Castle Defense With Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX: Full Review

Estimated reading time: 25 minutes

Would you defend your house with a shotgun? After spending a week and hundreds of rounds training with the purpose-built Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX, I would! I’ve put this gun to the test in Arizona at Gunsite Academy during their 260 Defensive Shotgun class. This class featured high-round-count strings of fire and unconventional shooting positions in a hot, dusty desert environment. With the capability of the 940 Pro Tactical SPX thoroughly tested, I’m glad to report my experience and break it down in a full review of the gun.

Six different 940 Pro Tactical SPX models differ based on Cerakote color, magazine capacity, and whether an optic is included. The exact model I have is the 940 Pro Tactical SPX – Holosun Micro Dot Combo, which is the most pricey option with a red dot and 7-round magazine capacity. Because it comes with a Holosun HS407K X2 installed, it has an MSRP of $1,371.00. Now, let’s get into more details about the gun.

What Sets the 940 Pro Tactical SPX Apart from Other Mossberg 940s

The 940 Pro Tactical SPX is a more refined version of the Mossberg 940 that you already know and love. The SPX designation means “Special Purpose Tactical”, which can be compared to a high-end trim level in a car. The 940 is always a 940, but the SPX designation denotes a few extra quality-of-life improvements that are specifically added for law enforcement and defensive use. Functionally, the main improvement involves the gas system. Special coatings on critical components allow the SPX to go much longer between cleanings with perfect reliability.

Advantage Over Other Shotgun Operating Systems

The 940 Pro Tactical SPX is a gas-operated shotgun that relies on a vented piston and spring-loaded pressure-regulating gas block. This is paired with advanced coatings and debris-diverting geometry within the gas system. The gas piston, mag tube, hammer, and sear all have a super slick nickel boron coating. This is a recipe for reliability with basically all shell types, in all environments, and it extends round counts between necessary cleanings. Mossberg claims that this system will stay clean enough to run reliably to 1,500 rounds before needing to be cleaned!

Because this shotgun has a regulating gas system, it will feed almost any conventional shotgun shell. I say almost because there’s probably something out there that won’t run, but I haven’t found it yet. And no, mini shells are not conventional, and it does not run these. I put low brass 2 3/4″ #8 birdshot, 2 3/4″ 00 Buck, and 3″ slugs through my gun with 100% reliability. Also, unlike cheaper recoil-operated designs, this gas system will run the shotgun even if it is fired unsupported from an unconventional shooting position. I think this is ideal in a self-defense shotgun because you can find yourself in unimaginable situations.

Overview Of The 940 Pro Tactical SPX

Other accoutrements of the 940 Pro Tactical SPX include an 18.5″ barrel that accepts Accu-Choke choke tubes. The 940 Pro Tactical SPX features an interchangeable fiber-optic front sight with protective wings and a removable ghost ring rear sight that can be swapped out for a red dot optic. The receiver directly accepts RMSc footprint micro-dots, or you can use the included mounting plates to attach RMR, Docter, or Leupold optics—no extra purchases required. And if you prefer a different setup, the receiver is also drilled and tapped for a rail, giving you virtually unlimited optic options.

The forend offers flush cup attachment points on either side, plus M-LOK on both sides and the bottom. You’ll also find M-LOK on either side of the barrel clamp. If you’d rather not use the ample M-LOK slots or flush cup attachment points, the 940 Pro Tactical SPX also includes a swivel sling stud on the buttstock and another on the barrel clamp. Both of these can be positioned on either the right or left side. The forend also has an integrated heat shield that is fantastic at keeping your hands safe when the barrel gets hot during long strings of fire.

Receiver and Stock Features

At the receiver of this shotgun, you’ll find a 6-Shotshell Carrier by Vang Comp Systems attached to the left side via a hook-and-loop card attachment system. You’ll also find an oversized bolt release and charging handle, both designed for easy use with gloves or in low-visibility conditions. Other features that are useful for limited visibility are the cocking indicator at the front of the trigger guard, a uniquely shaped follower, and an enlarged and beveled loading port. The last feature to note on the receiver is the tang-mounted safety, chosen for its easy operation from both strong-hand and weak-hand shooting positions.

The buttstock on the 940 Pro Tactical SPX has flush cup fittings on both sides and a swivel sling stud for mounting slings. You can adjust the length of pull by installing spacers under the buttpad. These spacers vary in thickness for full customizability and can add up to 1.75″ to the length-of-pull (LOP). The LOP starts at 12.5″ without any spacers and extends to 14.25″ when all spacers are installed.

Training With The 940 Pro Tactical SPX

I spent a week in Arizona at Gunsite Academy taking their 260 Defensive Shotgun class with the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX. At this class, I shot in challenging positions, rolled around in the dirt, ran back and forth across the range, patterned my shotgun, and shot various targets with birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. I faced challenging temperatures, rain, and desert dust that infiltrated every component of the gun. In just three days, I recall putting 500 rounds through this gun without a single hiccup.

On the first day, I patterned the 940 Pro Tactical SPX with buckshot. I did this at 7, 15, and 25 yards. The buckshot I was using was Federal Premium 9-Pellet 00 Buck with FlightControl Wad. According to the instructors at Gunsite, who have seen everything, the 8-pellet version of this is the best buckshot load for a tight pattern and high consistency. Still, at 7 yards, the pattern left a single slug-sized hole on the paper target. At 15 yards, the pattern remained impressively tight at about 4 inches. At 25 yards, the pattern opened up ever so slightly to approximately 6-7 inches.

