These are great times for AR-15 owners. There are so many manufacturers producing AR-15 rifles in just about any configuration imaginable. The popularity of the AR-15 rifle grows every year, and competing manufacturers have no choice but to put forward their absolute best design and worksmanship if they want their AR-15 line succeed. This extremely competitive segment in the firearms industry greatly helps the average shooter — prices are low, quality is high, and options and accessories are numerous.

Mossberg is best known for their shotguns, such as the pump-action 500 and 590A1, and the semi-automatic 835 and 930. They also have a strong foothold in the rifle market with a number of bolt-action hunting rifles and the Plinkster .22 LR semi-automatic rifle. That foothold is now even stronger because Mossberg has branched into the tactical rifle market with a new AR-15 style rifle called the MMR (Mossberg Modern Rifle).

Looking beyond the redundancy in its name, the Mossberg MMR is a direct-impingment 5.56mm/.223 rifle like the original AR-15. The free-floating barrel is carbon steel and button rifled with a 1:9" twist rate. A single-stage trigger, black phosphate and anodized metal finish, and a Stark SE-1 pistol grip with an integrated battery storage compartment and oversized trigger guard rounds out the features present in each model of the MMR.

There are two different versions of the rifle: the MMR Tactical (M4-style carbine with a 16 1/4" barrel) and the MMR Hunter (designed for varmint and small game hunting with a 20" barrel and recessed hunting crown). Both versions are available in several different configurations.

The MMR Tactical, only available in black, has options for a fixed or adjustable stock, 30-round or 10-round magazine, and adjustable iron sights. Additional standard features of the MMR Tactical is a removable A2-style muzzle brake and a Picatinny quad-rail fore-end.

The MMR Hunter is available only with an A2-style fixed stock and 5-round magazine, but gives a choice of 3 different finishes — standard black, Mossy Oak Treestand camo, and Mossy Oak Brush camo. There is no muzzle brake, and the fore-end is tubular aluminum.

Retail prices range from $885 for the MMR Tactical without sights to $1010 for the MMR Hunter in one of the Mossy Oak camo finishes. Weight varies from 7 lbs to 7.5 lbs depending on configuration.

Mossberg may have been late to the AR-15 party, but their reputation for quality and the very reasonable prices, should make the MMR a successful foray into this highly competitive market segment.

From the Mossberg press release introducing the MMR:

Though referred to as the "modern rifle", the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle has been deployed with military personnel and law enforcement agencies for decades; and more recently, this very adaptable and versatile platform has become popular with recreational shooters and hunters alike. Mossberg is pleased to offer MMR Hunter rifles with advanced features specifically-designed for the avid hunter and a line of MMR Tactical rifles configured with the components most highly desired by competitive shooters and tactical operators. The initial offerings of the MMR Hunter and MMR Tactical rifles will be chambered in 5.56mm NATO (.223 Rem).

All MMR rifles feature a traditional direct-impingement gas system for reliable, smooth operation; free-floating, button-rifled, carbon steel barrels with 1:9 twist rates for increased accuracy in this standard military chambering; single stage triggers; and black phosphate/anodized metal finishes for enhanced durability. An oversized trigger guard allows for use with gloves. For a more positive grip and less shooter fatigue, these value-packed rifles feature Stark® SE-1 Pistol Grips with a convenient battery storage compartment. To further enhance operation of the MMR rifles, the charging handle is oversized for quick and effective engagement by right or left-handed shooters and the forward assist has been removed.

(continued at Mossberg.com)