Good morning, I am seriously considering ordering a 930 autoloader. I've read enough reviews good and bad to make my eyes bleed. the more intelligent reviews I've read seem to state, that after a HARD break in theses shot guns will cycle lighter loads very well. I am quite new to semi auto shot guns and as I said have read numerous reviews. I'm stuck on the Mossberg due to price point as it is going to be used primarily for 3 gun and maybe a little duck hunting. So please unless you have a link to an M4 or versamax in 500-700 price range don't suggest it ,I have to buy and AR still aswell. So my main questions are is it reliable and Durable? any info would be appreciated! Thanks in advance
Mossberg 930 questions?
- Thread starter LovesGuns
- Start date
I haven't heard many bad things about them in terms of them working. Most downsides i have heard are more ergonomics and fit/finish vs the $1000+ autoloaders.
I have also heard a lot of good things about the Weatherby SA-08, which is in a similar price range to the 930, might be worth checking them both out before you make your final decision.
I have the Mossberg 935 (3" & 3 1/2") & a Mossberg 930 (2 3/4" & 3"). I haven't had problems with either of them after running literally hundreds of rounds through both of them. I find you have to keep them clean or they will start to stop cycling properly. I like to clean mine after every 100 rounds or so. I consider them an inexpensive alternative to the more expensive shotguns.
George
George
Mine cycles fine with light loads (Winchester Universals, Federal Field and Range 100 packs) But as Glang1 said, once they get dirty the action will start slowing down and sometimes wont eject the shell. The Winchester Universals I find quite dirty, my gun doesn't like to run much more than 100 of them without starting to slow down. The Federal Field and Range I find are cleaner and I can shoot more before the gun get's dirty. It doesn't take long for me to clean the gun, I can clean the gas system to get it running again in 1-2 minutes. The gun is super fast. So aside from it being a little picky when it get's dirty I am happy with mine.
AWESOME reviews guys really appreciate it. our 3 gun group here pretty much exclusively run pumps, couple guys running M4's (fanboys lol) told me not waste my money on any autoloader aside from benelli or versamax. But I figured if Jerry miculek can run his the way he does they cant be all bad. Mind you those 2 guys don't really have to worry about budget shooting larue's and noveske rifles. Do any of you guys do any waterfowl hunting with them?
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
My wife has one in walnut (bought it used) and my dad has one in synthetic. My dad has used his exclusively for waterfowl for 7 years and has had no problems to date. I take my wife's the odd time.
1963beretta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vaughan, Ontario
You wont be disappointed with the Mossberg. I have a 935 that I love. Yes, it gave me some headaches the first few times I had it out because it would cycle slowly and stovepipe. But once it was broken it, all those issues dissapeared. It probably took about 50 rounds to work in the gun. I worked in the gun with Winchester 2 3/4" lead game loads. Now, my 935 will easily cycle 2 3/4" shells (including light target loads) even if Mossberg says the 935 wont. Its a great gun. If I had to do it all over again, I would definately buy another one. I chose the 935 over the 930 because I wanted to use it exclusively for goose and turkey hunting, which sometimes the 3 1/2" chambers can be of benefit. I only wish Mossberg made the 935 with wood stocks as I've never been a big fan of synthetic guns. A couple of hints if you decide on a 935...use Breakfree CLP oil to clean and lube it. For some reason my 935 prefers that brand of oil, especially when its really cold out. Also, my 935 doesnt like the 3 1/2" Remington Hypersonic loads. Those loads are a bit longer once fired and that extra length of the spent haul will cause hangups. So if you prefer the Hypersonics, stick to the 3" loads. All other Winchester, Federal, Kent and Challenger loads cylce fine regardless of the shell length.
There are also a good bit of accessories that you can buy for the Mossberg's. Since I purchased the gun, I've also acquired a cantilever rifled barrel for deer hunting and a choate pistol grip stock, which was an awesome addition for turkey hunting. Its now my go too gun for pretty much every type of hunting that I do.
As for the gun slowing down when dirty, I can't say that I've ever experienced that. Im sure all gas guns will slow down at some point if not cleaned, but I've always cleaned my guns after the day ended so I've never had this issue. The Mossberg is very simple to clean. It literally takes me 5 minutes to fully clean it, 10 minutes tops if I take my time. The only tool that is required is something to punch out the two trigger pins. I use a punch with a wide handle, and knock out the pins with my hand. Everything else required to field strip and clean comes apart by hand.
There are also a good bit of accessories that you can buy for the Mossberg's. Since I purchased the gun, I've also acquired a cantilever rifled barrel for deer hunting and a choate pistol grip stock, which was an awesome addition for turkey hunting. Its now my go too gun for pretty much every type of hunting that I do.
As for the gun slowing down when dirty, I can't say that I've ever experienced that. Im sure all gas guns will slow down at some point if not cleaned, but I've always cleaned my guns after the day ended so I've never had this issue. The Mossberg is very simple to clean. It literally takes me 5 minutes to fully clean it, 10 minutes tops if I take my time. The only tool that is required is something to punch out the two trigger pins. I use a punch with a wide handle, and knock out the pins with my hand. Everything else required to field strip and clean comes apart by hand.
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If you want I can sell you my but I would have to sell it dirty cheap because when they get dirty try jam. My has jammed bear hunting, duck hunting and deer hunting. Buyer beware. I have my as a dedicated one or two shot gun for deer and turkey with a scope because if I take it duck hunting it will jam. I would a nice pump I save some more money. Cheap is cheap for a reason. All three duck hunters I know are looking to sell their guns.
If you want I can sell you my but I would have to sell it dirty cheap because when they get dirty they jam. My has jammed bear hunting, duck hunting and deer hunting. Buyer beware. I have my as a dedicated one or two shot gun for deer and turkey with a scope because if I take it duck hunting it will jam. I would a nice pump I save some more money. Cheap is cheap for a reason. All three duck hunters I know are looking to sell their guns.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
You are the exception to the rule. How often do you clean it?
All the time. By cleaning I mean a full clean. Everything. But I just saw a youtube video on a full breakdown so I going to clean it again. May of missed they gas piston fully cleaned so will try again. Maybe I am the exception. Lol.
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I have the 935 grand slam ultra mag turkey edition. While being just fine for Turkey it is horrible for duck hunting due to the fact it is very slow to cycle rounds and will jam in any weather under 5 degrees Celsius. I've now owned 2 brownings since then (gold) and my current Maxus.. Nothing runs better than those two beauts... So with that said, i would say the Maxus is the best gun i've ever shot (cycles awesome, dirt simple to do a complete tear down, great size/weight)...
Really pleased with my 930. Cycles target loads fine and I didn't do any sort of 'break-in' procedure. IIRC I probably started shooting trap or skeet with it. Hasn't let me down yet, hot or cold, rain or shine, in the duck blind or skeet field. Never had a problem with it jamming because it's too dirty. It has handled several hundred rounds easily before cleaning.
lipervitch
CGN Regular
- Location
- Chatham-Kent, ON
Anyone have issues using Challenger target loads in a Mossberg 930. I've been having problems with them ejecting completely. They are the handicap loads so they aren't real light. I was shooting the Federal Target Loads 1oz and they worked flawlessly. With the Challengers I have quite a few issues. I cleaned the gun well including the piston and rings so I don't think that's the issue.
lipervitch
CGN Regular
- Location
- Chatham-Kent, ON
Maybe it's the low brass on the challenger shells. I'll pick up some more Federal target loads and see if they continue to work well.
