Best pump shotgun

getitdone1 · Post by **getitdone1** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:41 am

I don't know if there is a best but of the following which do you think is best, most reliable and easiest to pump?

Winchester model 12

Remington model 870

Ithaca model 37

I can't think of another pump shotgun that deserves to be included with the above. Can you?

From what I've seen over the years I think the Remington model 870 is the most popular with police and I also know it's the biggest selling pump shotgun of all. Very popular and highly thought of gun!

I had an Ithaca model 37, 20 ga. Had the barrel length shortened and Polychoke installed. Really should of kept that gun.

Any way you look at it the above mentioned pump shotguns are all great guns!

Don

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:49 am

Ya forgot Mosberg 500 or 590, dern good uns

Shasta · Post by **Shasta** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:56 am

getitdone1 wrote:
I can't think of another pump shotgun that deserves to be included with the above. Can you?

Don

Yes, the Browning BPS. It is high quality, reliable, and its tang mounted safety, bottom-feed and bottom-eject make it an ideal choice for the left-handed shooter as well as the right handed shooter. It can be had in many different configurations. I have two, a ten gauge for goose hunting, and a twelve for just about everything else.

SHASTA

getitdone1 · Post by **getitdone1** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:57 am

Yeah Pinky, I did forget the Mossberg 500 and know it's been pretty popular. How do some of you compare it to the bigger name pumps?

I also forgot the Benneli and wonder how some of you like it?

I also forgot Wards, etc.--intentionally.

Don

piller · Post by **piller** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:58 am

With the Mossberg added, I think the list is a great one. Affordable, easy to use, reliable, and they all look good. I have an 870 and a Mossberg 500A. I don't need anything else. There are more expensive guns, and most are great, but why spend more for something that I don't need.

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:12 am

My 12ga 870 field gun was fired more than 12k times before I was told You couldn't shoot trap and skeet with a pump.

. it never jammed once. if I could have only one gun it would be an 870 26" with screw in chokes and a slug barrel. My .02.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:15 am

getitdone1 wrote:Yeah Pinky, I did forget the Mossberg 500 and know it's been pretty popular. How do some of you compare it to the bigger name pumps?

I also forgot the Benneli and wonder how some of you like it?

I also forgot Wards, etc.--intentionally.

Don

What`s with the pinky Donald

I can't think of another pump shotgun that deserves to be included with the above. Can you?

.Dirty-.Thirty · Post by **.Dirty-.Thirty** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:25 am

Benelli Nova and SuperNova and the BPS are good additions!! .DT

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:12 am

getitdone1 wrote:Yeah Pinky,

Pitchy wrote:What`s with the pinky Donald

maybe he got pitchy and I mixed togther?

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:16 am

pokey wrote:
getitdone1 wrote:Yeah Pinky,

Pitchy wrote:What`s with the pinky Donald

maybe he got pitchy and I mixed togther?

I think your right Polka

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:22 am

Pitchy wrote:
pokey wrote:
getitdone1 wrote:Yeah Pinky,

Pitchy wrote:What`s with the pinky Donald

maybe he got pitchy and I mixed togther?
I think your right Polka

or it could be that red shirt in your avatar.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:27 am

pokey wrote:
Pitchy wrote:
pokey wrote:
getitdone1 wrote:Yeah Pinky,

Pitchy wrote:What`s with the pinky Donald

maybe he got pitchy and I mixed togther?
I think your right Polka
or it could be that red shirt in your avatar.

That ain`t pink that`s red

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:27 am

The 870 is the best.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:34 am

Old Savage wrote:The 870 is the best.

By Far!

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:10 pm

I like the 870 best and if you're left handed (I am) Uncle Mikes makes a left handed safety for them.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:52 pm

Another southpaw here. My lefty 870 is certainly a fine firearm, but finding them isn't exactly easy. I'm not sure when they were introduced, but dad gave my my first shotgun, and it was Mossy 500. It may eject right, but the tang mounted safety works well for lefties. So here's my take. If I were to get a shotgun just for trap/skeet/upland game, I'd go 870. If it's going to be used hard and or for duck/goose or any other "wet" persuit, I'd go Mossy 500.

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:18 pm

I like certain guns and that's just me. My preferences...

Ithaca 37*
Winchester M12
Remington M870
Winchester 1200/120/1300*

I've used others which worked, at least for me. FOR THE MONEY, as an all-around gun, I think the Remington 870 20 ga. "compact" or "youth" model with a shot and a rifled slug barrel is about the best you can get. If you have arms for it/or need it, the longer butt-stock can be installed with no problem. This gun will work with just about every member of your family of an age to handle a firearm. It is reliable. It isn't overly expensive.

