberg’s gas-operated autoloader, built to fix the cleaning needs of the older 930. Mossberg claims the 940 runs about 1,500 rounds between cleanings. Our shootout of the 940 vs Renegauge vs Ultima Patrol compares it with rivals.

500 Versus 590

The 500 is the classic field and turkey pump. The 590 adds a magazine tube with a removable cap and, on the 590A1, a heavy-walled barrel and metal trigger guard and safety. Pick a 500 for hunting and a 590 for defense. Langdon Tactical even builds an upgraded 590, covered in our LTT Mossberg 590 news.

Short Guns And The Law

The Shockwave and 590 Bliksem leave the factory with a bird’s head grip, a 14.375 inch barrel, and an overall length over 26 inches, so they are sold as firearms rather than NFA short-barreled shotguns. Adding a stock would change that. The discontinued 590A1 Compact Cruiser was an AOW. Check federal, state, and local law before you buy or modify a short shotgun.

What About The 990?

The new 990 SPX drew a lot of attention at SHOT Show 2026. Our 990 SPX SHOT Show coverage lists 14 inch and 18.5 inch versions at about $1,300 MSRP as of SHOT Show 2026. We have not tested one yet, so it is not a pick.

Optics And Capacity

The 940 Pro Tactical SPX and 940 JM Pro come with optic cuts, and our SPX test gun came with a Holosun HS407K X2. The 590M feeds from double-stack box magazines up to 20 rounds. Tube guns range from 5+1 on the Bliksem to 9+1 on the 940 JM Pro.

Price

Mossbergs are a value brand. In our reviews, prices ran from $230 for the Maverick 88 Security in 2023 to $1,371 MSRP for the 940 Pro Tactical SPX Holosun combo in 2025. Several reviews are older, so check current listings.

Best Mossberg Shotguns Ranked: 2026 Product Roundup

Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX: Best Overall Mossberg Shotgun (2026)

The Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX is the best overall Mossberg shotgun because it ran 500 rounds of birdshot, buckshot, and slugs with 100 percent reliability during a defensive shotgun class. Our test gun was the Holosun Micro Dot Combo with an HS407K X2 red dot and a 7-round magazine. MSRP was $1,371 at the time of review. It has an 18.5 inch barrel that takes Accu-Choke tubes.

Read our full Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX review here.

Spacers adjust the length of pull from 12.5 to 14.25 inches. At 15 yards our reviewer’s buckshot pattern stayed about 4 inches wide, and at 7 yards it left a single slug-sized hole. Special coatings let it go longer between cleanings.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12, 3 in chamber
• Barrel: 18.5 in, Accu-Choke
• Capacity: 7+1 (as tested)
• Length of pull: 12.5 to 14.25 in
• MSRP: $1,371 with Holosun at the time of review

Pros

• 500 rounds, 100 percent reliable
• Optic included
• Adjustable length of pull

Cons

• Pricey for a Mossberg
• Heavier than a pump

🛒 Check Current Price for Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX on GunsAmerica

Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde: Best Mossberg Pump For Defense (2026)

The Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde is the best Mossberg pump for defense because it pairs the military 590A1 heavy-walled barrel with classic wood and parkerized steel. It holds eight rounds, has a ventilated heat shield, a bayonet lug, and a skeletonized shell lifter. MSRP was $1,018 at the time of review in 2022.

Read our full Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde review here.

With standard nine-pellet 00 buck, all nine pellets stayed on a sheet of letter paper at 5, 10, and 15 yards from the cylinder bore barrel. Our reviewer ran it through drills like the El Pres and called the 590A1 one of his favorite fighting shotguns. The heavy barrel makes it front heavy, and the 13.87 inch length of pull is long for some shooters.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12
• Capacity: 8 rounds
• Barrel: heavy-walled, cylinder bore
• Length of pull: 13.87 in
• MSRP: $1,018 at the time of review (2022)

Pros

• Tight buckshot patterns
• Military-grade 590A1 build
• Classic trench gun looks

Cons

• Front heavy
• Long length of pull

🛒 Check Current Price for Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde on GunsAmerica

Mossberg Maverick 88 Security: Best Budget Mossberg Shotgun (2026)

The Mossberg Maverick 88 Security is the best budget Mossberg shotgun because it ran everything we fed it for a $230 price tag at the time of review in 2023. Our reviewer chose the 20 inch barrel with a 7-round tube over the 18.5 inch, 5-round version. It weighs 6.5 pounds.

Read our full Maverick 88 Security review here.

