Anybody using a shotgun will start missing a good pair of sights on it when tackling some specific situations. Shotguns can come affixed with bead sights, blade sights, or no sights at all.
But having a good pair of sights over your shotgun is a useful and sometimes life-saving addition. The shotgun in question here is the Mossie 500 and weโll be reviewing the best sights for Mossberg 500.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Sights For Mossberg 500
- OUR TOP PICK: TRUGLO Muzzle-Brite Xtreme with Ghost Universal Sight
- RUNNER-UP: Williams Mossberg 500 Red Green Shotgun Sight
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: TRUGLO Gobble-Dot 3 Dot Sights
Comparison Chart of the Best Mossberg 500 Sights
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Factors to Consider Before Buying Mossberg 500 Sights
Letโs take a look at some major and minor aspects of buying a new pair of sights for your Mossberg 500.
Method of Installation
Regardless of whether you are planning on mounting iron sights or optical sights. The receiver of your shotgun has to be already drilled and tapped. Either for accepting a Picatinny rail or simple installation of the sight.
If your shotgun has a drilled receiver, mounting the sight will be easy. However, changing the front sight post can be difficult or easy depending upon how it has been affixed to the barrel.
You may either need to weld your new front sight or use some sort of epoxy adhesive to mount it. Also, remember to be a bit careful when working with breacher barrels. Since the breacher lug tends to interfere a bit with sight installation.
Slugs or Pellets?
Slugs obviously have a better range compared to pellets. Additionally, since a slug is a single projectile. Having a good pair of sights on your shotgun will ensure better accuracy. There are quite a few different types of sights out there. So overall, if your shotgun is shooting slugs, having a good sight setup is necessary.
What is the Intended Application?
Whether you need a fiber optic sight, HD night sight, ghost ring sight, or a red dot optic. Choosing either of these depends upon your intended application. Tactical and home defense applications require sights that can work in low light conditions.
Similarly, fiber optic sights are great for quick acquisition activities like duck hunting or clay sports.
Buying a Sight or a New Barrel
Sometimes prospective buyers seem perplexed thinking about the economics of buying a new pair of sights or buying a new barrel that already has sights installed on it. The answer to this dilemma is simple.
A new barrel for the Mossie 500 is going to cost you about $180 or so. Probably a lot more for fancier options like the ones with rifling and integral scope base or heat shield.
On the other hand, a non-optical sight is not going to cost you more than $100. Even some good optical sights can be purchased for a price below that.
If you are looking to buy a new barrel for a different kind of application and want to keep your existing barrel the way it is, go pick up a new barrel with the sights you need. Otherwise, buying a new pair of sights here is the right move.
Review of the Best Mossberg 500 Sights
The following list details ten Mossberg 500 sights that are currently considered the best on the market. If you're a Mossberg owner looking for a sight while on a tight budget, you'll be able to find one here.
It's important that you look through each of these options carefully before you make the decision of whether or not it is worth investing your hard earned money into a Mossberg 500 sight. We do our best to keep the buyer's satisfaction high and buyer's remorse low.
Best Overall:
TRUGLO Muzzle-Brite Xtreme With Ghost Universal Sight
Pros
Cons
We begin our list by giving the honor of Best Overall Mossberg 500 sight to the TRUGLO Muzzle-Brite Xtreme. This red/green sight is considered to be one of the top dogs in Mossberg sights and is approved by many big game hunters across the country. In fact, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has considered it the sight to choose when it comes to hunting big game.
You can mount it on pretty much any Mossberg 500 that you can think of. The housing is CNC-machined from high-quality materials, so itโs designed to be a durable piece that you can add on to your shotgun. Plus, it will be able to handle significant amounts of recoil. This sight also includes adjustments for windage and elevation. Since itโs a sight, you wonโt have to worry about parallax like you would on a scope.
This also comes with the mounting hardware so you can install it easily without having any gunsmithing skills to speak of. These are front and rear sights that ensure that you get the most accurate shot possible, no matter what your application is.
Bottom Line
For a Mossberg 500 sight, the TRUGLO has proven itself to be the top dog. This sight is easy to mount and easy to see through, especially when weather conditions wonโt cooperate. Try and get your normal beaded front sight or iron sight to do that. If youโre looking for an upgrade from those kinds of sights, this is the sight youโll want to look into.
Since these are red/green sights, youโll have a better time aiming at your target and getting an accurate shot. If this is high on your list of what to look for in a sight, then the TRUGLO is what you should consider purchasing.
Runner-up:
Williams Mossberg 500 Red Green Shotgun Sight
Pros
Cons
Next on the list, we have the Mossberg 500 Red Green Shotgun Sight from Williams. We often have a hard time deciding which option most deserves top honors and which one must be relegated to the position of runner-up. This is certainly true for this article, given that this particular sight has proved itself to be one of the best on the market.
