Versatile Pump Shotgun

C

cjc

New member
I'm planning on getting a pump 12 ga. this spring, to replace my old worn gun. I looking for a good all around gun. I mostly hunt grouse, but may go after a duck or two and a turkey every now and then, plus I head out and shoot a few clays once or twice a month during the summer.

I looking to keep the cost down so I'm considering models by Mossbergs, Remingtons, or Winchesters. So my question for you all is:
Considering the three companies just mentioned, what are the pros and cons of their pump shotguns?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
Well.
What I did was to read the archives here for a week or two and then bought a used 870. Then I bought another used 870 a couple weeks later! I am thrilled with my SG's.
These were my first ever SG's although I'd handled (never fired) a friend's Mossy. I have put at least a thousand rounds through these used guns now (I have not had them a whole year yet) and they seem to get better every time I take 'em out.
If I wanted another pump (and I do) it would (and will be) another 870.
There are others here with tons of expertise (hence the value of the archives) and if you're lucky a couple of them will pop a note in here for you.
I would not wait though. Use that search and happy reading!
Mike

edited for spelllling
 
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Let me start by saying I have 18 shotguns in my safe. I have owned and carried and shot other shotguns that for one reason or another now belong to someone else.
That said: your first shotgun should be a Remington 870. a good used one might be better than a new one. There are other good shotguns out there by the major mfgs but none as universal as the 870.
 
An old friend of my grandfather has had only one gun for as long as I can remember, an 870 with a 28 barrel and a 21 inch slug barrel. He uses it on everything from barn rats to deer.
 
While consensus is that the 870 is king of the hill, most people will agree there is nothing wrong with a Winchester 1300 or a Mossberg 550 (?).

The only thing I don't like about the 870 is the placement of the safety on the trigger guard. The other two have the safety on the top of the receiver, right under your thumb.

That said, I got used to the 870 safety and that's what I use now.
 
the name brands will work

they are pretty much the same, if you ask me. just play with a couple in the store to see which one fits you best, and which one swings the best. these brands are all reliable upgrades are readily available for each.

stinger
 
I was going to post a new thread, but decided to join in on this one. Am looking at several 870 wingmasters, the one that is in nicest shape has a 30" full choke barrel. I'm pretty new to shotguns. I have shot some informal trap - I used a Savage O/U with the .22 combo. It was a .20 gauge, pretty short barrel dont know what choke that would be.

Anyway, the guy recommended the other gun that had a 28" barrel and modifed choke which he said would be easier to shoot well with. This is what I would be using it for:

1. Very informal trap shooting - launching pigeons off my hiside property. Various ranges

2. Shooting various inanimate objects

3. Potential HD gun (very unlikely that it will ever get used)

Which length barrel should I get - and which choke. I specifically want a used 870 preferably with nicer wood (wingmasters..)

- Makarov
 
Forgot to mention the 870's are $220 for either

There is also an Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge $150 ( it is a private individual not a shop)

Savage 720 (like a Browning Auto-5) $150 (well used)

Is 16 gauge dead? Found limited choice in that type when I went shopping for some for my father-in law a while back. Was surprised.
 
If you have the extra $50 or so, get the Remington 870, HANDS DOWN. I doubt any will disagree with me.

You get your money's worth with the Mossberg but have to put up with inferior fit, finish, workmanship, as well as a fore-grip that rattles like a baby's rattle in the field. But you also get a lighter gun with similar reliability and the safety is good for lefties even though it's mounted in a poor position.

The Remington will be a bit heavier but you get a steel receiver, better placement of the safety and bolt release and a quieter action.

Mossberg might talk tough (mil-spec and all that crap) but they aren't as refined.

I'll say I cannot find fault with the Winchester. I'd buy it before I bought the Mossberg because I think it's a smoother action. You also get the plus of having an aluminum reciever which makes the gun lighter and handier...

Now for the kicker... I shoot ITHACAs.
 
Winchesters and Mossbergs are darn good shotguns.

The 870 is a GREAT shotgun. Best I can figure, I've shot close to 50K rounds through personal and duty 870s over the years,about 43 years TBE. ZERO glitches, even with abused and neglected agency weapons.

I suggest a used, long bbled 870 with a 28 or 30" bbl for sport, and a 18-20" bbl(with rifle sights if possible) for deer and "Serious" work. Such a setup should run less than $400 and will feed and protect several generations of your family.

Or,try the Turkey bbls, 21-23" for a starter 870. Unless you're doing slugs for deer, one 870, one bbl will cover all the bases nicely.

I love the 16 gauge, but ammo selection and availability leaves me less than enthused. Stick with a 12 for versatility.
 
