Mossberg 930 JM Pro for Open Division

[Ed B.]

Hello all,

I have been shooting a Rem 1100 since 1997 in Open Division. After 17 years the Rem 1100 is finally wearing out. I have been searching for something different since buying a new 1100 seems to be almost as costly as a Benelli. I found a Mossberg 930 JM Pro at the gunshop that i go to for $649.99 + tax. The price seems to be half as much as a new Benelli M2, Rem Versa Max, or FN SLP. I also contacted Mossberg, they sell the same barrel that's on Jerry Miculek's Open 930, for $175.00 + shipping. I was wondering if anyone has any experience shooting the 930, what problems, if any, they have had, etc. I'm not sold on the Mossberg yet, I would like to shoot one before i buy one and spend the money to convert it for Open Division.

P.S.

Jesse i saw that you were shooting with Jerry at the 2013 Pan American Shotgun Chamionship. How did his gun work. Can you tell me if it was close to the JM Pro or did he send it out to get it overhauled by someone before the match.

 

[hunter_dmw12]

save your self the headache and buy a stoger 3000 you will be much happier

 

[Ed B.]

If I can find a Stoger 3000, does it use the same aftermarket parts from Nordic and Arredondo as the Benelli? I looked up the Stoger on line and it looks similar to a Benelli.

 

[hunter_dmw12]

order a tube from one of our great sponsors nordic components. the tube thats fits should be the nova/supernova for the m3000. (i am almost sure that is what i ordered for my wifes gun. I never get so touch it because it is HERS)

 

[mike cyrwus]

if you ran a 1100 for 17 years, and just now wearing out, then you need to find another 1100, cause you have a golden horseshoe somewhere in your person

 

[Ed B.]

The next question is will the Benelli Speedloader Assist work on the M3000?

 

[hunter_dmw12]

im sure accurate iron can make anything work....

 

[Ed B.]

There is no "Golden Horseshoe" I have spent more than i would like to admit on keep it running. I also had a 5 year gap in competing. I started up 3 years ago and have been shooting more now than i did a long time ago. I have probably put close to 30,000 rounds through the gun in 3 years.

 

[Tuflehundon]

What do you plan to do with the shotgun. I sold my Stoeger so I could get the XRail. I called XRail directly and spoke to them about fitting one to the Stoeger and they didn't have one that would work. That's why I picked up the 930 JM Pro. I have seen Jerry's 930's and they are pretty much stock, he has a few of them. He has changed barrels, tubes, extensions, and things like that, but not much else other than bolt on parts like the speed chute.

Seeing his shotgun with the XRail is what got me to look at the 930 in the 1st place. If you can swing the cash, there may be better options for you, really depends on your budget. I got a heck of a deal on mine. Got it for $500 used with about 300 rounds down the pipe.

There were some issues with the 930's early on, but they have pretty much been worked out. One of the big problems was the design of the trigger group would let the hammer and lifter hang up, but they have changed that. Mine never had that issue, but a buddies did to the point that he bought another shotgun. Mossberg replaced his trigger group and his issues went away. There were also issues with the sights on certain versions of the 930, but the JM Pro didn't have those sights.

 

[LoganbillJ]

Any reason you are going with a tube fed gun for open? Just personal preference?

 

[Ed B.]

I am trying to stay on a budget of no more than $1200.00 for the complete gun. After doing the math i think I can build the 930 for $1100.00 ish. The reason why i dont go magazine fed is first cost, second I have seen 5 different guys shooting open in Northern California that have Magazine feed guns. They all have had MAJOR issues at matches. I offered to let one guy shoot my gun because he couldn't fire more than three rounds before it would jam so bad that he has to change mags and beat the gun open with a spare magazine to get it running again. The reason why i haven't tried an XRail is because I live in California, the guys at XRail will not ship anything here. Besides I have been running Speed Sticks for so long that i have become pretty proficient with them.

 

[LoganbillJ]

As a guy who builds mag fed open shotguns everyday I will tell you it is all about mag tuning. Yes full blown race guns can get expensive when you put all the options on them but a speed chute and tec loaders aren't cheap either. If you already have them and are good with them more power to you.

Mind me asking what the local guys are running for mag fed guns?

 

[Ed B.]

From what i've seen they are a mixture of Saiga's, and two others I don't remember the names. From what i have seen especially from the Saiga that the shooter had to beat open, it looks like there is more tinkering than my Rem 1100 needs on a good day. If i had $3,000+ i would consider getting a R&R Saiga and have them tune the a pile of mags to the gun. But the goal is to build another shotgun for under $1,200.00. I am shooting in the California Action Shotgun Championship this Sunday, and am hoping to see both the Mossberg 930 and Stoger M3000 this weekend and talk to the owners about them.

Thanks for all the advice so far!!!

 

[Tuflehundon]

Budget is the reason I am planning to go open with a 930 and Xrail as well. Have seen tons of issues with the mag fed guns, but the guys who know how to tune the mags don't seem to have as many issues.

 

[Spiff]

Open is the worst place to be if you want to stay on a tight budget.

 

[Wall]

Open is the worst place to be if you want to stay on a tight budget.

or ANY budget

 

[Robaire Pullicar]

I shoot a jm pro and it has not had any issues other than one self induced problem. Where I installed the mag tube spring incorrectly and bound it up. I clean it every couple hundred rounds and it will run cheap walmart bulk fine. My choice was made primarily because the stoeger safety isn't reversible like the Benelli and I'm left handed. If I were right handed I would have bought a stoeger.

 

[dennishoddy]

There is no "Golden Horseshoe" I have spent more than i would like to admit on keep it running. I also had a 5 year gap in competing. I started up 3 years ago and have been shooting more now than i did a long time ago. I have probably put close to 30,000 rounds through the gun in 3 years.

My 1100 has been flawless since the late 70's other than an O ring change every year. Probably have a similar round count shooting trap/dove/quail/ducks over the years.
The internal parts are so worn, I can't believe it still runs, but I'd stake my life on it to this day.

 

[Ed B.]

Dennis you are luckier than i am with o-rings. I change my o-ring every tim i clean my 1100. I just had my buddy offer to sell me back by back up 1100 that he bought from me 5 years ago for $750.00!!! He was going to start shooting 3-gun when i had to stop and never got around to it. From what i remember the gun he has has less than 300 rounds through it. I am still considering the 930 because i think the Roadblocker Muzzle break is cool, but for now i think that i have found my solution.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[jtischauser]

I haven't seen Jerry's gun break in a match but I have seen Lena's fail to finish two matches that I was at. Jerry is an expert gunsmith and knows how to keep anything running. Personally I have seen way to many Mossberg's fail in matches for my taste. With that said I am sure with some effort you can get one to run like Jerry.

I have had so much success with inertia driven guns like the Benelli that is the route I would and have taken. I would talk to Tom at MOA Precision if you want a cheap Tube fed Shotgun. He is making a reliable Stoeger M3000 Open gun with chute and all the goods.

Google MOA Precision LLC or go look at his stuff on the Brian Enos forum. He has a dealer forum there.