Best pump shotgun?

alabama · February 9, 2011, 05:28 PM

If u could have only one 12 gauge pump to hunt in all conditions, and game from dove to deer what would it be and why?

BigJimP · February 9, 2011, 05:36 PM

Browning BPS Hunter model with a 28" barrel.

I think its the smoothest action on a pump gun on the market / 28" barrel does a lot of things well ....for clays, for feathers and for deer ...

I also like the Browning BPS - because it ejects hulls out of the bottom / the safey is easy to manipulate with gloves on - on top of the tang / and its stock is cast neutral ( so it doesn't favor a leftie or a rightie )....

To me, it does everything very well ..../and I happen to have one in 12ga and one in 20ga that I purchased in the late 70's ....and they're still solid guns ...with many thousands of shells thru them ( even though I don't shoot them much anymore ). I did take the 12ga out to the skeet range last week ...and managed a 23 with it ...

Recoiljunky · February 9, 2011, 05:53 PM

How about an 870 and have a bunch of money left over, mine and everyone I know hasn't ever had a jam of any sort and you can get just about anything you can imagine for them

bailey bud · February 9, 2011, 05:53 PM

The Wingmaster is an awesome pump shotgun.

I've shot Mossbergs, Remingtons, Winchesters, Ithacas, and a way-overpriced Benelli (all pump).

I'd have to say the Wingmaster is my hands-down favorite.

I'd say an Ithaca is worth a close look (which incidentally, has the same bottom discharge that Brownings have).

sirsloop · February 9, 2011, 06:07 PM

lol... can of worms opened up here.

jackpine · February 9, 2011, 07:00 PM

An older 870 remington 12 guage and If I can get them right an extra barrel or two. Easy to clean, easy to repair, reliable. I have not been impressed with the 870 express shotguns I've seen as of late but a lightly used express or wingmaster is not hard to find. At one shop they had three 1990's made 870's that were Ducks Unlimited banquet guns NIB for less than a 2011 production 870 can't beat that.

pabuckslayer08 · February 9, 2011, 07:11 PM

For do it all the 500 but I would like a Ithaca deerslayer for deer and a 887 Rem for birds. Im not a 870 fan so therefore the 500 is my choice for all around use

nefprotector · February 9, 2011, 07:29 PM

Winchester 1300

jaguarxk120 · February 9, 2011, 07:37 PM

The longest production run of any American shotgun. All steel and walnut.

The Ithaca Model 37, the 12 gauge for duck/deer, 16 gauge for upland game 20/28 gauge for smaller stuff.

Each gauge has it's own unique frame size and will handle as it should. And for those who don't like to carry heavy guns there is the Ultralight 12 gauge 6.5 pounds, 20 gauge 5.8 pounds.

No stampings --- no plastic

joegator · February 9, 2011, 09:11 PM

870

Recoiljunky · February 9, 2011, 10:24 PM

the 870 can also be used as a paddle for your boat. been there done that hahaha

hoytinak · February 9, 2011, 10:36 PM

My Mossberg 500 is the only shotgun I own so it's my "do-it-all" pump. I keep the 18.5" barrel on it for HD then put the 28" barrel on for trap shooting and pheasant/quail hunting....that covers all my shotgun needs.

Takeum · February 9, 2011, 10:37 PM

Another vote for the BPS Browning ! Great gun and shoots either hand...

Scattergun Bob · February 10, 2011, 02:43 AM

Remington 870, Mossberg 590, Ithaca 37, Browning BPS, Benelli Nova. Any of these are the best depending of the features and liabilities that you assess. We live in the golden age of pump scatteguns, rejoice and evaluate each.

Good Luck and Be Safe

Hog Buster · February 10, 2011, 11:06 AM

Ithaca Model 37.........The best pump gun ever made....

egor20 · February 10, 2011, 11:24 AM

+1 on the Ithaca 37.

BTW: the Savage 350 sure isn't an Ithaca, but it is bottom load/bottom eject and I don't use certain language when I bump or scratch the stock, like I did with my 37.

oneounceload · February 10, 2011, 01:25 PM

I'd prefer something other than a pump or the uses you mentioned - just me.

kozak6 · February 10, 2011, 03:02 PM

So then start a new thread

.

Another vote for Ithaca Model 37.

It's a super cool shotgun. The safety is a crossbolt safety, and one will feel if it's activated before one goes to shoot. The slide release is ergonomically placed for a right handed user and can be activated with the trigger finger without removing a hand from the shotgun. It's like that of a Rem 870, just placed for a right handed user.

It's a very smooth pumping shotgun. Smoother than the 870. Slightly lighter too. The roll engraving is a nice touch.

