I am partial to the Remington 31

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Vote Responsibly

I'm also a Remington fan. Currently have a 870, will eventually have others.

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John 14:6, Luke 21:11

My 12 ga. & 20 ga. model 12's.

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S&W Accumulator

Winchester mdl 12 machined out of good steel and not stamped out sheet metal. My dad paid $40.00 for my first mdl 12, 20 g with a
modified choke.

I'm a fan of the 97.

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Even older, even crankier....

I have everything on the list except the Rem 31 and Ithaca 37. I am still partial to the Model 12 Win.

I've never owned nor used a Rem 31, I'd like to find one.

I've owned all the other brands and all gave plenty of value and were good shotguns.

I have Model 12's, a 16 and 12 currently. They will always be my favorite.

I had one "other" brand and boy was it a hunk-a-junk.....

I've had many different pump guns over the years, and like most others, I like both the Win M12 and the Rem 870. But my favorite is the Win M1200, as I have used it the most, and is one of three pump guns I still have. The other two are Win M12s (12 and 20).

Say what you want,I have three Mossberg.two of them are pump shotguns an four shotguns in all.Guess that tell you where my heart is when it comes to shotguns.

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Life is short,live it fully.

I believe that the Remington 870 is the most reliable and rugged pump shotgun ever made. But when it comes to trap shooting there is no pump that comes close to the feel and balance of the Winchester Model 12.

My brother inherited his father-in-law's Ithaca 37. I loved the gun when I shot it, as he did.

When my brother died it went to his daughter, who likes it very much.

I can't even hunt anymore, and I'd love to have one.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Mine is a Winchester 1300 XTR 12g with a modified choke. Its lightweight and has the smoothest action I have ever seen on a shotgun

I started on an 870 in 1958 and used one for 10 years before I shot a Model 12. I really like the Model 12 but I always short stroked it; therefore, I went back to the 870 and it has been my favorite forever. I have owned and tried Mossberg and Ithaca 37 but the 870 wins the day

Mossberg 590A1 9 shot with ghost ring sights.

I've owned several shotguns over the years, but none now. The Remington 870 was my favorite, followed closely by the Mossberg 500.

The 500 is the only pump-action I've used, so my vote is hardly well informed, but it's been a good trap shooter for me.

I like the M37 because it is as slick as a M12 and a lot lighter to carry. There is nothing wrong with a M870 but I just like the M37 the best. I'm not sure which of the 3 would shoot the most shells before it died. Larry

M37 Ithaca fan here

Remington 870 Wingmaster.

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2B1ASK1

Wow, the results, so far, of the poll really suprised me. I thought for sure the "Perfect Repeater" Win. Mod.12 would be way out in the lead.

It is for me, anyway.

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Been up since before breakfast

I really liked my Ithica. Especially after I got a short improved cylinder ribbed barrel. The original barrel I got with it was the longer full choked smooth barrel. I put a scope and peep site on it which didn't interfere with my hip shots and quick bird shots since I practiced with the gun so much before I installed them. I also smoothed out the action parts with a fine stone which made the action really much smoother than stock and found a weak spot when I was shooting gualandi slugs while sighting in. The weak spot was the pump tube was spot welded to the actuator arm broke so I brazed it back on for what proved to be a permanent fix for me.

Those G Slugs proved to be excellent with that gun with the shorter improved cylinder barrel and patterned around 3"'s at 100 yards for me. I never shot a deer at that range though it was always much closer. I found out that the barrel needed to float, so when installed properly the cap that secured it must be tightened all the way and then backed off to the next locking detent so the barrel felt loose. Tightening the barrel too much was wrong.

I went skeet shooting quite a bit with my family and standing next to my cousin who had the Remington Semi Auto everyone agreed I could faster and hit targets. They couldn't get over how smooth the action was and how fast it could be pumped without losing aim.

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

I was never big into shotguns. They play a specific role so I have 2. Both are Remington 870 police magnums. Cost me $200ea.

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870 Remington works well. This one's a TC trap gun from the '60's. Finished and checkered in the Remington custom shop.
Bob

I have owned many shotguns over the years. My 1st choice is the
Win 12. The Rem 31 and Ithaca 37 are also fine shotguns. These
guns are all milled parts guns and really are way out of the class
of the stamped parts guns. There is no doubt the 870 Rem was
on the top of the heap in this class for years. The quality of Rem.
guns has slipped to the point that Moss 500 series is a contender.
Who would have thought 50 yrs ago, that Moss would be a sales
leader? A lot of the old milled guns have been passed on, in
hunting families as much as 5 generations. They have very little
problems if maintained properly. These new pumps have degraded to the point, with poor QC, to have problems right out
of the box. I guess we will see who wins the race to the bottom.
Anyone got a Pigeon Grade Noble?

