Mossberg 930 or Beretta 3901

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Dynasty

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What is the better all around semi auto shotgun? I want an excellent autoloader for the following tasks: plinking and trap/skeet. I want something that will cycle the lighter target loads, but also the 3" heavier loads for turkey and maybe even home defense (although a have an 870 for that already). I am not looking for a dedicated plinking or a dedicated trap/skeet gun. I want something that will perform well all around.

I've read great things about both shotguns. The Beretta seems to be $100 - $200 more than the Mossberg. Is it really worth the extra money?

I look forward to your thoughts/opinions!
 
I have owned both, but now only own one. The Beretta wins in my book hands down. To be honest, I would pay more than $200 more for the Beretta over the Mossberg.
 
Either one is likely as reliable as the other, the Beretta is going to be a more refined gun with much better fit and finish.
 
The Beretta 3901 is more refined than the Mossberg 930. When properly (and IMO completely) cleaned and lubricated, both should shoot light target loads all the way to magnums reliably.

The 930 has a 4+1 capacity. The 3901 has 3+1 capacity. The 930 also has an 18 inch barrel available. I'm not aware of any such barrel made by Beretta. I'm not sure if that is important to you regarding home defense.

You can adjust the 3901 for even more refined load handling with a spring kit by Coles. This gives your Beretta additional versatility.

I'm much more familiar with the 3901. When shooting buckshot or heavy loads, the Beretta is noticeably easier on the shoulder than an 870 (pump). Followup shots seem faster. The 930 will probably be the same.
 
I you want a hunting gun the Beretta is hands down the better gun. The Mossberg offers more versatlity with options for SD barrels etc. if that is what you want. Since you already have a HD shotgun this seems like an easy decision.

spend the extra cash you save on ammo

The price is so close you'll burn up the savings in ammo in a couple of range trips and spend the rest of your life wondering why you didn't buy a better gun when you had the chance.
 
"Quality remains long after price is forgotten" The Beretta will be running and hold its value much better. MHO Bob
 
"Quality remains long after price is forgotten"

Someone noticed my tag line!.... ;)

The Beretta made here is the same basic model as far as internals go - it doesn't have the nicer wood stock etc, that the Italian guns do, but from a functionality standpoint - go with the Beretta.

Sporting clays, while still dominated by O/U guns has ONE brand of semi that you see and that wins - Beretta - no other brand is even in contention
 
The 930 is a good gun, the 390 is a great gun.

I have both.

930:
Negatives:


Drop is only adjustable on the synthetic versions

It has a blued/anodized gas piston, Slip 2000 will strip the finish off of it

The magazine tube is blued(although very thinly) and shows wear from carbon almost immediately

The barrels are all ported

The bluing will come off if contacted by any type of scotchbrite or heavy usage of steel wool

7/8oz loads are problematic(may just be my gun, it has roughly 5000rds thru it but still has problems with 7/8oz low recoil loads and some reloads)

Pretty wood is hard to come by

Non-Chrome bore and chamber(not a big deal to me)

Poor resale value

Positives:

Gas system is easily disassembled and cleaned and will actually run a long time between cleanings

The trigger is a plus because it can easily be disassembled, cleaned and reassembled

The gun is has a fast cycle rate

You can add a magazine extension

Barrels are cheap, but ported(they can be ordered unported I have one in 28")

Cheaper but not by much(I paid $490 shipped for the 28" wood waterfowl version NIB, and paid $500, $525, $530 & $600 for 4 12ga 390 all NIB, 3 synthetic and one wood, only one Walmart version and it was $500)

390:
Negatives:


Barrels are more expensive

No Magazine extension

Trigger cannot be easily disassembled and cleaned(at least not by me)

The gas system is a little harder to clean if ran longer between cleanings, but still fairly easy to clean.

Positives:

Chrome Bore and Chamber

Better fit and finish thru out

Wood and Synthetic both use the same shims for cast and drop adjustment

Hard chrome gas system and shell lifter

Better resale value

Pretty wood seems to be readily available

This isn't a complete list, just my general observation on the ones I have. They both pattern lead and steel fairly close, I only shoot 1450fps steel loads and they pattern really well in most all guns, although some require more choke than others to get the same pattern density.

If you want either gun will work and work for a very long time, but my vote goes to the 390.

If money and time were the deciding factor I would get the 930 and have no problems with the choice. If you look and don't hurry, you can and will find the right 390 for you and I think you will be happier about the decision.

Good luck
 
"Quality remains long after price is forgotten" The Beretta will be running and hold its value much better. MHO Bob
I saw this quote a few years ago on a very old ad for accordions. Any idea where the quote originates? I've used it myself quite a few times for questions just like this.
 
Mossberg builds nice practical guns. They build one gun that compares to anything on the market, the 500 pump. Unless you just like Beratta I would look into a Browning. You don't have to get a graded Browning. The workhorse models shoot just as well as the graded models.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobmar View Post
"Quality remains long after price is forgotten" The Beretta will be running and hold its value much better. MHO Bob
I saw this quote a few years ago on a very old ad for accordions. Any idea where the quote originates? I've used it myself quite a few times for questions just like this.

The original quote which has been modified some over the years is from Aldo Gucci - (see my tag line)
 
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