Outdoor Guns · #6
940 Pro Waterfowl
Mossberg
Reader rating
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The gas gun that finally runs dirty. 1,500-round service intervals, an oversized bolt handle and safety you can work with frozen hands, and a shim system to fit the stock to you.
Pros
- Exceptional reliability in dirty conditions
- Oversized controls are great with cold or gloved hands
- Corrosion-resistant finishes throughout
- Adjustable stock for custom fit
- Manages recoil effectively for comfortable shooting
Cons
- Slightly heavier than some competitors
- Aesthetics are purely functional, not elegant
- Factory chokes are adequate but not premium
Best uses
- Duck and goose hunting
- Rainy weather pheasant hunts
- Saltwater marsh conditions
- High-volume clay shooting
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Mossberg
- Action
- Semi-Automatic (Gas-Operated)
- Gauge
- 12 Gauge
- Chamber
- 3"
- Capacity
- 4+1 (2 3/4" shells)
- Finish
- Cerakote (Patriot Brown)
- Sight
- HIVIZ CompSight Fiber Optic
Pricing
We don't publish a price we haven't verified. The retailer links below open the live listing for this exact model.
Best for
Duck and goose hunting, Rainy weather pheasant hunts, Saltwater marsh conditions, High-volume clay shooting
Where to buy the 940 Pro Waterfowl
We don't have a direct Amazon listing on file yet — this opens an Amazon search for the exact make and model.
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The Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl earns its spot at #6 by being a workhorse designed from the ground up for the duck blind and field. Mossberg took the bones of their proven 930 series, gave it a serious internal overhaul, and dressed it for the conditions waterfowl hunters face. This isn't a safe queen; it's a tool built to be used hard in wet, cold, and often muddy environments. It's the kind of shotgun you can grab, know it's going to run, and not worry about treating it with kid gloves. What sets the 940 Pro apart in this crowded market is its reliability with less-than-pristine conditions. While most gas guns demand a certain level of cleanliness to cycle consistently, the 940 Pro is engineered to tolerate more grime and still perform. The extended service intervals mean more time hunting and less time scrubbing carbon. It’s a practical choice for hunters who prioritize function over flash, and who need a shotgun that can endure a season of abuse and still be ready for the next.
Real-World Performance
Out in the field, this shotgun shines where it counts: reliability. It cycles everything from light target loads to heavy 3-inch magnums without a hiccup. The oversized bolt handle and safety are genuinely useful, especially when your hands are cold, wet, or gloved. You don't have to fumble around; controls are positive and easy to manipulate. Recoil is managed well by the gas system, making follow-up shots quicker and less punishing during long days. It points naturally, and the fiber optic sight is bright and easy to acquire in varied light conditions, from pre-dawn gloom to bright overcast.
Materials and Construction
Mossberg built the 940 Pro Waterfowl with durability in mind. The receiver and critical internal components are treated with a corrosion-resistant finish, crucial for a gun destined for wet environments. The barrel features an extended forcing cone for improved patterns and reduced felt recoil, and is finished with a durable Cerakote coating. The stock and forend are synthetic, able to withstand knocks and scrapes without showing wear. All the materials chosen are practical, not flashy, and hold up to the rigors of hunting season after season. It's a pragmatic build for a tough job.
Weight and Balance
Coming in around 7.75 pounds, the 940 Pro Waterfowl has a substantial, reassuring feel without being overly heavy. This weight helps mitigate recoil and provides a stable platform for swinging on fast-moving birds. It’s balanced well for a gas-operated shotgun, not overly muzzle-heavy, which aids in quick target acquisition and comfortable carrying. While not the lightest shotgun on the market, it’s not cumbersome, even after a full day of wading through marshes or humping it across fields. It feels robust, not clunky.
Durability and Maintenance
Durability is a cornerstone of the 940 Pro's design. The claim of 1,500-round service intervals isn't just marketing; the redesigned gas system genuinely handles more fouling before needing a deep clean. This translates to less time spent cleaning and more time hunting, which is a massive advantage in the field. The corrosion-resistant finishes on all critical components ensure that exposure to saltwater, mud, and rain won't lead to premature wear or functional issues. It's designed to be dependable in harsh conditions, season after season, with reasonable care.
Alternative Options
At a similar price point, hunters might consider the Winchester SX4 or the Beretta A300 Outlander. The SX4 offers a lighter overall package and reliable inertia-driven performance, while the A300 Outlander is known for its soft-shooting gas system and classic Beretta reliability. However, neither quite matches the 940 Pro Waterfowl’s specific focus on extreme durability and extended run-time in dirty conditions. For pure ruggedness and low-maintenance operation in the nastiest weather, the Mossberg holds a distinct edge within its price class.
How we chose
We started with a long list of outdoor guns that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
- Value at its price point
- Compared against the closest competitors in the same tier, not against cheaper gear in a different class.
- Repairability and support
- Field-fixable design, available parts, and a warranty the maker actually honors.
940 Pro Waterfowl — frequently asked questions
- Is the 940 Pro Waterfowl worth it?
- We rank it #6 in Outdoor Guns. The gas gun that finally runs dirty. 1,500-round service intervals, an oversized bolt handle and safety you can work with frozen hands, and a shim system to fit the stock to you.
- What is the 940 Pro Waterfowl best for?
- Best for duck and goose hunting, rainy weather pheasant hunts, saltwater marsh conditions and high-volume clay shooting. Standouts: exceptional reliability in dirty conditions and oversized controls are great with cold or gloved hands.
- What are the downsides of the 940 Pro Waterfowl?
- Slightly heavier than some competitors, Aesthetics are purely functional, not elegant and Factory chokes are adequate but not premium.
- What are the key specs of the 940 Pro Waterfowl?
- Manufacturer: Mossberg · Action: Semi-Automatic (Gas-Operated) · Gauge: 12 Gauge · Chamber: 3" · Capacity: 4+1 (2 3/4" shells)
- Real-World Performance — what should I know about the 940 Pro Waterfowl?
- Out in the field, this shotgun shines where it counts: reliability. It cycles everything from light target loads to heavy 3-inch magnums without a hiccup.
- Materials and Construction — what should I know about the 940 Pro Waterfowl?
- Mossberg built the 940 Pro Waterfowl with durability in mind. The receiver and critical internal components are treated with a corrosion-resistant finish, crucial for a gun destined for wet environments.
Compare side by side
Put the 940 Pro Waterfowl against any other pick on this list — specs, price, pros, cons and reader ratings.