Any thoughts on the Mossberg 935?

trashcan

trashcan

New member
I am in the market for an autoloading shotgun with 3 1/2" capabilites and I don't have the money for a Benelli or Baretta so I've been looking at the Mossberg 935. I'm not looking to spend much over 425.00 and it looks like the Mossberg fits the bill pretty good for that price range. I was hoping some of you could give me some input on the gun and how to set it up for predator hunting. I was thinking of the matte black with the 26" barrel (choke suggestions would be great). I'm having to miss the opening weekend of deer season but the Boss is sending me to the Saxet gunshow on that Sunday and I'll hopefuly get the shotgun then. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Pics would be nice if you've got 'em.
Trashcan
 
One of my buddies just bought one for duck huntin. The thing kicks like a freakin mule!! Jeesshhhh It's really doesn't weigh very much for a auto, hence the kick. I don't like that you can't shoot 2 3/4" shells... Thats just me though. The gun came right out of the box without a drop of oil on the gun which caused it to not cylce properly after 3 shots! So we worked it and sprayed oil everywhere to try to get it too work. He ended up taking it back to the gunshop to have them clean all our oil out and properly oil it. He used the Comp-N-Choke in his old mossberg pump but they don't make a choke for the 935 from Comp-N-Choke. I've seen that choke reach out and smoke skeet where my full choke wouldn't tough em... He used it to hunt some pheasent a couple weeks ago too, worked flawlessly.

Alan
 
I'm not thinking recoil should be too much of a concern cause I don't believe I'll be hunting birds with it. I appreciate the heads up on the choke. This shotgun thing is confusing! I'm used to an old Winchester model '97 and a 10 ga. single shot. The more I look though the more I'm liking the Mosberg and it seems if you take care of it it should be a pretty decent shotgun for the money. Thanks alhersch.
Trashcan
 
Personally, and this is just my opinion, is that I'm not a big fan of the 935 for the simple reason that you can't shoot 2.75 inch shells. I prefer to shoot 1 gun for everything and thus become really good with that gun. I never really got into shooting one shotgun for light shooting and then switching guns for waterfowl, turkey etc.

Was it me, I would keep shooting what you are shooting now until you can have for a beretta 390 or a winchester superX2. In my opinion those are the 2 best guns in your price range. If you look you can find the Super X2 used in the $500 dollar range and its 10 times the gun that the mossburg is. Save for a good auto now and you will thank yourself in a couple years.
 
Just an update on the choke thing, he tried his old Comp-n choke (Mossberg 835) in the new gun (Mossberg 935) and it seemed to work fine, even though the package doesn't say that it works for the 935...

Alan
 
For that price and if you can live with not shooting the light game loads the Mossburg should work for you. Depending on what you want to do, such as turkey hunting, coyote, etc., you may want to rethink barrel length. I have a 26" barrel on my turkey gun and I have always wished that I had a shorter barrel for the thick woods here in the east. Good luck whatever your decision.
 
I don't plan on hunting birds and will probably be shooting the largest most violent shell I can get my hands on. I will be using this gun for predators only. I appreciate the feedback guys but I'm having trouble figuring out the choke system. I believe my max distance should be under 65 yds. Thanks for the replies gentelmen it is much appreciated.
Trashcan
 
The 935 is a nice looking gun, I used one for waterfowl. Had alot of jams, you have to keep it clean, even if you dont fire it, and just have it out in the wet.

After research for a reliable, yet inexpensive auto I found the Baikal mp-153 no called the Remington SPR453. Its a Russia import. And the uglyest shotgun I've ever owned. But It cycles every shell I've ever put through it. Also has a unique adjustable gas ring , helps with recoil.

1.jpg


Here's an abuse test of the shotgun

http://www.svmag.com/test_baikal.wmv
 
Great! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Another variable thrown into the mix!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif This is going to take some serious research. Thanks a million guys, at least you are all opening my eyes to what's out there. Great Job!!

Broknaro, that pic is awesome! Did you take it yourself? If so then kudos to you.
Trashcan
 
WOW, the 935 won't shoot 2-3/4 shells WOW, do you guys that are making these claims have a 935 or are you just reporting false info that you have heard of from someone that knows someone that talked to someone that heard about 935's??

Mine shoots 2-3/4 inch shells just fine, all but the light target loads and that is what they are designed to not shoot. I have a 935 that I purchased last year and it will be going with me tomorrow on it's second year of Pheasant hunting. I use number 5 or 6 fields loads and they cycle just fine. I don't have a problem with recoil either unless I shoot 3.5 inch heavy stuff but it's no where as bad as a pump gun.

