Mossberg 500 20 Gauge Field/Deer Combo 26″/24″

About this product

The Mossberg 500 Field/Deer Combo in 20 Gauge is a dual-barrel pump-action shotgun system providing separate, optimized platforms for upland bird hunting and rifled-slug deer hunting from a single, durable receiver. This 7-pound package includes a 26-inch vent-rib field barrel with Accu-Set choke tubes and a dedicated 24-inch rifled slug barrel with adjustable rifle sights, both manufactured to Mossberg's mil-spec 500 series standards. For the shooter facing mixed terrain or seasonal regulation changes—like moving from small-game zones to shotgun-only deer areas—this combo eliminates the need for a second dedicated firearm while maintaining specialized ballistics for each task.

What is the Mossberg 500 20 Gauge Field/Deer Combo used for?

The Mossberg 500 20 Gauge combo is used for executing two distinct, high-accuracy shotshell applications—upland bird/waterfowl hunting with shot and precise, ethical deer harvesting with sabot slugs—without the mechanical compromise of a single multipurpose barrel. You use the 26-inch field barrel, fitted with a Modified or Improved Cylinder choke tube, for hunting pheasant, grouse, or dove at typical flush ranges of 30-40 yards; you then swap to the fully rifled 24-inch slug barrel, zeroed at 75 yards with its adjustable rifle sights, for delivering a ⅔-ounce Federal Premium Sabot Slug with sub-3-inch Minute of Angle (MOA) accuracy at legal shotgun-deer distances. The package's 3-inch chamber accepts the full spectrum of target, field, and magnum loads, making it a definitive two-gun solution for mixed-use seasons across most North American hunting regulations.

How does the Mossberg 500 combo compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?

The Mossberg 500 combo is mechanically superior for dedicated slug accuracy and rugged field maintenance, while the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 20 Gauge review offers faster two-shot cycling for clay sports and a more refined fit/finish. The Mossberg's dual-action bars and steel-to-steel locking lug system provide a more robust, dirt-tolerant action than the Stevens' single selective trigger and hinge-break design, crucial for muddy deer stands or foul-weather waterfowling. However, for the shooter whose primary use is skeet, sporting clays, or driven bird hunting where follow-up shots under 1.5 seconds are critical, the Stevens' over-under configuration and 30-inch barrel length provides a smoother, more balanced swing and immediate second-shot capability the pump-action Mossberg cannot match.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The unloaded Mossberg 500 combo weighs 7 pounds (112 oz or 3.18 kg) and measures 45.5 inches in overall length with the 26-inch field barrel installed. The 24-inch rifled slug barrel reduces overall length to approximately 43.3 inches, a critical 2.2-inch reduction for maneuvering in dense timber or ground blinds with interior widths as narrow as 28 inches. With a length of pull fixed at 14.25 inches from the hard rubber butt pad to the front trigger surface, the system maintains consistent cheek weld and point of impact between barrels, a dimensional stability that keeps your zero when swapping from a rifled to smoothbore configuration during a single 8-hour hunt.

Who is this NOT for?

This combo is not for the competitive clay shooter seeking a dedicated sporting gun, nor for the minimalist backcountry hunter prioritizing ultra-lightweight kits under 5.5 pounds. The fixed hardwood stock and 7-pound base weight add nearly 1.8 pounds over a synthetic-stocked compact like the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga, a tangible difference after 6 miles of tracking grouse in steep terrain. Furthermore, the manual pump action and 5+1 tube capacity cannot match the rapid, high-volume shot strings possible with a semi-automatic or over-under for waterfowl flocks or high-volume dove fields where 25-shell limits are common.

What's in the box?

Inside the box are two factory-blued barrels (26-inch vent-rib, 24-inch rifled), a single Mossberg 500 20-gauge receiver and trigger group, a fixed hardwood stock and forend, three Accu-Set choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder), and the factory manual with warranty card. The package does not include a carrying case, scope mount, sling swivels, or snap caps—essential accessories that will add $75-$150 to your initial outlay. You will need a 0.375-inch hex key and approximately 12 minutes to properly install the barrels, torque the magazine cap to 15 ft-lbs, and function-check the action before first use.

Is the Mossberg 500 combo worth it at $509.99?

At $509.99, the Mossberg 500 combo is worth the investment for the hunter who legally requires separate smoothbore and rifled configurations but operates within a strict one-firearm budget. Purchasing a standalone Mossberg 500 field model ($349) and a separate rifled slug barrel ($189) would cost approximately $538, making this factory-combined kit a $28 savings with the added benefit of guaranteed headspace and sight alignment from a single factory test-fire. Compared to buying two dedicated firearms—like a Stevens 334 rifle and a separate shotgun—this package delivers 90% of the ballistic performance for 55% of the cost, a tangible value proposition for the regulated mixed-game hunter.