The bottom eject is super cool. Makes collecting hulls for reloading easy, and you don't accidentally pelt any of your buddies with them.

Older models will slamfire, meaning that if you cycle it with the trigger held down, it will automatically fire when it locks into battery. It can potentially speed up a followup shot, and is great fun for rattling off a bunch of shots in a hurry. Although it can be dangerous if one is unaware of it and is sloppy about gun safety.

gk1 · February 10, 2011, 05:56 PM

18 posts and no Winchester M12 or 1897 yet? Shame, TFL, shame!

Put me down for the Winchester Model of 1912, warts and all.

publius · February 10, 2011, 07:13 PM

Model 870, proven reliable design. Old ones are better.

blutob · February 10, 2011, 07:45 PM

Ithaca 37, surely the best pump ever made. I have a 1970 16 ga with deerslayer and 28" barrels that I used for many years for deer and pheasant hunting. The action is still just as tight and smooth as the day I bought it. I now use a Mossberg 500 for deer since I cannot mount a scope or buy sabot slugs for the 37 (16 ga). The Mossberg is a fine working gun, but does not compare to the 37.

No surprise, the M37 was designed by J Browning. It was originally marketed as the Remington M17. I have one of those also in 20ga that was passed onto me by my father.

ripnbst · February 10, 2011, 08:39 PM

Seemingly everything JB designed is everyone's favorite many years down the road.

olddrum1 · February 11, 2011, 03:29 AM

A Mosberg 870 BPS.

darkgael · February 11, 2011, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Ithaca Model 37.........The best pump gun ever made....

Yep. +...what? Five or six?

The Golden Age of pump guns......I like that.
Pete

maierar · February 11, 2011, 07:28 AM

Mossberg 500A is reliable, affordable, and infinitely versatile:

For under $750, a small game gun, a HD gun, a bird gun, a clays gun, and a larger game gun.

February 9, 2011, 05:28 PM	#1
alabama Member Join Date: February 7, 2011 Posts: 96	Best pump shotgun? If u could have only one 12 gauge pump to hunt in all conditions, and game from dove to deer what would it be and why?

February 10, 2011, 02:43 AM	#14
Scattergun Bob Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Location: Nine Mile Falls, Washington Posts: 1,186	Remington 870, Mossberg 590, Ithaca 37, Browning BPS, Benelli Nova. Any of these are the best depending of the features and liabilities that you assess. We live in the golden age of pump scatteguns, rejoice and evaluate each. Good Luck and Be Safe __________________ First, with the most, WINS! Regards, Scattergun Bob

February 10, 2011, 11:06 AM	#15
Hog Buster Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2009 Location: Pointe Coupee, Louisana Posts: 772	Ithaca Model 37.........The best pump gun ever made.... __________________ Those who beat their guns into plows, will plow for those who don't.-Thomas Jefferson

February 10, 2011, 11:24 AM	#16
egor20 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,824	+1 on the Ithaca 37. BTW: the Savage 350 sure isn't an Ithaca, but it is bottom load/bottom eject and I don't use certain language when I bump or scratch the stock, like I did with my 37. __________________ Chief stall mucker and grain chef Country don't mean dumb. Steven King. The Stand

February 10, 2011, 07:13 PM	#20
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	Model 870, proven reliable design. Old ones are better. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

February 9, 2011, 05:36 PM	#2
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Browning BPS Hunter model with a 28" barrel. I think its the smoothest action on a pump gun on the market / 28" barrel does a lot of things well ....for clays, for feathers and for deer ... I also like the Browning BPS - because it ejects hulls out of the bottom / the safey is easy to manipulate with gloves on - on top of the tang / and its stock is cast neutral ( so it doesn't favor a leftie or a rightie ).... To me, it does everything very well ..../and I happen to have one in 12ga and one in 20ga that I purchased in the late 70's ....and they're still solid guns ...with many thousands of shells thru them ( even though I don't shoot them much anymore ). I did take the 12ga out to the skeet range last week ...and managed a 23 with it ...

February 9, 2011, 05:53 PM	#3
Recoiljunky Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2011 Location: Jupiter, florida Posts: 233	How about an 870 and have a bunch of money left over, mine and everyone I know hasn't ever had a jam of any sort and you can get just about anything you can imagine for them

February 9, 2011, 05:53 PM	#4
bailey bud Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2011 Location: 1.5 miles above insanity Posts: 259	The Wingmaster is an awesome pump shotgun. I've shot Mossbergs, Remingtons, Winchesters, Ithacas, and a way-overpriced Benelli (all pump). I'd have to say the Wingmaster is my hands-down favorite. I'd say an Ithaca is worth a close look (which incidentally, has the same bottom discharge that Brownings have).

