At this juncture, Mossberg is America's largest manufacturer of shotguns by a very large margin. Founded by Oscar Mossberg and his sons 105 years ago, Mossberg is also America's oldest family-run firearms company. The Mossberg 940 is the latest iteration of the Mossberg 930 series of gas-operated 12 gauge semi-autos.

Compared to the 930 I reviewed in 2011, above, the 940 is a quarter pound lighter, far more adjustable, the forearm is far slimmer, and the controls are greatly improved.

The biggest singular upgrade in the 940 is the enhanced gas system that goes up to 1500 rounds or so without cleaning: but wait, there is more. The length of pull is adjustable from 13 to 14.25 inches, spacers included. The loading is extremely easy, the receiver is drilled and tapped, and shims are included for drop and cast.

This Mossberg 940 shoots to point of aim, cycles 1250 fps 1 ounce loads with great authority (above), and has a surprisingly good trigger that breaks at 3-3/4 lbs. The controls are oversized, with the biggest improvement being the very generous metal tang safety. For those that are familiar with tang safeties, as on most O/U or side by side shotguns, you will feel right at home with the 940. By nature, a tang safety is ambidextrous as well. With the demise of the Browning BPS, if you want a tang safety on a new repeating shotgun, it is likely going to be a Mossberg.

This 28 inch barreled example weighs in at 7-3/4 lbs. I thought that it might be front heavy, but was pleasantly surprised with its neutral balance. For sake of completeness, here are Mossberg's published specifications.

The street price on this walnut version is around $850, with the synthetic running seventy-five dollars or so cheaper. Functionally, I could find no problems with this shotgun at all. It isn't the most attractive shotgun ever made, though, and the wood to metal fit is just average. Some compromises are made to keep in line with Mossberg's long-standing mantra of affordability, so you won't have to worry about highly polished bluing or high grade walnut in this model. The Mossberg warranty is two years.

Most anyone from high school age on up will fit this gun, which most will find to be a very pleasant, soft-shooting companion on the dove field, in the duck blind, or when breaking clays. For chasing pheasants and flushing game, you may well want a lighter gun. The 940 series has grown to a whopping 19 different models, from shorter barrel turkey guns to several tactical models.

The Mossberg is an unpretentious, American made semi-auto with excellent function. In 2024 dollars, it is also quite affordable. It is also pretty safe bet that the Mossberg 940 is currently the most popular American made autoloader that there is. The beauty of the 940 is clearly not in looking at it, but in using it. To that end, the 940 succeeds effortlessly.