I did experience 3 or 4 jams when it was new out of the box but after a 100 rounds of field stuff and a good cleaning it has not caused me any problems.

Mossberg has a great service dept too. So far I have not needed it.
 
Yes I took that pic a few weeks ago, hunting from a kayak. Thank you.

FALFire, I have had a 935, I could shoot 2 3/4" heavy loads but not lighter target like you. I had the 28" flyway series. Sometimes Im shooting a couple boxes a week of 3" for duck, and 3 1/2" for duck and goose. It knocked the snot out of me. For the occational shooting like you mentioned like pheasant hunting, it wasnt bad. But it would jam up on duck hunts. Last season on a week long hunt It jammed up at a bad time and I finaly had enough. Not knocking your 935, I had many good times with it. It just wasnt the right tool for me. I began to realize there were other tools for the job, and I didnt need to shell out $1400+ for a reliable shotgun that could take the abuse I'd put it thru with my style of hunting.
 
I can cetainly understand the frustration of a jam-o-matic. I'm just getting ready to walk out the door to see if I can kick up a bird or two, I hope to not have any problems. Like I stated it was doing great last winter after a few boxes of ammo. The Baikal is reported to be a very reliabe shotgun and the price is right. My only concern is parts availbility (?) if you may ever need them.

That is a cool picture too.

Another gun I found to be really sweet is the Benelli Super Nova. Although it's a pump gun it a fine shooter, it's right in the $450 range.
 
Falfire,
My response about the 935 not shooting 2 3/4 is shells is based on a couple things. First, when it came out Mossburg advertised it as a 3 and 3.5 inch gun. They flat out said it wasn't designed to funtion reliably with ANY 2.75 inch shells. Second, the only published test of 935 that I have seen found that none the sample guns would function with 2.75 inch loads, heavy or light.

Personally, I feel that in light of all the excellent semi-autos on the market today the inability to fire at least down to 1 1/8 oz heavy target loads takes a shotgun right out of being competitive. I am a firm believer in practicing with your field guns and if all you can shoot is magnum loads you aren't going to do much practicing. Personally, if all I could afford was the 935, I'd buy a pump.
 
I bought a 935 right when they came out about 3 years ago. I love my 935, I goose hunt about 4 times a week if not more, and have never had one problem with it. I shoot 3.5in heavy shot out of a full choke, patterns excellent and i feel hardly any kick at all from it. I hear the 3.5's kick hell of alot harder out of a pump, I know my 870 slug barrel with 2.75 slugs kick 10 times harder than my 935. Any choke tube for a 835 will fit in a 935. I bought the max4D camo one for $600, i saw it on sale for $500 last month, and i think walmart has the black one for right about the same price you said. IMO I am extremely happy with this gun and would not think twice about buying it again if I had too. Good Luck with whatever you choose and let us know!
 
Under 65 yards with the sort of shot you should be useing on predators a Mod or Imp choke should work well I would suggest you look into a 24 in barrel though. I assume you will be shooting #4's #2's and 00 buck right?
 
I forgot to get back here with my whole 1 hour of tromping around the bushes with the 935. Results....no birds but I did fire 12 rounds thru it just to make sure I wasn't telling fibs.

I only fired 2-3/4 shells, #6,#5 and #4 field loads but all cycled flawlessly. I didn't try anything lighter as I know the 935 will not cycle the spent hull.

I agree with blinddog, the 24 inch barrel will be more practical for predators.
 
Quote:
Falfire,
Personally, I feel that in light of all the excellent semi-autos on the market today the inability to fire at least down to 1 1/8 oz heavy target loads takes a shotgun right out of being competitive. I am a firm believer in practicing with your field guns and if all you can shoot is magnum loads you aren't going to do much practicing. Personally, if all I could afford was the 935, I'd buy a pump.



I agree with this statement.
 
Quote:
Another gun I found to be really sweet is the Benelli Super Nova. Although it's a pump gun it a fine shooter, it's right in the $450 range.



Seems to me, I am advocating the pump gun too!!

However trashcan stated his main purpose for the use of an auto was to shoot heavy 3.5" shells. I'm really not sure what he will gain from the 3.5's over the 3" but that is his stated purpose and the 935 will acomplish exactly what his desires are and keep it in his price range. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 


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