Mossberg 940JM pro charging handle failure

[u/Inevitable-Click-129]

Here’s a fun failure I’ve never seen before! Happened during clay match. To be fair though I love this gun and have shot thousands of rounds through it.

Thought I would share with the group. Has anyone else experienced something like this?

[u/IndiscreetTreat]

I’m fairly certain a buddy of mine has/had the same gun and yep, during a match this thing yeeted itself into some gravel. Was a while till we found it.

[u/mwmwmwmwmmdw → u/IndiscreetTreat]

ive heard nothing but bad things about these 940 pros. Turkish level quality control at fine European prices

[u/iatekane → u/mwmwmwmwmmdw]

They undercut the European models by a large price difference which is why people buy them and generally the 940 pros are fine but yeah some have issues here and there.

The 930 on the other hand those were turds

[u/i-Hermit → u/iatekane]

I want a black synthetic clay gun for my wife and was looking at a 940 pro.. reviews are all over the map. I could spend a lot (+750) more and get a Beretta A400 solo which seems to be universally loved. It's a lot more money but maybe it's worth it to have a gun that just works.

Edit: basically all light target loads for clay shooting.

[u/Arbakos → u/i-Hermit]

You could try to hunt down a Beretta A300 Ultima if you aren't feeling good about the 940, though it's hard to find the regular "Ultima" version in stock in 12 gauge. Online I can usually only find it in 20 gauge or the tactical "Patrol" version in 12.

[u/i-Hermit → u/Arbakos]

Yeah, and even harder to find in black. I have found the a400 solo, but at $1845, it's a spicy meatball.

[u/iatekane → u/i-Hermit]

Seems like a few retails have it in stock

https://almostprohibited.ca/search/?query=A300+ultima&sort=relevant&category=all&page=0

[u/iatekane → u/i-Hermit]

The solo is great value for what you get, if you can swing it worth it for sure.

[u/Inevitable-Click-129 → u/mwmwmwmwmmdw]

I’ve put thousands of rounds through mine with no issues. This is the first failure it’s had and when I look at it it makes sense the charging handle is heavy. If you look at some newer models like the 990 they have gone with a hollowed out version.

[u/Aromatic_Message8952]

Just get the SJ hardware charging handle. It's miles better than the stock one

[u/SJHardware → u/Aromatic_Message8952]

Thanks for that.

Changing handles failing or flying out are alot more common that most people realize. The 2pc stewl/aluminum or Beretta mim and plastic fail alot. But even good gun lime the m4 the TDP says thr charging handle shoukd be replaced at 3000-5000 rounds.

Most Turkish guns I've seen thrn mail at less then a 1000 rds

But what I'm trying to get at is charging handles are considered a consumable product.

[u/Acceptable_Visit_115]

The broken cross-section is consistent with a high cycle (low stress), reverse-loading fatigue crack (see diagram below). I've seen failures like this across quite a few guns, most of them have a heavy "knob" style charging handle.

When the bolt slams to a stop at the two ends of its travel, the inertia of that heavy bolt knob will want to continue traveling forwards/backwards a bit. This causes a tiny bending moment on the shaft. After thousands of rounds metal fatigue takes its course.

[u/CrowsFeast73 → u/Acceptable_Visit_115]

Makes sense that the thread itself would eventually propagate as a crack.

If there's an aftermarket option with a smooth shaft then you shouldn't have this issue again.

[u/Acceptable_Visit_115 → u/CrowsFeast73]

Yup, threads in bending is almost always how these things happen.

Beretta's extended charging handle for example uses a locking mechanism with no fasteners, and the extended knob itself is lightweight plastic molded over the steel shaft to minimize inertia. Benelli M4 also uses a captive shaft.

[u/EnggyAlex]

Its usually some charging handle design having the thread to be on the shear line and fatigued over time, however this one it looks like the handle have a recess to mate with the base of the gun to take that impact, so its surprising this still happened, maybe the recess is machined too big and not making contact or the screw was loose

[u/Acceptable_Visit_115 → u/EnggyAlex]

Threads in Bending is my favorite metal band name

[u/IcySkyDream]

Benelli deliberately designs some slop into the charging handle to prevent this from happening.

[u/Acceptable_Visit_115 → u/IcySkyDream]

Both Beretta and Benelli uses captive pins that are held via some sort of mechanisms and not threaded. Adding threads naturally weakens a rod that sees bending loads. And yes, the slop is a nice bonus.

[u/Available_Boat_99]

Sad

[u/Throwawaymaybeokay]

Damn. Looks like it sheared right off. Hopefully easy fix with a higher quality aftermarket handle.

[u/Inevitable-Click-129 → u/Throwawaymaybeokay]

I think I will put it through warrenty but glad to know there are other options readily available! Apperantly the 930, 935 charging handles also fit.

[u/Borealbound]

What material is that sheared bolt/pin made of? Melted Pilsner cans? For the record as a man who has had to cut, mill, turn and machine a fair amount of Al in my time, I hate Al. 

[u/LepkiJohnny]

Hi. i've had one for 2 years, 6k-ish shots in, IPSC. The handle breaks regurarly around every 3k rounds. I burned through 2 - the orignal one and a Magload aftermarket (which is great, it just had a factory defect, the guys sent a new one for free). Always cary a spare handle, an extractor and the bolt carrier link in your range purse.