The Mossberg 4×4 is a rifle that that visually emulates its namesake. The first look at the rifle makes you think that you would not have a problem dragging it around in the mud or maybe slapping it off a few rocks. This is not to say that the 4×4 won’t break when you do this, but it won’t break your heart to see it happen. These rifles are designed for the first-time hunter market to allow people interested in hunting to get their feet wet without a lot of investment.
One point of interest with the 4×4 and other Mossbergs is that they are the only rifles in the lower price ranges that can be had with a wooden stock if one so desires. Most of the buyers of these rifles will probably opt for the synthetic, but it’s still nice to have the option. Whether in wood or plastic, the stock of the 4×4 is something different in shape. The overall look makes the rifle appear thicker and beefier than most bolt guns. When it comes to hunting arms most people want slimmer and lighter guns, but sometimes just being different makes a gun stand out enough to get noticed. Aside from the strange stock the rifle is what Mossberg intended it to be in the form of a “meat and potatoes” bolt gun for the novice hunter. In its prescribed role the Mossberg 4×4 will probably give good service until the owner feels a need to upgrade.
It should be noted that the 4×4 only scored in the average or better than average in most areas, but that’s what Mossberg is shooting for with this rifle. The gun’s only best-in-class rating was for recoil. The 4×4’s strangely obese-looking stock will help cut down on felt recoil for beginning shooters, which is a definite plus for a rifle in this price range.