FWIW: Bur interesting:

ebutler462 · November 19, 2008, 02:04 PM

Gun Tests Magazine came in the mail today. They did comparison tests of the 870 Wingmaster and the 37.

They gave the Wingmaster a less than honorable grade due to quality control issues. It lists for $773 MSRP. The wood on the forearm and the stock didn't match in color. The finish had flaws in it. The center bead was so large that the front bead couldn't be seen. Their question was: Where has Remington's quality control gone to? Direct quote: "In our opinion, Remington let Express-type thinking leak through and contaminate the Wingmaster".

They also gave the Ithaca 37 a less than honorable grade due to the gun not shooting to point of aim and rough edges. It's MSRP is $859. Direct quote: "We think Itahca has the potential---but you are only as good as your last effort and we thin Ithaca needs to turn a critical eye to what they are doing right now". The chokes didn't fit properly and the trigger was defective. The gun was returned to Ithaca and I quote: Ithaca did not get it right the first time for us, nor did they get it right on the second attempt either.

They also tested a Browning BPS. MSRP: $566. As hard as they tried, they could find nothing wrong with it. Yet, it was the cheapest of the three tested. The factory chokes didn't pattern as well as some of the aftermarket chokes they tried.

Results:

870 Wingmaster: MSRP: $773. Marred by quality control issues.
Ithaca 37: MSRP: $859. Point of aim off and rough edges issues.
Browning BPS: MSRP: $566. A quality and performance standout by a large margin. Best performance and build quality by a large margin.

Now you have it, FWIW.

BigJimP · November 19, 2008, 04:07 PM

Interesting - thanks for sharing. I've been a big fan of the BPS for at least 30years.

Oilburner350 · November 20, 2008, 12:19 PM

I have been a fan of the BPS as well. I wish the original Ithaca 37 had a safety like the BPS.

November 19, 2008, 02:04 PM	#1
ebutler462 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 437	FWIW: Bur interesting: Gun Tests Magazine came in the mail today. They did comparison tests of the 870 Wingmaster and the 37. They gave the Wingmaster a less than honorable grade due to quality control issues. It lists for $773 MSRP. The wood on the forearm and the stock didn't match in color. The finish had flaws in it. The center bead was so large that the front bead couldn't be seen. Their question was: Where has Remington's quality control gone to? Direct quote: "In our opinion, Remington let Express-type thinking leak through and contaminate the Wingmaster". They also gave the Ithaca 37 a less than honorable grade due to the gun not shooting to point of aim and rough edges. It's MSRP is $859. Direct quote: "We think Itahca has the potential---but you are only as good as your last effort and we thin Ithaca needs to turn a critical eye to what they are doing right now". The chokes didn't fit properly and the trigger was defective. The gun was returned to Ithaca and I quote: Ithaca did not get it right the first time for us, nor did they get it right on the second attempt either. They also tested a Browning BPS. MSRP: $566. As hard as they tried, they could find nothing wrong with it. Yet, it was the cheapest of the three tested. The factory chokes didn't pattern as well as some of the aftermarket chokes they tried. Results: 870 Wingmaster: MSRP: $773. Marred by quality control issues. Ithaca 37: MSRP: $859. Point of aim off and rough edges issues. Browning BPS: MSRP: $566. A quality and performance standout by a large margin. Best performance and build quality by a large margin. Now you have it, FWIW.

November 19, 2008, 04:07 PM	#2
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Interesting - thanks for sharing. I've been a big fan of the BPS for at least 30years.

November 20, 2008, 12:19 PM	#3
Oilburner350 Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Posts: 102	I have been a fan of the BPS as well. I wish the original Ithaca 37 had a safety like the BPS.