Mossberg’s latest, the 990 SPX is the combination of two of Mossberg’s latest successes, the 940 Pro and 990 Aftershock. Running the 940 Pro since they arrived, it remains one of my favorite full-sized (18.5-inch) tactical shotguns. The Aftershock, while useful, was begging for a stock. Using a 14.75-inch barrel keeps it long enough to function properly, yet short enough to make a difference where needed. It just needed the perfect venue to test it, and Gunsite provided that with its 260 Tactical Shotgun class. With roughly 500 rounds of buck, bird, and slugs fired, it is a true test, especially during 90-100 degree days in blowing dust. I survived, and the 990 SPX thrived.
Evolution of the Mossberg 990 SPX Magpul
When Mossberg introduced its 990 Aftershock, it was quite the hit. Using a pistol grip meant the short barrel without the NFA paperwork. Most testers, myself included, almost immediately concluded it was the best platform for an SBS (Short-Barreled Shotgun). Mossberg decided to make it easier with the introduction of the SPX Magpul.
Pairing what was essentially an Aftershock with a Magpul SGA stock seemed about perfect. Magpul’s SGA has been taking the shotgun world by storm, providing a comfortable fit and a short length of pull where needed. Given the fast and free NFA transfers on SBSs, it makes for a pretty easy sell.
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Testing one during our Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous only confirmed that. In fact, the actual gun used at the event is my test sample for this article. Part of Mossberg’s LE Professional Series, it uses a fixed cylinder bore (no chokes) and is coated in Tungsten Cerakote. Consumer versions will be blued and feature interchangeable chokes.
New this year, the 990 SPX Magpul – Class 3 adds the SGA stock and shortens the barrel to 14.75 inches. The rest is typical 940 Pro, with steel ghost-ring sights and the ability to direct mount an RMSc-pattern red dot sight. Adapters are available to accommodate a variety of other optics. The receiver is also drilled and tapped for a top rail or side saddle. The bolt handle and magazine release are oversized, while the safety remains ergonomically placed. The forend features an integrated heat shield, multiple M-LOK slots and QD sling attachment points. It features a 3-inch chamber and a capacity of 5+1 using 2.75-inch shells.
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Setting Up The 990 SPX
Leupold’s DeltaPoint Pro with a 6 MOA dot was mounted using the supplied adapter. The adapter puts the optic a tad higher, but it remains usable with the front sight. It not only provided a nice, big dot, but it also snapped perfectly into place with my cheek weld.
I also added a Mesa Tactical Truckee forend. It simply makes it easier to accommodate a light and sling. Gunsite’s 260 includes a night shoot, so having better mounting options was a must. Installation was easy, required no tools, and it includes a heat shield.
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Magpul’s sling mount was added, along with my tried-and-true Blue Force Gear Vickers Standard Issue sling. It allows me to use the fixed sling mount while still being able to quickly disconnect from the shotgun. Mounting my SureFire Scout Pro let me position the light so it could be activated without altering my grip.
Gunsite Torture Test
Attending Gunsite’s three-day Tactical Shotgun class provided ample opportunity to get this shotgun hot and dirty. The 990 was used entirely on day one, consuming around 200 rounds of mostly Federal Action 7½-shot loads running about 1,235 fps using short brass. Short semi-autos don’t always like short-brass shells, so it was a solid test for extraction. There was also Federal Tactical 9-pellet buckshot at 1,145 fps, along with Fiocchi low-recoil slugs running the same velocity.
Zeroed with slugs at 35 yards, it was dead on at both 50 and 100 yards. Both the shotgun and the Fiocchi slugs proved very accurate. My best group at 50 yards measured right at four inches from a braced kneeling position. During the outdoor simulator run, I was able to select a slug and ring steel dead center at about 60 yards.
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Federal Tactical patterned exactly as expected, fist-sized at 20 yards with one occasional flyer. Inside 10 yards, it was essentially one large hole.
Function was flawless, never suffering a stoppage with any ammunition tested. The recoil pad kept things surprisingly soft. Interestingly, buckshot and slugs felt noticeably softer than the light action loads. Ejection remained consistent, with hulls landing around one o’clock roughly three feet away. Every load tested fit the magazine at 5+1 capacity, something that’s not always guaranteed.
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Handling & Performance
Controls on these are straightforward, with no tube-release button like some of the Italian competition. Gunsite spends quite a bit of time on “select-a-slug” drills, providing plenty of opportunities to practice running the action.
Having carried an 870 most of my life, the Mossberg safety took some getting used to. Overall, however, it worked well throughout the class, allowing operation without removing my firing hand. Magpul’s stock certainly helps, as my 940’s pistol grip requires more effort during drills.
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Long a believer in short barrels, the 990 SPX only reinforced that opinion. Whether loading, selecting slugs or working from the side saddle, it remained perfectly balanced and under control, regardless of how hot or tired both the shotgun and I had become.
Opening up and smoothing out the loading gate was another major advantage. After several hundred rounds, my hands remained free of cuts, bruises or sore spots.
This was also my first extended experience with the Vang Comp Velcro shell-card setup, and I really liked it. Using spare cards attached to a Velcro inner belt made swapping ammunition fast while keeping gear to a minimum.
During the indoor simulator, the short barrel again proved its worth. Working corners, windows and doorways was considerably easier while staying behind cover. It’s always surprising just how much difference a few inches of barrel can make. Whether opening doors or moving through tight spaces, the compact 990 remained quick, handy and easy to control.
Bottom Line
From the very beginning, my thought was this would be about perfect as a short-barreled shotgun, and it turns out I was right.
Even though I used multiple shotguns throughout the class, the 990 SPX continually found its way back into my hands. Comfortable, reliable, handy and accurate. It really doesn’t get much better.
My only criticism is the unloading mechanism. While not something most owners will deal with often, Gunsite has you constantly unloading and reloading the shotgun. Like my 940, the system sounds slick in theory, but in practice it can sometimes be cumbersome. In theory, pressing the rear of the bolt release while lifting the lifter releases the shell from the magazine tube. Most of the time it worked, although I often found myself having to assist the shell by hand. It’s a minor complaint in what was otherwise a flawless performer.
Overall, the Mossberg 990 SPX Professional is a tremendous success. For defensive or tactical use, I’m simply not sure it gets much better. I have no doubt this one will spend a long time riding with me as a Gunsite instructor.
Specifications
- Action: Semi Auto
- Gauge: 12 (3” chamber)
- Barrel Length: 14.75 inches
- Stock: Magpul SGA
- OAL: 33 inches
- LOP: 12” to 14”
- Weight: 7.35 pounds
- Capacity: 5 + 1 (2.75” shells)
- MSRP: $1449.00
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