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The best pump shotgun
This will absolutely be an opinion thread but may be fun; I'll start.
I have owned and used Winchester 97s and 12s and 1200s, Mossberg 500s, Browning BPS, High Standards, Ithaca 37s, Savage 67s, and Remington 870s. Of all of these, I'll go with the Remington 870 with the Ithaca 37 a very close second.
How about you?
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I like the Winchester md 12 but the Ithaca 37 comes close
Gmsharps
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I looked long and hard before buying my first pump shotgun. Talked to a lot of people, including a lot of old timers.
I never did hear of anyone who really had anything bad to say about Remington Wingmaster 870's.
I have 3 now. Started with a 20 ga, had the stock trimmed to fit my small stature at the time. I inherited my Grandfathers Brother in laws 16 ga. Plain barrel, no rib, was made in the first 3 or 4 years production. And later when I was wanting to get into the shooting trap game. I found out I had a first cousin a year older than me that had an 870 special trap in 12 ga. Extra high comb on stock, higher rib, 2 beads on the rib.
All 3 have served me well over the years. I have yet to have a significant problem with any one of them.
All are the old original Wingmasters, not the cheaper express versions.
I will never sell one.
The 12 ga has stood behind my bedroom door loaded with 7.5 shot for over 24 years. Fully loaded, 4 in the tube, one in chamber, but with the action half open. No way it can go off my accident. You would have to push the safety over, push the forearm forward and pull the trigger to get it to fire. But it can be done in less than a second. Safe, secure, yet instantly ready at need.
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ah Mann, Pick One ? I have 3 Favs, the 97 Win. The 1200 or 870 Ford Chevy debate, & I'm still loving my 20ga. Ithaca featherweight delux from when I was 21 y/o ... PS I love my O/U ers Too! unclemikeinct
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Like most things that depends on application.
For trapshooting with a pump Winchester Model 12 hands down.
For lefties Ithaca 37
For cowboy action Winchester 97
For hunting Winchester Model 12 with a very close second being a Rem 870.
For modifiable for the tacticool stuff the Rem 870 with the Mossberg 500/590 a very close second.
For extreme cold weather or home defense the Mossberg 590 with its center safety is hard to beat. The Rem 870 is a very close second.
If I could only have one it would be a Winchester Model 12.
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I have a Win 97, an Ithaca 37, and an 870…the 37 is my favorite - it’s just so slick to run.
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The only use I have for a pump is as defensive weapon. The Mossberg 500 was what I picked...so it must be the best. Had three, now down to two. A friend wanted one when the peaceful protests broke out and offered me $1000 for one of my tactical guns. I sold it to him for $750.
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A topic dear to my heart! Best is subjective, the 870 has to be close if not it. It’s a solid gun that handles like a much more expensive gun. The M12 is a fantastic gun, but expensive and complex to build. That is true for the M37 and it’s sire, the Remington M17 as well as the Rem M31. The Later Winchesters that replaced the M12 were decent guns and handle well but were doomed because they weren’t M12s! I have never owned a Browning pump other than the M12 copies. Their bottom eject gun has never felt “right” to me so I have never bought one. Mossbergs fall into that same “feel” thing, and I don’t like the top safety. The design borrows heavily from my loved M31, it’s mostly the stock dimensions and aluminum receiver making the balance weird for me, I guess. Solid built guns, just don’t work for me. Same as the BPS.
So, I love the M17 (and the 16 ga M37 and M12s) but the bottom loading causes many people issues. The M31 was an improved M17, that improvement was primarily the side ejection port, market wanted it, I see the advantage. Flightkings point well and are well built but never made in volume.
My vote is the Remington M31 as best pump gun ever built. I want to say the M42 was the best, but only 410 bore is not very practical. The one gun I shoot the most is a M17 with checkered wood and a solid rib , made in 25. I think it is best for me, but long out of production.
The current Ithaca M37s are fine guns, but the lack of a side port and cost work against it in the general market.
The 870 probably deserves the title due to cost effectiveness and it (Wingmasters) performs almost as well as the M12 and M31 while being designed for manufacture rather than being hand fit.
