which one would you choose and why
- Thread starter Bird3897
- Start date
Microgunner
New member
Depends on which mod 870. And isn't the Mossberg 835 an auto? Just checked, guess not. Not much into Mossbergs. I would choose a Remington 870 Wingmaster first, then the BPS.
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oneounceload
Moderator
What's a Winchester 870? Do you mean Remington? And if so, which version?
oneounceload
Moderator
IF you mean a Wingmaster, that is one thing; IF you mean a 870 Express, that is something entirely different
Grandpatime
Moderator
mossberg,,,,, Remington jams
Scattergun Bob
New member
Grandpatime
. Are you trying to say that 870's are not dependable?
Most jams in 870's or any other pump gun are OPERATOR error, if you are having problems, I can suggest a couple of good instructors.
1st 870 Wingmaster, 2nd BPS
Good Luck & Be Safe
. Are you trying to say that 870's are not dependable?Most jams in 870's or any other pump gun are OPERATOR error, if you are having problems, I can suggest a couple of good instructors.
1st 870 Wingmaster, 2nd BPS
Good Luck & Be Safe
rantingredneck
New member
1st, I have no experience with a BPS. I'm sure BigJimP will chime in shortly with his wisdom on that particular model. If not, PM him with any questions about it.
The 835 is rather "mission specific" for waterfowl and/or turkey. Meant for throwing large heavy payloads at longish shotgun ranges. 3.5" chamber and overbored barrel. Neither of which will you need for skeet or small game. I have one, good gun. You may want to consider the Mossberg 500 here instead.
The 870 is always a good choice. Older Wingmaster guns are particularly nice. Newer Express guns have reports of some chamber issues on occasion. Oft times solved by a good thorough cleaning as specified in the manual or a change to better ammo.
FWIW, the type of jam people complain about in new 870's I've seen more of in old worn-in Mossbergs (2 835's and one 500). Not sure why but I know 3 people in my hunting circle that have all had issues with theirs. Mine have not had any problems.
The 1300 I've played around with. Never owned one but shot several. Never has been a natural pointer for me and the gun feels lightly built.
I guess I'll go with my standard advice of either a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 depending on which fits you best and which control setup you prefer.
The 835 is rather "mission specific" for waterfowl and/or turkey. Meant for throwing large heavy payloads at longish shotgun ranges. 3.5" chamber and overbored barrel. Neither of which will you need for skeet or small game. I have one, good gun. You may want to consider the Mossberg 500 here instead.
The 870 is always a good choice. Older Wingmaster guns are particularly nice. Newer Express guns have reports of some chamber issues on occasion. Oft times solved by a good thorough cleaning as specified in the manual or a change to better ammo.
FWIW, the type of jam people complain about in new 870's I've seen more of in old worn-in Mossbergs (2 835's and one 500). Not sure why but I know 3 people in my hunting circle that have all had issues with theirs. Mine have not had any problems.
The 1300 I've played around with. Never owned one but shot several. Never has been a natural pointer for me and the gun feels lightly built.
I guess I'll go with my standard advice of either a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 depending on which fits you best and which control setup you prefer.
I've owned several 870s in both 20 and 12 ga. I've had Wingmasters and Express versions but none that were made in the last ten years. I've also owned Winchesters (one 120 and one 1300) and I've shot several Mossbergs. I've handled many Browning BPSs but never shot one.
For my experience and money, I would look for an older Wingmaster. I've never had a problem with any of them but the fit and finish seems to be a little better on the older guns and their actions are usually smoother from use. The BPS is a great gun and is also well finished but aftermarket support isn't as good as with the Remingtons and Mossbergs. The base model Winchesters aren't finished very well and aftermarket support is better than the BPS but not nearly as good as the other two. That said, my dove gun is a 120 and I shoot it very well.
I'm sure you're thoroughly confused now but it would be hard to go wrong with any of the guns you listed. Now it's just a matter of picking the one that you like the most.
FWIW - I've never had a pump of any kind that jammed. Any and all malfunctions I've ever had with them could be traced to operator error.
