Two years back Mossberg scrapped and redesigned their 4X4 line and came out with the Patriot.
Now if we toss aside all the bad mouthing of entry level rifles I can give you an opinion.
The Patriot is no worse than an Axis or Rem 783 and would say that it's at least on par with a Ruger American (and will probably take flak for that one).
The rifle holds well, has better fit/finish than the Axis or 783 and has a better stock than the American (which is finished so poorly that you can slice open your fingers on the sharp edges left on the barrel channel - and yes, I handle dozens of all of these).
Mossberg dressed this with a fluted bolt and a fluted barrel - looks cool and does shave out a few ounces, but it's more cosmetic than any real "advantage".
The bolt is way smoother/tighter than you find on any of the other rifles at this price point.
I sell a good number of entry level guns and personally own an Axis. But if I was in the market for a rifle at this price point, given the options (Axis, 783, Patriot or American), the Patriot would be right up there.
For all the crap these rifles (collectively take), I have never had to send any of them in for warranty or recall work. Can't say the same thing with 700 Rem's or Winchester shotguns.
They are what they are. A budget rifle for the guy just starting out or the guy who will fire a couple shots to make sure "she's zero'd in" and then spend a week with their buddies "deer hunting" where often more beer dies than deer.
They are also available in a wood stocked version which actually looks "sharp".
You/He could do much worse at this price point.
