Mossberg introduced its “Duck Commander” line of firearms for 2014. Teaming up with the Duck Commanders, stars of the hit television series Duck Dynasty, the Connecticut-based manufacturer hopes the show’s national popularity will help bring more consumers to its no-nonsense brand of firearms. For 2014, Mossberg’s battery of Duck Commander-themed firearms includes 11 pump-action and auto-loading shot-guns, two rimfire rifles and a rimfire pistol.

“According to Mossberg, the Robertson family did a lot more for Mossberg than just sign their name on an endorsement check.”

“Just like us, Mossberg is a company that was built on traditional family values, dedication and our great American heritage of hunting and shooting,” commented Phil Robertson, family patriarch and founder of Duck Commander, Inc., “this partnership between our two families brings our roots and passion for waterfowl hunting front and center. Now our loyal fan base can shoot the same guns we do.”

Mossberg’s decision to reach out to the Duck Commander brand took into account a variety of factors like timing and the opportunity to invigorate the Mossberg brand, according to Linda Powell, a spokeswoman for Mossberg. “The Mossberg brand is viewing this partnership with the Duck Commanders as a way to strengthen its postion in the waterfowl market” said Powell. “At the same time, the Duck Commanders had been without a shotgun sponsor for several months. A mutual industry friend made the introduction and talks began. Very soon, we realized that the partnership between the two brands was a natural fit as both are family-owned-and-operated, American-made businesses with very similar values—a passion for the outdoors and the traditions of hunting and shooting.”

According to Mossberg, the Robertson family did a lot more for Mossberg than just sign their name on an endorsement check. Mossberg asked them what they thought about the firearms they were using, and what they had to say played a significant role in the process of putting the Duck Commander name on Mossberg firearms.

“The Robertsons were very hands-on throughout the process, and they shot many of our guns before the final decisions were made,” said Powell, who added that the majority of the features on the Duck Commander series of firearms were selected by the family as well, such as the Tru-Glo Tru-Bead sight, Realtree MAX-5 camo pattern and the option of non-ported barrels.

Duck Commander 930

I had the opportunity to review Mossberg’s Duck Commander 930 during Virginia’s Canadian goose season, and the firearm performed well. The fit and finish of the shotgun was in line with the price point of the firearm. After an initial break-in period, which amounted to two boxes of 3-inch shells and two cleanings, the lightweight 12 gauge never missed a beat, with no failures to feed, fire or eject. The shotgun performed exceptionally well after I added a touch of oil.

The shotgun came with a modified choke, and I was able to bag my limit of geese on several excursions in all weather. The shotgun pointed well with the 26-inch, ventilated, ribbed barrel and did as much damage on the sporting clays range as the Canadian goose fields.

Rimfire Rifles

Consumers will notice that the Duck Commander line of firearms extends well beyond the duck blinds with the inclusion of Mossberg’s rimfire line of rifles. Why? Powell said the rimfire offerings encompass the Robertson family’s values of enjoying the outdoors and hunting. “Rimfire rifles and pistols are ideal for a fun day of plinking, target shooting or small-game hunting, or as the guys like to say, it’s a good idea to have a rimfire to clear the cottonmouth snakes out of the duck blind,” Powell said.

So what exactly does it mean to be a “Duck Commander” Mossberg firearm? Powell said the initial offerings all proudly display the “Duck Commander” logo, feature the newly introduced Realtree Max-5 camouflage for maximum effectiveness, Tru-Glo Tru-Bead dual color fiber-optic sights (shotguns only) optimized for low-light conditions, and each Duck Commander Series model comes with an American flag bandana, like the one worn by Willie Robertson. Powell also said that the Max-5 camo will not be featured on any other Mossberg firearms this year.

Mossberg also said the possibility of expanding the Duck Commander line does exist since a multi-year agreement was signed.

For more information, visit http://www.mossberg.com or call 800-363-3555.