Remington 870 express aka The Boat Paddle gun.....great waterfowl gun.

Mossberg 500 set up for Deer..moa of deer at 100 yards.

Remington 760 30.06 fantastic deer rifle.

That's the pumps in my safe.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

I and my son's have been trap shooting and hunting with a variety of different 870 Wingmasters in 12ga and 20ga for over 40 years. I have never had one fail me yet.

The only other shotgun I have is a Browning Auto 5 from the 20's that is a family gun that I am currently in possession of. It will be passed along to one of my son's or grandson when I croak.

I'd put the 97 Winchester at the top as a favorite of mine,

I also like the Winchester 42,,I have a couple of those.and the Remington Model 10 a couple of those too including a V/R Trap.

For some reason The Winchester M12 has never caught my attention though there's no doubt about it being a fine pump shotgun. Just those personal likes again.
I've never owned a M12 nor another fine pump the Rem 870. Go figure..

I like the odditys of the market I guess. I do like the Marlin hammerless pumps, currently a M43Trap. It's a complicated and somewhat fragile machine so it wouldn't ever make the top 10 all time best,,but I like it
.
Another couple lesser knowns I have and like are the Meriden 12ga pump and the Stevens Model 200.
The latter chambered in 20ga 3", the only chambering the gun was ever made in. Short mfg life about 3 years 1912/1914 there abouts.
Not many around.

Savage Stevens 67

My all time favorite is a Remington model 17 , 20 ga.
Love it best of all .
Gary

For us southpaws, the Ithaca Model 37 has downward ejection which is potentially safer for the eyes (I can buy more guns........eyes, no).

Have had a bunch of pumps over the years, but my favorite was a brand new Ithaca 16 Gauge I got at age 14 to go hunting. It was the old style so slam-fire was available. That was the gun I used to learn skeet shooting, it had a Polly Choke and I did all right with it. As I got better I traded it off and got a 1100 Rem 12 Gauge SA, but I really have to say 37s are my favorite pumper!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I don't think you can go wrong with an 870 or two

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.............SmithNut

Your poll lists the Remington M-760. That's a rifle. I'm sure that you mean the M-870.


No one mentiond the Browning BPS. The queston is about American pump shotguns. Isn't it qualified, although made abroad? Do any of you own one?


I voted for the M-870 but recent ones often have a QC problem, like all else from Remington. But plenty of older ones are around, for reasonabe prices.


If I had the money, I'd get a Japanese (Miroku) repro of the Winchester M-12 in 20 ga. Some have been marked Browniing, some as Winchesters. It'd matter to me to find a Winchester.

I also like the 870.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

My favorite is the Remington Model 17 in 20 gauge. My Dad bought one from a family friend who bought it new in 1920. It passed on to Me in 1960 when My Mom got My Dad a browning A5. It then became the Ithaca model 37.

Interesting: It should be noted that the frequency of a model being mentioned doesn't sync with the poll!
Jim

Had one of those......Only shot buckshot & Turkey loads in it(22" bbl/laminated wood)...Wore it slap out in 10 years...Gone now.

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S&W Accumulator

870s for me.....

I like the 870. My current is a mid-1990's Marine Magnum. It will outlive me I'm sure.

I voted for the Ithaca 37, Bottom load/eject, slamfire, lightweight all pros,
I have 3 in 12 gauge one of which is a Deerslayer with iron sites and a 20 gauge hiding in the back of the safe somewhere ..LOL,
BTW...Had a chance to buy a nice long magazine Police model last year for $400 and hesitated...still kicking myself for that blunder DOH !
(This is one of my favorite Ithaca pics but alas they are not mine)


PS saw they are ofering the military trench version again but IIRC costs like $1200 NIB from Ithaca (no slam fire)

That being said the Ithaca does have its shortcomings one of which has already been mentioned by Scrapper that the pump tube is spot welded to its (single) actuator arm and is prone to breaking, Had this happen on one of mine years ago and when it happens your gun is out of service as there is no second arm as a backup.
Lastly the design of the magazine does not allow for extending the magazine tube like the 870 etc.