This is a red/green sight that will allow you to see much better compared to your standard iron or bead sights; if you canโt quickly acquire your target with these kinds of sights, then you know itโs time for an upgrade. This sight will fit the bill, especially when youโre out hunting for varmints and large game. If you hunt turkey or deer, you should look at this sight as a possible upgrade. But this isnโt just for hunting. If you use a Mossberg for home defense, youโll probably want to use this sight as well.
If you have poor eyesight, the colors are bright enough to ensure that you can still hit your shot in any application. Low light or broad daylight, the Williams will do its job and make every shot count. Its controls are designed to allow for the usual adjustments to windage and elevation. The housing is CNC machined using high-quality aluminum, ensuring that it will be very durable when it comes to handling recoil.
Bottom Line
This Williams sight might have snagged the top overall spot; sadly there was one glaring issue that kept it from being named the very best. The fact that this product doesn't include a sight mount may not be a big deal to some, but for others, it certainly will be. If you want to put your installation skills to the test, this might be the sight for you.
Nonetheless, it is still one of the best optics on the market. Whether you're hunting in broad daylight or contending with very little light at all, this sight will be able to acquire your intended target much more quickly than any iron or beaded sight.
Best for the Money:
TRUGLO Gobble-Dot 3 Dot Sights
Pros
Cons
Next, weโll look at the best sight for a Mossberg shotgun owner who is working with a budget, the TRUGLO Gobble-Dot 3 Dot Sight. The name alone will tell you that this sight is for the Mossberg owner that relies on their shotgun for hunting turkeys (hence the name Gobble-Dot).
These come in red or dual color sights. Regardless of which color you choose, youโll be able to acquire your target much more quickly and be able to get a more accurate, precise shot from your Mossberg. This is probably the sight youโll want if you fancy yourself a bird hunter. Not only can you use this sight to hunt turkeys, but also partridge, waterfowls, and other avian prey.
Since this is a low profile sight, it wonโt stick out like a sore thumb on your shotgun. Plus, having a less obstructive sight like this one will give you a better aim no matter what the application. If your Mossberg 500 barrel has ventilated ribs, this sight will blend in perfectly.
While designed to be for turkey hunters, this sight can be used for any other application that is suitable for your Mossberg 500 shotgun. Best of all, this excellent sights can fit almost any budget. So if youโre looking for an effective sight that wonโt break the bank, the TRUGLO might be your best possible option.
Bottom Line
If youโre on a budget, this could be the sight you want, especially if youโre a hunter that relies on a Mossberg 500. If you think youโre going to โget what you pay forโ in this case, youโd be wrong. We believe in the โyou get more than what you pay forโ philosophy. And this is exactly what youโll get out of this TRUGLO sight.
Whether youโre hunting or defending your home from danger, you depend on this sight to be just as reliable as most of the Mossberg sights on the market. Itโs easy to install, a huge upgrade in performance over standard bead and iron sites, and visible in even the most adverse weather conditions. Not bad for a budget sight. If youโre looking for the total package at a price thatโs hard to beat, get the TRUGLO Gobble-Dot.
Best Front Sight:
Meprolight Tru-Dot Shotgun Night Sights
Pros
Cons
Sometimes, there are some standalone sights that are just better than most. If youโre the kind of Mossberg owner that buys their front and rear sights separately, we have both the best front sight and best rear sight represented on this list. First, weโll discuss the best standalone front sight for the Mossberg 500. That honor goes to the Meprolight Tru-Dot Shotgun Night Sight.
Right off the bat, letโs talk about how effective this sight is in low-light conditions. If youโre out in the field either before the sun is up or after the sun is down, youโll want a sight that is absolutely reliable. This sight will allow you to hit your targets whether they are stationary or moving. No other front sight can possibly pull that off.
On top of that, your hit probability will increase if you choose this front sight. In fact, youโre looking at an increase of 85 percent to your chance of hitting the target. If that isnโt the biggest advantage of upgrading to a sight like this, then we donโt know what is.
These sights are created using tritium, which is guaranteed to give your sight the maximum amount of brightness. So whether youโre in bad weather or struggling with failing eyesight, youโre still going to get the best out of this sight. Thankfully, mounting these sights does not require a professional gunsmith.
Bottom Line
One thing we should mention is that this Mossberg 500 sight is also affordable for most budget shoppers. So if you're on a budget and don't mind the idea of getting a standalone front sight, then you may want to consider the Meprolight as a possible choice for your shotgun.
The fact that it is bright (if not the brightest on the market) is probably one of the reasons why you might want it. Not to mention, it will get the job done no matter what the lighting conditions or the weather outside. This is a front sight that you'd be insane to pass up on if you had the opportunity to choose. That is unless you have a good reason to.