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:23 pm

Have a Rem 870/Mossberg 535/Browning BPS /many Ithaca 37's
Just my results of what I own/use(to be fair never had the Winchester)

Quality-----Ithaca 37
Durability of use----tie(Ithaca 37/Rem 870)
Smoothness---without question---Ithaca 37
Slam fire capability---only Ithaca 37
Fanciest (but worst working action)Browning BPS
Just a good cheap working gun(Mossberg 500 series)
Best shooting with slugs and a smooth barrel---------don't need to even tell ya

Pick only one---------------------Ithaca!

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:27 pm

shot all that were mentioned....and all are fine guns.....
but my favorite, by far, is the Remington Wingmaster 870...
seems to be the smoothest and best handling....

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:28 pm

I definitely think the Mossberg 500 is a candidate for 'best pump shotgun'...!

About the only advantage I can see of a Remington 870 is that you can change to a larger magazine size, whereas with the Mossberg you're committed to a 5, 8, or 9 shot magazine from the get-go. I'd use a 5-shot for skeet/sport shooting due to lower weight, but for all other use I'd just as soon have an 8 or 9-shot - no real disadvantage. When I've used them for deer hunting, I only put in three shells, figuring if I haven't humanely killed Bambi by then, I either a) have more time to reload, or b) shouldn't be hunting if I'm that bad a shot. Still, no disadvantage I can see to the larger magazine.

Back when I decided to buy Mossberg instead of Remington, I was able to get a 5-shot AND an 8-shot Mossberg for the price of one Remington, so it seemed like the better way to go. Until one breaks on me (it's been 35 years so far), I'll not likely have any regrets for not getting the more expensive Remington.

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:47 pm

Friend had an 870 that went 50,000 rds in trap.

37 - I set the last one in the mag off with an ejecting shell, can't happen with an 870 and later the firing pin broke.

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 2:19 pm

OS----dude you are the only one I have ever heard of this happening.
I actually talked to the Company about this very episode you had(didn't use any names etc.)
They told me----(you had to have had your finger on the trigger and while motioning the action)you slam fired it?????????

Seriously OS----I called them(I wanted to know if this can happen to any of mine)they said with proper handling-----------NO

What year was yours???
Other than the slam firing thing(you say you didn't do this)so I believe you.

Was your gun new???? Is it possible(if you got it used)that someone prior installed an Model 87 trigger in it and not the usual M37 Auto-Trigger????????? That might cause this!
Just saying what their head gun shop repair guy said! (He said others have done this also)not aware they slam fired it.
Not saying you did------------only a follow up of what the pros told me of their product.
But note worthy--------They stated Slam Firing the weapon stresses the firing pin(and didn't yours have an issue??)Guess the Navy Seals have some issues of this in Nam when extended periods of the Slam Firing was done???????

Have any of you other guys had that happen.(who/when/where)--does Ithaca have record of this????
My one 1972 Ithaca Deersalyer Deluxe shot on sheet team with that gun from 1976-1998
Fiqure I have way over 50,000 rds threw that gun(not one issue)and it still shoots Win SuperX Slugs 3MOA at 100yds

My brother has/did/still does the same with his 1971 and has over 100,000 rds through it????????????

WCF3030 · Post by **WCF3030** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 2:31 pm

My only experience is 17 years with the 500-590 and 13 years with my inherited Stevens 20ga which has been the pot filler for 3 generations. Both perform without a hitch. The F.I.L. swears by the model 12 of which he has 16 in several different types and gages.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 5:05 pm

I like the mossberg 500's aluminum receiver. Low maintenance and no rust running around salt water in skiffs. It is lighter than other 12s too. Mine has 2 pistol grips on it and it's loaded for bear. I will put a laser on it so I can shoot from the hip.

My chicom 870 clone is a good shooter, I like the rifle type sights. It seems more prone to rust than the Mossy. I like the stock geometry, it is very comfortable to shoot.

I'm drifting to the one long gun approach, the 12 ga shotguns can and will do anything and everything I need them to do.

Grizz

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 5:33 pm

One of the first guns I bought on my own was the Mossberg 500. I still own it. It is a great shotgun. My father wasn't a big shotgun guy, so my exposure to them when I was young was limited. I shot a little trap recreationally in college using one of the school's Remington 1100. Couldn't afford one of those, but could get afford the Mossberg 500. Came with two barrels, the regular stock and a pistol grip stock, all for about two c-notes.

