Best Mossberg 500 Side Saddles (2022) – A Comprehensive Review

Best Mossberg 500 Side Saddles

Finding the best Mossberg 500 side saddle can be a challenge for some people. However, if you know exactly what to look for, then the search process will be a little easier for you. 

A good side saddle reliably lets you store extra Mossberg shells while you’re out in the field or out on the shooting range. Fortunately, we’ve chosen some of the best side saddles for a Mossberg 500 that are currently on the market (as of this writing). One of these will probably be yours if its unique features stand out enough to get your attention. 

If you don’t know what a side saddle is, you’re certainly not alone. Before we get into the list of best side saddles, let’s talk about what a side saddle is and its resolution. We’ll also discuss the few aspects that you need to consider before buying a side saddle of your own.

Side SaddlesNameEditor’s CommentRatingGet The Deal
Mesa Tactical SureShell Side Mount Shell Carrier

Most Recommended Option

1. Machined from high-quality aluminum for durability
2. Available in 4-count, 6-count, or 8-count
3. Best budget Mossberg 500 side saddle

10/10SHOP NOW
TacStar Hunter’s SideSaddle

Premium Option

1. Constructed from polymer, making it indestructible and resistant to corrosion
2. Available in 12 gauge or 20 gauge
3. 4-count side saddle

9.5/10SHOP NOW
NcSTAR Universal 12ga Shots1. Made from durable material
2. Very lightweight
3. Comes in a 6-count capacity
9.5/10SHOP NOW
Lyman – Side Saddle Shell Holder1. Aluminum mounting plate that you can attach to your shotgun receiver
2. Available in a 4-count or 6-count
3. Nylon molded design
8.5/10SHOP NOW
ATI Shotshell Holder1. Mounting hardware for easier installation
2. Constructed from high-quality polymer
3. Holds up to 5 shells
8.0/10Currently unavailable

Mossberg 500 Side Saddle Reviews – What is a Side Saddle and What Is It Used For?

Side saddle is used to store extra shotgun shells and are made to stay attached to the side of your shotgun. This is one of the most useful accessories to have when you want to keep extra shotgun rounds on you while you’re out in the field or out on the shooting range. 

In a home defense situation where multiple attackers are coming your way, having extra shells handy can be a mammoth difference maker. These side saddles are usually installed on the buttstock of your shotgun. At the same time, you can install some of these on your shotgun receiver too. This will allow for easy access and fast reloading, which is certainly a plus point for most applications. 

How to Choose a Good Mossberg Side Saddle

There are some features and aspects that you need to reflect before settling on a side saddle. You will need to know which one will be a more reliable side saddle compared to those that are seen as cheap and low quality. To get a better idea of how to choose a side saddle that best fits you, it’s vital to know what pushes past buyers to choose theirs. Here are a few things that they will want you to keep an eye out for while buying a side saddle of your own:

Intent and Purpose

What is your Mossberg 500 shotgun intended for? Are you a hunter? Is it for home defense purposes and situations? Are you a competitive shooter? No matter what your intended purpose is, you will need to make sure that you’re well-prepared with extra shells when the situation comes around when you need them the most.

Capacity

While your side saddle is made to give you fast reloading and less time trying to find extra shells, knowing how many you can carry is important. This is all based on your personal needs and preferences.

There are some Best 500 saddles that are able to hold up to 4 rounds, while others will hold up to 6 rounds or more. Once again, this will depend on what your intended purposes are. If you are out in the field for a hunt, it’s best to carry one with a capacity of 4 rounds. You can get away with 6 rounds if you like. If you’re in a shooting competition, then finding one with a larger capacity will be essential and useful.

Ease of Installation

For obvious reasons, the ease of installation is important when it comes to side saddles. One of the ways to install a side saddle is by screwing them on to the receiver of your shotgun. There are even some side saddles that you are able to install on your buttstock.

These are usually the Velcro type side saddles that you can easily stick to either the stock or, if you opt for, the receiver. Either way, they’re both convenient to install without having to rely on the services of a professional gunsmith.

Review of the Best Side Saddle For Mossberg 500

Below are some of the best Mossberg 500 side saddles that are currently on the market (as of this writing). We chose each of these Mossberg 500 side saddles based on its characteristics or brand name. Others we have chosen for the sake of those on a tight budget. No matter what your situation is in terms of budget, or if the brand name isn’t much of an issue, then there will probably be a side saddle that will best fit your Mossberg 500 gun.