If I had to choose one shotgun to take to an alien planet probably would be my Remington 870 in 3" Magnum with extended mag tube and factory top folding metal stock.

Mine is the Winchester model 12 in 16ga on a true 16 ga receiver

Is a Perfect companion to a Browning Sweet 16

Try shooting skeet with a Remington 760 sometime and you'll find out how good a shot you really are.

I hear you bud. I always like reading peoples opinions. I don't always agree but I try to keep an open mind. I read where one member had at one time owned several. I live nowhere near where shotgun hunting takes place and I have owned @50 over the years and as I tally them up in my mind, I probably have 10 to 12 now and I am not a shotgun guy.

I am a Winchester man. No gun company ever came close to the quality of early Winchesters ever. None were even close. The model 12 is the finest hand built production pump shotgun ever produced. There are no close competitors. Before a model 12 left the factory it was subject to over 3,000 hand inspections according to the model 12 experts. I forget how many machining operations were involved in the guns production but it was extensive. Virtually all parts were hand machined. Their ventilated rib design was actually milled into the barrel rather than a soldered on design. That being said that does not mean there are not other fine shotguns out there. The early Remington 870 MAY be more reliable in the mud and the muck as tolerances are looser, a necessity for combat guns. I have never owned a Mossberg 500 but I have repaired a few over the years. I have owned several Remington model 31's and they are neat guns and a great design. They had a great reputation for durability. I keep my eye out for model 31's.

Winchester model 12's are hand built masterpieces.

Remington 870's are relied on in every corner of the world and for a production gun it is highly reliable. The early models. The newer guns can have issues.

The Mossberg 500 series has been the first gun for many future gun nuts. It is also reasonably priced to allow Joe homeowner to afford one just because and not break his budget.

The Winchester model 42 makes grown men whimper. What an elegant sweet shooting 410. This model has cult followings.

The Ithica 37 is another interesting pump gun. Made mostly from milled steel its fit and finish is far below some but not its reliability. I never warmed up to it, though I have owned a half dozen or so. I think it is because of that hideous roll engraving.

As I said I am not a shotgun guy. Keep up posting I enjoy the good reading.

hi forum;

seems to me that some folks pushed the button for their choice but then didn't post anything..........

Ithaca M 37 for me....first deer on my own....solo hunt in southwestern NY....age 15.... Ithaca 12 ga but with long FC barrel running slugs. Loved that shotgun. Bagged that first solo deer so close to the Pennsy line that I had to drag that deer out (after field gutting) Uphill cause if I went downhill I would have been in PA and their season wasn't open yet.

Read an article long ago about one of the Champion Show Circuit shooters running a pump gun (can't recall if Winny , Rem or Ithaca) but his statement was (while shooting doubles..low house..high house) "If you can hear the pump action then it isn't me shooting...it's a rookie" He was so fast that people thought he had an O/U and it was true...one could not hear him even work the action!

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

I owned a 31 many years ago. Very smooth, easy shootin' shotgun. Was offered almost twice what I paid for it and it had a new owner. Have owned many different pumps over the years; my first was a 20 gauge Mossberg 500. Presently there sits in my safe 12 and 16 gauge WingMasters.

I have owned a couple of 870s over the years and relied on one daily on the job. My wife still shoots am 870 Light 20. Had a Mossberg 835 that a friend eventually talked me out of to replace an 870. Had a 97 16 gauge I should have kept. Learned wingshooting with a High Standard operating under the alias J.C. Higgins.

Bottom line: of all my pumps, the 1942 Ithaca 37 16ga and 1952 12ga will be the last I let go, because I hit better with them than the others.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I have a Remington 870 12 gauge SP that I like a lot and it's the only pump shotgun I have. I also have my Dad's Remington 1100 Skeet model 12 gauge in semi auto and I love that one too. The Remington 760 is a pump rifle and the Remington 870 is their pump shotgun.

The Ithaca 37 is the obvious choice for a southpaw like me.

Other - Browning BPS. Beautifully made shotgun. (I know its not american made)

Have a Win 97, Mossberg 500, and pre-war Model 42. I have shot lots of Rem 870s, Ithaca 37s, Nobels, and store brands, but those Japanese BPS' are a steal for the money.

37's for me, got a half dozen in various configurations.