Mossberg MVP Review

Howdy, Ilk, Luke here. 

Since I promised Nate a review of the Mossberg MVP Patrol in 7.62, and since I am a cisgender shitlord of my word, here it is. 

You may have heard of the Mossberg "MVP" series. They make various models of this "entry level" (bargain) rifle. This is one of their latest variants. The MVP Patrol 7.62 NATO/.308 Win is a detachable magazine fed bolt-action rifle with a 16.25 inch heavy barrel (stamped "7.62 NATO) with a removable AR birdcage-style flash suppressor and standard AR threads. It also has iron sights. Think of it as a Savage Hog Hunter with a detachable magazine. As for the magazine, the rifle comes with a 10-round magazine, and will accept AR-10 mags as well as M-14 mags, the latter of which I have plenty. Happily, it seems to work well with the cheapo Korean M14 mags that don't function well in my M14s. 

The rifle is equipped with Mossberg's nifty LBA trigger that is very similar to the Savage accu-trigger (which are both based on a long-expired 19th century patent, BTW). The trigger is user-adjustable, but mine came from the factory set at about 3 lbs 5 ounces so I don't see any pressing need to mess with it. The mechanism locks the sear until the trigger bar is fully depressed, allowing the user to dial it down to "cat fart" with no risk of the rifle going off if it is dropped (not that anyone with a lick of sense is going to drop their rifle, but what the heck).

The rifle's "dry" weight is 7.5 lbs, and much of that is the bull barrel. This is definitely not a "mountain rifle". I am amused by the guys who shell out big bucks for 



carbon-fiber stocks and fluted barrels to shave a few ounces off a rifle's weight... but won't lay off the doughnuts to lose five lbs of their weight. Anyway... 

The stock is a synthetic affair, equipped with a thick rubber recoil pad. Length of pull is 13.25" and the barrel is free-floated. Mine is black but tan is also available. The grip and forend areas have texturing for added grip. 

The rifle comes with a picatinny rail (which was LOOSE when it arrived, shame on you, Mossberg). I acquired a Redfield 6-18 x 44 scope and some Leupold QRW lever-lock quick release rings. Scope tube is 1" dia. I would have preferred 30mm, but this is damned good glass for the price. It comes with extra elevation turrets, calibrated for .308 (168 grn) and .5.56 (.55 grn). 

Anyhow, the rifle shoots better than I can. I would be interested to let Nate see what he can do with it, if we can ever put together another Dread Ilk Range Day. I tested it with several different types of ammo, as you'll see from the pics. The shocker of the day was the 5/8" group I turned in with surplus Portuguese NATO 147 Grn ball. The gun rags would call it a .5 MOA group since they measure center to center. I know, I know, NATO surplus 7.62 can't shoot that well. Patrick goddamned Duffy is going to step out of the shower any minute now and tell me I dreamed the whole thing. Fine. I've got a photo and witnesses. 



Note the 3/8" group with Remington Hog Hammer ammo. Uncle Teddy's (the Nuge, not Kennedy) ammo also made an impressive showing, but considering what he charges for it, it damned well oughta. How does he sleep at night? I'm guessing on top of a large pile of money, with 8-10 gorgeous, Eastern European Olympic gymnasts, based on the price of a box of his ammo.   

Long story short: these rifles would be a screaming deal even at the $725 MSRP, but I did a lot better than that and probably you can too. Bud's doesn't have them in stock, but lists them for $546.



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