Mossberg 500 Retrograde 12 Gauge 18.5in Walnut
About this product
What is the Mossberg 500 Retrograde 12 Gauge 18.5in? It is a pump-action shotgun configured for home defense with classic walnut furniture, a short 18.5-inch cylinder-bore barrel, and the proven, multi-million-unit reliability of the Mossberg 500 system. This particular model uses traditional materials and a blued finish for a retro aesthetic while maintaining the mechanical DNA of a duty-proven firearm. It's offered at a price point well below most semi-automatic tactical shotguns, making it a direct, no-frills choice for a specific kind of shooter.
What is the Mossberg 500 Retrograde 12 Gauge 18.5in used for?
This shotgun is primarily configured for home defense and general utility work. The 18.5-inch barrel is the legal minimum for a non-NFA smoothbore firearm, providing maximum maneuverability in confined spaces like hallways without requiring a tax stamp. The cylinder bore choke and 3-inch chamber allow it to cycle and pattern a wide range of defensive loads from 00 buck to low-recoil slugs, though its fixed bead sight limits precise slug work beyond 25 yards. It's not a hunting or clay target gun; its weight-to-length ratio of 6.75 pounds over 38.5 inches overall length is optimized for quick handling, not swinging on birds.
How does the Mossberg 500 Retrograde compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Mossberg Retrograde is a fundamentally different tool built for defense, while the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U is designed for recreational trap and skeet. The Stevens 555 is better for breaking clays with its 30-inch barrels, precise choke tubes, and dedicated single-purpose design, but it's nearly useless inside a home at $200-$300 more. The Mossberg's pump action is more tolerant of low-power or mixed-shell loads in a defensive scenario where a semi-auto might fail, and its $536.99 price gets you a ready-to-deploy tool, not a sporting instrument.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The shotgun weighs 6.75 pounds (3.06 kg) unloaded and measures 38.5 inches overall in length. The 18.5-inch barrel has a cylinder bore (no choke constriction) with a 0.730-inch internal diameter, and the walnut stock has a length of pull of 14 inches, which is standard for most adult shooters. These dimensions make it roughly 10 inches shorter and 1.5 pounds lighter than a typical field shotgun with a 28-inch barrel, a critical difference for storage in a quick-access safe or vehicle.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not for a new shooter looking for a "do everything" first firearm or for anyone primarily interested in clay sports. The pump action requires deliberate training to master under stress, unlike a semi-auto, and the lack of choke tubes and a simple bead sight makes it ineffective for hunting waterfowl or precision trap shooting. If your primary use case involves more than 50 shells in a session for recreation, a dedicated over-under like the Stevens 555 will be more enjoyable and durable for high-volume use.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun with one magazine tube plug installed for hunting compliance (limiting capacity to 2+1 rounds), a basic trigger lock, and the owner's manual. Mossberg does not include any spare parts, choke tubes (as this is a cylinder-bore barrel), or a cleaning kit. You will need to purchase 12-gauge ammunition, a basic cleaning rod, bore brush, and lubricant separately before your first range trip, which adds approximately $50-$75 to the initial outlay.
Is the Mossberg 500 Retrograde worth it at $536.99?
Yes, for a shooter who understands its specific role as a dedicated defensive tool. You are paying a roughly $150 premium over a basic synthetic-stock Mossberg 500 for the walnut furniture and blued finish, which is a fair trade for aesthetics if you value them. The mechanical reliability is identical to the base model, which has been proven over decades of military and police use. At this price, you are getting a no-compromise defensive firearm that requires no immediate modifications, whereas a cheaper synthetic model often spurs another $200 in aftermarket upgrades to reach the same utility.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Proven Mossberg 500 action with dual extractors and dual action bars — eliminates binding failures common in single-action-bar designs.
- 6.75 lb weight — balances forward for controllable follow-up shots with 12-gauge loads.
- Drilled and tapped receiver — accepts a #6-48 scope base for optics without permanent modification.
- Ambidextrous tang safety — 1.5-inch lever can be operated with the firing hand thumb by both right and left-handed shooters.
Trade-offs
- Uncheckered walnut forend — becomes slick with sweat or moisture compared to textured synthetic or stippled options.
- Fixed cylinder choke — limits effective pattern density beyond 25 yards versus a threaded choke system.
- No sling swivels installed — requires endcap replacement and stock drilling for a two-point sling, adding $40 in parts and labor.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 015813504294 |
| manufacturer | Mossberg |
| manufacturer part number | 50429 |
| action | Pump Action |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 18.5'' |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 5+1 |
| chokes included | Cylinder Bore |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 39.5'' |
| magazine included | Tubular Magazine |
| model | 500 |
| package height | 2.3 |
| package width | 7.9 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Ambidextrous Top Tang |
| shipping weight | 7.745 |
| sights | Bead Front |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Mossberg 500 barrels and accessories?
- Yes, it uses the standard Mossberg 500 dual-action bar system and magazine cap threads. The drilled and tapped receiver accepts standard Picatinny rails for optics, and the 18.5-inch cylinder barrel can be swapped for any Mossberg 500 barrel of the same gauge, including field-length or rifled slug barrels. The walnut forend uses the standard action tube slide, compatible with aftermarket options from companies like Magpul.
- Does it fit in a standard 40-inch rifle case?
- Yes, with room to spare. The overall length is 38.5 inches, allowing it to fit diagonally or straight in most 40-inch hard or soft rifle cases. For reference, a common Plano All Weather 42-inch case provides about 3.5 inches of extra space for magazines or cleaning gear alongside the firearm.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- From Ironclad Armory, standard processing is 1-2 business days before the firearm ships via FedEx 2Day to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. Total transit time is typically 3-5 business days from order to FFL arrival, contingent on your FFL's processing speed for the 4473 background check.
- Can I mount a red dot sight on this model?
- Yes, but not directly. The receiver is drilled and tapped for a #6-48 scope base, requiring you to purchase a separate Picatinny rail mount (like a Mossberg #95015) for approximately $25. Once installed, it will accept any micro red dot with a standard footprint, though the high bore axis means you'll need a low-profile mount to maintain a consistent cheek weld.