I'm considering a second shotgun for defensive purposes. I already own a 500 but I'm thinking that something like the 930 SPX 8 Shot would potentially be even easier for both me and my wife to operate in an emergency. I like the sights on it and the guy at the store said it's very reliable. This would be our 'go to' shotgun and the 500 would serve as backup. What do you think?
930 SPX Thoughts?
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Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
In your shoes, I'd just get another Mossberg pump.
Commonality of controls, and practice with one equals practice with the other.
Contrary to some folks' opinions on the Net, a simple pump gun with few addons is a wondrously effective tool. All it takes is practice....
Commonality of controls, and practice with one equals practice with the other.
Contrary to some folks' opinions on the Net, a simple pump gun with few addons is a wondrously effective tool. All it takes is practice....
Stevie-Ray
Member
Go for the SPX if you've a mind to. I did, and it's a sweet shooting shotgun. Minimal recoil with buck loads. I've had mine for a year and love it. I shoot mostly 00 buck out of it, but it has eaten everything from there down to low brass target loads without complaint.
I believe that for most people an autoloader is easier to run, particularly under stress.
I have a SPX and it has proven reliable with every thing from bird shot to reduced recoil slugs and buck to 3" magnums slugs and buck.
My SPX is a softer shooting gun than my 500.
For HD I actually lean towards a carbine these days, particularly for smaller statured people. That is a different discussion though. If one is set on a shotgun the SPX is in my opinion and experience a viable choice. I would choose it over my pump guns as well.
I have a SPX and it has proven reliable with every thing from bird shot to reduced recoil slugs and buck to 3" magnums slugs and buck.
My SPX is a softer shooting gun than my 500.
For HD I actually lean towards a carbine these days, particularly for smaller statured people. That is a different discussion though. If one is set on a shotgun the SPX is in my opinion and experience a viable choice. I would choose it over my pump guns as well.
Thanks Girodin. I'm curious why you lean towards the Carbine? Any other reason than the lower recoil for smaller statured people? I have an AR but I would be hesitant to reach for it over a 12guage at relatively close ranges i.e. inside 30 feet.
For the following reasons:
1. Lower recoil and faster followups
2. Lighter weight: this is even more of an issue if one might need to do anything with the other hand like dial 911 or grab a kid. The latter might make a handgun the best choice).
These are the two that seem to affect smaller people the most.
3. Magazine capacity: This is probably a non issue for most HD scenarios but still.
4. Over penetration: despite what a lot of people seem to think, a 5.56 carbine with the right ammo will over penetrate and penetrate less through objects and walls than a slug or buckshot. Also a carbine sends fewer liabilities in the air with each trigger pull.
Get some Hornady TAP rounds and try them out.
5. Easier to become proficient with: I really believe it is easier to learn how to run a carbine like an AR well than a shotgun.
6. Ability to suppress it. This may or may not be something that one decides they want to do but it is an option.
I see a shotgun as having one big advantage and that is its terminal ballistics with proper cartridge selection. A 5.56 carbine is not particularly lacking there either though. The other advantage for a lot of people is cost.
Don't get me I think a shotgun is a perfectly adequate HD weapon. I just prefer an AR and think that a lot of people would actually be better served with one.
1. Lower recoil and faster followups
2. Lighter weight: this is even more of an issue if one might need to do anything with the other hand like dial 911 or grab a kid. The latter might make a handgun the best choice).
These are the two that seem to affect smaller people the most.
3. Magazine capacity: This is probably a non issue for most HD scenarios but still.
4. Over penetration: despite what a lot of people seem to think, a 5.56 carbine with the right ammo will over penetrate and penetrate less through objects and walls than a slug or buckshot. Also a carbine sends fewer liabilities in the air with each trigger pull.
Get some Hornady TAP rounds and try them out.
5. Easier to become proficient with: I really believe it is easier to learn how to run a carbine like an AR well than a shotgun.
6. Ability to suppress it. This may or may not be something that one decides they want to do but it is an option.
I see a shotgun as having one big advantage and that is its terminal ballistics with proper cartridge selection. A 5.56 carbine is not particularly lacking there either though. The other advantage for a lot of people is cost.
Don't get me I think a shotgun is a perfectly adequate HD weapon. I just prefer an AR and think that a lot of people would actually be better served with one.
I have a 930 spx and would definitely trust my life to it. Mine has been totally reliable, even with mixing light target loads and full power buckshot back and forth. I did this a few times with a full tube of all sort of random loads and that was proof enough for me. IMO, if it is for someone who doesn't practice much, a semi has a couple of advantages.
First of all, it can't be short stroked. As I run this in 3 gun matches, I have seen pumps short stroked and even completely jammed by people competing. Yes, this can be trained around, but I doubt I could get my wife to put in that sort of training.
Second, on the occassions where you can get an infrequent shooter out to practice, the semi action is much softer shooting. This was actually a big decider for me when I selected the 930. It is very nice to shoot even with full power loads. That said, I do stick to 2 3/4 loads as I don't see reaching out very far with this gun.
That said, if you can get the wife to put in the practice with the 500, then having two of the same gun probably makes more sense, but for the reasons I stated above, the 930 worked better for me.
First of all, it can't be short stroked. As I run this in 3 gun matches, I have seen pumps short stroked and even completely jammed by people competing. Yes, this can be trained around, but I doubt I could get my wife to put in that sort of training.
Second, on the occassions where you can get an infrequent shooter out to practice, the semi action is much softer shooting. This was actually a big decider for me when I selected the 930. It is very nice to shoot even with full power loads. That said, I do stick to 2 3/4 loads as I don't see reaching out very far with this gun.
That said, if you can get the wife to put in the practice with the 500, then having two of the same gun probably makes more sense, but for the reasons I stated above, the 930 worked better for me.
My experiences with the 930SPX are all favorable except I was unlucky enough to get one with a canted front sight. Repeated calls and e-mails to Mossberg about a fix all ends in "send us the gun" when all I want is a new barrel. Decided to just keep it rather than fight with Mossberg.
It cycles all loads (Walmart low brass through Brenneke KO slugs) without blinking. Recoil is mild with 2 3/4" shells, and nicely tempered for 3". I've got about 500 rounds through it without cleaning.
It cycles all loads (Walmart low brass through Brenneke KO slugs) without blinking. Recoil is mild with 2 3/4" shells, and nicely tempered for 3". I've got about 500 rounds through it without cleaning.
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