All above is about field or clay shooting, no opinion on 3 gun stuff.
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My BPS gets the nod over my 870 Wingmaster, except for the past few decades I've been more into the O/Us so the BPS and 870 don't come out to play too often anymore. That being said, I've always coveted my buddy's M12 Heavy Duck...
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1st place is Ithaca 37, followed by the REM. 870. Of course in my case, gauge is the definitive criteria as to what gun comes in first place. No company that know back in the 60’s made a 16ga like Ithaca that was scaled just for the gauge without being too heavy or light. The Ithaca 16ga “featherweight was in a class of its own where a 12ga in that model was too light and kicked like a mule to a youngster. The 870 in a 20ga or 12ga was perfect for all the other task being proportioned just right for the intended tasks. Of course I’m not a big fan of 12ga 3” shotguns and consider them specialized tools for turkey and waterfowl. My .02
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For me it's the Remington 870 Wingmaster all the way.
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Have 3 favorites, the Rem 870, Ithaca 37, and Mossberg 500. I have one of each. The 870 was inherited from my little brother, the 37 came from an estate auction, and the 500 was purchased from a coworker because it was so cheap. The 500 is a 12, the other 2 are 20's. Would love to have a 16 37 Featherweight, though I have never seen one.
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Only owned Marlin hammer sg’s, 1897s, Model 12s and a Rem 870 slug gun [wish I still had it- traded it for a Woodsman]. The Model 12s are the slickest, 1897s the coolest but the 870 was the most recent made. Should be the easiest to fix. I’d vote the 870 is the most practical but the ‘97 is the coolest. See what I mean. But the M12 IS the classiest.
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My top three.... 870, 870, and 870. In that order.
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20 gauge Model 12 was my first one I had then a Rem. 870 20 gauge. Loved the 20 ga. Ithaca 37 that a friend of my dad's let me shoot. The Ithaca is still my favorite even though I don't own one.
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I have an 870 Express Magnum, whatever that is.
It has a 20-inch rifled 12-gauge barrel, but I have never shot it in that configuration.
I have a smooth bore 26-inch for it I got off of gun Broker.
I originally bought it for deer hunting, but only problem, I never go deer hunting.
Well, I needed some kind of excuse to buy it.
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I’ve only owned 870s and they served me well.
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870s 12s mossberg 500s ithacas are all great guns. Wouldnt be ashamed to own any and have owned at least one of each through the years. today i have one 870 one 500 and my favorite. A 20 gauge special field straight gripped browning bps. Its the last shotgun id get rid of.
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870 Wingmaster for the long haul.
Model 12 for looks and old school craftsmanship.
762
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Ithaca 37. Bottom load and eject makes it ambidextrous, easy to take down, and no disconnector gives most of them made up to the 1980s the ability to be slam fired if needed. Based on a design by JMB, the Rem 17 shotgun.
Noah
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browning is similar to the 37 with bottom load and eject.
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I have owned a lot of pump shotguns, 1 st place I would rate the M 12 and the 870 Wingmasters a tie, 2 nd place would be a Ithaca 37 and a Win. 1300 for their lightness and speed.
I know a lot of votes for the Mossberg but I have owned them in all gauges and have had parts break on all of them plus the Hi Standard Flightking.
Jedman
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I own two Mossberg 500's a 12 ga. and a 20 ga. I am a lefty. The 20 ga. is 47 years old and has never let me down. The 12 ga. is 40 years old and the plastic safety button broke on it. I replaced it with a metal one and it has served me well.
That said I think the Browning BPS is a better gun. I think the Remmington 870 is a great gun but not for southpaws.
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Remington 870, any model, all the way for me. Mossberg second, if I had to. Either are great guns. As was stated earlier, application will drive this commentary, oh, and nostalgia for certain brands and models, that has a lot to do with choices. As always, just my opinions.
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still kick myself in the but for not buying a 12 gauge upland special when they were still being made. They even make a run in 16 guage. I should have grabbed one of them too.
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Few threads have had such agreement on any subject! I like the 870, 37, and 500 in that order, but find any of the three very acceptable!