I've never owned a Remington 870, and understand that they have been the "go-to" shotgun for military and police for decades.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:41 pm

870

getitdone1 · Post by **getitdone1** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:43 pm

Pitchy wrote:
getitdone1 wrote:Yeah Pinky, I did forget the Mossberg 500 and know it's been pretty popular. How do some of you compare it to the bigger name pumps?

I also forgot the Benneli and wonder how some of you like it?

I also forgot Wards, etc.--intentionally.

Don
What`s with the pinky Donald

I can't think of another pump shotgun that deserves to be included with the above. Can you?

Pitchy,

What's with "pinky" is my mistake. Sorry.

Don

Marvin S · Post by **Marvin S** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:24 pm

Some of the old Savage pumps where good quality as well as the old High Standard flight king.

RustyJr · Post by **RustyJr** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:58 pm

Ill stick with a 870. I have a 3.5" with a 26" vented barrel. Currently have one with a 18" barrel and extended magazine on order. Its what I have used most of my life and its what I qualified with in the academy so I figure I stick with what I'm familiar with.

RustyJr

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:28 pm

FWIW Jr's 3 1/2" isn't as smooth as my 2 3/4".

buckeyeshooter · Post by **buckeyeshooter** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 5:33 am

Have a pair or model 12's (16ga and 12 ga) and a 12 ga. Winchester 97. I sold a 870 that I had 32 years and never shot even a single time.
I shoot the 97 a fair amount --- cowboy action shooting or wild bunch. The model 12's get used on trap and sometimes go hunting.
Never been an 870 fan, but shoot a remington 1100, 11-87 or mag 10 in the hunting field the most when a shotgun is needed.

M. M. Wright · Post by **M. M. Wright** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 6:02 am

Winchester model 12!

Still have my Dad's 16 and FIL's 16. Course I have a couple of 12s that I use.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 7:02 am

getitdone1 wrote:
Pitchy wrote:
getitdone1 wrote:Yeah Pinky, I did forget the Mossberg 500 and know it's been pretty popular. How do some of you compare it to the bigger name pumps?

I also forgot the Benneli and wonder how some of you like it?

I also forgot Wards, etc.--intentionally.

Don
What`s with the pinky Donald

I can't think of another pump shotgun that deserves to be included with the above. Can you?
Pitchy,

What's with "pinky" is my mistake. Sorry.

Don

No problem, i thought it was funny.

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 7:36 am

I only have experience with Browning BPS's in 12 and 20, never had a problem with them and they have been shot a lot

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 5:00 pm

Griff wrote:
Old Savage wrote:The 870 is the best.
By Far!

Yep!

BC in TN · Post by **BC in TN** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 5:41 pm

Ithaca Model 37 is a fine shotgun. The parts are mostly machined, not stamped and they are made in Ohio.

http://www.ithacagun.com/firearms.html

66GTO · Post by **66GTO** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:33 pm

870. I trained with one for over 20 years and never a malfunction that wasn't operator error. No reason to change now.

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 11:45 pm

Patrol Shotgun: remingtom 870 police magnum...with "old school" wood stocks...better "thump" factor... :)

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:22 am

I owned the following pumpguns:

Mossberg 500
Remington 870
Browning BPS
SKB 7300
Winchester 1300

I shot hundreds of rounds through each and settled on the Winchester 1300. It and the Mossberg both gave me 100% reliability but the Winchester was smoother operating.

stew71 · Post by **stew71** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:38 am

I still have the same Mossberg 500 that my dad gave me when I turned 14. Untold thousands of rounds have gone through it. It's survived being drenched in duck and turkey blinds, bounced around truck beds, and dropped overboard in rice paddies and never jammed or failed to fire. Lightweight and built like a tank, I've only had to replace the tang safety once in all those years. Up until last season, I was still using the original 26" modified-choked barrel for everything from ducks to skeet, but now, it finally has a new ribbed-barrel with a set of choke tubes and a sling so that it can ride across my back on the long ride to the blind.

