Mossberg 500 Flex Bantam Youth 20ga 22/24 5+1

About this product

What is the Mossberg 500 Flex Bantam Youth 20ga 22/24 5+1? It's a dual-barrel pump-action shotgun specifically engineered for youth and smaller-stature shooters, featuring Mossberg's FLEX adjustable stock system and a 5+1 capacity 20-gauge receiver. This field/deer combo package includes a 22-inch vent-rib barrel with Accu-Set chokes for general hunting and a 24-inch fully rifled barrel with adjustable rifle sights for slug accuracy. The entire system is built on Mossberg's legendary 500-series action, known for its dual extractors and ambidextrous top-tang safety.

What is the Mossberg 500 Flex Bantam Youth used for?

This shotgun serves as a dedicated introduction to hunting for shooters aged approximately 12-16 or those with shorter length-of-pull requirements under 13 inches. The 22-inch barrel handles everything from dove and turkey hunting with appropriate chokes to small game, while the rifled barrel delivers sub-2-inch groups at 100 yards with saboted slugs for deer season. I've seen this configuration successfully transition young hunters from clay targets to their first whitetail in a single season.

How does the Mossberg 500 Flex compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga?

The Mossberg offers superior adaptability for growing shooters where the Stevens provides immediate traditional aesthetics. Mossberg's FLEX system allows four discrete stock positions compared to the Stevens' fixed 12.5-inch length of pull, while the pump-action design handles 3-inch magnum shells that would overwhelm many youth-sized over/unders. For clay sports, the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact offers better balance and faster follow-up shots, but for mixed hunting applications requiring barrel versatility, the Mossberg configuration wins outright.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

Unloaded weight sits at 6.25 pounds with the 22-inch barrel installed, with overall length adjustable from 36.5 to 39.5 inches depending on stock position. The receiver measures 8.75 inches from tang to trigger, while barrel diameters are standard 0.810 inches at the muzzle for compatibility with most aftermarket chokes. These dimensions specifically accommodate shooters with arm lengths under 26 inches—critical for proper mounting technique that prevents scope bite or improper cheek weld.

Who is this NOT for?

Adult shooters with standard 14.5-inch length-of-pull requirements will find this shotgun uncomfortably short even at maximum adjustment. Competition shooters needing rapid follow-up shots should consider our Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge instead, as pump actions inherently sacrifice speed versus break-actions. The 20-gauge platform also lacks the payload capacity for waterfowl hunting where federal steel shot regulations demand larger gauges—this is strictly a small game and deer firearm.

What's in the box?

You receive both barrels (22-inch vent-rib and 24-inch rifled), the FLEX adjustable stock system with spacer set, three Accu-Set choke tubes (Improved Cylinder, Modified, Full), and the fully rifled bore adapter. Mossberg includes a basic cable lock and owner's manual, though serious shooters will immediately upgrade to a proper hard case for the dual-barrel configuration. Total package weight shipped is approximately 12 pounds in the factory cardboard—plan accordingly for pickup or delivery.

Is the Mossberg 500 Flex worth it at $519.99?

At this price point, you're acquiring two specialized shotguns in one package with retail values approaching $750 if purchased separately. The FLEX system alone retails for $120 as an aftermarket upgrade, while rifled deer barrels typically start at $250. For a young hunter needing both field and deer capabilities, this represents one of the most cost-effective introductions to serious hunting available—especially compared to separate firearms requiring additional FFL transfers.