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My 930 SPX Build

Benson X

.270 WIN
I just picked up my very first shotgun this weekend :D

Found a "new" (unfired) Mossberg 930 SPX from a local guy on Armslist that was a fair price IMO ($500). It was purchased new about a year ago, and has been getting banged around in his gun safe ever since.

The front sight is not canted, and I will do a thorough cleaning before taking it out for the first time. I picked up a few boxes of various rounds to test out the cycling - 1 oz. slugs (1400fps), 9-shot 00 (1200fps) , 1-1/16oz. 2-shot Bird and 1-1/8oz. 8-shot target.

I plan to use this as a fun hobby gun for target and range days, but also serve as an addtl. HD option to my 4.5" XDm9.

Here are some pics:
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I have been researching what mods I might want to do, and will be looking for feedback from other owners who have experience with this model and/or the products/companies listed below.

Here's the list of aftermarket items/categories I have been looking into. I realize some of them of more for looks/aesthetics, but have some tactical (tacticool) benefits. The items in RED have been purchased

Top Rails / Forends:
ETA Rhino Top Rail - $150 (I love the look of the ETA rail/forend, just spendy for what they are)
ETA Bobcat Forend - $150
Black Aces Quad Rail - $150 (great value for the price, just huge and unwieldy)
Aimpro Tri-Rail - $150 (plain-jane but 100% functional)

Pistol Grip Stocks: I like the standard stock, but may want to have the option of a PG and/or adj. cheek weld
ATI Raven - $250 (Very spendy, not sure I could justify the cost. Sure looks good though)
Choate Mk 5 PG (OEM) - $80 (OEM grip)
Mesa Tactical Urbino - In Development (Would like to see the finished product/cost, if they ever bring it to market)

Magazine Tube Might not need an aftermarket one, unless I get corresponding barrel clamps, i.e. Nordic
Nordic Components (+2 or +3) - $80
GG&G +2 Shot - $90
Choate (+2 or +3) - $50+/- *not sure if these are compatible or not...
S&J Hardware +2 - $100 (incl. sling mount)

Barrel/Magazine Clamps & Attachments: I may or may not need one, if I end up getting a top-rail and/or forend
Nordic Components - $50
GG&G Rail Sling Combo - $30 (seems to be a great deal, but I might opt for a quick-release sling attachment)
Mesa Magazine Clamp (for rail or swivel sling) - $65
S&J Hardware Barrel Clamp - $70

I picked up THIS MOUNT - $17 (integrated QD Sling holes, and 3-rail setup) - pics HERE

Side Saddle / Shell Holder
GG&G (4 or 6 shot) - $70-$75 (I like the 6-shot model, but I am curious if it will work with the ETA Rhino & Bobcat; I haven't seen that combo yet)
Mesa 6-Shot - $75 (Also curious about compatibility with ETA)
ESSTAC Card (6-shot)- $15/ea. (Extremely versatile and functional)
S&J Detach Carrier (6-shot) - $17/ea.
Jones Tactical Hook & Loop holder (6-shot, 2 Pack) -$??? (I am currently waiting on his EDB to arrive, asked about his shell holders too)

Follower - Not sure what to look for, or which one would be "Best". Any feedback or input is much appreciated
GG&G - $28
Nordic - $19 (not recommended for Autoloaders???)
S&J Delrin - $15
ETA High-Vis (Delrin) - $12

Bolt Charging Handle - I like the stock one, seems to be a cosmetic upgrade vs performance
Nordic - $30
GG&G - $28
S&J Hardware - $25
ETA - $20
Choate - $12

Sling Attachments
Nordic QDA - $20
GG&G QDA (Front & Rear) - $61
Mesa Tactical - $75
Elzetta ZSM (Flashlight mount + QD Sling mount) - $75 (I like the versatility of this mount - flashlight clamp, rail, and/or QD sling mount)
Magpul QD Rail attachment - $30 (dependent on a picatinny rail)

I picked up THIS MOUNT - $17 (integrated QD Sling holes, and 3-rail setup) - pics HERE

Tac Light -
EagleTac T200C2 (XM-L2 U2) - $100 (incl. Weapon Mount kit - mount & pressure switch)

I also picked up THIS taclight clamp - $17 (Quick detach, rail mounted) - pics HERE

Sight / Scope - TBD (need to research these more)

Misc. Extra
Magpul AFG2 - $35
Spec-Ops Padded Patrol Sling - $10


I will be updating the OP as I progress with the build, so feel free to leave feedback or advice.
 
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Ill save you the grief on the follower. Ggg will jam and you'll lose mag capacity. S&J has been flawless.

Congrats!​
 
I have the ETA rails and I am quite happy with them.

Make sure you get the clamp and the mag tube real tight, if you have such things.

Also, let me suggest the Fab Defense PTK and VTS.

Sent from my Apple Newton in 1993 with 640k of RAM
 
Thanks USMC_5711! I really like the looks of the ETA combo, and still leaves room for addtl. mods (barrel/tube clamps, receiver side-saddles(???)).

Have you tried mounting a Mesa 6-shot saddle, or GG&G 6-Shot saddle? I have not seen any pics of that combo (ETA Rhino + Bobcat + Mesa/GG&G 6-shot saddle). Just wondering if there is enough forward clearance to attach w/o modification.

I also like this mount due to the integrated Ambi QD holes, and 3-rail setup.

