Mossberg 500 Retrograde 12 Gauge, 18.5 Inch

Description

The Mossberg 500 Retrograde is built for shooters who want a no-frills, reliable pump-action shotgun without the synthetic furniture that dominates most of the 500’s current lineup. It suits home defense, range work, and general utility equally well — a working gun rather than a dedicated-purpose one.

The stock and forend are matched walnut with a checkered grip, which gives the shooter a more positive hold under wet or cold conditions than a smooth wood stock would, and the forend’s grain is matched to the buttstock so the two pieces wear consistently over time. A vented recoil pad at the heel manages the impulse of heavier loads without adding meaningfully to overall length. The blued finish on the barrel and steel receiver is the same practical choice Mossberg has offered on working shotguns for decades — it requires periodic attention to stay protected against moisture, but it machines and wears in a way that suits the traditional aesthetic of the Retrograde line.

Twin action bars prevent the forend from canting or binding during the pump stroke, which matters most under stress or when the shooter’s grip pressure is uneven. Dual extractors give the bolt two independent points of contact on the shell rim, reducing the risk of a single extractor losing purchase on a fired case. The anti-jam elevator guides shells from the magazine onto the carrier plane reliably, and the steel-to-steel lockup keeps the bolt and barrel extension mated without slop. The ambidextrous top-tang safety sits at the rear of the receiver where the thumb falls naturally regardless of which hand is dominant, and it can be operated without shifting grip.

Shipping and availability: This item must ship to a licensed FFL dealer for transfer.