a 3 gun, and trap shooting capable first shotgun?

[Strykeback]

hi guys. I've been busy with ARs for the last 2 years but my father mentioned the other day wanting to go trap shooting with some of his retired friends and then asked if I wanted a shot gun for christmas.

Would a mossberg 930 like the jerry miculek edition work or have the reach for trap? It would obviously be a great entry level semi auto shotgun for 3 gun if you don't have the benellie type budget. I know we all hate be all do all workhorses but it might be a while before I can get a 590 pump for HD or just out in the woods fun.

[Dattebayo]

The 930 JM Pro would work fine for a multipurpose gun. It has a 22 inch barrel which should be long enough with a good enough sight plane to hit clay targets. It has interchangeable chokes that would make groups tighter for longer distance shots. Group sizes are more affected by choke selection vs barrel length. This firearm also works great for 3 gun as I have personally used one yesterday as a loaner. People that used low recoil shells were having issues, but with basic bulk ammo like the Winchester Universal or the cheaper Federal trap rounds worked flawlessly. I would highly recommend one.

[P5Ret]

It should be fine, however a few trap and skeet ranges have min barrel length requirements, and may or may not allow the shorter barreled shotgun. You may be better off getting one of the 930 combo guns and accessorizing it yourself.

[SuperSet]

930JM is a good shotgun at a great price. But make sure you keep that piston clean or you'll run into issues. I know dudes that clean it every 100 rounds because if you don't, jam city.

[Strykeback]

That was quick. Thanks guys! I was eyeing their 24" model, that should keep me within the usual barrel length plus I figured it would help with the distance. Wasn't aware of the piston issues except under very light loads.

[ysr_racer]

Get a Rem 1100 or a Beretta A300, they'll do anything you ask of them and won't break the bank.

[gunhun]

You can also order a replacement 28" barrel from Mossberg.

I have the standard 22" JM pro, and change in the 28" barrel when I want to shoot clays. Many ranges require at least 26" for clay sports.

[crya79]

Or FN SLP. I loved mine with the 22", but those are more than a Mossy.

[RNE228]

I have an Mossy 835 with trukey barrel. Choked it for stell, and have shot lots of ducks, and informal hand thrown clays.

The shorter barrel gets the ducks and clays, but it does not swing and follow through like a 28". I'm looking at a 28" barrel(can't find one to match existing camo on 835) or another shotgun that has 28".

[confucius37]

I recently got a 930 JM 24" model and absolutely fell in love with it the first time out. We ran just about evereything through it, birdshot, buckshot and slugs. We ran about 250 rds of birdshot including the cheap winchester universal stuff, about 25 rds of mixed #4 and 00 buckshot and 20 rds of 1oz slugs. Never missed a beat the whole time. We shot the 930 along side a mossberg 500 and the 930 had MUCH less recoil than the 500. I felt like I could shoot the 930 all day long, where as the 500 was making me tired and I just wanted to go back to shooting the 930.

We played a few rounds of 5 stand and did some sporting clays, I found the 24" length barrel to be more than adequate for hitting the birds. The point of impact was a little high, but that is easily fixed by using the included shims to lower the stock for a better cheek weld.

The gas piston action is a standard action and its not really any different than any other gas powered shotgun. It does need to be cleaned about every 500 rds according to the man himself Jerry Miculek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfqdygODl9k

I don't really find it a big hassle to clean the piston, its just regular maintanence on a gas powered shotgun, and I REALLY like the lower recoil. We also had a Benelli M2 out that day and the 930 had less recoil than the Benelli.

[Atekhed]

Beretta 1300 Comp. If you can get the 24" model it would serve both needs well. The 21" would be fine also.

[hattles]

Benelli M2, easily the most reliable and most popular 3 gun shotgun for amateurs and pros.

You can buy their M2 field model black with comfortech with 21, 24, 25, 28" barrel length

http://www.benelliusa.com/m2-field-shotgun

Or, the M2 3-gun performance Shop model which is about $1200 bucks more.

http://www.benelliusa.com/performance-shop/performance-shop-m2-3gun-edition

[ScottyXbones]

+1 for the 24" moss 930 jm pro, it nails clays all day long and it's great for 3 gun. The Beretta 1301 is a more elegant machine but it will do the same thing.

Any semi auto shotgun will get jammy on you if you don't load it correctly. Always gotta put one in the chamber, close the bolt over it, then load the mag.

My experience with the 930 is clean it well after every trip to the range, not because of the had system, but because the finish is **** and will rust pretty easy. Completely different from my old mossberg 500, the thing never needed a cleaning.

[3GunFunShooter]

+1 on the Benelli M2! Get the 24" barrel and shoot. If you really get into
3 gun you can have the modifications done at anytime.
Just get C-Rums to do the modification on the carrier! Benelli thumb can be very painful. After running a Remington 1100 CM for 7 1/2 years, it has been great to only spend 15 minutes to clean my Benelli v/s a hour to clean the Remington. Plus the Benelli runs, far too many issues over the years with the Remington.

[JamesY]

I have a 26" Remington VersaMax. Great for 3gunning as well as clay busting. I sent it off to Triangle Shooting Sports for their tactical package. Awesome snotty!

I also have a 22" 930 JM Pro. I never had issues with this (rarely clean it). Just not allowed at most ranges since there's a 26" min barrel length at the places I go to.