Mossberg 500 ATI Tactical: 2020 Reader’s Choice for ‘Best Pump Shotgun’

Today we’re looking at the winner of the “Best Pump-Action Shotgun” category from our Ballistic’s Best 2020 Reader’s Choice voting. This is a special one, since it includes the giveaway gun: The Mossberg 500 ATI Tactical.

2020 Reader’s Choice for “Best Pump-Action Shotgun”

The nominees for our 2020 Reader’s Choice “Best Pump-Action Shotgun” were:

• Armscor All Generations Defense
• Benelli M3
• Charles Daly 301 Pump Tactical
• KelTec K7
• Mossberg 500 ATI Tactical (Our giveaway gun!)
• Standard Manufacturing DP-12
• Stoeger P3000
• TR Imports RZ17 Tactical
• Winchester SXP Shadow Defender

Before we get to the winner, here are all of the categories in our 2020 Reader’s Choice voting:

• Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun — Winner Here
• Compact Semi-Auto Handgun — Winner Here
• 1911 — Winner Here
• Revolver (DA/SA .357 Magnum) — Winner Here
• Tactical Pump Shotgun
• AR-15 Pistol — Winner Here
• Semi-Auto AR-15 Rifle — Winner Here
• Semi-Auto AR-10 Rifle — Winner Here
• Bolt-Action Rifle (6.5 Creedmoor) — Winner Here

In total, there were 12,401 votes for the “Best Pump-Action Shotgun” category. And with 48.20 percent of the votes, the winner is the Mossberg 500 ATI Tactical — which, as mentioned, is also the giveaway gun that one lucky reader is taking home!

Mossberg 500 ATI Tactical Details

Here’s what our experts had to say about the Mossberg 500 ATI Tactical in their testing for the 2020 issue of Ballistic’s Best:

“Mossberg’s staple pump 12-gauge shotgun, the model 500, has been riding in police cruisers and serving as a home-defense gun for more than 50 years. The ATI (American Tactical Incorporated) model provides some new furniture to increase the functionality of this tried and true classic.

“The six-position telescoping stock is ATI’s TactLite and it is fitted with the company’s Scorpion butt pad. Length of pull can be adjusted from 10.75 inches to 14.62 inches. ATI’s Halo side saddle is bolted to the top of the receiver and provides nine mounting points for shell holders. Nine removable shell holders are also included. The ATI Halo Heatshield provides a blade front sight, and a notch in the receiver-mounted Picatinny acts as a rear sight. At the front of the heat shield are two 2.5-inch Picatinny rails for lights or lasers. 

“Shooting the ATI Tactical was easy and comfortable. The Mossberg was possibly the lightest recoiling gun all day, it is easy to load and the controls are easy to use and locate. One complaint from all of the judges was the pistol grip makes it impossible to reach the ambidextrous safety mounted on the back of the receiver without taking your hand off of the grip. Another suggestion was to add a more traditional rear sight.”

Mossberg 500 ATI Tactical Specs

• Gauge: 12
• Barrel: 18.5 inches
• Overall Length: 36.37 inches
• Overall Weight: 6.75 pounds (empty)
• Stock: 6-position adj.
• Sights: Winged post and bead
• Action: Pump
• Finish: Matte blued
• Capacity: 5+1
• MSRP: $624

Also, if you want to see all of the official winners, grab a copy of Ballistic’s Best 2020. Both print and digital subs are available now at OutdoorGroupStore.com.