I've got two 870'2...My first was an Express w/ 20" slug barrel and 28" bird barrel. After seeing the 870 Special Field in a local shop, I considered getting a straight gripped English stock and cutting down another bird barrel to make my Express the ultimate "combo" (deer, waterfowl, upland), but I had an open slot in the gun safe so I opted for the Special Field. It is lighter than the Express (or the Wingmaster for that matter) by virtue of it's shorter mag tube and smaller forehand grip. It also "feels" lighter and quicker.

I've never had a problem with either 870. Can't say the same for my old Mossberg.
 
Dave McC or others...

What about choke selection? The older Wingmasters I have been looking at have a fixed choke. I really like the one with 30" barrel and full choke, but am worried that it is too restrictive for general purpose use. Like I said, I just want to shoot informal trap and general shotgun plinking (shooting Mac Classics etc.. don't worry I clean up the mess). Will the full choke be that much harder to hit clay pigeons?

- Makarov
 
The only thing I don't like about the 870 is the placement of the safety on the trigger guard. The other two have the safety on the top of the receiver, right under your thumb.
Click to expand...

The Winchester safety is also on the trigger guard, but up front instead of in the rear.
 
Makarov

I personally would get the 30" full choke. You said yourself that it is in better condition for the same price. I wouldn't think that this is the best HD choice but for general plinking it would be fine. It might make hitting pigeons a little harder at close ranges but that is why we practice.

It seems that the 28" Modified is more ubiquitous (there may be a good reason for this) but I seem to always go for something different. Also I am a waterfowler by nature so the 30" full appeals to me.

As always MHO
 
Choke selection can be a bear. A Modified choke is better all around. However, for learning trap a Full has much to recommend it. The tighter pattern will MAKE you learn to hold tighter.My TB edges Super Full, and I shot 23 and 24/25 today on the two rounds of singles I shot, after a coupla doubles rounds.There's no big red S on my chest either...

And, some judicious load selection can alter any choke just about one increment tighter or looser. Use cheap field loads to open up a pattern, trap loads to tighten one nicely. The AA Heavy Target load of 7 1/2s is an outstanding long dove killer, while any cutrate generic load of 8s does well on quail.

Reloaders can open a pattern by going to a slightly faster load. Follow the manual.

In your shoes, I'd spring for the Full choke bbl'd 870 and start saving up for a Remchoke bbl from 23-26" for upland work.Meanwhile oyu can have fun and start grooving in that swing.

HTH.....
 
The only thing I don't like about the 870 is the placement of the safety on the trigger guard.
Click to expand...

The safety location is what I do like about the 870. I think it is the ideal location. A lot of people like Mossy's safety on top of the receiver but I'm not one of them. Unless you're a lefty, I think a safety on top of the receiver doesn't make a lot of sense. #1, it isn't right under your thumb. Show me one shotgunner that rests his thumb on top of the receiver while shooting. The thumb is more naturally wrapped around the grip. #2, it therefore requires an extra motion to fire the gun: Move the thumb to the safety. Move the finger to the trigger.

When the safety is more properly on the trigger guard, in the same motion that the finger goes to the trigger it flicks off the safety. One less motion, pure and simple. Seconds can be everything.

I also like the 870 over the Mossy for what the other poster said about the rattling forends that the Mossy is known for and to a lesser extent Winchester, too. If you ever want to use the gun for any stealthy hunting application in the woods, your gun will be rattling so much, you might as well blow a whistle and yell, "Hey, (turkey) (deer) (squirrel) I'm over here (run) (fly) like heck!"

My favorite shotgun is my Browning A-5 (also with the safety where God and John Moses Browning thought it should be, behind the trigger :D ). But, my favorite pump is a Remington 870. One is my pretty shotgun and the other is my working shotgun. But, they're both sturdy, reliable guns.

Randy
 
Ok, I gotta be the strange duck here. Faced with that selection I would take the Ithica in a heart beat. Why? Because everyone has a 12 gauge 870.:p
 
Sheez, I thought I was coming out of the Closet with my Ithaca!

Truth be told, I criticize the Ithaca on several points BUT STILL LOVE THEM.

1. The slam-fire feature is an asset for a security gun, a serious defect for a sporting arm. A gun to do both should not be slam-fire. The newer, non-slam-fire guns lower the hammer if you keep your finger on the trigger. That too is BAD in either a sporting or security gun. Training will solve this.

2. You cannot single-load the Ithaca easily as on the 870. Dont' get me wrong, I can still shoot Trap with it but it takes some finesse. The 870 allows me to just drop a round in the open action and slide it closed.

3. You cannot extend the magazine on the Ithaca. It's what you get from the factory and nothing more. (also true of most Mossbergs)

4. The buttstock design is flawed. About 20% of the 37's out there have cracked buttstocks. Most are split in the grips.
 
Always been a Mossberg guy,;) get a 500 or a 590. Best SGs out there IMHO. You can extend the magazine capacity of a Mossberg, company called Knoxx at www.knoxx.com .

nsf003
 
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