Mossberg MMR Pro

In 2016, Mossberg revamped its MMR line of AR-15 rifles, and the initial offering was the MMR Carbine. This year, the brand is expanding the MMR family to include several new rifles, one of which is the MMR Pro in 5.56 NATO.

"The Mossberg MMR Pro delivers 3-Gun features for shooters looking for a competition-ready gun direct from the manufacturer," says Mossberg's Linda Powell.

The upper and lower receivers are made from 7075 T-6 aluminum, and the rifle comes with a dust cover, forward assist and M4 feed ramp—along with an AXTS Raptor ambidextrous charging handle designed for rapid charges from either strong or support side. The rifle features Mossberg's six-position adjustable stock that offers 3.25-inch of length of pull adjustment and Mossberg's Flex TLS (Tool-less Locking System) that allows for easy recoil pad swaps.

The trigger guard and pistol grip are Magpul's MOE models, and there's a hollow grip cavity that accepts Magpul storage cores. The MMR comes with a direct-impingement rifle-length gas system and a full-length top rail.

The big news across the MMR line is the addition of a brand-new trigger, the JM Pro Drop-In Match. Designed in conjunction with competitive shooter Jerry Miculek, the JM Pro features a four-pound trigger break with adjustable overtravel so shooters can customize the feel. In addition, Mossberg is offering the JM Pro trigger as an aftermarket accessory through its online store. Each rifle ships with a 30-round Gen 3 Magpul PMag.

Mossberg kept the MMR's weight right at seven pounds, even with the extra barrel length, which makes it a rifle that is easier to carry over long distance during competition. The longer, heavy-profile barrel helps balance the rifle and makes for a smoother, more stable movement when transitioning from one target to the next — as compared to rifles with thinner-profile 16-inch barrels.

The handguard offers plenty of attachment points for those who like a lot of gear on their competition guns, but by itself the narrow aluminum handguard is quite comfortable. The AXTS Raptor charging handle is a real benefit whether you are a competition shooter or not because it's easy to find and operate even if you are wearing gloves or have a large variable optic mounted on the rifle.

When I tested the MMR Pro I mounted a Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40mm on the rifle, which is not a particularly large scope but big enough that it can get in the way if you are using a standard-sized charge handle.

I liked the original MMR line, having pushed one of those guns to the limit on a high-volume aerial hog shoot in Texas, so I had high hopes for the new MMR Pro. And the rifle didn't disappoint.

---

For the range test I used three different loads of varying weights, and the 1:8 twist barrel showed its versatility—including turning in a test-best 0.89-inch average with the lightest load of the bunch, Hornady's 40-grain V-MAX.

Testing the rifle both on and off the bench made it clear the new Mossberg trigger is indeed as good as the marketing hype suggests. It's extremely nice, breaking just a hair over four pounds on the test rifle and making it easy to deliver precise, accurate shots from the bench as well as when moving and engaging targets at various ranges in rapid succession as is the case when competing in 3-Gun.

This isn't a budget rifle that has a bit of upgraded furniture and claims to be a competition rifle. With the suggested retail price of $1,393 Mossberg is looking to attract the attention of serious shooters. And, based on what I experienced when I shot the rifle, I have to say Mossberg's claim that this is an out-of-the-box competition gun is legitimate.

Mossberg may always be known for its shotguns, but there's certainly no question the brand's AR lineup is worthy of consideration even by the most dedicated competitors. With the MMR Pro as its flagship model, Mossberg has something to hang its hat on. Now it's time to see what this rifle can do in the hands of the world's elite competition shooters.