Mossberg 930SPX....opinions?

[snake eater 332]

I'm a tactical kind of guy, with my firearms experience primarily being from my military and LE background. I have some decent shotgun experience, but almost entirely with pump shotguns. I don't hunt or trap/skeet shoot. I see the shotgun as a tactical tool of the trade and my primary uses are for work/duty, training, and action shooting matches (another form of training for me).

I've been considering a semi-auto shotgun for a while and I'm heavily leaning towards the Mossberg 930 SPX, due to its controls being similar to both my duty-issued and personally owned 14" Mossy 590A1s for familiarity and consistency in training. I've handled the 930 in gun stores and I like its weight and feel. It is also reasonably priced.

If anyone has any opinions on the 930 or 930 SPX, based upon owning and/or having actually used one, I'm looking for your feedback. If you could also include any accessories or modifications you think may improve the standard weapon, please add these comments as well.

Thanks!

Andy

 

[Nfdbrian]

I was wondering some opinions also. I am on the fence between the 930 SPX and the Saiga 12. I am leaning towards the 930, as it has the pistol grip stock and has a larger capacity for us Mass folks. I read they had some QC issues when they first came out, but should be fixed by now. Plus it is not too pick ammo wise, as I hear it will shoot just about anything.

 

[ChevyGuy91]

There is a lot of talk in the "So you want to shoot 3 gun?" thread. I know you are looking more towards "Tactical" use, but if it runs in competition, it will run when you need it. The 930 is making it's way into 3gun because it is simple and cheap.

Here is my post from the 3 gun thread;

Mine was a SPX, with the 18.5 inch barrel and the ghost ring sights. I took the barrel, rear sight, receiver rail, and factory mag extenstion off and did what Supermoto is suggesting. The rifle sights were to slow and almost impossible for me to track flying targets with, so I had a waterfowl barrel cut to 22" and had the factory red fiber bead reinstalled. The longer barrel gave me more room to add the nordic comp mag extension I wanted to run, and it is now threaded for chokes (which the 18"r is not). The gun feels a lot more balanced set up this way, and is useful for more then just looking like it should be hanging from a tactical tommy. I have used for a 2gun action match, used it on the trap field, and wouldn't think twice about plugging the mag and taking it in the field for birds (never had much luck shooting birds, so if I am going to walk around carrying a shotgun I think I would take my lightest ).

My used-to-be SPX is not my HD gun because a shotgun is not my tool of choice at the moment, but I would use it in the role with out hesitation. I am very happy I bought it, it cycles everything I have stuffed it with from #8 value box to 3" 000 Buck and everything in between. The aftermarket is picking up and there are upgrades available for it, although the stock selection is very limited.

This thread on an other forum is updated when the guy buys some new tactical toy for his SPX, to give you a rough idea of what is out there.

http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?167-Mossberg-930-SPX-Review

Here is a thread that has been going for a while, and someone used an SPX in a 3 day SG class. He describes a little about the issues he had with snotty weather, and a draw back to the guns design.

http://m4carbine.net/showpost.php?p=1106779&postcount=85


For the money, I don't think you would be disappointed, I am certainly not.

 

[M1911]

Mossberg is working on a 930 SPX configured for 3-gun and it is supposed to be available "soon". So I would wait a couple months if you can.

 

[jar]

The big problem with the SPX is the lack of chokes. I got tired of waiting for the competition version. My 24" unported vent rib barrel arrived yesterday, and my 28" waterfowl 930 is waiting at my FFL. Unfortunately, it looks like I won't get to pick it up today and shoot it over the weekend.

 

[ArmaNotSoLite]

I was wondering some opinions also. I am on the fence between the 930 SPX and the Saiga 12. I am leaning towards the 930, as it has the pistol grip stock and has a larger capacity for us Mass folks. I read they had some QC issues when they first came out, but should be fixed by now. Plus it is not too pick ammo wise, as I hear it will shoot just about anything.

There isn't really even a comparison between those two choices. The 930SPX will generally be lower priced than the S12, and the S12 will need a good chunk of money in enhancements to make it competition friendly. A 930SPX can be fitted with a mag extension giving you 8 total rounds, but if you don't convert the S12 to comply with 922r, you're stuck with the 5 shot detachable box.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the S12, because there isn't. I own one, and it's a blast to shoot, but it's a money pit. I paid $450 for it before prices went sky high, and I've probably got nearly 2x that in parts laying around for when I convert it. Conversion kit, parts, mags, etc. A good Saiga 12 mag can't even be had for less than $35.

