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Old July 12, 2011, 05:24 AM   #1
Slugo
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What is your favorite pump gun...

and why?!? I'm pretty new to them and recently purchased a 20 gauge Browning BPS. Although, an older 870 Wingmaster would be sweet...
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Old July 12, 2011, 07:18 AM   #2
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I really like my old JC Higgins model 20 and High Standard model 200. They are basicaly the same gun but it's so true about what everyone says about a gun fitting the person. I also like the fact that they are under rated and inexpensive. Great shooters and easy to work on.
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Old July 12, 2011, 07:25 AM   #3
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As a LH, I once owned an Ithaca 37, but then soon discovered O/U's
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Old July 12, 2011, 09:20 AM   #4
oletymer
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I have a BPS and two Ithaca 37s. The Ithacas are my favorites. They are built like the older guns, all steel parts. The BPS has some stamped parts but is better than the other new designs.
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Old July 12, 2011, 09:27 AM   #5
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Model 12 Pigeon
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Old July 12, 2011, 09:40 AM   #6
.300 Weatherby Mag
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Model 12 / Model 42
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Old July 12, 2011, 09:45 AM   #7
drew332
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My favorite pump gun is my 14 inch 12 gauge Mossberg 590A1 shotgun with Surefire 621FA Weaponlight, Hogue Youth Stock, and 3GunGear.com 7-shot nylon side saddle:



And seen below with my 5.56mm Rock River Arms Entry Tactical Carbine:



She's a beast! Short and maneuverable in close quarters, solid and strong, she eats everything I feed her!

Last edited by drew332; July 12, 2011 at 09:50 AM.
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Old July 12, 2011, 10:02 AM   #8
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There are lots of good ones, but my personal favorite is the Remington 870.
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Old July 12, 2011, 10:13 AM   #9
BigJimP
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Browning BPS - either the Hunter or the Trap model. I have Hunter models in 12ga and 20ga that I purchased in the late 1970's - that are still very solid guns ....after 50,000 shells apiece thru them easily....at both clay targets and a lot of upland birds and waterfowl ( and as training guns thru 2 boys / and now 4 of the 10 grandkids I have ....and when the other 6 grandkids reach 12 yrs old or so ....they'll all have a chance to shoot the 20ga BPS ) ...

So they've held up thru a lot ...

but I have other 20ga, and 28ga and .410's for them to shoot too.

But the BPS is cast neutral / safety is on the top of the tang - so its easy to reach even with heavy gloves on in the field. The BPS has a smooth action - bottom ejection...

Last edited by BigJimP; July 12, 2011 at 12:22 PM.
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Old July 12, 2011, 10:47 AM   #10
Hawg
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Winchester model 12 followed by Winchester 97
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Old July 12, 2011, 11:37 AM   #11
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Or, whatever is in my hands when I need it.
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Old July 12, 2011, 12:20 PM   #12
BigJimP
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What gun and why ....and part of the discussion should be whether you want a pump gun as a "field" gun, a clay target gun, a defensive gun or as a Tactical - Fighting gun ...or maybe some combination of one or more uses....

Personally, I have no need of a shotgun for a tactical or a primary defensive weapon.../ if, I need something for defense, I'll depend on my 1911 in .45acp...

but I think intended usage - affects this inquiry a lot.

I'll also share that a number of my youngest sons buddies ( guys in their late 20's and early 30's ) have all bought Remington or Mossberg tactical, short barreled, pump guns with fixed open cyclinder chokes - extended mags, etc. Most of them - when the guns were first purchased - put 5 or 6 boxes of shells thru them/ some of them put a few boxes of "00 Buck" or slugs thru them ...and only in this limited sample, because I ask when I see them - they like to talk guns - none of them have fired those guns in well over 3 yrs ...because they aren't that much fun....

the fun in shotgunning ...for many of us ...is in clay targets ...

I do go to a tactical shooting class once a yr or so -- for 2 or 3 days ---but its always based on one of my handguns ( usually a 1911 / sometimes a revolver ...). But everybody in the gun hobby - has different interests / different tactical experience / some of us "old dogs" have been doing this a long time and have a lot of shotguns and other guns ...some guys are just getting into this or back into this hobby ...

