Thoughts on the Mossberg MVP Patrol in 5.56

[wbwanzer]

Earlier in the week I had been thinking about the GSG 522 or the M&P 15-22 for another 'just for the fun of it' gun. Then I got to thinking that my other two rifles are both small caliber (.22 and .17) and maybe I should consider something more powerful just in case something like that were ever needed. I was thinking .223 but didn't want an AR. I'm now thinking maybe the Mossberg MVP Patrol. It's a bolt action with a 16.5 inch barrel, flash hider, iron sights including a fiber optic front sight, rail for a scope and it can use AR-15 mags. Sounds like a winner to me. I also know that nothing is perfect. Main purpose would still be fun with paper and soda cans, but could be useful if the need should ever arise. They can be gotten new in the $500 to $600 range.

If you are familiar with this rifle, what do you think? Thanks for any input.

 

[bikemutt]

I bought one shortly after they first came out and just never warmed up to it. Mine was the longer threaded barrel version with the laminate stock. My specimen was not terribly accurate but I've heard others say their's are. The trigger is pretty nice. The mag fit was sloppy on mine which imparted a "cheap" feel overall, although it never failed to cycle.

It would set you back $200 or so more but the Ruger Gunsite Scout may be worthy of consideration. Mine is a tack driver. It's too bad Ruger didn't redesign the mag from the .308 version, they just made it fit by adding more metal. Then again, if you run out of ammo that mag is a lethal weapon onto itself

Good luck.

 

[MyRoad]

I had one for only two weeks, the shortest I've ever owned a gun. I had what I think they called the Predator model with the longer barrel. On paper the gun looks excellent: laminated checkered stock, adjustable trigger, I believe this one had a fluted barrel, and of course takes AR mags.

But in reality it was a really cheap feeling gun, in addition to the mag, the bolt (when open) had a lot of wiggle in it, and a close inspection just showed the cheapest parts possible were used. It was accurate enough, but just not well put together.

The kicker was their "solution" to the problem of AR magazines sitting kind of low. To get the rounds out, they needed some kind of extension off of the bottom of the bolt to grab them. Instead of taking the R&D time to develop a one-piece solid solution, they went with a little spring loaded tab that pops down. I have not (yet) read any accounts of these breaking off, but because of the low quality feel of the parts in general, I would be waiting for that thing to break every time I pushed the bolt forward.

Bottom line, its a great idea, and in my humble opinion, a poor execution.

 

[X-Rap]

I fancied one with the fluted barrel but am glad I passed, the Rem. 7615 has so much more to offer in a non AR that takes an AR mag. That's what's on my radar.

 

[sappyg]

I've looked at them for the same reasons as OP. Sounds good on paper but I'm not a buyer at the offering price. It's about $100 over the mark IMO.

The week link for me is the dangly thing on the bolt head needed to pick up the round out of the AR mag. Seems like an odd arrangement.

Most all of my AR mags are 30 rounders so I would be looking for 10 rounders for the MVP. Either way, a nice short carbine just didn't make sense for me using AR mags or buying more mags to use just for that rifle.

The stock rhino lining finish is very interesting. I actually like it but, it's not enough to overcome the perceived short comings. The iron sights are a big plus. TBH I would want to scope it which would only exaggerate poor handling considering the type off magazine used. Plus, Due to the sights, mounting a scope might prove to be another challenge. The flash hider is just not that big a deal.

For me, this was easy gun to walk away from.

 

[rduckwor]

I have the original Predator version (18" fluted barrel), laminate stock. The bolt is not terribly smooth, but reliable. Mine will consistently do 0.5 MOA with handloads (seems to like lighter 50,52, 55 Gr bullets).

All in all, not a bad little rifle for the money. A field gun rather than one for the accuracy game.

RMD

 

[shrewd]

CZ makes a very nice little bolt action carbine in 223 and 7.62x39

 

[LS240]

I've got a patrol version and I like it overall but it certainly has shortcomings. On the positive side it feels really solid in hand with the pebble finish covered wood stock and heavier contour barrel, and it's certainly accurate enough. It eats steel cased as well, even switching back and forth with brass.

On the negative side though, the bolt sucks, frankly. It takes more force to open than an unpolished Mosin, and it has a generally rough, gritty feel to it. It wiggles significantly when its open as well so it requires a very controlled motion to close smoothly. If you put any side load on the bolt it doesn't work very well. The mags wobble a ton as several others have posted. That doesn't effect function but it's not a very reassuring thing either.

I've actually had several problems with mine in the form of lots of light primer strikes during break in, a bolt/firing pin that wouldn't reset and was not easily fixable in the field and rendered the rifle inert, and the scope rail screws starting backing out which obviously allowed the scope to wobble around. All of that within the first 3 range sessions. All three problems are easily fixable or have worked themselves out after a few hundred more rounds, but I certainly don't trust the rifle and won't until I have a good deal more rounds through it.

I still enjoy it though and feel it's one of the "coolest" firearms in my collection and I love just taking it out of the safe and handling/fondling it. But then I shoot it and remember it's failings. I bought it to be a truck gun but I think a Mosin M44 at this point is still my go to purely based on its bombproof reliability.

 

[redbullitt]

My buddy has one. Patrol model, 16 inch barrel. Overall a good rifle for a woods gun here. Lots of varmint kills with it out to 200 yards.

Good: Ar mags, Sub MOA with our hand loads, iron sights, good hunting trigger, light weight for field carry, good ergos for carry and offhand shots.

Bad: Some AR mags are loose, but functional. Bolt can be a bit sticky/awkward, especially if you are not used to shooting the rifle.

That rifle gets used hard, and it still works great.

 

[recondoc]

I have the MVP in the Thunder Ranch configuration and love it. It is fast handling and accurate. The fact that it takes AR mags and is chambered in true 5.56 is icing on the cake. I had one of the original run heavy varmint versions a few years back when they came out. Really accurate with surplus ammo. I've killed several whitetail with each.
Definitly enjoy the lighter and quicker handling TR version.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've got a standard MVP "Predator". It has a 20"bbl that's partially fluted, and thin. Not the 18" w/threaded muzzle.

I had to make a minor modification to the mag well to get mag's to fit tight and feed properly, but it 'works' now.
Took about 300rds to 'shoot in' the barrel. It's about 1/2" accurate now with good ammo. (Berger or Sierra bullets, like's the Hornady's "ok", but not as accurate- 1" vs 1/2" of others. Mil-spec fmj's are problably 2-3moa, like in anything else.

Trigger won't go down as light as I'd like. I took the spring out of it, and then cut in half and returned. Dosen't actually do anything... but it's there. About 3lbs is as light as trigger will go. But, rifle shoots well, handles well.
My bolt was a tad rough and gritty, but has "polished" in on it's own.
Not a bad rifle for the money. Definitely a good barrel...

 

[<*(((><]

@GooseGestapo: What did you do to get the magazine to fit tighter? I have the varmint version and while the looseness in the magwell hasn't affected it's function, it would please me to take some of the slop out of it.