1. Lyman Side Saddle Shell Holder

Lyman - Side Saddle Shell Holder

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Our first pick and top choice for best overall side saddle currently on the market (again, as of this writing) is the Lyman Side Saddle Shell Holder. A side saddle should be lightweight so it will not add any unnecessary weight to your shotgun. For good reasons, this side saddle is light in weight. It is made to give you easy access and fast reloading, no matter the application and usage.

This nylon-moulded saddle has a mounting plate that is engineered from aluminum, which is made to attach to your receiver using the screw holes. If you are worried about making any kind of alterations to your Mossberg 500, then you don’t have to worry. If you’re going to install this side saddle on your shotgun, then you don’t have to make any additional modifications.

This side saddle is available in two kinds: one that will hold up to four shells and one that will hold up to six shells. Choose the capacity that is the best fit for you and you will have a reliable side saddle for your Mossberg 500 gun.

The Lyman Side Saddle Shell Holder has proven itself as well-intentioned of the Best Overall title. While it is made mostly for law enforcement use and purpose, it can also be used by the average Mossberg owner. More precisely, if you’re using your Mossberg for home defense purposes, then this is probably the side saddle you’ll be looking for.

Whether you want a 4-count or a 6-count side saddle, then you’ll be happy with this. If you want a side saddle that can give you fast reloading and the ability to get as many shots off as possible, then this Lyman Side Saddle should be a strong contender. 

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2. Mesa Tactical SureShell Side Mount Shell Carrier

Mesa Tactical SureShell Side Mount Shell Carrier

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If you’re on a tight budget, then you know for sure that we’ve chosen an excellent side saddle for you. We’ve given the honor of best budget choice to this Mesa Tactical SureShell Side Mount Shell Carrier. This carrier also comes available in 4-count, 6-count, and 8-count. 

The top of this side saddle has that ribbed appearance (which looks like some sort of Picatinny rail). It is certainly something that you want to install on your receiver. Speaking of installation, this is so convenient to install on your Mossberg 500 without ever having to rely on a professional gunsmith. If you have no gunsmithing skills whatsoever, then you can breathe a sigh of relief. 

This side saddle is machined from top-quality aluminum, which can dependably handle the amount of shock that comes from the recoil. The finish is a matte black finish that will blend in easily with your shotgun without making it look like an aesthetic disaster. So if looks matter to your Mossberg and is a big deal to you, then you won’t have to worry about this making it look ugly. 

Overall, this is a side saddle that is more than what you can expect from a run-of-the-mill kind of budget side saddle. If you are searching for something that will provide you more than what you’ll pay for, then this Mesa Tactical SureShell may be your best choice. 

If you’re on a tight budget, the Mesa Side Saddle may just be the one you want for your shotgun. Even if you have money to play around with, you should give this a further look. One of the main reasons is visibly the variation of counts that it comes in. If you are looking for more rounds, there’s a side saddle for you. 

Once again, this will depend on the application of the side saddle. Whether it’s for hunting purposes, competition, or home defense situations, the Mesa Side Saddle will not let you down or disappoint you and will never leave you hanging when you need an extra shot or two. 

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3. NcSTAR Universal 12GA Shots 

NcStar

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Sometimes, a good side saddle do not have to be attached with screws. With that being said, we present to you one of the best velcro side saddle on the market. This is the NcStar Universal side saddle, which is made to hold your favorite 12 gauge shotgun shells. 

This is a 6-count side saddle that you are able to install on your receiver, making it one of the most convenient, most accessible side saddles on the market. All you need to do is go for a shotgun shell, load it up, and take your shot. From there, it’s basically a rinse and repeat cycle. If you’re looking for a side saddle and not happy with the idea of having to install one with the use of screws and similar tools, then this NcStar side saddle may be exactly what you need. 

Get one or two of these for your Mossberg 500 and even another shotgun of your choosing. These will fit most 12 gauge shotgun rounds, so you will not have to worry about whether or not the shells you peruse will fit or not. 

For its part, the NcSTAR side saddle does a pretty decent job of holding your shotgun shells together. Since it’s made of velcro, this will likely give all the other side saddles (Velcro or otherwise) a run for their money. For the most part, this has the aptitude to keep the shells cosy and secure, especially when you’re firing off several rounds with your Mossberg 500.

If you hate the idea of having to use screws and want a side saddle that is easy to put on and be good to go, then the NcSTAR may be the side saddle that’s best for you. 

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4. TacStar Hunter’s Side Saddle 

TacStar Hunter's SideSaddle

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If you’re a fan of the TacStar brand, we have the best side saddle right from them. More explicitly, we have the Hunter’s Sidesaddle. This comes in a 4-count holder, which is basically designed for the bird hunter or the big game hunter. You can install this on your Mossberg 500 gun without ever having to make much modifications to your shotgun. 

