I've always used a SxS, but #2 son is looking for a 12 ga pump gun for hunting/ clays/home defense . Need something that takes choke tubes so he can use it for brids, clays and slugs for deer.
Recommendations?
Recommendations?
Pump shotgun recommendations?
- Thread starter delcrossv
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
PPS1980
Member
I'd stay away from the new Remingtons right now. I'm seeing fire sales on accessories and I'm afraid that support for them (the 870) is going to be hard to come by with the new owners. Mossberg 500 series have various barell arrangements that can be swapped out and they make a find HD weapon (mine is a 590 loaded with #4 in Cruiser configuration).
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Mossberg 500 has been flawless, with easy barrel changes.
Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
Rpg
Member
I’d look for a Winchester model 12: you can have choke tubes installed for a modest cost. The total outlay would be less than a new Mossberg.
The old Winchesters are much better guns than anything Mossberg produces.
The old Winchesters are much better guns than anything Mossberg produces.
90s or earlier non-express 870, ideally a wingmaster, either with a barrel threaded for chokes or with an 18.5 inch barrel. Just buy whichever barrel it doesn't come with separately, as wingshooting with an 18.5" isn't the most fun, and home defense with a 28" barrel isn't the smoothest, so you'll want both.
I've been having a great time over the last decade buying and trying out lots of pump guns and in the end I'm pretty comfy being an 870 person, I could never run the 500s/590s, Ithaca 37s, or others quite as fast or as smoothly. Until recently I'd have told you to buy one for each role, as even into 2019 I rarely paid more than 200 for one, but the times are different now. These are the two I have left, the police mag currently has a streamlight tl-racker on it.
I've been having a great time over the last decade buying and trying out lots of pump guns and in the end I'm pretty comfy being an 870 person, I could never run the 500s/590s, Ithaca 37s, or others quite as fast or as smoothly. Until recently I'd have told you to buy one for each role, as even into 2019 I rarely paid more than 200 for one, but the times are different now. These are the two I have left, the police mag currently has a streamlight tl-racker on it.
My son has used a 870 20 ga since he was a young man. It is the one on a 12 ga. frame so that tells you it is older than he is ( he is 39). I had choke tubes installed a long time ago. Grandson uses it now as my son has my in. 101 20 ga. DIL uses my 1100 12 ga.
No problems with either! I have a Mossberg 500 with 18" barrel that is probably 30+ years old. Set up for the mini shells with an adapter. A friend uses an Ithaca 37 12 ga. he inherited from his father. Sorry I can't help you with newer models. Old school here!
No problems with either! I have a Mossberg 500 with 18" barrel that is probably 30+ years old. Set up for the mini shells with an adapter. A friend uses an Ithaca 37 12 ga. he inherited from his father. Sorry I can't help you with newer models. Old school here!
rockquarry
Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2005
- Messages
- 8,494
- Reaction score
- 10,418
Hard to beat an 870 for everything you mention. Many, many used ones available and so are used barrels if you choose to get an extra or go with choke tubes.
For a home defense shotgun, they work well in a plain and simple configuration. Unless you're a gadgeteer or you're going to war, there is not really a need for lights, aftermarket sights or extended magazines.
If you ever want to sell or trade, an 870 will usually be more desirable and hold its value better than other similar shotguns.
For a home defense shotgun, they work well in a plain and simple configuration. Unless you're a gadgeteer or you're going to war, there is not really a need for lights, aftermarket sights or extended magazines.
If you ever want to sell or trade, an 870 will usually be more desirable and hold its value better than other similar shotguns.
Have had a bunch of pump shotguns over the years. My shot gun for things that go bump in the middle of the night is a Mossie 590.
12G.
It handles great and having the safety up on the tang works out well. It holds nine shots and I load it to first fire 5 00buck followed by 4 slugs. (I live where there are bears around and I want the gun to handle anything I want it to.) Other barrels are cheap and get one with tubes for other purposes.
12G.
It handles great and having the safety up on the tang works out well. It holds nine shots and I load it to first fire 5 00buck followed by 4 slugs. (I live where there are bears around and I want the gun to handle anything I want it to.) Other barrels are cheap and get one with tubes for other purposes.
Echo40
Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2017
- Messages
- 4,031
- Reaction score
- 7,821
I recommend the Mossberg 500 or Maverick 88 for an inexpensive, working-man's Shotgun.
My personal go-to for a Pump Action Shotgun is the Mossberg 590 Shockwave. It's compact, lightweight, easy to maneuver around with in cramped quarters, and most of all, it's an extremely cool range gun.
However, a more conventional Shotgun with a should stock is probably a better choice.
My personal go-to for a Pump Action Shotgun is the Mossberg 590 Shockwave. It's compact, lightweight, easy to maneuver around with in cramped quarters, and most of all, it's an extremely cool range gun.
