(+3 rating, 5 votes)
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berm_9965
Prior to this year’s SHOT Show, Mossberg went public with three new models: the 590R/RM with an AR-15-like rotating safety, the 590 PRO, and the 940 PRO SPX. I previously discussed the design philosophy and ethos behind the PRO guns.
The 940 is Mossberg’s newest semi-auto shotgun. The PRO SPX is the purpose-built, hard-use version of that model.
In addition to those I shot during Mossberg’s unveiling at Gunsite, I have had multiple range trips with one since mid-January. I really like this gun and have high hopes for it. Hopefully, they can make a short-barreled version for enforcement and home defense events.
Mossberg ships the PRO SPX with a second, slimmer recoil pad and optics mounting plates.
Design & Construction
Starting at the recoil pad – oddly enough, it came with two recoil pads. I replaced the thicker pad with the narrower one. The stock has quick detach sockets about an inch in front of the recoil pad at 10 and 2 o’clock.
Like the 590 PRO, this has an enlarged metal safety button. Both models felt more positive than those on earlier Mossbergs of mine.
The PRO SPX has the same low profile, fixed, fiber optic ghost ring sights as the 590 PRO.
When you remove the rear sight, you’ll see the receiver is cut, drilled, and tapped for an optic. Multiple optic mounting plates were included in the box. The loading port has been enlarged and beveled for ease of loading shells. The shell follower is cone-shaped and colored like no shotshell I’ve seen. It works to confirm the magazine tube is empty by touch or sight.
Of interest to me – there is no shell release on this gun. If there is a shell in the magazine tube, you can chamber it just by pulling the bolt all the way to the rear and releasing it.
Here you see the optic’s placement, the shell follower, and the QD socket’s location.
Forearm
When I first saw the gun, I was immediately interested in the forearm’s design. In the past few years, I have become a fan of violin loading the gun. It’s especially useful when moving or during low-light events to keep the light on the threat.
The new forearm encapsulates most of the barrel, with an opening only existing from 11 to 1 o’clock. This means that when the loading port is rolled outboard for loading, a lot of your support hand is protected from contacting the barrel.
A bit forward on the forearm is a second set of QD sockets. Again, they are located at 10 and 2. Where the right side one is positioned, it prevents the use of a match saver (single shell holder for competition). I was concerned the sling would interfere with the ejection process. Well, I need not have worried. Another cop-turned-gun writer videoed me shooting it, and there was no indication of a tightened sling being able to interfere.
The author working a steel target with slugs with the 940 PRO SPX – back at 50 yards (P/C Sycan Media).
There are MLOK accessory mounting slots on both sides of the forearm. The barrel/magazine tube clamp also has MLOK slots. For duty or defensive use, I will attach the sling via the forearm’s QD socket and install the light at that forward MLOK slot.
Barrel
The 18.5″ barrel is cylinder bore with a noticeably thick barrel wall. Both the barrel and the magazine tube widen visibly about 2″ from their ends in what appears to be an effort to prevent the clamp from sliding forward.
Internally, most of the gas system and internals have been nickel-boron coated to minimize corrosion. This is probably a good call, given how many people mistreat their firearms.
Some of the variety of shells and slugs I have shot through the 940.
Performance
That’s the build discussion, what about function?
I won’t say the shotgun has been flawless. I could because the only stoppages were clearly related to one load. More on that shortly. Between Mossberg’s event and my range sessions, I have just over 400 rounds through PRO SPXs.
This has included #8 and 7.5 birdshot (Federal & Fiocchi), full power and reduced recoil 00Buck (Federal, Fiocchi, Hornady, and Winchester), as well as full power and low recoil slugs (Brenneke, Federal, Hornady, and Winchester). With one exception, the PRO SPX has fired and functioned with all the above loads. Birdshot, reduced recoil, and magnum loads – all worked.
The exception was Winchester’s Ranger L/E low recoil 00 Buck. I have had repeated failures to extract with that load and a lone failure to eject. This was a wee bit disheartening because I have had good performance with it in several other guns – both pump action and semi-auto. While this load is described as having a muzzle velocity of 1145 feet per second, many believe it is slower. During conversations with others about the issue, it appears that I am not alone in my experiences.
Just some of the shells we fired during the day we spent with the 940 PRO SPX (P/C Mossberg).
Function
As mentioned, once shells are in the magazine, running the bolt to the rear and releasing it feeds and chambers a round. The safety is easy to disengage while mounting the shotgun, regardless of whether it was from the low or high ready. Once a sight picture is acquired and maintained, the projectile(s) go where the sights are.
It cycles quickly enough, returning to the target ahead of the shooter. Whether I used Haught’s Push-Pull method of recoil management or the Pull-Pull I grew up with, the recoil was comfortable.
Flite Control (L) versus VersaTite (R) at 10 yards. There were marks from the buffer material in the Flite Control target.
Unloading
Once the chamber has been cleared, you can unload the magazine tube by pulling outward on the bolt release. I would strongly encourage you to have your thumb or a finger in the loading port, against the base of the shell. Let that released shell ride out on your digit, secure it in a holder or pouch, and repeat.
Every now & then, I can pull off a decent group – three slugs at 15 yards.
Finish
In addition to the standard Tungsten Cerakote finish, the PRO SPX also comes in FDE and OD Green.
Gunsite’s Mario Marchman describing our next drill before demonstrating it for us with the 940 PRO SPX.
Final Thoughts
As mentioned, I like this gun and have high hopes for it. I would be happy to carry it on duty and wouldn’t have any issue using mine for home defense. From my point of view, Mossberg and their employees have done a very solid job developing and fielding the PRO series.