Birdshot, buckshot, turkey loads, and slugs all ran reliably. He made good slug hits out to 60 yards at the range and took it deer hunting in thick timber. The trigger is heavy at 7 pounds, but he called the build quality exceptional for the money. See our best pump shotguns guide for more.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12
• Barrel: 20 in (as tested)
• Capacity: 7-round tube
• Weight: 6.5 lb
• Price: $230 at the time of review (2023)

Pros

• Very affordable
• Reliable with all loads
• Light

Cons

• Heavy 7 lb trigger
• Basic finish

🛒 Check Current Price for Maverick 88 Security on GunsAmerica

Mossberg 590 Bliksem: Best Mossberg Pistol-Grip Firearm (2026)

The Mossberg 590 Bliksem is the best Mossberg pistol-grip firearm because it builds the short 590 into a complete package with Rhodesian Brushstroke camo, an AfterShock grip, and a factory Esstac 6-round shell carrier. It has a 14.375 inch heavy-walled cylinder bore barrel, a 3 inch chamber, 5+1 capacity, and weighs 6.3 pounds. MSRP was $728 at the time of review.

Read our full Mossberg 590 Bliksem review here.

The pump cycled smoothly, fed reliably, and ejected without a hiccup. The trigger measured a little over 7 pounds, which our reviewer said felt fine for this kind of gun. Because it leaves the factory with a bird’s head grip and is over 26 inches long, it is sold as a firearm rather than an NFA item.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12, 3 in chamber
• Barrel: 14.375 in heavy-walled, cylinder bore
• Capacity: 5+1
• Weight: 6.3 lb
• MSRP: $728 at the time of review

Pros

• Complete package out of the box
• Reliable
• Esstac shell carrier included

Cons

• Costs more than a plain Shockwave
• Hard to shoot well without practice

🛒 Check Current Price for Mossberg 590 Bliksem on GunsAmerica

Mossberg 940 JM Pro: Best Mossberg Competition Shotgun (2026)

The Mossberg 940 JM Pro is the best Mossberg competition shotgun because it holds 9+1, reloads fast, and kept running through a couple hundred rounds of mixed loads. Our optic-ready Multicam Black test gun came with Briley extended chokes, an extended magazine tube, and a Shield RMSc optic cut. MSRP was $1,240 at the time of review in 2024, with street prices closer to $1,050.

Read our full Mossberg 940 JM Pro review here.

Our reviewer measured the trigger at 3.5 to 4 pounds with a great reset. He dumped 10 rounds into a steel target at 10 yards in 1.75 seconds and, with a red dot, hit steel at 100 yards with 1 ounce slugs. It runs 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells. See our best semi-auto tactical shotguns guide for more autoloaders.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12, 3 in chamber
• Capacity: 9+1
• Chokes: Briley extended IC, Cyl, Mod
• Trigger: 3.5 to 4 lb
• MSRP: $1,240 at the time of review (2024)

Pros

• Fast and reliable
• Optic cut
• Great trigger reset

Cons

• Common red dots may not fit the cut
• Pricey

🛒 Check Current Price for Mossberg 940 JM Pro on GunsAmerica

Mossberg 590M: Best Mag-Fed Mossberg Shotgun (2026)

The Mossberg 590M is the best mag-fed Mossberg shotgun because its double-stack box magazines go up to 20 rounds while keeping the weight close to the receiver. It ships with a 10-round magazine, and we also tested 5, 10, 15, and 20 round magazines on day one. The magazine release works from either side. MSRP was $801 at the time of review in 2018.

Read our full Mossberg 590M review here.

The only malfunction came with the 20-round magazine, and our reviewer blamed his own short stroke. The 590M is chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells only, and extra magazines cost $95 to $130 at the time of review. It is the fastest way to reload a pump Mossberg.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12, 2 3/4 in shells
• Magazine: 10-round included, up to 20
• Magazine release: ambidextrous
• Reliability: one malfunction, likely operator error
• MSRP: $801 at the time of review (2018)

Pros

• Up to 20 rounds
• Fast reloads
• Ambidextrous mag release

Cons

• 2 3/4 inch shells only
• Expensive magazines

🛒 Check Current Price for Mossberg 590M on GunsAmerica

Mossberg 590 Shockwave: Best Compact Non-NFA Mossberg (2026)

The Mossberg 590 Shockwave is the best compact non-NFA Mossberg because it gives you a 14 inch barreled 590 without a tax stamp. It is just under 26 1/2 inches long, has a 3 inch chamber, a lightweight anodized aluminum receiver, and a Raptor bird’s head grip and hand strap. MSRP was $455 at the time of review.

Read our full Mossberg Shockwave review here.

