mossberg 930 spx,any opinions

[kiwihunta]

Hey all just fishing for any opinions on the mossberg 930 spx semi auto 7+1,as a general purpose fun/HD shot gun , i already own a match grade Miroku O/U and a Remington 870 mag express with 3 x chokes so they are my trap/hunting options.
I also have a choked sxs Baikel coach gun which is a lot of fun and has nailed its fair share of vermin.
I was at a close friends gun shop the other day when i spied and admired a once used semi auto mossberg 930 spx ,i liked the handling as soon as i picked it up although i am still not sure on the ghost ring sights,but i think i could get used to them and the 8 shot semi auto seems fun and commonsense especially for HD purposes , i cant really justify owning all of the above 12 gauges so i am thinking of quitting the sxs baikel to make way for the 930 spx ......any opinions would be welcome gentlemen...cheers.

 

[Bud Tugly]

Seems to me you've got 4 different needs (hunting, shooting clays, vermin, and HD). That's clear justification for 4 shotguns. Get it and keep the other 3, too.

You'd also have all 4 major varieties of shotgun: O.U, Pump, SxS, and semi-auto. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[oneounceload]

Just add this one to your collection, then start looking for the next one - hopefully a 20 gauge SxS or O/U.............

 

[Mudinyeri]

I own a 930 SPX and after a little break-in period I have found it to be trouble-free and fun to shoot. If you're looking at a shotty for defense and fun I'd highly recommend it.

Edit: Here's a pattern at about 12 yards with 00 Buck. Only one pellet outside of the outline of the head. (Ignore the holes off-target.)

 

[Al LaVodka]

Too many stories of failures to cycle. That was separate from the weak mag springs. Also, the cool-looking but questionable sights are pretty obviously too high above anyone's proper cheek-weld's line-of-sight to be of any use (would need the Monte Carlo stock). Sorry, and I had high hopes!

What to get then for HD? Not that you asked, but if you need a Semi, get an M2 Benelli. For an even simpler, better, choice go with a Mossberg 500 7+1, an 8+1 590 or an even tougher 5+ or 8+1 590-A1.

Al

 

[EdLaver]

I agree with Al, I had high hopes too, but mine won't cycle low recoil shells, and never feeds the 7th shell. I have changed the spring and contacted Mossberg. They tell me to break it in, I have put close to 300 full power buckshot and slug shells through it with the same problem. It works if you keep feeding it and dont let it get to that 7th shell, but it still blows to have to do that. Maybe I got a dud, maybe you won't. You never know.

 

[rbernie]

The ones that I've shouldered felt REALLY FREAKIN' BIG compared to other options. Handling does not seem to be its forte....

 

[Sheepdog1968]

They're fun and worth owning. However, I don't find it quite as reliable as a pump. For home defense, IMO pumps are more reliable than this semi-auto.

 

[kiwihunta]

Bud Tugly i like your logic.

 

[rduckwor]

I have one and like it. Reliable, easy to shoot, and I like the sights. Very accurate.

RMD

 

[Mudinyeri]

Too many stories of failures to cycle. That was separate from the weak mag springs. Also, the cool-looking but questionable sights are pretty obviously too high above anyone's proper cheek-weld's line-of-sight to be of any use (would need the Monte Carlo stock). Sorry, and I had high hopes!

What to get then for HD? Not that you asked, but if you need a Semi, get an M2 Benelli. For an even simpler, better, choice go with a Mossberg 500 7+1, an 8+1 590 or an even tougher 5+ or 8+1 590-A1.

Al

Ah ... based on stories I no longer eat porridge found in cottages in the woods. Nor will I any longer attempt to blow down pigs' houses. Now, on to actual experience ...

In my EXPERIENCE, the 930 SPX is an excellent gun. I've run everything through it from 00 Buck to 04 Buck and 7.5 Bird-shot. It did produce a couple failures to feed in the first hundred rounds. Since then ... not a single problem.

As for the sights, the pattern that I posted above was with the sights on the nasal cavity of the target (and my cheek on the stock). Works for me.

 

[kiwihunta]

Cheers Mudinyeri, you have convinced me...if the budgets working for the month i want it!!!!.when you used the 7.5s was that on clays??,i have clay dedicated shotguns but just wondered how the cyl barrel threw on clays,and with that size shot was the spread to wide to be effective.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

you were "convinced" because you wanted to be convinced.



do a comprehensive and judicious search on the 930 spx and you'll see it's hardly "trouble-free". I am a devout Mossberg pump guy and I will avoid the 930 spx for the time being. The points that Al Lavodka made are all well founded.


I would buy a Stoeger 2000 Defense model for around half the price or at the most 1/3rd of the price cheaper and spend the rest on ammo. It's based on the Benelli M1 and is inertia driven, providing an excuse to employ some heavy non pansy loads. There is nothing really in the 930 spx's price range...it's either cheaper (rare) or twice the price (common). Save for a Benelli or SLP, get the Stoeger or get a good pump.

 

[kiwihunta]

Heres the thing mate ,i have a good pump a rem 870 magnum express,two side by sides,and a browning over and under,i dont have an auto at the moment. I have had a stoeger ...just another turkish auto , inertia driven shotguns to me kind of defeat the purpose of having the auto.... that is to have total control of target aquisition with full noise loads especially three inch shells without loseing your sight picture,only gas operated will do that, but hey everyone to there own i guess.

 

[Al LaVodka]

Mud;
I too am a fan of Mossberg. I SO wanted to buy one of these shotguns-of-the-year. But the "stories" I refer to are the ones shared here, like yours. And even YOU point out FTF's! One more story I accept as true. Your recommendations? Clearly not reliable enough, like the gun.

