The pump shotgun is a uniquely American invention.A serendipitous combination of reliability,effectivenss and low cost, these stamped metal contraptions are the baseline shotgun for most folks and a darn good choice for most.
Currently, there's four US made pumps, all of good repute. Here's a little compare/contrast info for folks getting into shotguns to use.
Presented in no particular order...
The Ithaca 37.....
Has been around since 1937, hence the name. The design was used before then by Remington as the Model 17, developed from a John Moses Browning patent. Lots of 37s are still found in cruisers, and they were esteemed in the jungle by infantrymen in the Nam Mess. The Deerslayer variant was the first dedicated slug gun.Popular with southpaws.
Downside, limited aftermarket stuff and the bottom loading feature makes it hard to tell if the action's open and safe on the range. They're also a bit more pricey.A steel receiver and great workmanship mean it'll last a very long time if maintained well.
The Mossberg 500 series....
Has been around since the 60's, an attempt to take over the 870's market share by doing all the 870 does but costing less.
The alloy receiver means a slightly lighter weapon, the tang safety means easy operation sinistrally,and the low cost helps make it popular.
The 590 and 835 series shotguns are derivative and what applies to the 500 also applies to the others with some exceptions. The 835 has an overbored bbl and 3 1/2" capability.
Downside. the alloy receiver may not last as long as a steel one.Unless you're a high volume shooter, say over 2K shells a year, wearing one out may take more than one generation of shooting.
The Remington 870....
Is the most popular civilian firearm ever made, with over 8 million out there. It was brought out in 1950 to be as smooth and reliable as the Model 12 Winchester and Remington 31, but made with stamped parts instead of machined ones for a much lower cost. 870s are famed for longevity and reliability. More aftermarket stuff is available than the rest combined. Probably 90% of the LE shotguns in the US are 870s.
Downside, QC has slipped at Remington in recent years. The older ones seem to be made better than newer ones, and the PC decisions to add a locking safety and to dimple the mag tube were made by lawyers, not shotgunners. New 870s are good shotguns, the older 870s are great ones.Upside to the downside, with 8 million made,there's lots of Cinderella 870s out there waiting for Prince Charming.
The Winchester 1300...
Was developed from the 1200 brought out to replace the model 12 when it was deemed the 12 cost too much to make. An alloy frame makes this one of the lighter pumps,and Winchester claims incredibly fast cycling.1300 owners are a devoted lot.
Downside, the 1200 failed to hold up to hold up under institutional conditions for my old agency, the MD Dept of Corrections. Those better maintained seem to be as reliable as any other shotgun, same for the 1300.The few I've fired have done all I asked.
A few things apply to all of the Big Four....
All are available with short bbls for HD and/or deer hunting.All are effective for same,in trained cool hands.
All can be had with choke tubes for versatility.
Same for 3" magnum capability, some for 3 1/2".
All will last a very long time with care. For every shotgun worn out by shooting, 100 are junked from neglect and abuse.
All can be fit to a particular shooter with little trouble by changing the stock. On pumps, this can be done by shimming between the receiver and the stock.
All weigh between 7 and 7 1/2 lbs in field models.
All can do just about any shotgun job if we do ours.
Hope this helps....
Currently, there's four US made pumps, all of good repute. Here's a little compare/contrast info for folks getting into shotguns to use.
Presented in no particular order...
The Ithaca 37.....
Has been around since 1937, hence the name. The design was used before then by Remington as the Model 17, developed from a John Moses Browning patent. Lots of 37s are still found in cruisers, and they were esteemed in the jungle by infantrymen in the Nam Mess. The Deerslayer variant was the first dedicated slug gun.Popular with southpaws.
Downside, limited aftermarket stuff and the bottom loading feature makes it hard to tell if the action's open and safe on the range. They're also a bit more pricey.A steel receiver and great workmanship mean it'll last a very long time if maintained well.
The Mossberg 500 series....
Has been around since the 60's, an attempt to take over the 870's market share by doing all the 870 does but costing less.
The alloy receiver means a slightly lighter weapon, the tang safety means easy operation sinistrally,and the low cost helps make it popular.
The 590 and 835 series shotguns are derivative and what applies to the 500 also applies to the others with some exceptions. The 835 has an overbored bbl and 3 1/2" capability.
Downside. the alloy receiver may not last as long as a steel one.Unless you're a high volume shooter, say over 2K shells a year, wearing one out may take more than one generation of shooting.
The Remington 870....
Is the most popular civilian firearm ever made, with over 8 million out there. It was brought out in 1950 to be as smooth and reliable as the Model 12 Winchester and Remington 31, but made with stamped parts instead of machined ones for a much lower cost. 870s are famed for longevity and reliability. More aftermarket stuff is available than the rest combined. Probably 90% of the LE shotguns in the US are 870s.
Downside, QC has slipped at Remington in recent years. The older ones seem to be made better than newer ones, and the PC decisions to add a locking safety and to dimple the mag tube were made by lawyers, not shotgunners. New 870s are good shotguns, the older 870s are great ones.Upside to the downside, with 8 million made,there's lots of Cinderella 870s out there waiting for Prince Charming.
The Winchester 1300...
Was developed from the 1200 brought out to replace the model 12 when it was deemed the 12 cost too much to make. An alloy frame makes this one of the lighter pumps,and Winchester claims incredibly fast cycling.1300 owners are a devoted lot.
Downside, the 1200 failed to hold up to hold up under institutional conditions for my old agency, the MD Dept of Corrections. Those better maintained seem to be as reliable as any other shotgun, same for the 1300.The few I've fired have done all I asked.
A few things apply to all of the Big Four....
All are available with short bbls for HD and/or deer hunting.All are effective for same,in trained cool hands.
All can be had with choke tubes for versatility.
Same for 3" magnum capability, some for 3 1/2".
All will last a very long time with care. For every shotgun worn out by shooting, 100 are junked from neglect and abuse.
All can be fit to a particular shooter with little trouble by changing the stock. On pumps, this can be done by shimming between the receiver and the stock.
All weigh between 7 and 7 1/2 lbs in field models.
All can do just about any shotgun job if we do ours.
Hope this helps....
