The Mossberg 500 is a 12-gauge, pump action shotgun that could blow a hole in an enemy's chest at 65 yards. It was the Mid-Range weapon of the Green Beret.
Description
- Weight: 7.26 lbs
- Length: Varies with model
- Barrel Length: 14 to 30 inches
- Ammo: 12-gauge
- Magazine: 8 rounds
- Action: Pump-action
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,325 ft/s
- Effective Range: 65 yards
- Feed System: 5 to 8-round internal tube magazine
Uses
One of the most noticeable early pump-action shotguns used by the USA was the Winchester Model 1897 (a pump-action variation of the Winchester 1893). Its use during WWI gave it the nickname the 'Trench Gun' since it was so useful in WWI trenches. The Winchester 97 is still produced today.
Mossberg claims that the Model 500 is the only shotgun to pass the US Army's Mil-Spec 3443E test. Even though the US Marine Corps has switched to the semiautomatic M1014 combat shotgun, it is still widely used by the other branches of the US military.
In show
The Mossberg was shot at a pig and put four rounds in under four seconds. The Saiga was shot at four targets in under three seconds. The edge was given to the Saiga due to its semi-auto capability.
Trivia
- American shotguns were so devastating in WWI that Germany declared the use of shotguns to be a warcrime punishable by execution, as they thought shotguns were illegal and immoral.