It has an aluminum back plate that is craggy, durable, and will be able to take on the recoil of your shotgun. The best thing about this side saddle is not only is it obtainable for 12 gauge Mossbergs but 20 gauge Mossbergs too. 

This also comes in 2 colors: Realtree Advantage and hunter black. Whether camouflage is your thing or not, this is a trustworthy side saddle to have when you’re out in the shooting field and ready to knock down that big game target you have been after all season long. 

For a side saddle, this one is as durable as it gets. The polymer construction really does make it impermeable to damage, which really surprises us. Not only that, this is most likely going to be your best hunting buddy if you decide to go with this side saddle. So if you use a Mossberg 500 for the resolution of hunting big game or bird hunting and need a universal fit side saddle, the TacStar will most likely be the side saddle worth investing in. 

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5. ATI Shotshell Holder 

ATI Shotshell HolderLast but not least, we’ll be taking a look at the best from the ATI brand. The shot shell holder has the ability to hold up to five 12 gauge shotgun shells. This side saddle is also one tough saddle because of the material it’s constructed from.

 While it is polymer, it is not your average kind of polymer. This is Extreme Temperature Glass Reinforced Polymer made by DuPont. Yes, that’s the same DuPont that makes kevlar for bulletproof vests. 

Most importantly, this is a stress-free entity to install for a side saddle. No need for any fancy tools or gunsmithing skills. This is an ideal side saddle for the resolution of hunting, although you can certainly use this for just about any other application you wish to. 

This side saddle and the TacStar will possibly duke it out in the near future when it comes to side saddles. We won’t be surprised if there’s a great discussion about these 2 at some point down the road. But for now, if you are looking for a side saddle that is super durable and you fancy yourself a fan of the ATI brand, then this may be the side saddle that fits your Mossberg 500 perfectly. 

Conclusion 

Looking for the best Mossberg 500 side saddle is not that hard if you know what you’re looking for. If you need one with 4 shells or 8, having one coming in handy in any application is always good to have. Especially when you want to reload and get a shot off quickly. 

Remember, if a side saddle sticks out as one of your favorites, then make sure that you do more research to ensure that you are making the correct decision when it comes to choosing a great side saddle. Timing is everything when it comes to things like these. So find one that will provide you with easy access and will quicken your ability to reload your Mossberg 500. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do You Install a Side Saddle on Your Shotgun?

Sure, it’s easy to install a side saddle on your shotgun. However, you may not have any installation instructions that will come with the side saddle that you choose. So, we’ve taken the time of providing you with side saddle instructions of your own. Keep in mind that this will pretty much be the same instructions no matter which side saddle you go for. With that being said, here’s how you can install a side saddle on your shotgun: 

  1. Before doing anything else, make sure that your shotgun is unloaded.
  2. Open the action and lay the shotgun down with the ejection port facing up.
  3. Remove the screw that is located inside the ejection port. You’ll need a screwdriver or a Leatherman. You will have a replacement screw that comes along with the side saddle you chose.
  4. Place the screw in the ejection port, screw it in.
  5. Pop out the pin located just near the trigger housing. You can pop it open using a long screw and tap it with the handle end of the screwdriver. The screw will pop out from the other side. Push in the replacement all the way. You should see the threads stick out. This is normal.
  6. Remove the washers located on the holes of the side saddle using an Allen wrench. What you’re doing here is separating the mounting plate from the shell compartments.
  7. Install the plate on your shotgun. Secure it properly using an Allen wrench.
  8. Add the nut and washer in the larger hole and tighten it until secure.
  9. Place the shell holders and tighten them until secure using an Allen wrench.
  10. Double check to see if the side saddle is snug and secure.

How to Reload a Shotgun Using a Side Saddle?

There are two different methods which you can reload a shotgun using a side saddle, which can be used for home defense or competitive applications.

As for the first method, you’d need to ensure the shells in your side saddle are placed brass side down. Next, ensure the stock between your underarms as you’re reloading. Then, proceed to pulling down the shell brass side down and speedily load into the loading port. Just fit it into the magazine tube with your fingers and you’re good to go.

As for the second method, you can proceed to loading shells into the ejection port but the brass shell must be facing upwards. Blade your hand and ensure they’re pointing towards you. In the midst of doing so, ensure the shells are pushed towards you using your thumb so you can feed the shell through the magazine tube. Similarly, you can load it through the ejection port.

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