Benelli M1 vs Mossberg 930

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Benelli M1 vs Mossberg 930

Posted: 10/28/2018 4:51:04 AM EDT

I'm looking for a (defense) semi-auto and have narrowed it down to these two. I had an M1 a few years ago and loved it, but I really like the way the 930 feels. The price tag is also more attractive. I haven't shot one, but I'm sure the recoil is much less than the recoil-operated Benellis. How do the two models compare, as far as ease of use, maintenance, reliability, and durability?

Posted: 10/28/2018 6:25:59 AM EDT

[#1]

930s really don't have a great reputation. If you want something softer shooting than an M1/M2 then look for a Beretta 1301 or benelli M4.

Posted: 10/28/2018 8:08:59 AM EDT

[#2]

I have both. I own one m1s90 and 4 930 spx. I use a 930 spx as an hd gun because it runs fine and is much shorter and lighter than my m1s90.

Posted: 10/28/2018 8:16:50 AM EDT

[#3]

Love my M2 so vote Benelli

Posted: 10/28/2018 9:04:50 AM EDT

[#4]

my 21" M1 has been my 3 gun option since 2006, and for the next 10 years saw a lot of use... since then a bad knee has slowed down the 3 gun, but addition of an M2 26" barrel and fore end does a couple of rounds of skeet weekly.... without a problem...

that said, my house gun is an 18" 870, with light, side saddle (no tube) and sling

Posted: 10/28/2018 9:43:43 AM EDT

[#5]

I own a 930SPX that runs pretty good when kept clean. However, I have had just enough malfunctions (maybe average 2/100 rounds) that I would never trust it for home defense.

Posted: 10/28/2018 11:11:46 AM EDT

[#6]

A few guys that have the 930 and they think it is a solid gun but they need to be kept cleaned and lubed.

I love everything about my M1S90 but the recoil. It isn't bad with bird loads but it gets brutal with slugs.

Posted: 10/28/2018 11:14:16 AM EDT

[#7]

Cmon!! Really ?

M1 Super 90

Posted: 10/28/2018 1:56:07 PM EDT

[#8]

I can't vote for either, I don't own a Benelli, but my 930 doesn't work. It won't feed from the magazine if I leave it loaded. If I unload it through the bottom and reload it I can shoot all day, but for some reason if I leave it loaded for weeks or months it will not let shells out of the magazine. There's a tutorial on Brownells how to fix it, but I've been to busy to fix it right now. It'd be a nice gun if I could trust it.

Posted: 10/28/2018 2:10:07 PM EDT

[#9]

I've been shooting the same M1S90 for about 17 years now. Man I'm old!

No telling how many thousands of shells I've put through it hunting, tons of sporting clays and 5 stand, 3 gun etc. The very first box of shells I bought were some super cheap light loads and they wouldn't cycle. After that everything has cycled - never a jam. I later shot the rest of that first box with no issues.

The only thing I've done to it is I replaced a pin that started walking (when I got it at 13 until I was about 20 years old I thought I had to detail strip it EVERYTIME I went shooting

)

Posted: 10/28/2018 2:30:05 PM EDT

[#10]

I've been shooting an M1 S90 for at least ten years. It was an LEO gun before I got it. Since it is a pistol grip stocked gun it won't reliably cycle cheap trap loads, but it is as reliable as an Eastwing hammer as long as it's fed 3 dram or better loads. I've put thousands of rounds through it and the only thing I have ever had to do was to replace the magazine spring after it got a bit too weak. I've watched dozens of shotguns puke in 3 gun matches, but never a Benelli. I know a few guys with 930s. No way would I trust my life to one.

Posted: 10/28/2018 7:31:11 PM EDT

[#11]

I can't in good conscience recommend a 930 for any reason. Too many issue with its design and quality of parts. In the 930 price range there are other much better options (Stoeger M3000, Franchi Affinty).

The Benelli M1 (or M2) platform is solid and reliable. Even if its been severely neglected it can be returned to solid, serviceable condition for the price a good cleaning and a few springs.

Posted: 10/30/2018 8:36:17 PM EDT

[#12]

Benelli shotguns are very, very good guns.

Posted: 10/31/2018 1:48:23 AM EDT

[#13]

I would not trade my M1S90 for any other shotgun.

Especially not a Mossberg.

Posted: 10/31/2018 6:43:33 AM EDT

[#14]

Let's think critically about this. An HD shotguns life is mostly sitting somewhere in your home, ready for action. Do you really want to bet on a 930 hopefully working when you most need it, or do you want the peace of mind of a reliable shotgun?

I also, have watched many 930s choke and fail to run. At the 3 gun matches I used to run, it was a running joke that Mossberg makes great straight pull shotguns. These where clean guns too, not potentially neglected HD guns.

I prefer the 1301, but I wouldn't turn down a Benelli. If budget is a concern, the Stoeger 3K has a good reputation.

ETA- TSS Warehouse has the 1301 Viper model at $750 in stock currently.

Posted: 10/31/2018 11:19:25 AM EDT

[#15]

I really wish Mossberg would iron out the problems with the 930, but it's not really even a question between those two.

Posted: 11/1/2018 4:26:01 AM EDT

[#16]

Neither. I would try to pick up a used Beretta 1301. I have seen a few gen 1s listed for around $700ish locally. Not a lot of differences between the G1 and Gen 2 1301s IMO.

Posted: 11/1/2018 4:47:32 AM EDT

[#17]

I had to change the recoil spring in the buttstock of my M1S90...

but I love sharing the story of how I got mines...

pawn shop had it mistagged as a Mossberg M590A1...for 299.99

I told the land whale about it ...and he growled at me....

"yeah well do you fucken want it or not?"

"Nope...I'll take it.

doing the 4473 he filled it out right....and while sweating like a hog....and I was sweating also that I was practically steeling a Benelli with HK import M1s90 for 300 smackers.

approved and I ran the fuck out of there.

Came back another week and the land whale told me that he has 3 barrels for sale on it that belonged with the gun...

an 18 inch rifles, a 26 inch barrel, and a cut down to 20 inch with choke...barrel.

$150 bucks.

I love my Benelli...functions and runs like a raped ape.....

Posted: 11/1/2018 8:46:46 AM EDT

[#18]

I've had a few Benellis.

I'd rather put money on a used Benelli than a new anything else.

Posted: 11/12/2018 12:00:57 AM EDT

[#19]

Have an M1 S90 with 14.5" barrel and fixed brake. Anything game load to OOB works every time. Doesn't like bird shot or trap loads.

Problem is I'm so used to a pump SG, I can't shoot this autoloader without trying to cycle the forearm...

My Mossburg is a 500 and I am very confident with that. No history with the autoloader.

Posted: 11/12/2018 1:39:43 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
I can't in good conscience recommend a 930 for any reason. Too many issue with its design and quality of parts. In the 930 price range there are other much better options (Stoeger M3000, Franchi Affinty).

The Benelli M1 (or M2) platform is solid and reliable. Even if its been severely neglected it can be returned to solid, serviceable condition for the price a good cleaning and a few springs.

View Quote

And thats the answer to the entire thread. Some people might get lucky, but as a whole the 930 has way too many issues IMO to be considered a serious defensive tool. I don't have much time in competitions, but I've seen a fair amount of them die in classes, while 99% of the time the Benelli's, Beretta's, and even most pump guns generally don't have nearly as many issues (except for new Remington QC guns

)

I don't own an M1, but have shot them before; I have an M4, but I wouldn't have any second thoughts if I had an M1 in my hands

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Benelli M1 vs Mossberg 930

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