Mossberg 935 Buy or not? Advice Please

[perpster]

I was going to buy a Mossberg 590A1 for defense but have been offered a 935 turkey/waterfowl combo (24" and 28" vented rib barrels) with accu-mag choke set for a little over $500 NIB never shot. I am new to shotguns and wonder if 935 (gas operated) with overall length of 49" is suitable for defense (at least until funds for a 590A1 become available), and is this a good price for used NIB never shot. BTW, local stores sell the $590A1 for mid $400's new.

Also, what is the general view of the 935? Any review links?

Thanks.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Mossberg's been trying to break into the autoloading shotgun market for a long time. They haven't had a lot of success in that arena that I can tell. I personally would rather have a proven pumpgun than a 'maybe' semiauto, but that's just me, I am known to be an old fuddyduddy who prefers a 55- year old pumpgun design (with lots of 50- something year old pumpguns still out there working, I might add).

lpl/nc (got a Winchester 1894 and a commercial Colt Gov't Model older than me, but no 870s that antique)

 

[ArmedBear]

AFAIK...

935 is a funky specialized hunting gun. It only shoots 3 and 3.5" shells. It has an overbored barrel that doesn't fit standard chokes and shoots best with shells that have oversized wads.

All of that is great for a turkey and waterfowl hunting gun, where you want maximum performance from specialized loads and you don't mind paying for them because you're either paying a good deal for a hunt or you are bringing back a good deal of edible birdage, or both.

But for other purposes, I'd say the 935 is of limited value. For $500, you can get an 870 with a Knoxx Special Ops stock and a mag extender (special run currently from Remington, AFAIK). I'd save the money, unless you're a serious hunter who wants a special gun for heavy loads and big birds.

 

[perpster]

Actually, I'm not a hunter at all (but would be if the need arose). I didn't realize that it ONLY shoots 3 and 3 1/2" shells, not 2 3/4, etc., or the overbored issue. I think I'll pass. THANKS ALL FOR REPLYING.

Edit: BTW, I shoot lefty, so I'm sticking to Mossberg for the ambidextrous safety. No push left/push right safety confusion and finger off trigger/forend; push forward to shoot, pull back to make safe.

 

[ArmedBear]

Mossberg's been trying to break into the autoloading shotgun market for a long time. They haven't had a lot of success in that arena that I can tell. I personally would rather have a proven pumpgun than a 'maybe' semiauto, but that's just me, I am known to be an old fuddyduddy who prefers a 55- year old pumpgun design (with lots of 50- something year old pumpguns still out there working, I might add).

lpl/nc (got a Winchester 1894 and a commercial Colt Gov't Model older than me, but no 870s that antique)

A few months ago, I shot an 870 made in 1950. Good as new.

But I understand the leftie issue. A Remington isn't a Winchester. You don't reach PAST the guard for the safety. It's like a Ruger 10/22. Remington does make complete mirror-image Leftie 870s, BTW, with a left-side ejection port, too. Barrels are harder to find, though.

I like the Remington safety because you can work it by feel. But it has to be on the correct side.

 

[perpster]

Being somewhat ambidextrous but favoring to shoot lefty, I like the option of being able to shoot righty if the need arose and still just having to muscle-memory the tang safety forward. I could never play guitar or piano because operating to hands indepently is beyond my abilities, but switching lefty/righty at baseball, football, shooting, etc. is oddly easy for me.

That's why I'll go with Mossberg (and stay with Glock in s/a handguns)

 

[ArmedBear]

Aha. Makes good sense.

 

[MCgunner]

I'm a lefty and like tang safeties and have a 500 mossy. I also have a Winchester M1400 with the crossbolt. I can use it, but much prefer the tang safety. I prefer the autoloader on doves, though, or anything that doesn't require 3" loads.

I'd thought about getting the 935, but it's just a little high. I'd want it in camo finish, too. I'm a waterfowler, primarily. The only shotgun I use for any sort of defense is an old twice pipe 12 gauge, 28" barrels, modified/full chokes. It sits out in my shop just in case I'm out there and need it.