930 SPX or 870

[USMC VET]

Looking to buy a new shotgun. I've had an 870 in the past that had never failed me, but I've heard really good things about the 930 SPX and I like the idea of semi-auto with a shotgun although racking the slide will make any home invader dookie in their drawers

Just looking for some input and or experience with either or both.

Thanks

[WDE91]

I personally like a shotgun that can be "both"

short barrel for the casa
long barrel for the flying things

My Wingmaster leads a double life

[USMC VET]

Right on, I've got my grandpa's OLD Ithaca for the flying things lol it's beat to hell but it goes bang every time and it's within the family

[WDE91]

Im thinking I would be partial to the less expensive option for the shotguns

870 and a handgun of some sorts can be purchased for about the same cost as the 930

870+22/45
870+S&W Jframe

[HOGLEG]

If you are going to go out and practice and shoot a lot, the 930. That way you can learn what rounds work flawlessly.

If you are going to buy a shot gun and throw it in a corner for self defense, the 870 or other pump gun.

The 870 and most other pumps will always shoot any round. Can't really say that for the 930 or some other autos.

With the autos, you need to figure out which rounds cycle flawlessly. Some don't like lighter loads and some variation in shell lengths.

My experience, Benelli M4, FH SLX, Mossberg 930, various pumps...870, 500.

Like BJ says, a shogun should be carried with a secondary weopon (handgun) in tactical situations.

[UBFRAGD]

I love both the spx and the 870. Since I got my spx several months ago the 870 is a dust-collector.

It is really a great HD piece. I am much more comfortable with our situation.

Not a big fan of the threat of 870 racking. You just gave away your loc. Committed shooters may lay down fire through doors, walls, and windows towards the source of the sound. The spx safety is barely audible.

Forget about pumps being 100% reliable. Without care they fail just like any other mechanical device. Fouled heated chambers can glue shells stuck, firing pins can get gacked, and of course the dreaded short-stroke. In about 3000 rounds of use I even managed a couple of stovepipes in my 870 and once I got a live shell stuck inbetween the bolt and an unextracted shell that took some work to free.

All this 12ga talk, I'm going to the range..........

[WDE91]

Like BJ says, a shogun should be carried with a secondary weopon (handgun) in tactical situations.

I wasnt talking about tactics
I was just saying it might be better to own 2 separate guns as opposed to 1 expensive guns

[UBFRAGD]

I wrote a review of my 930 experiences so far, maybe post it later tonite. The summation would be, I did not breakdown the gun out of the box, I just started blasting with it, and in the first 200 rounds, four failures. With lots of cleaning and intelligent care the thing is glock-reliable. Shoots anything bang everytime.

[zmreg]

@ UBFRAGD... just picked up an SPX.. Would you mind sharing what ammo works well with yours... Thanks!

[HOGLEG]

I wasnt talking about tactics
I was just saying it might be better to own 2 separate guns as opposed to 1 expensive guns

Good point. Sorry I put words in your mouth. My bad.

[CessnaDriver]

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-weapons/930-spx-torture-test/

"About two years ago, I was fortunate enough to attend an event at the Gunsite Academy that involved shooting various shotguns with different ammunition. I had been working quite a bit with the Benelli M4 for my real job in the week leading up to the event, so I was pretty amazed that by the end of the first shooting day I actually liked the Mossberg 930 SPX better. Gunsite rangemaster Bill Murphy (also the director of the SureFire Institute) had a very positive opinion of the Mossberg as well.

It might run well for a little bit, but what about the long haul? Cops are nearly as notorious as Marines and soldiers when it comes to figuring out ways to abuse and break equipment, so the 930 SPX was given a one-year endurance test. Well, that year-long test turned into a two-year-long test. In those two years, the shotgun has fired in excess of 2,500 rounds of mixed birdshot, buckshot and slug, with a grand total of two malfunctions. "

[osis32]

spx are going for almost double what they used to unfortunately. really enjoy mine though. :-)

[epilepticninja]

Op, racking a shotgun does nothing more than alert the bad guy to where your position is. Go with the 930 if you can find one that hasn't had the price overly jacked. If you can't find one, then go with the 870 and keep it cruiser-ready.

[gunsarefun]

Mossberg hit a home run with the 930 SPX. Once a 930 owner learns how to properly clean and lube the gun, it runs like a champ.

[USMC VET]

My local guy has a 930 in for the same price it's been over 2 years...around 850 I think for the pistol grip version.