For my experience and money, I would look for an older Wingmaster. I've never had a problem with any of them but the fit and finish seems to be a little better on the older guns and their actions are usually smoother from use. The BPS is a great gun and is also well finished but aftermarket support isn't as good as with the Remingtons and Mossbergs. The base model Winchesters aren't finished very well and aftermarket support is better than the BPS but not nearly as good as the other two. That said, my dove gun is a 120 and I shoot it very well.
I'm sure you're thoroughly confused now but it would be hard to go wrong with any of the guns you listed. Now it's just a matter of picking the one that you like the most.
FWIW - I've never had a pump of any kind that jammed. Any and all malfunctions I've ever had with them could be traced to operator error.
lambertsteeth
New member
The bps puts the empties at your feet.
870 for me. The Mossberg 500 is a good enough general purpose gun, but the 835 is built on a 10 guage receiver and barrel to accomodate the 3.5" shells. If you plan on using those big shells a lot it may be fine, but they are too heavy and cumbersome for general purpose use.
The Browning would be my 2nd choice. They are a fine, often overlooked shotgun. You could make a good argument that it is the best pump made, but I'm just used to the 870.
The Browning would be my 2nd choice. They are a fine, often overlooked shotgun. You could make a good argument that it is the best pump made, but I'm just used to the 870.
unkleschilke
Inactive
BPS unless you are talking about a Wingmaster.
870 expresses are fancy tent pegs, but the Wingmaster competes directly with the BPS.
870 expresses are fancy tent pegs, but the Wingmaster competes directly with the BPS.
The Remington 870 is probably this forum's favorite shotgun. It's a very good shotgun, and is commonly issued to police. The Wingmaster and Police models are better constructed and finished. The Express models are more roughly finished and have some plastic and more cheaply made parts. It has a crossbolt safety, and loads with the carrier down, which I find obnoxious.
The Mossberg 835 is kind of an unusual option. If you don't have any particular use for a 3 1/2" shotgun, you would probably be better served by an ordinary Mossberg 500, which is also a very good shotgun. The Mossberg 500 is a little lighter than the 870 since it has an aluminum receiver, it has a tang safety, and it loads with the carrier up.
I'm not terribly familiar with the Winchester 1300.
The Browning BPS is really a beautiful shotgun. If you are left handed, this would be the best option. It has a tang safety, ejects shells straight down, loads with the carrier up, and is super smooth cycling. It's probably going to be smoother cycling than the other shotguns you mentioned.
Another really good option would be the Ithaca 37. Out of the pumps I've fired, it's my favorite. It's similar to the BPS, which was based on the Ithaca 37. The Ithaca is lighter than the BPS, is also very smooth cycling, and has a crossbolt safety.
Noyes is correct in that you should see which shotgun fits and feels the best. It really does make a tremendous difference. Also, make sure you try out the controls and see what works and doesn't work for you.
For example, I have small hands, which makes a lot of slide releases difficult to use, and I don't much like tang safeties. There's nothing wrong with tang safeties, it's just a matter of personal preference.
The Mossberg 835 is kind of an unusual option. If you don't have any particular use for a 3 1/2" shotgun, you would probably be better served by an ordinary Mossberg 500, which is also a very good shotgun. The Mossberg 500 is a little lighter than the 870 since it has an aluminum receiver, it has a tang safety, and it loads with the carrier up.
I'm not terribly familiar with the Winchester 1300.
The Browning BPS is really a beautiful shotgun. If you are left handed, this would be the best option. It has a tang safety, ejects shells straight down, loads with the carrier up, and is super smooth cycling. It's probably going to be smoother cycling than the other shotguns you mentioned.
Another really good option would be the Ithaca 37. Out of the pumps I've fired, it's my favorite. It's similar to the BPS, which was based on the Ithaca 37. The Ithaca is lighter than the BPS, is also very smooth cycling, and has a crossbolt safety.
Noyes is correct in that you should see which shotgun fits and feels the best. It really does make a tremendous difference. Also, make sure you try out the controls and see what works and doesn't work for you.
For example, I have small hands, which makes a lot of slide releases difficult to use, and I don't much like tang safeties. There's nothing wrong with tang safeties, it's just a matter of personal preference.
jaguarxk120
New member
Get either the Browning or the Remington Wingmaster. No other choice. All the other makes are made on a cost bassis, Winchester was designed with the idea on how cheap a shotgun can be made.