Our reviewer found the Raptor grip helped tame 12 gauge recoil, and he ran slug drills on an IPSC target from 3 to 7 yards. He found it was not ammunition sensitive with anything he tested, and an OpSol Mini-Clip lets it run 1.75 inch mini shells. It is a close-range gun that takes practice.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12, 3 in chamber
• Barrel: 14 in
• Overall length: 26.37 in
• Grip: Raptor bird’s head
• MSRP: $455 at the time of review

Pros

• No NFA paperwork
• Compact
• Not ammo sensitive

Cons

• Hard to aim
• Stout recoil

🛒 Check Current Price for Mossberg Shockwave on GunsAmerica

Mossberg 500 Turkey: Best Mossberg Turkey Shotgun (2026)

The Mossberg 500 Turkey is the best Mossberg turkey shotgun because our writer bought one new, hunted it for two seasons, and dropped a mature tom with one shot at 56 yards using a 3 inch 20 gauge TSS shell. The gun weighs 6.75 pounds and carried easily on walk-and-call hunts.

Read our full Mossberg 500 Turkey two-year review here.

The two-year review is honest about problems. After a rainy-day cleaning, the safety would not disengage when a tom came in, because it had not been serviced. The extractor also skipped a spent shell once during fast pump work. A proper cleaning fixed it, and our writer still plans to hunt with it. See our best turkey shotguns guide for more.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 20 (as tested)
• Weight: 6.75 lb
• Longest kill: 56 yards with 3 in TSS
• Ownership: bought new in 2022, two seasons
• Price: check current listings

Pros

• Light and easy to carry
• Patterned great past 50 yards
• Two seasons of real hunting

Cons

• Safety needs regular service
• Finish wear and rust
• Extractor skipped once

🛒 Check Current Price for Mossberg 500 Turkey on GunsAmerica

Mossberg 930 Duck Commander: Best Mossberg For Waterfowl (2026)

The Mossberg 930 Duck Commander is the best Mossberg for waterfowl in our coverage because the 930 autoloader cycles a wide range of loads and the Duck Commander version wears a 28 inch barrel for blind shooting. It weighs under 8 pounds empty, and the trigger broke very clean at 5.2 pounds. MSRP was $864 at the time of review in 2014.

Read our full Mossberg 930 Duck Commander review here.

Our reviewer called the 930 a versatile scattergun for hunting and a reliable tool for defense. This review is old, and the 940 has since replaced much of the 930 lineup, including the waterfowl-ready 940 Pro Field covered in our news. See our best waterfowl shotguns guide for current options.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12
• Barrel: 28 in
• Weight: under 8 lb
• Trigger: 5.2 lb
• MSRP: $864 at the time of review (2014)

Pros

• Clean 5.2 lb trigger
• Cycles a wide range of loads
• Camo for the blind

Cons

• Old review
• Needs more cleaning than a 940

🛒 Check Current Price for Mossberg 930 on GunsAmerica

Mossberg Silver Reserve II: Best Mossberg Over-Under (2026)

The Mossberg Silver Reserve II is the best Mossberg over-under because it offers better wood-to-metal fit than most guns in its price range. Field models listed from $693 to $1,042 in 2013 depending on gauge and features, and our reviewer found his listed at $776. His 12 gauge had 28 inch vent-rib barrels, five choke tubes, and ejectors.

Read our full Mossberg Silver Reserve II review here.

He took it to a muddy duck pit and found it responded best to the break point style of wingshooting. At 7 1/2 pounds it kicked harder than he expected with heavy steel duck loads. For upland work he would look at the 26 inch or 20 gauge versions. See our best over-under shotguns guide for more.

Key Specs

• Gauge: 12 (as tested)
• Barrels: 28 in vent rib
• Chokes: five tubes
• Weight: 7.5 lb
• Price: listed at $776 in 2013

Pros

• Good fit for the price
• Ejectors
• Five chokes

Cons

• Kicks hard with heavy loads
• Very old review

🛒 Check Current Price for Mossberg Silver Reserve on GunsAmerica

Final Thoughts On The Best Mossberg Shotguns Of 2026

The best Mossberg shotgun for most people is the 940 Pro Tactical SPX. It ran 500 rounds without a hiccup and comes ready for an optic. The 590A1 Retrograde is the defensive pump, the Maverick 88 is the budget pick, the 590 Bliksem and Shockwave are the compact firearms, the 940 JM Pro is the competition gun, the 590M is the mag-fed option, the 500 Turkey is for gobblers, the 930 is for ducks, and the Silver Reserve II is the over-under.

Related reading: see our guides to the best Beretta shotguns and best Benelli guns.

Mossbergs are tough, simple, and fairly priced, which is why so many people own one. Know your target and what is beyond it. Train hard, shoot straight, and stay dangerous. Shop Mossberg shotguns on GunsAmerica.com.