During the test, there were several light primer strikes as the load failed ignite, at a rate of perhaps 50%. We have used this load many times for economy and function. We began running the Mossberg at 7 and 10 yards with the Fiocchi bird-shot load. These included Winchester 2.75-inch #4 buckshot ($4.36 for five shells) rounds and Winchester 2.75-inch #1 buckshot shells ($4.36 for five shells, both from ) Fiocchi 2.75-inch Dove Load #8 shotshells ($85 for 250 rounds from ), Winchester AA #7 loads ($8.99/25), and Remington 00 buckshot Managed Recoil ($4.99/5 at ). To test the shotguns for speed and recoil control, we used a total of five loads including 00, #1, and #4 buckshot, and two types of birdshot shells. On firing, the bolt releases to allow the pump action to rack another shell into the chamber. A small lever just behind the trigger guard releases the bolt when the shotgun is cocked. The raters agreed that the tang-mounted safety is superior in speed and operation to trigger-guard-mounted crossbolt safeties. The safety is tang mounted and ambidextrous and positive in operation. If desired, an additional shell may be placed in the magazine, giving the Mossberg 500 a maximum of six shells on tap. The action is racked to load the chamber. The Mossberg 500 is loaded by pressing five 2.75-inch 12-gauge shells into the magazine. When it comes to function, though, the shotgun operates the same as any other Mossberg pump-action shotgun. Retro guns are popular, and this one has the look and feel of an older shotgun. While the Retrograde is a classic shotgun in appearance, it is drilled and tapped for a red-dot sight or scope mount. The Mossberg Retrograde offers considerable pride of ownership, and the wood is particularly nicely finished. While there is a race in progress in the firearms world to produce the least expensive firearms of any given type, there are also those willing to pay for superior fit and finish. While designed to harken back to Mossberg shotguns of previous years, the Retrograde shotgun is better finished and polished than any Mossberg we have examined and better than most shotguns of any type. The Retrograde line features a highly polished blue finish and well-turned-out wooden stock. The Persuader is a standard Mossberg 500 with an 18.5-inch barrel and bead front sight. The Mossberg Retrograde reinvents a popular model, the Persuader. The Mossberg 500 is a pump-action shotgun with a five-round tubular magazine. Officially called the Retrograde line, Mossberg also offers a 590 shotgun in this series. The Mossberg Retrograde Persuader is a new introduction on an old theme. MSRP for this product is $504, but we bought ours at for $385. With all those positives, the shotgun isn’t any more effective than the less-expensive imports. The shotgun handles quickly and invites a natural shooting style.
The Retrograde 12 gauge worked fine in all regards including loading, cycling, feeding, ejecting and firing. The Mossberg 500 Retrograde is a beautifully finished shotgun. Mossberg Retrograde Persuader 50429 12 Gauge, $385 We would purchase any of these shotguns, but one proved to be our shooters’ favorite and the Best Buy of the test. These shotguns have a pleasing appearance, with a bit of eye appeal not found in the usual economy shotgun. The Rock Island Armory M5 shotgun is a straight-up copy of the classic High Standard Flite King but is finished in matte nickel.The Iver Johnson PAS 12 Copperhead is a pump-action shotgun with interesting features and a special coating resembling a copperhead snake’s skin.The Mossberg is almost priced out of the economy range, but at less than $400 with careful shopping, it isn’t prohibitively expensive. This shotgun features the standard Mossberg 500 action, but its bright-blue finish and highly finished stock are a step above the usual rack-grade shotgun. The Mossberg 500 Retrograde 50429 shotgun is a highly finished version of the Mossberg Persuader.In this report, we tested several shotguns with a touch of flash or “bling.” They are special versions of standard shotguns, based on proven types, but with features that set them apart from the usual matte-finished shotgun with inexpensive wood furniture. Simple to use, effective, reliable and available in economy versions to fit every budget, the 12-gauge pump is a superior firearm for home defense, for use as a truck gun, and even for area defense on the ranch or farm. The 12-gauge shotgun continues to be the most respected shoulder-fired firearm for personal defense.