AR-15s are everywhere these days, with most police officers using some variant for patrol duties. But is there an alternative? In the upcoming September 2014 issue of GUNS & WEAPONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, author Mike Boyle tests the unique Mossberg MVP Patrol to see what it could offer our men and women in blue.

Boyle writes, “The MVP Patrol is a relatively compact bolt-action rifle with a detachable box magazine. With a total length of just over 35 inches, it is handy enough for a quick exit out of the patrol vehicle. Its medium-weight, bull barrel measures 16.25 inches long and features a 1-in-9-inch rate of twist. Unloaded, the MVP Patrol tips the scales at 7 pounds.

“This rifle is based on Mossberg’s earlier 4×4 series and incorporates a number of positive attributes. I grew especially fond of the adjustable Lighting Bolt Action (LBA) trigger, which is user-adjustable through a 2- to 7-pound range. A most unique feature is a flipper in the middle of the trigger that must be fully depressed in order to fire the rifle. This setup is reminiscent of the trigger on my Glock pistol and may prevent an unintentional discharge, especially when the trigger has been dialed into one of the lighter settings. In any event, the MVP’s trigger pull is superior to many rifles that cost much more.

“A drop/push bolt ensures reliable feeding from the magazine to the chamber. Single-loading rounds by dropping them through the port was also bug free. The spiral-fluted bolt was easy to manipulate, and it can be removed for cleaning by pushing a lever on the left rear portion of the action. A two-position safety lever sits on the starboard side.”

To learn more, check out the September 2014 issue of GUNS & WEAPONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, available on newsstands and digitally May 27, 2014. To subscribe, go to