And that convinces you Kiwi!? Then anything would and why bother asking... The 930 SPX was my "next gun" many times as I too tried to convince myself. You shoot sport shotgun? You will hate the picture of the GRS' (chin, not cheek, on the stock) and then realize you are stuck with them. Add to that the failures you'll experience, the pain to clean it, and you won't use it much, never depend on it, and relegate it to the closet or sell it at a loss: mark my words.

Al

 

[bushmaster1313]

I had the 930 with the 4 round magazine but it would not cycle Ranger Reduced Recoil 8 pellet 00 Buck.

I did, however, really like the grip and how easy it was to swing.

Worked well with full power loads.

 

[kiwihunta]

Mud;
I too am a fan of Mossberg. I SO wanted to buy one of these shotguns-of-the-year. But the "stories" I refer to are the ones shared here, like yours. And even YOU point out FTF's! One more story I accept as true. Your recommendations? Clearly not reliable enough, like the gun.
And that convinces you Kiwi!? Then anything would and why bother asking... The 930 SPX was my "next gun" many times as I too tried to convince myself. You shoot sport shotgun? You will hate the picture of the GRS' (chin, not cheek, on the stock) and then realize you are stuck with them. Add to that the failures you'll experience, the pain to clean it, and you won't use it much, never depend on it, and relegate it to the closet or sell it at a loss: mark my words.

Al

Well mate i bothered asking actually because this is a as i understand it a gun forum,supposedly with like minded people sharing there knowledge and opinions on shooting and firearms, and if i was "convinced" as you put it i wouldnt have asked for opinions in the first place.your comment "And that convinces you Kiwi!? Then anything would and why bother asking"....is pretty abrasive for no apparent reason,i would suggest if you cant be affable then stay off the forum.

 

[Al LaVodka]

Kiwi...;
And if the most positive story is one guy telling you his failures-to-feed seem to be in remission convinces you to get that particular gun then, well my bogan friend, IMO yours was not a serious post and Darwin will win again. Huzzah!
Al

 

[AcceptableUserName]

lol.



It's honestly a fairly mixed bag. Why not save a little longer for an FN SLP? I'll buy Mossberg pumps pretty much strictly but their semi-auto history is quite checkered. Al's advice is quite spot on - he comes across as "not affable" because it's a little irksome when you come on and ask for opinions and come across as if your mind is already made up.

 

[kiwihunta]

Kiwi...;
And if the most positive story is one guy telling you his failures-to-feed seem to be in remission convinces you to get that particular gun then, well my bogan friend, IMO yours was not a serious post and Darwin will win again. Huzzah!
Al

LOL...Bogan???....i dont think so.....friend ??i dont think so either....perhaps more time actually shooting or hunting and less time pontificating BS on a blog site may lead to you having something of interest to say......HUZZAH !! to you to.

 

[Mudinyeri]

I TRIED to get the gun to fail to feed in the first several rounds ... because I too had read the "stories." I shot very light game loads (not recommended in the first few rounds with any semi-auto that I'm aware of). The gun has never once failed with 00 Buck - the type of round for which it was intended.

Kiwi, I shot the loads for two reasons. First, as mentioned above, to see if I could get it to fail to feed. Second to pattern the loads. Now that the gun feeds everything I put in it, I'd say I could use it to hunt pheasants based on the game load patterns.

 

[Pony Express]

I used to have one-then I sold it and bought an 870. The 870 is problem free so far, I couldn't find any game loads that would cycle the 930. My opinion is if you're going to buy an auto, go with a benelli. Thats what I plan on being my next shotgun (very far in the future)

 

[Mudinyeri]

I used to have one-then I sold it and bought an 870. The 870 is problem free so far, I couldn't find any game loads that would cycle the 930. My opinion is if you're going to buy an auto, go with a benelli. Thats what I plan on being my next shotgun (very far in the future)

Interesting that you couldn't get it to cycle with game loads. Mine cycles fine with 2 3/4 low brass 5 and 6 shot.

I can't argue that the Benelli M4 is on my wish list but for the price you could buy a 930 SPX, pay a smith to fluff and buff it until it was smooth as glass (not that you would necessarily need to) and cycled with the lightest of loads and still have enough money left over for about 1000 rounds of 00 Buck!

 

[kiwihunta]

Interesting that you couldn't get it to cycle with game loads. Mine cycles fine with 2 3/4 low brass 5 and 6 shot.

I can't argue that the Benelli M4 is on my wish list but for the price you could buy a 930 SPX, pay a smith to fluff and buff it until it was smooth as glass (not that you would necessarily need to) and cycled with the lightest of loads and still have enough money left over for about 1000 rounds of 00 Buck!

Hey there Mudinyeri,took the SPX out for a work out yesterday,had no cycling issues at all , i ran everything i had through it rangeing from no 7 trap loads ,no 3 gameloads,oo buckshot,solids and some 3" buck.....everything fed with no problems at all ,probably let go a 150 rounds,i am a little dubious about cyl barrels,i like a little tighter patterns so i might see if a choked barrel is available or if a local smith thinks its feasible to fit an after mkt choke system,i would definitely give it a thumbs up for fun and HD...just maybe not hunting ,i will check out the choke thing and make a decision to own then ,cheers for your input it is appreciated.

 

[juk]

So, are most of the failure to feed problems related to lower powered shells? I'm interested in a 930 or 935 for waterfowling. It's alright if a 935 won't eat the cheapest low base economy load on the shelves. I'n my mind, it wasn't designed to shoot that stuff. It's not alright if the thing won't cycle when shooting full-house 3" and 3.5" loads.