Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Semi-Auto 12-Ga. Shotgun Review

Hook & Barrel’s Jason Kostal reviews the Mossberg 940 Tactical shotgun. He recommends it for anyone looking for an all-around shotgun to keep at home.

The word “tactical” gets used a lot these days, especially when a new product hits the shelf. For those who have carried a weapon in a life-or-death situation, the word tactical implies an unyielding ruggedness in an ever-changing environment, adaptability based on mission-specific needs, and the ability to function reliably under the most severe and unexpected conditions — every single time.

For those of you who have navigated the world of tactical shotguns, or those looking for something to begin their journey, I present to you the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical.

Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Review

About the Shotgun

The Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical perfectly melds the capability and reliability of the semi-automatic, competition-focused 940 JM Pro that it uses as its foundation. It’s also coupled with the dependability of the historic 500 series pump shotgun that Mossberg is known for.

The first thing one notices upon picking the gun up is its balance and natural point of aim. The shotgun presents itself effortlessly, especially once the adjustable stock is set for the individual shooter. Target acquisition is the next thing that showcases itself without much thought. The shotgun comes equipped with a high-visibility, fiber-optic front site. It also boasts a drilled and tapped receiver for mounting a rail for those desiring a traditional approach to acquiring a target.

The real innovation for this shotgun though lies in the low profile, optic-ready cut that allows for any Holosun K/ Shield RMSc footprint-based optic to be installed, and co-witness with the front site for faster acquisition and target engagement. A cover plate is included for when an optic is not installed.  

Features

The shotgun features an enlarged, beveled loading port and an elongated, pinch-free elevator, which allows for speed loading. The shotgun possesses a 7+1 magazine capacity (with 2.75-inch shells) and can handle up to 3-inch shells. The enlarged bolt handle and bolt release make loading operations easy and intuitive for the user in any condition. Plus the bright orange aluminum follower allows the shooter to see that the magazine is empty. The knurled, top tang-mounted safety allows for a natural hand position when engaging or disengaging the safety.

The Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical also has a redesigned Nickel-Boron-coated gas piston that allows it to run for up to 1,500 rounds between cleaning sessions. The same Nickel-Boron coating is also used on the hammer, sear, and inside of the magazine tube for long-term durability. The stock itself, made of a matte black polymer, has a series of spacers and shims that allow the shooter to adjust for length of pull, drop at comb and cast of the stock making this one of the more user-friendly tactical shotguns on the market.

The 18.5-inch barrel is threaded for Mossberg’s Accu Choke system, and it comes from the factory with a cylinder choke. The benefit to having a threaded barrel on a tactical shotgun not only allows for pattern adjustment and the ability to attach a breacher-style choke but also allows for the modern, choke-based attachments for suppressor use. The barrel also features a barrel clamp with a sling swivel and dual-sided M-Lok slots for mounting lights or other accessories.

Shooting the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical

Shooting the 940 Pro Tactical is a truly memorable experience. While it looks like a standard semi-automatic tactical shotgun, it shoots more in line with a competition-oriented platform. The stock-and-gas piston system work well together to manage perceived recoil, the trigger is smooth and crisp allowing for consistent shot placement, and the sighting system, especially with a red dot setup, is fast and accurate.

I was fortunate enough to spend some time training with this shotgun at Gunsite Academy long before public release. Because of this, I can assure you that making hits on 10-inch steel plates at 100 yards with slugs requires little effort. I found that it functions reliably with bird and buck shot from various manufacturers.

The ability to take chokes allowed for use as a sporting shotgun as well. This means it works for those who intend to have one shotgun for sporting use and home defense. I found the gun well-suited for sporting clays. Furthermore, add the red dot, once you get used to it, and it’s a whole new shooting experience for clay pigeons.

In a world full of tactical firearms and gear, it is often difficult for some new models to stand out. Mossberg found a way to be innovative and user-focused with the 940 Pro Tactical.

MOSSBERG 940 PRO TACTICAL SPECS:

• ACTION TYPE: Semi-automatic
• GAUGE: 12 gauge
• RECEIVER: Drilled and Tapped for optic rail
• STOCK: Matte Black polymer with adjustable length of pull (12.5-14.5”, comb and cast)
• TRIGGER (w/ Pull Weight)
• BARREL LENGTH: 18.5”
• OVERALL LENGTH: 37.5”
• SIGHTS: Fiber Optic front, Shield RMSc footprint optic-ready cut rear
• WEIGHT: 7.5 lbs
• MSRP: Under $1200
• mossberg.com