Best Mossberg 500 Heat Shields [Ultimate Buying Guide]

Mossberg 500 heat shields — what are they and do you need one? In a word, yes. Mossberg 500s are known for their reliability and durability, but even the best shotgun on the market can benefit from a little extra protection against the heat of firing. That’s where a good heat shield comes in. Not only does it keep your gun looking good, but it also helps to prolong its life.

Mossberg 500 heat shields come in all shapes and sizes. You want to find the best Mossberg 500 heat shield for your needs though, and that’s not always easy. Lucky for you, we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll show you our favorite Mossberg 500 heat shields and tell you why we love them. So, if you’re in the market for a new Mossberg 500 heat shield, look no further — we’ve got you covered.

	Advanced Technology Deluxe Heat Shield With Sights	Self-centering ghost ring co-witnesses with most sights Fast target acquisition Fits most 12, 16, 20 Gauge, and .410 pump shotgun barrels Challenging to install	$28 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Advanced Technology 019-000-004WB Heat Shield	Easy to install; requires no modifications to the firearm Hardware is included in the purchase Fits multiple models Designed to fit shotguns without ribs	$24 Shop NowClick to read my review

At first glance, the Mossberg 500 heat shield market looks crowded. With so many options out there, it might feel challenging to find the best one for your shotgun. Though there are a few Mossberg 500 heat shields that rise to the top based on their functionality, value, or innovation.

A shotgun heat shield’s primary purpose is to protect your hand from burns when you touch the barrel. It has a functional value for competitive shooters and range shooters.

The Mossberg 500 heat shield that is best for you will depend on your shotgun, how easy it is to install, the overall material build quality, and the finish. Not to mention matching the overall look to the shotgun and your taste.

Buyer’s Guide to the Best Mossberg 500 Heat Shield

Some people will argue that you don’t need a heat shield on a shotgun — especially if you will be shooting a single slug, or two deer hunting. Whereas, range enthusiasts, competitive shooters, and some bird hunters will tell you that it’s an absolute necessity.

Assuming you have already thought this through and decided to pull the trigger on buying a new heat shield for your Mossberg 500 shotgun, there are a few things to keep an eye out for.

Material Quality

Like all gun components, material build quality is a critical factor. When it comes to Mossberg 500 heat shields, aircraft-grade aluminum and steel are the two materials most commonly used by manufacturers.

7076-T6 aluminum has a reputation for absorbing shock and recoil. It also has good ductility, toughness, and superior resistance to metal fatigue. Though it’s certainly not the only material worth considering, especially with how it can drive up the price.

Gun Finish

For many, shotgun heat shields also have an aesthetic value. When shopping for the right heat shield for your Mossberg 500, take a moment to consider the finish and how it will match the overall look of the gun.

Most people prefer a matte black or mattew blue finish to blend in with the Mossberg 500 barrel, though they certainly aren’t the only finishes worth considering.

There are Parkerized finishes and marine coat finishes. These additional treatments help add extra protection to the heat shield.

Marinecoat is often a priority for people who hunt waterfowl in estuaries and saltwater wetlands. However, these special finishes tend to increase the heat shield’s price point.

Ease of Installation

Some Mossberg 500 heat shields are easier to install than others. If you have limited tools or are unfamiliar with installing gun accessories, then you might want to secure the services of a qualified gunsmith to make sure installation is done correctly.

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The 3 Best Mossberg 500 Heat Shields

After giving you an idea of what to look for in your next heat shield, let’s now look at some of the best options available on the market.

GGD Heat Shield For Mossberg 500

This GGD Heat Shield For Mossberg is made of Black Warrior Black Zytel Fiberglass Resin, which makes it extremely durable. It is very simple to use and takes only 2 minutes to install with hardware. It will fit Mossberg 500, 500A, and 590 12 GA Smooth Barrels.

The Plasticote Fiberglass conducts heat 10X less than metal heat shields. So, when it comes to the item’s quality, I’d say it’s excellent. It will not rust and will not melt. And when it comes to Mossberg heat shields, plastic fiberglass is preferable.

This product is ideal for active handling and tactical/ military applications. So it will be very useful and beneficial to you if you are involved in these activities. It’s made in the USA, which means it’s built to last while giving your shotgun a rugged appearance.

One downside of the GGD Heat Shield is that it will not fit shotguns with short “Breacher” barrels or the 590A1 Heavy Barrel model. However, it comes at a reasonable price, you can get a heat shield with useful features and dependability, so it is worth a try.

Advanced Technology Deluxe Heat Shield With Sights

This Deluxe heat shield from Advanced Technology comes with ghost ring sights. It fits most 12, 16, 20 Gauge, and .410 pump shotgun barrels. This heat shield boasts a steel material build. It also features elongated cooling slots which makes it good for dissipating heat to protect your hands. Also, it has a non-slip, grasping surface to let you hold it when you need to.