Best Rear Sight:
Spitfire Armory - MX Tactical Rear Sight
Pros
Cons
Now we turn our attention to the best standalone rear sight on the market. The Spitfire Armory MX Tactical Rear Sight is our choice for the best Mossberg 500 rear sight. This sight is CNC-machined from high-quality aluminum that is guaranteed to be strong enough to handle continuous amounts of recoil. Plus, it is easy to install without having to know a thing or two about gunsmithing.
The Spitfire Armory rear sight was made with the Mossberg 500 user in mind. However, it also has the ability to be effective when installed on similar shotguns. This is a pretty good sight to have if youโre using your Mossberg 500 for hunting, but will still work its magic when youโre out on the range or defending yourself from danger.
Bottom Line
For a standalone rear sight, this one does a good job. Itโs compatible with almost every Mossberg 500 out there. One of the major features that impressed us is that it is made from a high-quality type of aluminum.
After nearly a hundred rounds, it can still efficiently acquire your target without having to make any adjustments or alignments. If youโre looking for a good rear sight that will line up well with your standalone front sight, the Spitfire Armory could very well be the sight you want.
Best Fiber Optic Sight:
HiViz Magnetic Shotgun Sight
Pros
Cons
Fiber optics are one of the more reliable sights on any gun. It doesnโt matter if itโs a Mossberg 500 or a pistol; a great fiber optic sight often does a better job acquiring a target than iron sights. The best fiber optic sight that is suitable for a Mossberg 500 is the HiViz Magnetic Shotgun.
This sight comes in the usual green and red colors, has been extensively field tested, and has proven to give you quick target acquisition and a precise, accurate shot in either low light or daylight conditions. These sights are made up of four high-glow pipe-like fiber optics. Theyโre best used if youโre target practicing, but will pretty much go with any other application.
The HiViz sight is magnetic, which means you can install this onto your shotgun with ease and have it ready to go in a matter of seconds. No gunsmithing skills required and no time wasted figuring out how to install it. If youโre looking for an excellent fiber optic sight and want it installed and ready to use on the fly, the HiViz is probably the exact sight youโre looking for.
Bottom Line
This product is probably the easiest to use and simplest to install on our list. A fiber optic sight may benefit a lot of shooters, but not everyone. But the HiViz is guaranteed to hold up its end of the bargain, even at an affordable price. '
If you want a high performing fiber optic sight that will make your Mossberg 500 a sharpshooting machine, the HiViz will be the sight that can get the job done. You canโt find anything else on the market quite like this.
Best Ghost Ring Sight:
Trijicon 3 Dot Front and Ghost Ring
Pros
Cons
The best ghost ring sight on our list is the Trijicon 3 Dot Front and Ghost Ring. This is not only compatible with Mossberg 500 shotguns, but this will also fit on various Remington shotgun models. These are green dot sights that are visible regardless of current light conditions.
This also has a black finish, so it will blend in perfectly with your shotgun barrel. The ghost ring is located on the rear part of the sight to ensure that it will co-witness properly with your front sight for the most precise, accurate shot you can pull off with your Mossberg 500.
Trijicon is known for making their sights as bright and visible as possible. This sight is housed in a metal casing that is designed to absorb shock and keep the sight in place even after withstanding so many shots.
The lamps that illuminate the sight are mounted using silicon rubber. Now you know exactly why the sight will stay in place after firing off 100 or more rounds. This is the ideal sight for those who utilize their Mossberg 500 for hunting purposes. And when it comes to nailing the kill shot, accuracy matters. The chances of a clean kill shot will likely increase if you choose to go with this sight.
Bottom Line
Trijicon is yet another brand that is known for making top class optics. They once again prove the believers right with this sight. Weโre impressed with the fact that the tritium is bright enough to even be visible in complete darkness.
This means that youโll be able to see in both low light and in broad daylight, meaning that your target acquisition and aim will be spot on. If youโre looking for a sight that will allow you to see in any lighting conditions and easily acquire your target, get the Trijicon sight.
Best Laser Sight:
Crimson Trace Saddle Green Laser Sight
Pros
Cons
Laser sights are just as effective compared with tritium sights and even red dot sights. Some users even claim that laser sights give them better aim and a straight shot every time. The Crimson Trace Saddle Green Laser Sight is our choice for the best laser sight for a Mossberg 500.
This sight is probably the most powerful laser sight for the Mossberg 500 and might be the most usable on the market thanks to its ambidextrous activation points. This comes in handy when you want to instantly aim at your target.
Of course, it has a master on/off switch that will allow you to completely power down the sight and is powered by lithium batteries that will last for about 3 hours. It is factory sighted in at 50 yards and will likely hold zero after you fire off many rounds.