February 9, 2011, 06:07 PM	#5
sirsloop Junior member Join Date: January 13, 2011 Posts: 376	lol... can of worms opened up here.

February 9, 2011, 07:00 PM	#6
jackpine Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Posts: 351	An older 870 remington 12 guage and If I can get them right an extra barrel or two. Easy to clean, easy to repair, reliable. I have not been impressed with the 870 express shotguns I've seen as of late but a lightly used express or wingmaster is not hard to find. At one shop they had three 1990's made 870's that were Ducks Unlimited banquet guns NIB for less than a 2011 production 870 can't beat that.

February 9, 2011, 07:11 PM	#7
pabuckslayer08 Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2010 Location: South Central Pa Posts: 692	For do it all the 500 but I would like a Ithaca deerslayer for deer and a 887 Rem for birds. Im not a 870 fan so therefore the 500 is my choice for all around use

February 9, 2011, 07:29 PM	#8
nefprotector Junior member Join Date: December 3, 2009 Location: SE Alabama Posts: 701	Winchester 1300

February 9, 2011, 07:37 PM	#9
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	The longest production run of any American shotgun. All steel and walnut. The Ithaca Model 37, the 12 gauge for duck/deer, 16 gauge for upland game 20/28 gauge for smaller stuff. Each gauge has it's own unique frame size and will handle as it should. And for those who don't like to carry heavy guns there is the Ultralight 12 gauge 6.5 pounds, 20 gauge 5.8 pounds. No stampings --- no plastic

February 9, 2011, 09:11 PM	#10
joegator Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 537	870

February 9, 2011, 10:24 PM	#11
Recoiljunky Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2011 Location: Jupiter, florida Posts: 233	the 870 can also be used as a paddle for your boat. been there done that hahaha

February 9, 2011, 10:36 PM	#12
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	My Mossberg 500 is the only shotgun I own so it's my "do-it-all" pump. I keep the 18.5" barrel on it for HD then put the 28" barrel on for trap shooting and pheasant/quail hunting....that covers all my shotgun needs.

February 9, 2011, 10:37 PM	#13
Takeum Member Join Date: January 7, 2011 Location: Memphis, Tn. Posts: 26	Another vote for the BPS Browning ! Great gun and shoots either hand...

February 10, 2011, 01:25 PM	#17
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I'd prefer something other than a pump or the uses you mentioned - just me.

February 10, 2011, 03:02 PM	#18
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	So then start a new thread . Another vote for Ithaca Model 37. It's a super cool shotgun. The safety is a crossbolt safety, and one will feel if it's activated before one goes to shoot. The slide release is ergonomically placed for a right handed user and can be activated with the trigger finger without removing a hand from the shotgun. It's like that of a Rem 870, just placed for a right handed user. It's a very smooth pumping shotgun. Smoother than the 870. Slightly lighter too. The roll engraving is a nice touch. The bottom eject is super cool. Makes collecting hulls for reloading easy, and you don't accidentally pelt any of your buddies with them. Older models will slamfire, meaning that if you cycle it with the trigger held down, it will automatically fire when it locks into battery. It can potentially speed up a followup shot, and is great fun for rattling off a bunch of shots in a hurry. Although it can be dangerous if one is unaware of it and is sloppy about gun safety.

February 10, 2011, 05:56 PM	#19
gk1 Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Posts: 108	18 posts and no Winchester M12 or 1897 yet? Shame, TFL, shame! Put me down for the Winchester Model of 1912, warts and all.

February 10, 2011, 07:45 PM	#21
blutob Member Join Date: March 2, 2008 Posts: 70	Ithaca 37, surely the best pump ever made. I have a 1970 16 ga with deerslayer and 28" barrels that I used for many years for deer and pheasant hunting. The action is still just as tight and smooth as the day I bought it. I now use a Mossberg 500 for deer since I cannot mount a scope or buy sabot slugs for the 37 (16 ga). The Mossberg is a fine working gun, but does not compare to the 37. No surprise, the M37 was designed by J Browning. It was originally marketed as the Remington M17. I have one of those also in 20ga that was passed onto me by my father. Last edited by blutob; February 10, 2011 at 07:53 PM.

February 10, 2011, 08:39 PM	#22
ripnbst Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 1,552	Seemingly everything JB designed is everyone's favorite many years down the road.

February 11, 2011, 03:29 AM	#23
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	A Mosberg 870 BPS.

February 11, 2011, 07:28 AM	#25
maierar Member Join Date: March 9, 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 33	Mossberg 500A is reliable, affordable, and infinitely versatile: For under $750, a small game gun, a HD gun, a bird gun, a clays gun, and a larger game gun.