Designed to fit a wide range of models, it includes ghost ring sights that can co-witness with most accessory sights for faster target acquisition. With a patient hand, this heat shield is also relatively easy to install and use.

The self-centering rear ghost ring has a large .122-inch internal diameter aperture. This makes for fast target acquisition, which comes in handy if you are hunting big game in terrain with limited visibility. This could also come in handy if you like still hunting or hunting from a blind for deer or elk.

Additionally, this heat shield’s ghost ring is compatible with a lot of sights or optic accessories for co-witnessing and superior accuracy.

One potential drawback of the Advanced Technology Deluxe heat shield is that it has a reputation for being challenging to install. If you are not an accomplished gunsmith or you have a limited tool selection, you might want to have this heat shield professionally installed.

Advanced Technology 019-000-004WB Heat Shield

This heat shield from Advanced Technology comes with a complete set of adapters and spacers, which makes for easy installation on a Mossberg 500 12-gauge, Maverick 88, Remington 870, or Winchester 1200/ 1300 pump shotguns.

This heat shield is made from formed steel and has elongated cooling slots to help protects your hands from heat. It also has a secure, non-slip surface, with black oxide, and a matte finish. This gives it a nice look and makes it easy to handle when you need to.

It will fit most pump shotguns and shotguns without ribs. It was designed to be easy to install. All you need to do is slide the heat shield over the shotgun barrel. Just take your time and go slow to prevent scratching the barrel. Once it’s in place, secure it firmly with the hardware included in the purchase.

With a price tag that’s easy on the budget, this heat shield from ATI will fit a wide range of shotguns. It doesn’t have a lot of hells and whistles, but you wouldn’t expect that at this price point. All the hardware you need to complete the installation is included in the purchase which is also a nice touch.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Mossberg 500 Heat Shields

Do I need a heat shield for a Mossberg 500 shotgun?

If you will be using your Mossberg 500 for hunting big game, then you might not need a heat shield. Most of the time you will only be taking one or two shots, which isn’t going to generate enough heat to worry about burning your hand. However, some people who hunt deer with a shotgun might want a heat shield for aesthetic reasons.

Where a heat shield comes into play the most is for a home defense shotgun you might need to make shots in quick succession, which will inevitably build up a lot of heat. Heat shields are also very popular with bird hunters and competitive shooters for the same reason.

What is parkerizing?

A Parkerized finish is sometimes used as an alternative to bluing. This process helps to protect a steel surface from wear and corrosion via a chemically applied phosphate coating. You might also hear terms like bonderizing, phosphatizing, or phosphating used to describe the Parkerizing process.

What is a marinecoat finish?

Marinecoat or Marinecote is a special type of finish similar to a Parkerized finish. It is baked onto and provides superior corrosion resistance and durability. It’s a preferred finish by people who live or hunt in areas where they have to deal with a lot of salt spray. It might be a priority if you hunt waterfowl in estuaries or saltwater wetlands.

Are all Mossberg 500 heat shields compatible with a 590?

Most of the heat shields that fit a Mossberg 500 are compatible with 590 shotguns, though this isn’t always the case. If you want to fit a 500 heat shield to a 590, make sure to double-check the fine print before adding it to your cart.

What is a universal heat shield?

A universal heat shield is a shotgun heat shield that can fit a wide range of models. Almost all universal heat shields will fit a Mossberg 500, however, this isn’t always the case.

What does the term co-witness mean?

The term co-witness refers to some form of target double verification when you pair iron sights with some other type of optics like a red dot, reflex, or halo sight. In the case of a shotgun heat shield, co-witnessing is usually associated with a ghost ring, where it helps with fast target acquisition.

It’s especially appealing for big game hunters who use a still hunting or hunt from a blind, where every moment counts. Though there’s certainly an argument to be made for co-witnessing for a tactical shotgun.

Best Mossberg 500 Heat Shields: Conclusion

There are certainly a lot of attractive heat shields that will fit a Mossberg 500. But our top pick from this list is the GGD Heat Shield For Mossberg 500. It’s made of premium black zytel fiberglass which is an excellent material that efficiently insulates heat. It’s also a perfect option for hunting and tactical purposes and it fits the Mossberg 500 shotgun very well. Additionally, it’s very reliable and affordable.

That’s it for our review of the best Mossberg 500 heat shields. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

You might also like to read:

• Best Mossberg 500 Barrels
• The 6 Best Mossberg 88 Accessories
• The Best Bullpup Rifles and Shotguns For 2021

Featured image by u/Thermonuclear_Nut