Mossberg MVP Patrol 5.56 NATO

Shortly after Mossberg announced the MVP (Mossberg Varmint Predator) rifle in 2011, I was invited to spend three days in central Oregon shooting ground squirrels and hunting coyotes with several model variations chambered in 5.56 NATO and .204 Ruger. I fired in excess of 1,500 rounds through several rifles that were accurate and very interesting.

- Brian Pearce

A few of the MVP design features include an action scaled to accommodate 5.56/.223 and similarly sized cartridges, a detachable 10-round AR-15 magazine (The rifle will accept any mil-spec 5-, 20- or 30-round magazine.), twin locking lugs with 90-degree bolt lift and a rotating extractor and plunger ejector that results in a push feed system. The bolt head is staked to the bolt body while the bolt face is countersunk. For the bolt to reliably strip cartridges from the magazine, a unique “cartridge pusher” is staked to the bottom of the bolt face and is spring loaded to pivot up and down. In firing several thousand rounds through various MVP rifles in the years since its introduction, the cartridge pusher has proven to do its job reliably. I have run the action hard and fast, and it has worked without issue.

I later had a chance to visit with company representatives regarding the MVP and possible future variants. I liked the rifle and suggested adding iron sights along with a compact version and even a “scout” pattern. In the years since, Mossberg has expanded the MVP product line to include all of the above, but it has also introduced lightweight rifles, adjustable stock versions and several other models. In 2013 the company designed a larger version to chamber the 7.62 NATO cartridge.