3 Gun Shotgun Barrel Length?

[Psychbiker]

I've been looking for a semi auto shotgun. I came across the CZ Utility but cannot find any locally and just read that in addition to a $50 online transfer fee, California FFLs are required to charge tax on the total purchase including shipping.

Soo....I accidentally came across the Mossberg JM Pro 930 at local gun store. It is the 22" barrel.

Is there a considerable disadvantage to having a 22" over a 24" for 2 gun?

I plan to also use the gun for trap/skeet mainly to break it in and fun weekends.

I really like the CZ 712 BUT adding a mag extension and other pieces, I think the Mossberg 930 JM is a better deal.

[RickB]

You don't want to be down on capacity, so barrel length is really about mag tube length. When I shot USPSA Multigun, capacity limit was nine, and my 20" Mossberg holds nine.

[g.willikers]

For trap and skeet you will probably want at least one different (longer) barrel than for 3 gun.
It will be more fun to be able to break more birds, then.
Extra barrels aren't all that expensive, though.

[RickB]

You'll occasionally see a round of trap as a shotgun stage at 3-gun matches, so decide what you're trying to do with the shotgun, its sights, and barrel length.

[lmccrock]

I suspect if you can get your hands on a JM Pro, you will be happy. The 24" is a little better than 22", but not so much barrel length but capacity - the 24" holds more rounds. With the 22", if at some future time you want the extra round, you can always change the mag tube. Also, a few matches require Tactical Division to have a mag capacity max of 8, which can be accomplished with a plug, but it is one more thing to deal with if your tube holds more than 8.

3-gun matches occasionally break clays, but usually at most 1 or 2 clays on one stage. And my 20 or 22" guns break them fine, although I usually shoot different ammo for them (Fiocchi spreaders vs plain birdshot).

You can buy a longer barrel for the 930, although check with Mossberg to be sure the barrels swap straight over.

[zippy13]

I plan to also use the gun for trap/skeet mainly to break it in and fun weekends.

IMHO, don't buy a shotgun based on forum opinions, get some trigger time with the guns on your short list. Then you can make an informed decision. You may come to the conclusion that you're asking too much from a single gun. I have several guns for trap and several for Skeet -- none of them is suitable for 3 gun. Nobody uses a bench rest rifle in the biathlon. As some have suggested, you can always get other barrels; but, with an extend mag tube, barrel changes may become bothersome.

[l98ster]

I have a Mossberg 930 JM Pro and Turkey model. Both have functioned flawlessly. I had my turkey model out last week and put 250 light skeet rounds through it and had ZERO malfunctions.

I also have used my JM Pro in 3 gun matches and it has performed flawlessly as well.

Overall, those Mossberg 930's (any flavor) run like champions. Mossberg hit a home run with this shotgun!!!

-George

[Jesse Tischauser]

You can shoot 3 gun and any of the clays games with any barrel length. Just make sure you have a vent rib barrel and chokes.

3 gunners favor the shorter 21-22" barrels. Clay shooters preferred 28-30" barrels.