SunnySlopes
Member
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2011
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- 1,224
Am looking at HD semi autos. Opinions?
Mossberg 930, 940 Pros..cons?
- Thread starter SunnySlopes
- Start date
Blue Brick
Member
To summarize:
John Wayne would recommend a pump/slide action.
John Wick would recommend an autoloader.
John Wayne would recommend a pump/slide action.
John Wick would recommend an autoloader.
Blue Brick
Member
Just some side notes/thoughts.
It's all in what you're used to or what you want to get used to, nothing wrong with either one. I have three pumps and one autoloader, 5 round box mags in a bullpup configuration. While I do like the bullpup I shoot my pump actions probably ten times more often but then again I was combat trained on a pump action.
On a side note while semi-autos are typically easier to use for a newbie they are more prone to mechanical failures and often are ammo finicky. It's just the nature of the beast.
On a side note while semi-autos are typically easier to use for a newbie they are more prone to mechanical failures and often are ammo finicky. It's just the nature of the beast.
.45Coltguy
Member
I have/use the 930 "Duck Commander Signature" model and it has run very well with nary a hiccup with lighter to heavier loads.
No info on the 940's, sorry. My 930 has been good.
No info on the 940's, sorry. My 930 has been good.
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Mossberg hasn't mastered semi-autos. I don't know anything about the 940, but I had a 930 at one time as did multiple friends. About 1/2 ran fine, about 1/2 were problematic. I might hunt with one but wouldn't trust one if my life were on the line.
If I wanted a dedicated semi-auto shotgun for personal protection, I'd buy this.
Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol Semi-Auto Shotgun | Cabela's (cabelas.com)
Not that much difference in price compared to this.
Mossberg 930 Tactical SPX Semi-Auto Shotgun with Pistol Grip | Cabela's (cabelas.com)
And the Beretta is a proven design.
If you don't want to spend $1000 you can get a reliable pump for about 1/2 that price. In my experience a QUALITY semiauto will be more reliable than a pump as long as you are using buckshot, slugs or heavy field loads. Many semiautos don't run as reliably if you try to use very light target loads in them. A standard 12 ga load is 1 1/8 oz. Stay with that or heavier and the good ones are very reliable. Some of the 1 oz or 7/8 oz loads may not cycle in a semi-auto.
A pump is more DURABLE, in that it will hold up to more abuse and still function, and of course will cycle any load. It is operator error that will lead to malfunctions when trying to operate the action. And under stress that happens more often than we might want to think.
If I wanted a dedicated semi-auto shotgun for personal protection, I'd buy this.
Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol Semi-Auto Shotgun | Cabela's (cabelas.com)
Not that much difference in price compared to this.
Mossberg 930 Tactical SPX Semi-Auto Shotgun with Pistol Grip | Cabela's (cabelas.com)
And the Beretta is a proven design.
If you don't want to spend $1000 you can get a reliable pump for about 1/2 that price. In my experience a QUALITY semiauto will be more reliable than a pump as long as you are using buckshot, slugs or heavy field loads. Many semiautos don't run as reliably if you try to use very light target loads in them. A standard 12 ga load is 1 1/8 oz. Stay with that or heavier and the good ones are very reliable. Some of the 1 oz or 7/8 oz loads may not cycle in a semi-auto.
A pump is more DURABLE, in that it will hold up to more abuse and still function, and of course will cycle any load. It is operator error that will lead to malfunctions when trying to operate the action. And under stress that happens more often than we might want to think.
FL-NC
Member
I used a 930 JM PRO when I competed in 3 gun competition. I think it was just as good as the Benelli autos that some of the other competitors used at a much lower price (I wasn't that dedicated to the sport, and didn't have any sponsors). I also used the military issue Benelli when I was on active duty, BTW. Based on my positive experiences with the JM PRO, I later bought another 930 in the "traditional hunting format" that has served me well hunting doves, ducks, and turkeys. Mossberg also makes versions of the 930 that are designed with HD in mind as the primary purpose.
