Mossberg MVP Varmint - One Year Later
Since everything I review on this site is actually a part of my everyday hunting gear I thought I would write a follow up review of the Mossberg MVP Varmint one year after my purchase. So, do I still think that the Mossberg MVP Varmint was a good purchase?
The answer is yes. Every day of the week and twice on Sunday I would still recommend this firearm for its versatility, selection of compatible accessories, as well as availability of ammunition. Let's start with the versatility. The beauty of the Mossberg MVP Varmint chambered in 5.56/.223 Rem is that you can carry it in the truck /tractor/ ATV and if there is something in your travels that needs to take a dirt nap this firearm system will do it with impunity. I think what I notice most is that each and every gopher or coyote hunt is just as enjoyable as the next with the Mossberg MVP Varmint. I never have to worry about the rifle being inaccurate or that it will not have enough firepower to reach out and touch something when I've needed it too.
As for available accessories the major advantage is the selection of detachable magazines available for the Mossberg MVP Varmint. Now I do admit that there is a difference in how each magazine fits and performs in the Mossberg MVP Varmint. I have found that the factory magazine and any of the Magpul Gen3 magazines feed flawlessly in the Mossberg MVP Varmint but I have found there is a feeding issue with Questar’s 10 round LAR-15 magazine. It seems that the first two or three rounds tend to jam when feeding into the chamber but once you are past these rounds the magazine seems to perform decently. Once you recognize that it is the magazine’s fault and not the firearm’s fault you can deal with it and either choose to not use the magazine or put up with the fault. I have chosen to put up with the fault as it is nice to have 10 rounds in a magazine when hunting gophers and it is the only rifle magazine in Canada that you can legally hold 10 rounds. We can debate this issue all day long but for now it makes hunting gophers in Saskatchewan an enjoyable experience.
The availability of cheap ammunition was also another selling point of the Mossberg MVP Varmint and so far so good. I have purchased one, 1120 round crate of Norinco 55gr 5.56/.223 Rem ammunition and haven’t had one misfire. While I do not use the full metal jacket Norinco rounds on anything larger that a gopher, I find the Mossberg MVP Varmint shoots the Hornady Varmint Express .223 Rem round in a similar pattern to avoid having to site in the gun if I do need to go after a coyote or fox.
My only regret is that I don't have more time to use the Mossberg MVP Varmint. It is a great firearm system to shoot from the bench or out hunting vermin or predators. I plan on using the Mossberg MVP Varmint for years to come and hopefully Mossberg could someday find a way to bring me on as a member of their Pro Staff so that I would have additional time to enjoy shooting this firearm system.