Bottom Line
One of the major features that stood out with this sight is the ability to activate the sight at multiple points. Even if youโre a right handed or left handed shooter, youโll be able to put this sight to good use quickly when the situation warrants it. A laser sight like the Crimson Trace is guaranteed to give you an accurate, precise shot every time you use it.
Best Reflex Sight:
Burris Fastfire III With Picatinny Mount
Pros
Cons
For our final sight, weโll be looking at the best reflex sight on the market for a Mossberg 500, which is brought to us by Burris. This is the Fastfire III. If youโre looking for the most precise, accurate shot possible for your Mossberg, youโll want to consider the Fastfire III as a possible choice.
The red dot included with this sight will ensure that you acquire your target and get a good aim on it as quickly as possible. This sight ensures the best in speed and accuracy every time you use it. The Burris offers you a choice between a 3 MOA and an 8 MOA dot.
The 3 MOA setting is designed to give your shotgun pinpoint accuracy from a long enough range, while the 8 MOA is designed for close range shooting and even faster target acquisition. If you need to set it to a certain level of brightness, the Burris offers three different levels. So you can make adjustments that fit your personal preference.
Plus, you can make adjustments that will fit the environment that youโre in. Low light or broad daylight, thereโs an adjustment for that. If youโre looking for a reflex sight that you can rely on regardless of your conditions or surroundings, the Fastfire III is worth an extra look.
Bottom Line
The Burris is another reliable brand among gun owners and enthusiasts. In fact, theyโre more of a higher end brand. One of the major things that stood out with this sight was the ability to switch the brightness settings. If youโre in low light conditions, you can adjust the settings to optimal brightness.
If you need to hit your target with pinpoint accuracy at about 50 to 75 yards out, youโll have an MOA adjustment that will fit perfectly for that situation. If youโre looking for a sight for your Mossberg that will allow you to adjust to certain settings when the situation warrants it, the Burris Fastfire III might be your favorite sight to use.
Best Red Dot Sight:
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
Pros
Cons
A red dot sight is just as effective as any other sight or scope you can find on the market. With that said, weโll be turning out attention to the best red dot sight for a Mossberg 500. This comes to us from Bushnell, arguably one of the more reliable brands of guns and accessories in existence today.
The TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope is one tough customer, especially for a Mossberg sight. This will be your best friend out in the field when youโre hunting and the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worst. In other words, this sight wonโt get damaged by rain or snow. Aside from hunting, some users have also considered it to be reliable in self-defense situations.
This sight will still hold its own after dealing with a great deal of the shock that recoil produces. The reticle has a reticle of 3 MOA and 11 levels of brightness. Regardless of whether youโre in low light conditions or in broad daylight, this sight will be reliable and will ensure that youโre locked onto your target and ready to take that shot.
Bottom Line
Bushnell is without a doubt one of the most trusted brands among gun owners and enthusiasts alike. To see them create a great red dot sight at a price that will make budget shoppers happy is what really impressed us. Especially with a red dot sight like this. In fact, if you want a great red dot sight specifically for your Mossberg, youโll want to look at the Bushnell a little bit further.
Types of Sights Perfect For Your Mossberg 500
There are some different types of sights that will fit perfectly for your Mossberg 500. While not all sights are created equal, they serve the same purpose of giving you the most accurate and precise shot possible. Here are some types of sights that are currently available on the market for Mossberg 500s:
Fiber Optic Sights
Fiber optic sights are often brightly colored, use tritium so the sight can be as bright as possible, and are considered the tried and true favorites of many Mossberg owners.
These are ideal sights to use if you have certain vision issues like astigmatism or bad eyesight due to age. Fiber optic sights come in colors like orange, green, or even dual colored sights.
Red Dot
This type of sight is mostly found in scopes. Red dot sights are designed to be precise and accurate like their fiber optic counterpart. The only difference is that this doesnโt come with either front or rear sights.
Ghost Ring Sights
A ghost ring sight will be a type of sight that is typically situated on the rear of your shotgun. This should be able to co-witness with a front sight that either already exists on your Mossberg shotgun or has been installed on your barrel (like a fiber optic front sight). Some sights will often have a ghost ring rear sight that goes together with a front sight that is typically a tritium-colored fiber optic sight. These are designed not only for precise and accurate shooting, but also for acquiring your target much more quickly than usual.
Conclusion
Finding the best sight for a Mossberg 500 doesnโt have to be a challenge. Knowing what type of sight to look for will make the search process a lot easier. It is important to find a sight that will make sure that every shot you fire on your Mossberg 500 will count.
If you see a sight that you consider to be a favorite, be sure to find out more through customer reviews and gun forums. Before you know it, youโll have a new sight installed on your shotgun and youโll be able to put it to the test out in the field or at the range.