Shooting Positions and Skills

We also spent a lot of time practicing low ready, high ready, and close ready shooting positions. In the class, we shot around, through, and over barricades. As we progressed, we trained in CQB tactics and practiced clearing a shoothouse room by room. Once we were comfortable with this shotgun’s manual of arms, we practiced loading select ammunition types from our gun-mounted shotgun card upon command. In the end, we shot many, many drills, including the Dozier and Bill Drill. Oh, and I almost forgot that we did many drills in various positions on the ground; crawling, kneeling, hunched over sideways, and more.

I left Gunsite Academy with a lot of new and improved skills. Though I felt that my biggest takeaway from this experience was my newfound respect for the true versatility of the shotgun in general. And, of course, I was incredibly impressed with the reliability and speed of the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX. The gas system proved to run extremely clean; I don’t know of many other semi-auto shotguns that could have chewed through 500 rounds in that desert environment with no cleaning. And because of the low recoil impulse, I was getting these rounds on target faster and more accurately than I ever thought possible.

Key Features of the 940 Pro Tactical SPX

• Optic-Ready (Shield RMSc footprint)
  • Includes 3 additional adapter plates
    • RMR
    • Docter
    • Leupold Delta Point
• Mounted Holosun HS407k Micro Red Dot
• New forend design
  • Integrated heat shield
  • Multiple M-Lok slots for accessories
  • QD (Quick Detach) sling ports
• Vang Comp 6-shotshell carrier system
• Clean-running gas-vent system for reliable cycling
• Oversized ergonomic controls:
  • Safety
  • Bolt release
• Adjustable length of pull (LOP) stock with QD ports
• Drilled and tapped the receiver for optics
• Capable of being “ghost loaded” – operating with an extra round on the lifter

Specifications

• Model: 940 Pro Tactical SPX – Holosun Combo
• SKU: 85179
• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Action: Semi-Automatic
• Chamber Size: 3″
• Usage: Tactical / Security
• Barrel Length: 18.5″
• Barrel Finish: Matte Blue
• Choke System: Accu-Choke (Cylinder Bore Choke Installed)
• Capacity: 7+1
• Overall Length: 37″
• Length of Pull: 12.5″ to 14.25″ (Adjustable)
• Sights: Fiber Optic Front Sight + Holosun HS407k
• Stock: Synthetic, Adjustable LOP, Cast, Drop (Black)
• Weight: 7.25 lbs
• MSRP: $1,371.00

Red Dot Optics Are Changing the Shotgun Game

Using a red dot optic on a shotgun is quickly becoming popular. This is because aiming with them is precise and intuitive. Still, not all mounting interfaces are created equal. On the 940 Pro Tactical SPX – Holosun Micro Dot Combo, which is what I have, the rear sight is replaced with a Holosun HS407K X2. This dot is as low to the bore as it can get, so it points much the same as the original iron sights. This red dot also has built-in rear irons that you can use to co-witness with the dot. Shooting slugs at extended ranges or hitting flying clays is just as easy—and you can do it with both eyes open.

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Mounting Red Dots

That said, most shotguns use a receiver-mounted Picatinny rail to mount red dots. This is an inferior mounting method because it forces the shooter to lift their face from the buttstock, preventing a proper cheek weld. Yes, some shotguns (including this one) have shims that can be used to alter the rise or drop of the comb, but you have a limit on the amount of rise that can be shimmed into a shotgun. I have 0.250″ of rise shimmed on my 940 Pro Tactical SPX, which is perfect for me to maintain a proper cheek weld while having an ideal sight picture.

The Holosun HS407K X2 is a great pairing for this shotgun because of its small and snag-free size and shape. The 6 MOA dot has a battery life of up to 50,000 hours, which is over 5.5 years! It also carries an IP67 waterproof rating, meaning you can submerge it up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. Certainly not for diving, but this more than adequately covers rain or accidental water exposures. I’ll let you check out the rest of the specifications and features on this dot below:

Holosun HS407K X2

• Key Features
  • 6 MOA dot reticle
  • Battery life up to 50,000 hours (at brightness setting 6)
  • 12 brightness settings:
    • 10 daylight (DL)
    • 2 night vision (NV) compatible
  • Convenient tray battery compartment
  • Parallax-free with unlimited eye relief
• Physical Specifications
  • Window size: 0.58 x 0.77 in
  • Dimensions: 1.6 x 0.98 x 0.95 in
  • Weight: 1 oz
• Mechanical Specifications
  • Housing material: 7075-T6 aluminum
  • Surface finish: Anodized
  • Adjustment per click: 1 MOA
  • Windage & Elevation travel range: ±30 MOA
• Environmental Specifications
  • Storage temperature: -40°C to 70°C
  • Operating temperature: -30°C to 60°C
  • Water resistance: IP67 (submersible)
  • Vibration resistance: 5000G

READ MORE HERE: Optic-Ready Multicam Mossberg 940 JM Pro Review [w/Video]

Closing Thoughts on the 940 Pro Tactical SPX

The 940 Pro Tactical SPX – Holosun Micro Dot Combo is, hands down, the best American-made tactical shotgun. This gun is reliable, robust, and extremely customizable for fit and function. It swings and points intuitively and is lightweight. The optics mounting system leads the market because it mounts the red dot low to the bore. And there are multiple models available that differ in Cerakote color, round capacity, and optics. On top of all that, this shotgun is extremely soft-shooting because of the advanced gas operating system. I highly recommend the 940 Pro Tactical SPX as a defensive/tactical shotgun. As the ultimate testament, I will even be using mine to protect my home.

learn more about the 940 Pro Tactical SPX – Holosun Micro Dot Combo here.

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