What makes a Mossberg a "500A"?

"A" is 12 gauge
B 16 gauge
C 20 gauge

They are all 500's. They break down the 500's by caliber and assign a letter code as Seebee says above, but I'll add 500E = .410 bore.

There was also a 500AB, which was 12-gauge (I've got one).

You also have the 505 which is the Youth model, the 535 which is the 3.5" chamber model. Then you get into the New Haven 600's, the Western Field 550 ABDs, etc. all the other Mossberg 500's variants.

Also, the 500AT. What does the T designator signify?

Mossberg 500 A; B; ETC...

Glad I've come across this thread because I've received several answers to this question.
I purchased a 12 gauge SG from the local pawn and it's stamped with "WESTERNFIELD - 550ABD" now as per the serial number my research shows it to be a Mossberg. It looks and feels like a Mossberg, even has the safety up top so it's easy for a lefty or right handed shooter as well. I love that feature and wish all SG had the safety up top.

BUT one guy tells me it is a Stevens. I'm not sure of that because like I said the serial number says Mossberg.

So what does 550ABD mean? Might this simply be the designation given by Mossy to show this SG was made for the Westernfield company?

Thanks!

i had a westerfield 550 abd and bought a mossburg 500 security 18.5" barrell for it,fit right on,now i have a new haven 600ct 20 gauge ,smallest lightest pump i ever felt,i just hope short 20 gauge mossburg 500 barrells fit her.i think they will. my 550 abd had the scalloped bolt and the prettiest stripped wood i ever seen,looked like a factory police gun,i was offered a outragous amount of cash for it,and i sold it.wish i kept it.

I've got a Pedersen 4500.... (fancy Model 500A)

They also made a 4500 (even fancier model 500A)

The Western Field is a Montgomery Wards brand name.
The 550ABD is a Mossberg 500 model.

Western Field also sold a 550A, 550AB, 550B, 550C, and 550E.

Augustino, if you look in the stickies you'll see a "Mossberg shotgun disassembly by Mini-Me" which shows me tearing apart my Western Field 550ABD. It was a Mossberg model made specially for Montgomery Wards. Western Field bought various shotguns from different manufacturers; there are Stevens Western Field guns also but not the 550 ABD, that one is Mossberg.

So if I understand this correctly: if you have a Mossberg 500 or a 500A you have a 12 gauge, 500B would be a 16 gauge, 500C would be a 20gauge.
What would a 500AB be then?
I own one and wondered what the AB stood for?

What would a 500AB be then?

Click to expand...

A Mossy model 500 in 12 gauge sold through a retail store ie Coast to Coast, Wards, Sears etc. They were almost always fine grade wood (mostly walnut), high polished blue etc. Some were roll engraved on the receivers, most had grip caps and great checkering, and most had a scalloped bolt and lifter. The C-lect choke was a standard feature. They were aimed at the sporting/hunting crowd and sold as top of the line guns through retail stores. Most you find today have been parted out and reassembled. The old walnut stocks are too pretty to look tough and they split with age and they are impossible to match with a replacement....the bolt and lifter are too nice for a black tactical gun etc. The C-Lect choke barrel is a semi-rarity these days, most were cut off.

A T is a lower priced "tactical" model aimed at the police/guard market. They came out before there was a real tactical market so the T designation means nothing more than a lower priced gun aimed at police and guards. They came with plain buttstocks, no checkering, and the ugliest damned grooved semi-corncob forearm there ever was. Low polish blue. They had fixed chokes and 18.5" rifle sighted barrels. Other than the stocks and barrels, they were identical to any other 500A. They were lower priced by keeping the wood plain etc, not by a lessening of the quality of the gun.

Both the AB and the AT are standard Mossy 500 receivers, all the same parts fit them. The letters just indicate the intended market and common features.

Very early in the AM here. Apologies for any typos or manic raving.

rich

Don't hold me to this, contact Vic Havlin at Havlin Sales and confirm,,,
I believe the letter suffix was added when they began using dual slide rails on the guns,,,