So lots of reasons for various choices...
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Old July 12, 2011, 12:23 PM   #13
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I have a Mossberg 500, Weatherby Patrician II, Remington 870, Winchester 12 and a Winchester 1200. My favorite is not necessarily the best of the bunch. it is the one I have hunted with the most and owned the longest. It is the Winchester Model 1200 with the Winchoke system.

For years, all the experts claimed it to be a poor gun. It has never let me down.
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Old July 12, 2011, 01:01 PM   #14
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My all time favorite pump shotgun is my Remington 870's. I have a couple
Wingmasters and one Police Tactical without any tactical mumbo junk on it. Just a nice 7 shot 870. I shoot trap, skeet, sporting clays, and hunt with all of them.

I was issued a mossberg for several deployments and being, what I call, a true shotgun lover, I used this piece of equipment because it was issued, not because I liked it. If worked, it functioned, it performed in deadly sitations, but I never liked it the way I do my Remingtons.

Further, I bought and many years later sold a Mitchell High Standard 12 gauge pump shotgun. I don't recall the model number but it held 7 rounds, had rifle sights with the front sight being hooded. I absolutely loved this gun and regrett selling it. I've looked and looked for one like it but have never found one. I bought this shotgun for use in Law Enforcement. It was knocked around, banged, dropped, beat up on ranges and I loved it.

But, as my first paragraph stated, my overall favorite is the Remington 870.

BC
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Old July 12, 2011, 01:44 PM   #15
Dave McC
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The 6 most favorite pumps for me are.....

The 870.

The 870.

The 870.

The 870.

The 870.

And the famed 870.

I also like Model 12s, 97s,37s,1200s,1300s, 500s.

But first and foremost, the 870......
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Old July 12, 2011, 03:04 PM   #16
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Favorite has to be the Ithaca 37.
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Old July 12, 2011, 03:44 PM   #17
markj
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Quote:
Favorite has to be the Ithaca 37.
Yes for sure, liteweight very nice gun. Got mine for 200.00 I had a old win 97 but it bit my hand bad Dad shot it fine but his hands were smaller than mine. Had a 1200 full choke, loved that gun I would wait till everyone missed then unleash the long range gun knocked em down every time. Have a 1300 an early one maple stock and all that, I use it for deer with a rifled barrel, I hit em hard with that one. I had an 870 express, too heavy and cumbersome for me. Moosberg in a 500 20 ga is also a good one I own.
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Old July 12, 2011, 04:09 PM   #18
Clifford L. Hughes
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Sllugo:

When I shoulder my model 12 Winchester trap gun, 1955 vintage, I get the feeling that I'm shouldering steel and walnut, not alloys and plastic. The bluing is rich and pleasant to look at. In other words a mans gun.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery sergeant
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USMC Retired
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Old July 12, 2011, 05:54 PM   #19
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amen Sarge! I couldn't agree more. Here's an old 870 Wingy 30" plain barrel that I owned. Steel and wood with literally no plastic...

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Old July 12, 2011, 06:53 PM   #20
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I like the 870 also. Well made, dependable and all wood and steel.
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Old July 12, 2011, 07:11 PM   #21
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Lots of good ones out there !!!

Well, of what I think is the best, I'd say it's the BPS 20ga. upland, However, I too have a special place in my heart, for the Ithaca 37. It's the only one that I would buy back. ......

Twenty years ago, I sold a 12Ga. with plain barrel with the intentions of getting a 20Ga. with vent rib. You know what they say about good intentions..


Be Safe !!!
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Old July 13, 2011, 12:31 AM   #22
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My Ithaca Model 37’s, one in 12 gauge and one in 20. Thousands upon thousands of rounds fired thru them, never a misfire, never a problem. Many ducks, squirrels, quail, dove, rabbits, etc. and a bunch of hunting memories. Both purchased new in the 60’s for less than $100.
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Old July 13, 2011, 10:05 AM   #23
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For me its the Ithaca 37 I have one in 12,16,and 20ga.
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Old July 13, 2011, 11:50 AM   #24
batmann
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I am on board with the Browning BPS. I have two, one a Hunter model that has seen it's share of Goose and Duck hunting and 'Tactical' with polymer stock and extended mag. The older Remington 870's were great, but not sold on the newer ones.
I just cleaned my 'Tactical' after a session at the range and it is all steel, except for the stock.
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Old July 13, 2011, 11:54 AM   #25
Slugo
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Ithaca 37, Winchester 12, Remington 870 Wingmaster and the Browning BPS. The rest are, well, just the rest!
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