They're equally reliable if you ask me, but the Mossberg is probably your best (and cheapest) bet. If you want a fun project gun that you can shoot while you wait for the money to convert it, get the S12. Some amazing things can be done with that gun. I recently saw an SBS version with an 11" barrel with an adjustable choke system. The choke brought the barrel out to around 13" total. Patterns nice and tight, but handles like a dream.

ETA) If you get the Mossberg, don't forget to practice your weak hand reload!

 

[Nfdbrian]

I myself would love the Saiga, but can't really justify the money for the reasons you mentioned. I like the option of having 8 rounds vs. the 5 round detachable mag. I really want the pistol grip, and in this state it is a no no on the Saiga. Really like the short barrel version they showed on Sons of Guns! I think for the money, the 930 SPX is hard to beat! Now I just have to find somebody that has one or can get one! Thanks guys!

 

[ChevyGuy91]

Now I just have to find somebody that has one or can get one! Thanks guys!

I picked mine up at Dicks Sporting goods for cheap 2 years ago. They were running a sale. Wait a few weeks and watch the Thanksgiving sale.

 

[chinalfr]

I myself would love the Saiga, but can't really justify the money for the reasons you mentioned. I like the option of having 8 rounds vs. the 5 round detachable mag. I really want the pistol grip, and in this state it is a no no on the Saiga. Really like the short barrel version they showed on Sons of Guns! I think for the money, the 930 SPX is hard to beat! Now I just have to find somebody that has one or can get one! Thanks guys!

I know you're attending Fred's Bday event. I'll bring my 930SPX with me and let you have some fun.

 

[JGreen]

I bought a 930SPX and sold it for the simple reason that it wouldn't fire slugs accurately. I tried numerous brands without success. With regard to reliability...Well, it was flawless. I'll sum it up by saying;
Reliable but not accurate.

 

[ChevyGuy91]

I bought a 930SPX and sold it for the simple reason that it wouldn't fire slugs accurately. I tried numerous brands without success. With regard to reliability...Well, it was flawless. I'll sum it up by saying;
Reliable but not accurate.

Hmmm, that's odd. I took mine to the 50 yard line and could get 5 plain Remington yellow box slugs on a paper plate. I figured that was good enough for me, if I need something more then that, I grabbing a rifle.

ETA; off a rest on the bench.

 

[Nfdbrian]

I picked mine up at Dicks Sporting goods for cheap 2 years ago. They were running a sale. Wait a few weeks and watch the Thanksgiving sale.

I actually called them the other night and all they had were 500's. I am looking for the model 85370 shown below. I am just curious to what they are selling for locally?

http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/NEW/85370.jpg

 

[ChevyGuy91]

I picked mine up in North Attleboro. I think last time I was in the Plymouth store, they had a few 930's on the rack, but that was a little while ago.

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

I very much like my 930. I do not have the "SPX" I purchased the 930 home/defense combo for a good price and added a mag extension to give me the 9 round capacity with a 18.5 barrel

I had an issue as first, but I was being stupid. gun can with two barrels but only one piston to cycle the action ( which was on the 28" barrel ) Since i changed that over is has feed and cycled everything ive given it, even when "ghost loading" a round

 

[dlarge]

Mossberg is working on a 930 SPX configured for 3-gun and it is supposed to be available "soon". So I would wait a couple months if you can.

Any word on this?

I have no clue where to look/check.

 

[jar]

The place to check is the huge thread on the 930 on the brianenos.com forum. There hasn't been an update that I saw.

 

[M1911]

The place to check is the huge thread on the 930 on the brianenos.com forum. There hasn't been an update that I saw.

You mean this one? http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=115843&st=0

 

[newportri]

The 930SPX is on my wish list, and hopefully I will sell my 835 combo that I have listed on gunbroker so I can buy it.
As far as modifications I would probably do, I would tap the barrel so I could use chokes. Mike Orlen in Amherst, MA, does a great job with that from what I hear. I couldn't find his website, but I found this link:
http://randywakeman.com/shotgunMikeOrlen.htm
I would also get a Nordic Component Tube Clamp with a rail. Not really necessary, but I think it looks cool
I might also get a barrel extension if it will give me another shell in the magazine. It's kind of cool how the 930SPX can be ghost loaded so you can load 9 rounds (7+1+1).