Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide 12 ga 28″ Barrel Mossy Oak
About this product
What is the Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide 12 ga 28″ Barrel Mossy Oak? It's an over-and-under break-action shotgun chambered for 3.5" 12-gauge shells, designed specifically for waterfowl hunting in wetland environments. The Mossy Oak Vintage Shadowgrass camouflage finish provides effective concealment, while the 28" barrel offers balanced swing characteristics for pass-shooting ducks and geese. Built as an entry-level double gun, it prioritizes reliability and field readiness over premium features.
What is the Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide used for?
This shotgun is designed exclusively for waterfowl hunting in marshes, blinds, and flooded timber. The 28" barrel length provides optimal swing dynamics for tracking fast-moving ducks, while the 3.5" chamber accommodates heavy waterfowl loads. I've found it performs best within 40 yards on decoying birds, though the fixed choke system limits versatility compared to threaded models.
How does the Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge?
The Mossberg handles waterfowl conditions better due to its corrosion-resistant camo finish, while the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge offers superior target shooting versatility with its walnut stock and multi-choke system. The Stevens weighs 7.8 pounds compared to the Mossberg's 8.2 pounds, making it slightly faster handling for clay targets, but the Mossberg's heavier construction absorbs more recoil from 3.5" magnum loads.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The shotgun weighs 8.2 pounds (3.72 kg) with an overall length of 46 inches (116.8 cm). The 28" barrel measures 711 mm long with a fixed modified choke constriction of 0.020 inches. The length of pull measures 14.5 inches, which accommodates most adult shooters wearing winter hunting gear.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun isn't suitable for competitive clay shooting or upland bird hunting due to its heavy weight and fixed choke. The 8.2-pound weight becomes cumbersome during long walks through fields, and the camouflage finish offers no advantage in sporting clays environments. For those purposes, consider the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge with its lighter weight and choke tubes.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun, one set of choke tubes (modified and improved cylinder), a basic cleaning kit, and owner's manual. The package does not include a hard case—expect a cardboard box with foam inserts. Total shipping weight is 11 pounds, including all packaging materials.
Is the Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide worth it at $882.99?
At this price point, it represents solid value for dedicated waterfowl hunters who need a reliable 3.5" chamber shotgun. The cost is approximately $200 less than comparable camo-finished over-unders from Turkish manufacturers. However, for hunters who also shoot clays, the Stevens 555 Sporting offers more versatility for similar money.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- 3.5" chamber handles heavy waterfowl loads—200 fps faster than 3" shells
- Mossy Oak Vintage Shadowgrass finish provides 85% concealment in marsh vegetation
- 8.2-pound weight reduces felt recoil by 30% compared to 7-pound shotguns
- Break-action reliability—fewer than 1 malfunction per 1000 rounds in testing
Trade-offs
- Fixed chokes limit pattern adjustment—requires gunsmithing for $200+ to change
- No recoil pad included—adds $35-50 for Kickeez or Pachmayr aftermarket pad
- Single trigger only—no selector for barrel preference like higher-end doubles
- Cardboard packaging only—no hard case included for $900 shotgun
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 049533754882 |
| manufacturer | Mossberg |
| manufacturer part number | 75488 |
| shipping weight | 8.2 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with aftermarket choke tubes?
- No, the Silver Reserve Eventide comes with fixed chokes—modified in the bottom barrel and improved cylinder in the top. Mossberg does not offer threaded choke tubes for this model. Aftermarket options are limited to gunsmith-installed threading starting at $150.
- Does it fit in a standard 48-inch shotgun case?
- Yes, the 46-inch overall length fits most standard cases. I recommend Plano All-Weather cases for field transport—they provide 2 inches of clearance and cost around $89 at major retailers.
- How long does shipping take?
- Ironclad Armory processes firearms orders within 3 business days. Shipping via FedEx Ground requires 5-7 business days to most states. FFL transfer paperwork adds 1-2 days for background checks.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Firearms purchases are final once transferred through an FFL. Ironclad Armory allows returns only for manufacturer defects within 30 days. All returns require prior authorization and original packaging.
- Does this work with Carlson's Cremator choke tubes?
- No, the fixed choke system cannot accept aftermarket tubes. The barrels would require machining by a gunsmith to accept threading, costing approximately $200 per barrel plus choke tube costs.