r/canadaguns • u/BowFella • Jun 23 '26
Shooting Can gas operated shotguns jam with a different person shooting it?
So I decided to test out some of the lightest, cheapest target load out there on my mossberg 930. Picked up some challenger 7/8oz low brass target load for like $12/box. I shot a box and it fed flawlessly. My old man took it with him to the range and he said it was jamming so much with those target loads that it was like a bolt action. I decided to go through the last couple boxes to test it myself. Two boxes and not one misfeed with the same 7/8oz challengers.
I know this gun is gas operated and usually inertia guns can fall victim to misfeeds from an improper shoulder weld. But can this also happen with gas operated too?
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u/bosnanic Jun 23 '26
Inertia guns: yes you can limp wrist/brace them causing failures
Gas guns: no
The Mossberg 930 is not the most reliable gas semi, it probably just needs cleaning or struggles to cycle those 7/8 loads.
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u/boringlongbusride Jun 23 '26
Although much less of an effect gas guns still do impart inertia onto the moving parts so not bracing can make a difference. I have definitely had a ar15 rifle that would short stroke if fired without being shouldered properly but fine otherwise. I'm pretty sure the recoil Spring was really worn out though.
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u/BowFella Jun 23 '26
Except I didnt clean it after my dad shot it and it still cycled flawlessly when I took it out after him with the same 7/8oz loads.
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u/GunLife94 Jun 24 '26
Gas guns definately can have issues cycling if not held tight to the shoulder. I've seen it with rem 1100s, I have one that'll cycle 1oz 12ga loads if I hold it tight, but the minute I hold it looser to the shoulder it may not fully cycle.
I have also seen it where a different 1100 worked fine when me and another person shot it, but with the same loads a third person shot it and couldnt get it to cycle reliably.
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u/Specialist_Chard5231 Jun 24 '26
Inertia guns require recoil to function. Take a stick and push on the rotating head ( bolt head) and you can not unlock it. The inertia spring needs to store energy to unlock and cycle. The only way for that to happen is for the gun to recoil backwards.
Try taking the but pad off and putting the stock against a stump and firing it won't cycle.
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u/Top_Importance6216 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
at first my 1301 cycled challenger no problem.
now almost a year later it fails to fire every 3rd shell.
it still fires federal and clever flawlessly.
idk if its a recent QC issue.
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u/No_Reveal_7886 Jun 24 '26
Lately the heads seem to expand a lot on Challenger, epecially on the heavier loads. Some of them really stick in the chamber - in all my guns
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u/fuckbitingflies Jun 24 '26
Definitely. I have a narrow frame and can easily have both inertia and gas guns failing to cycle cheap target loads if I am not consciously manhandling them.
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u/BowFella Jun 24 '26
I should add he was doing rapid drills starting with the gun not shouldered or at low ready.
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u/Emergency_Rooster511 Jun 23 '26
It probably worked fine til it got a little dirty.
I’ve never seen those 7/8oz challenger loads cycle any semi auto reliably.
Had the same issue with a buddy and a 1301 comp a couple weekends ago, cycled a few, then decided it was done.
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u/BowFella Jun 23 '26
Except I didnt clean it after my dad shot it and didnt clean it before I tested it again. Gun must've had at least 6 boxes of ammo through it without a cleaning by the time I took it to the range again.
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u/Emergency_Rooster511 Jun 23 '26
It was most likely from an improper or just slightly looser mount then, as you had assumed. It’s clearly under gassed or it wouldn’t be an issue, but yes, the inertia of the bolt and gas parts is a factor.
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u/BowFella Jun 24 '26
It definitely does feel a bit undergassed. They are super light loads. The shells only get flung a few ft. I still have no malfunctions when I shoot though.
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u/AresV92 Jun 23 '26
It should work better the harder you push/pull the stock. Send your dad a video of push/pull shotgun shooting technique. If that works and you come back here to report your results then you'll have conducted science!
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u/uber_poutine Jun 24 '26
My Weatherby (also gas operated) would cycle as expected when I was shouldering it, but wouldn't cycle reliably with the same ammo with my 12 yo when we went trap shooting the other month. Anecdotally, it's very possible based on bracing technique and body mass.
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u/Embile3031 Jun 24 '26
Was the temperature significantly different? Ammo maybe temp sensitive. Try another ammo?
Otherwise sounds like operator error.
2 cents.
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u/SKS1953 Jun 23 '26
Short answer is yes it can malfunction from not shouldering it properly. Did he try oiling it
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u/SpectreBallistics Spectre Ballistics International (Verified) Jun 24 '26
While inertia guns are more likely to have issue between different shooters, it's completely possible with gas operated shotguns too.