DG
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Ithaca M-37 20ga, +595 ;)
I've owned/shot all of the above pump shotguns over the past 55 years, and a few that I shouldn't have (like a Noble) - but my 20ga Deerslayer is my keeper for local shotgun season for deer.
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I've had a Mossberg 500 12 ga taking a beating since the 80's, just works, gritty, frozen, whatever, I do clean it when rained or dusted dirty real bad, detail strip once a year. I've had a Winchester 1200 and a Rem 870 but the TOP SAFETY on the Mossberg 500 works best for me. I've got Mossberg 500's as truck guns in 3 different trucks. A 20ga Bantam, a 12ga Turkey gun and another 12 ga with 20" barrel. I like the short barrels but with a the choke tubes, usually a modified in the gun. The Mossberg 500's seem to be lighter than most other pump shotguns, lots of different barrels available and price has always been very reasonable.
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Definitely subjective and also there are varying measuring sticks to use but I’ll give it a shot. The Ithaca 37 is my all time favorite and is built the best(IMHO). The 870 is a flawless operator and probably has the most aftermarket accessories. The Mossberg 500 just works and used to be a bargain. The Winchester M12 is a legacy gun and again fits and feels comfortable and the Winchester 1897 just looks darn cool !
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I always take the Mossberg 500/590. Just for the safety placement
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Remington model 17 , 20 gauge pump ... my most favorite to take afield for birds or small game .
Very light , slim , trim and points naturally .
My Grandfather bought it in 1929 and all he ever hunted was "Birds" ... and that meant Quail !
But on rabbit , squirrels and crows ... it gave a good account of itself .
The Remington model 17 (John M. Browning designed) is my favorite ...hands down !
Gary
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My favorites are my 1897s, my best is Remington 870 Wingmaster and Special Field. My main HD shotgun is Mossberg 500.
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I have three pumps, all 12ga. an 870 Wing Master 2 3/4'' 28'' VR Mod. plus a 20'' smooth bore rifled slug barrel with sights and choke set I bought new in 1967 and still looks new, other than I added a 2 shell extension. A 1953 Ithaca 37 2 3/4'' 30'' full and my baby, a Ithaca 37 ''Magnum'' Model that came with a 30'' Full VR barrel that now has a collection of barrels, a 26'' VR with choke set, 20'' smooth bore Deer Slayer, 20'' rifled Deer Slayer, and a 20'' riot barrel, I got everything covered with that gun!
My baby with 20'' smooth bore ''Deer Slayer'' barrel. Lovely combination for buck and ball!
Attachment 295569
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I can't say anything bad about the 870s they are a wonderful shotgun , but I made a choice earlier in life to go with the 500s and I have never regretted it . I don't even feel bad about ruff handling them .
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Might not be the best but I got this J.C. Higgins for my 16th birthday in 1955. It has killed a slew of quail and rabbits never failed me. It is a 12 ga.. with ventilated rib and has four choke tubes. Now my son has it and his son will get it later.
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I found a nice HS Fliteking at Cabelas two years ago. It really is a great shooting and smooth shotgun even with its weird unremovable barrel.
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For the price Benelli Novas are pretty nice. I'd put them with the Mossbergs 500's and Remington 870's.
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Remington Model 870 Wingmaster for me, followed by the 16 ga Ithaca Model 37 Featherweight. I don't like the safety in front of the trigger guard on the Winchester Model 12/1200/1300.
I have owned and hunted with several Mossberg pumps, what turned me off of them was doing monthly PMS when I had the armory on my first ship. They tend to be a PITA to take apart and put back together for no reason. That and the fact there are about ninety seven different versions of the basic model 500 with single or double slide bars and length of mag tube.
I did have a Marlin Model 120 Trap gun that sort of resembled a Model 12, it was a very good 16 yard gun.
Dad had a 16 ga that worked okay, I don't remember if it was a JC Higgins or a High Standard, but it worked.
Robert
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I own a passel of pump guns and would say that I started with a model 12, 16 gauge 50 odd years ago and over the course of time have usually used them for the following purposes. Winchester 12 for Trap, Remington 870 for Skeet, Ithaca 37 Featherweight for upland hunting with a model 12 bringing up the rear for goose and duck.