Description
Imagine the crunch of frozen leaves underfoot, the stark silhouette of a whitetail against a Missouri winter sky. You need a shot that counts, a tool that bridges the gap between your stand and the target with absolute authority. That’s the domain of the Mossberg 500 Slugster Pump 12 ga 24″ 3″ Adjustable Wood Blue Finish. This is a purpose-built, rifled-slug shotgun designed for precision with sabot slugs at extended ranges, offering a robust and reliable platform for hunters who demand a decisive advantage in the field.
The Mossberg 500 Slugster is a dedicated slug-hunting shotgun featuring a 24-inch fully rifled barrel with adjustable rifle-style sights. Its solid wood stock and forend provide a stable, traditional platform, while the proven Mossberg 500 pump-action ensures dependable cycling in all conditions. Chambered for 3″ 12-gauge shells, it’s engineered to transform a shotgun into a straight-shooting, medium-range firearm for deer and other big game. This model ships to Missouri and compliant US states, ready for the season ahead.
Let’s break down what makes this shotgun a serious contender. The heart of the Slugster is its 24-inch fully rifled barrel. This isn’t your typical smoothbore; the internal rifling imparts a stabilizing spin to modern, plastic-sheathed sabot slugs, dramatically improving accuracy out to 100 yards and beyond. Paired with the adjustable rifle sights—a blade front and notch rear—you have a system built for precise shot placement. The wood stock isn’t just for looks; it offers a solid cheek weld and heft that soaks up recoil, making follow-up shots more manageable. The overall package weighs in at a balanced 7.5 pounds, heavy enough to be steady but not cumbersome in a blind.
Reliability is non-negotiable, and the Mossberg 500 action delivers. The twin action bars provide smooth, bind-free pumping whether you’re wearing gloves or not. The tang-mounted safety is intuitive and easily accessible with your thumb—a critical feature when the moment of truth arrives. Here’s the thing—this is a tool that works. It fits out of the box with no gunsmithing required, accepting a wide range of Mossberg 500-compatible accessories like sling swivel studs and recoil pads from brands like Limbsaver. The 3″ chamber gives you flexibility with ammunition, allowing you to choose the optimal slug load for your hunt, all for a price of $361.51.
| Action | Pump Action |
| Gauge | 12 Gauge (3″ Chamber) |
| Barrel Length | 24″ |
| Barrel Type | Fully Rifled |
| Sights | Adjustable Rifle Sights |
| Stock | Wood |
| Finish | Blue |
| Capacity | 5+1 Rounds |
Pros: The rifled barrel and rifle sights deliver shotgun-defying accuracy with sabot slugs. The Mossberg 500 action is famously durable and simple to maintain. The wood stock provides classic aesthetics and practical recoil management. Its dedicated design means no compromise for its intended slug-hunting role.
Cons: As a dedicated slug gun, it’s not suited for shooting shot (birdshot, buckshot). The fixed rifle sights, while precise, lack the magnification of a scope—though the receiver is drilled and tapped for easy mounting. The 24″ barrel can feel long for maneuvering in extremely thick brush.
This shotgun is for the Missouri deer hunter who operates in mixed terrain—from agricultural fields to wooded tracts—where shots may present from 50 to 125 yards. It’s for the hunter who prefers the simplicity and power of a shotgun platform but needs the reach of a rifle, especially in regions with specific firearm restrictions. It’s also a solid choice for hunters pursuing larger game like bear or boar with heavy slug loads at moderate ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use regular buckshot or birdshot in this shotgun?
A: No. The fully rifled barrel is designed exclusively for sabot slugs or other rifled slugs. Firing shot through a rifled barrel will produce a poor, scattered pattern and can damage the barrel’s rifling over time. For shot, you would need a separate smoothbore barrel.
Q: How accurate is it, really?
A: With quality sabot slugs matched to the barrel, the Mossberg 500 Slugster is capable of consistent 2-4 inch groups at 100 yards from a rested position. This makes it effective for ethical deer hunting at that range. Accuracy, of course, depends heavily on the shooter, the specific ammunition, and proper sight adjustment.
Q: Is it ready for a scope?
A: Yes. The receiver is pre-drilled and tapped for scope mounts, allowing you to easily add a low-power variable or red dot sight. Popular one-piece mounts from brands like EGW and Warne are compatible, letting you tailor the setup to your preference without permanent modification.
Available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide, the Mossberg 500 Slugster represents a focused solution for the disciplined hunter. FFL transfer required for firearm purchases. If your season demands a reliable, hard-hitting tool built for a specific and critical task, this shotgun warrants your consideration.
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