Mossberg 940 Pro series adds hunting, field models

Mossberg just grew its 940 Pro series of shotguns, adding the new Field, Waterfowl and Snow Goose models to its lineup.

The 940 Pro series are all 12-gauge gas-operated shotguns that bear considerable similarity to Mossberg's 930 series, with some parts interchangeable. However, the 940 Pro series is intended to be a premium product, with competition shooter Jerry Miculek endorsing the 940 JM Pro, the first entry in this line.

The original 940 JM Pro was a "feature-rich, fast-cycling, and ultra-competitive" competition gun, with 9+1 magazine capacity and 24-inch barrel, which explains the Jerry Miculek tie-in. Mossberg said the gas system was designed to go as many as 1,500 rounds between cleaning, with nickel boron-coated gas piston/rings, magazine tube, hammer/sear and shell stop to resist corrosion. It was the first production semi-auto capable of quad loading. This requires a massive loading port, enlarged controls and other tweaks to the 930's design.

It seems those same features carry over to the new hunting-oriented 940 Pro models.Mossberg's website lists the same slicked-up internals, oversized loading port, elongated elevator, and 1.25-inch adjustable stock. All models have textured stock and forend, for added grip. The Waterfowl and Snow Goose models come with camo-finish furniture (True Timber and TruTimber Viper Snow, respectively). They also come with Cerakote-finish receiver and barrel (Patriot Brown for the Waterfowl model, Battleship Gray for the Snow Goose model). The Field model comes in a basic matte black finish on stocks and receiver/barrel.

Sling studs come as standard on all models, and the receivers are drilled and tapped. All models come threaded for Mossberg's AccuChoke system; the Field model comes with Full, Modified and Improved Cylinder choke tubes, while the Snow Goose and Waterfowl models come with ported/extended X-Factor choke tube. The Snow Goose and Waterfowl models also come with HIVIZ TriComp fiber-optic sight. All models come chambered for 3-inch and 2 3/4-inch shells.

Due to the generous bag limits and lax magazine capacity laws for snow goose season in some areas, the Snow Goose model comes with an extended mag tube, good for 12 rounds' capacity (which would be unwelcome under Canadian law). The Waterfowl and Field models are limited to a five-round magazine, and in most jurisdictions, that will need to be plugged to two rounds for usual migratory bird hunting.

All three shotguns ship with a 28-inch barrel and should weigh around 7.75 pounds .The Snow Goose model's extended magazine will slightly increase the weight of the empty gun, and obviously a 12-round load will weigh it down further and affect handling. Again, Canadians will almost certainly not see this gun for sale in our market, as the 12-round tube mag would not be legal here unless pinned.

We have not seen Canadian pricing for this series yet, but with the Field, Waterfowl and Snow Goose models priced at $868, $1,050 and $1,120 respectively in the US, expect some serious sticker shock this side of the border.