Based on the pics, looks like I can either mount it:

A) Between the barrel and mag. tube and attach the light on the bottom rail (with the EagTac mount or equivalent)

B) Clamped directly to the Mag tube only, and clamp the bottom around the Taclight itself.

For $22, it seems pretty versatile and provides a few more options for me, plus I really like the integrated QD sling mounts.

I might just bite the bullet and try it out.
 
I don't have a side saddle.
I added a Roadblocker to mine, so it is heavy enough as it is.


Sent from my Apple Newton in 1993 with 640k of RAM
 
I don't have a side saddle.
I added a Roadblocker to mine, so it is heavy enough as it is.


Sent from my Apple Newton in 1993 with 640k of RAM
Gotcha, I bet that does make it a little heavier :D

Good call on the FAB products too - they have some pretty innovative designs. If/when I get an AFG, I will keep them in mind. Their PLA & FBA/L mounts are pretty cool too.
 
Ordered a couple small things tonight: TriRail clamp w/ QDA ($17) and a TDI Arms BK2 Quick release taclight mount ($17).

Hopefully grab the light within the next couple weeks. I will be sure to post pictures and feedback once I receive everything and get it installed.
 
Put a thumbscrew from ElZetta on their mount and you can drop a light in that mount and snug it down in just seconds. No need to keep a permanent light on you gun.
 
Put a thumbscrew from ElZetta on their mount and you can drop a light in that mount and snug it down in just seconds. No need to keep a permanent light on you gun.
Good idea! I will check this out when I get the EagTac mount. It might be a couple weeks before I can get the light & accys. I just received the TDI mount yesterday - seems pretty solid and easy to remove. I don't intend to leave the light on there permanently, but I do want the ability to remove it quickly/easily from the rail, and also from the light mount itself.
 
Received some goodies this weekend :D

The cheap-ass tri-rail mount I found on eBay showed up. It's exactly what I expected for $17...but in reality it works for me and seems solid enough to serve its purpose.

THE GOOD:
It's versatile - (2) 3-position side rails, (1) 4-position bottom rail, and (2) QD sling mount.
QD mount is solid and allows me to have the sling mounted toward the muzzle
Different mount options - Barrel and Mag Tube mounted, Barrel mount only, Mag Tube only, mag tube only with tac-light clamped in the bottom,
It was very inexpensive (comparatively)
Does not "pull" or bend the mag tube upwards when tightened down *that was my biggest concern with the design, but it keeps them evenly spaced and secure
The hardware held tight after shooting 70 rds. today

THE BAD
:
The picatinny rails on each side are somewhat shallow
Added width, bulk, and potential snag points up front
The machining on the aluminum isn't the cleanest
The anodizing seem cheap and higher lustre than the rest of the shotty
Not 100% sure, but definitely feels imported
Not "Quick 'n Easy" to remove entirely

Now for some pictures (I will do a review of the TDI BK2 mount once I get my light...I don't have any 1" lights right now :confused:)
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I also ordered an S&J Follower and a Spec-Ops Padded Patrol sling.
 
Not bad at all for $17.

Hit that sucker with some flat black Rust-Oleum High Heat outdoor grill paint if you want to take the shine off the finish. It's what I use on converted AR gas blocks or any other parts I have to chop. Matches matte black parts pretty well...
 
Not bad at all for $17.

Hit that sucker with some flat black Rust-Oleum High Heat outdoor grill paint if you want to take the shine off the finish. It's what I use on converted AR gas blocks or any other parts I have to chop. Matches matte black parts pretty well...

Great suggestion, I just happen to have some BBQ Paint leftover from a truck project :)
 
I should be getting my S&J Follower today. Found one for $15 shipped, and asked the guy if he can throw-in a spring too (maybe he will :)).

I am going to check the length of the stock spring tonight and see how long it is and possibly trim it. I can fit (7) rounds of everything except the Herter's 00 Buck (9-shot), so maybe I can trim a couple coils and get them to fit.
 
I should be getting my S&J Follower today. Found one for $15 shipped, and asked the guy if he can throw-in a spring too (maybe he will :)).

I am going to check the length of the stock spring tonight and see how long it is and possibly trim it. I can fit (7) rounds of everything except the Herter's 00 Buck (9-shot), so maybe I can trim a couple coils and get them to fit.

Herters 00 Buck shells are longer than standard 2 3/4" shells. They are almost as long as 3" shells. I would not cut coils in an effort to get the Herters shells to fit as you may just end up causing issues with all shells.
 
You may be right.

I should've measured the spring when I cleaned it, but I wanted to see how it did first time out. With the crazy variance in the stock Spring lengths on the SPX, I am curious how long mine is. I read that guys that trimmed theirs between 28.5-32" and were able to fit (7) of any 2.75" w/o any adverse issues. After I completely break it in, I will decide if I "need" a different mag tube and/or spring.
 
Here are some pics of the sling I picked up. Spec-Ops Padded Patrol Sling (Fixed-Stock version).

*Sorry for the crappy picture quality...I was using my phone.
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So far, I really like it. Seems pretty comfortable and versatile for different carrying options. Around the neck for fire-ready shooting, over the shoulder for quick carry, around the back for long-distance carrying. I think this will work well for me, and it was relatively inexpensive (I had a $20 Cabelas gift card, so I only paid $10 out of pocket for it).
 
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