It's the one walnut-stocked gun in the blind. Everyone else has some Plastic-Fantastic camo wonder gun and the ol' Mossy keeps shucking the shells.

dogngun · Post by **dogngun** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 7:03 am

Not the"BEST" as far as looks or fancy features, but to me, anyway, the best for ease of cleaning, solid reliability and the one I have chosen over the years in place of several other "better" guns...the Mossberg 500. I have owned one for most of the last 40 years, and never had any trouble with them.
The only shotguns I own now, and probably the last I will ever own...My 20 + year old Mossberg 500 and my 1923 Iver Johnson single barrel Champion 12 ga.

mark

86er · Post by **86er** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:15 am

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:58 am

Friends Call Me Ji wrote:I owned the following pumpguns:

Mossberg 500
Remington 870
Browning BPS
SKB 7300
Winchester 1300

I shot hundreds of rounds through each and settled on the Winchester 1300. It and the Mossberg both gave me 100% reliability but the Winchester was smoother operating.

I'm gonna go along with Ji on this one. Have no input on the 37 but between the 870's and the 1300's the 1300 is smoother and lighter to boot. As for the Mossbergs and the other tang safety monstrosities out there..........Yuck.

LK

BILLYDIXON · Post by **BILLYDIXON** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 9:01 am

I use 2 97 Winchesters to hunt pheasants in South Dakota, sometime a mod 12. I have never owned a 870 but when I worked as a gunsmith starting in 1980. Every 870 that came in for cleaning. I hardly ever had to replace parts in em. I do have a Rem. 1100 12 ga. Skeet gun I truly love to shoot. The 870 and 1100 have steel rec. And the trigger groups r 1
Piece. BD

getitdone1 · Post by **getitdone1** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 10:24 am

I'm surprised that several of you like the Winchester model 1300.

I've always associated them with about the time Winchester decided to build'em cheap--around 1964.

Tell me more about this gun. I'm always open to facts. If it's lighter--I like that.

On all pumps I've always liked the older, smaller forestock rather than the fatter beavertail type.

Also always thought it a plus if the forestock worked the action with two "straps" one on each side. Seems more durable and also equal pressure being exerted on both sides of action.

Believe I read that Remington has sold over 9 million 870s. That is far more than any other pump ever made. Tells you a lot. Their being a favorite with police also speaks well for them. Don't see how anyone could dislike this gun.

Don

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 11:23 am

I can't speak for all 1300's and I'm not up on all the technical jargin but the 1300 uses an aluminum receiver with a bolt that locks into the steel of the barrel. Similer but not quite like the light weight BLR's. That combined with the birch or beech "hardwood" stock on my late 80's Ranger model makes for a much lighter gun. How light? Not real sure but I can tell you that sighting in from a bench using 2 3/4" slugs from my 870 is tolerable, from the 1300 not so much. 3" slugs from the 1300? Sitting = painful, standing equal a large step back when you touch off a round. Oh, and still painful.

The 1300 uses dual action bars (I'm with you, cheap thing's use only one) and Ji and I aren't the only ones that can attest to the smoothness of this gun. My biggest issue with the 1300 is barrel selection. Shorter(21-22") Win-choke barrels are very hard to come by and cost more than I paid for the gun.

I'm not anti 870 by any stretch. Popular doesn't equal best in many cases and the 870 is no exception. Still it's a great gun with lot's of bang for your buck (i.e. great value). On today's market it would be the first place I'd look for a pump shotgun.

LK

CEMENTHEAD · Post by **CEMENTHEAD** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 12:26 pm

without question ....... Remington 870

Thanks, Tom

Cimarron Red · Post by **Cimarron Red** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 2:44 pm

I've always been a Winchester Model 12 guy, but I've also owned Remington 870's and I like them as well.

Interesting thing about the Ithaca Model 37 is that it was originally a Remington design, beginning life as the Model 17 Remington, produced in 20 gauge only from 1917 until 1933 with nearly 50,000 made. Some time later the patent was sold to Ithaca who introduced the gun as the Model 37 in 1937. The Remington 17 had a trigger interrupter that precluded slam-firing, but, of course, the Ithaca does not. BTW, the Model 12 can be slam-fired as well.

Moondawg · Post by **Moondawg** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 4:10 pm

I have been pumping an Ithaca Mdl. 37 20ga since 1963. It has never failed to fire, is smooth as glass, simple, with few moving parts, easy to clean, light and after all these years still works like a champ. I could not ask for more in a shotgun. It has harvested thousands of squirrels, birds and rabbits for me.

geobru · Post by **geobru** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:29 am

Model 12

The standard field gun just fits me. If I shut my eyes and throw the gun up to my shoulder, it is in perfect alignment every time.

The 16 gauge is a very quick shooter, but I have always wanted a 20.

Since the advent of steel shot, the 870 with removable chokes is a better choice IMHO because your not going to mess up a model 12 barrel with the hard shot.