However, a more conventional Shotgun with a should stock is probably a better choice.
dusty3030
SWCA Member
For a brand new one I'd pick a Benelli Super Nova with the comfort tech stock. You can change out the comb height as well as shim it to help the fit as well as adjust length of pull. Also comes standard drilled and tapped for an optic for use as a slug gun. Rugged as all get out. I have one set up as a dedicated turkey gun - no complaints after many years of use.
SuperNova Pump-Action Shotguns | Benelli Shotguns and Rifles
2nd choice on a new one would be a Mossberg 835 Turkey / Waterfowl combo. The 28" barrel for bird clays and bird hunting, the 24" barrel for of course turkey but also would be a fine defense set up and with the right choke good for slugs. You could keep a set of sights or a red dot on it just for that.
835 Ulti-Mag - Combo Turkey/Waterfowl | O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
SuperNova Pump-Action Shotguns | Benelli Shotguns and Rifles
2nd choice on a new one would be a Mossberg 835 Turkey / Waterfowl combo. The 28" barrel for bird clays and bird hunting, the 24" barrel for of course turkey but also would be a fine defense set up and with the right choke good for slugs. You could keep a set of sights or a red dot on it just for that.
835 Ulti-Mag - Combo Turkey/Waterfowl | O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.
Tell him to look for 500 Combo Field/Deer#54243. A set of 5, brother, my 2 nephews, wife, myself. The Worst gun shoots 3 inch groups at a 100 yards with rifled slug. It has the quite carry set up, dual combs, one flat, one for scope use, with a cantilever scope mount, we all put on 3 X 9 Bushnells. When I lived in Pa and Bucks county changed to shotgun in 1990???. I live there till 93 then moved to Michigan, in those 4 seasons I took about 50+ deer,Game Commission were begging people to take Doe, I did!! Neighbors, relatives, friends all had Venison. We were using Winchester Supreme 3" slugs, and they worked well. The guns never had any problem between the 5 of us, rain, snow, sleet. I did take a few at 125-150 yards, the gun is capable, as long as the shooter is. We bought cases of ammo. Even with the current insanity they can be had with both barrels for under $500.00. They got used hard, mine the hardest with out problems. It worked great for Turkey, upland bird, clays, and home defense- pull the plug, 20" barrel, 8 rounds. Be Safe,
Faulkner
Member
Just to put a different perspective on your feedback, millions of Remington 870's have been made for well over 50 years so getting accessories or support shouldn't be a problem. Even if "Remington" doesn't temporarily provide warranty service, 870's are not that hard to make work and if I find one at a bargain I'd certainly snatch one up.
When Winchester stopped making Model 70's and Model 94's, accessories and support didn't disappear.
When Colt stopped making Single Action Army / Peacemakers, accessories and support didn't disappear.
When the U.S. armories were shut down and M1 rifles were no longer made, accessories and support didn't disappear.
I would not be the least bit hesitant to buy a new or used Remington 870.
Right now in my part of the country, used pumps are very hard to find and the price has skyrocketed. People are buying them for home defense and cutting the barrels back.
If you can find one, a used 870, Ithaca 37, Winchester 1200 or Model 12, or Mossberg 500 would be a fine gun. If you can find a youth model in 20 gauge, they are wonderful starter guns. In fact, they can last a person forever.
My dad gave me a 1200 in 1963 and I still use from time to time.
If you can find one, a used 870, Ithaca 37, Winchester 1200 or Model 12, or Mossberg 500 would be a fine gun. If you can find a youth model in 20 gauge, they are wonderful starter guns. In fact, they can last a person forever.
My dad gave me a 1200 in 1963 and I still use from time to time.
I bought a Remington 870 in 1966 and I still have it. It went through a lot of shells because I was an active trap shooter in my teens. If you can find a used one at a reasonable price I'd say grab it.
Flattop5
Member
You cannot beat an Ithaca Model 37. I have owned 5 over the years. Never had one jam! Not one. Great guns. All steel. What's not to love? You can find one used, in good shape, for maybe 250 or 300. It'll last you a lifetime. Make sure there's no rust in the gun before you buy it. Bring a flashlight/bore light.
http://black-talon.org/RKBA/SG/M37_x_6_1000.jpg
---------------
http://black-talon.org/RKBA/SG/M37_x_6_1000.jpg
---------------
I would recommend a Browning BPS. Very smooth action and bottom eject with a tang safety. Mine has been flawless for the last thirty years.
Lots of great info already posted, who doesn't like a Remington or Mossberg 
. But I'd still like to add that from a quality/engineering/reliability/accuracy standpoint, the best 12 gauge pump action currently available is probably the Fabarm STF/12. And the system is extremely versatile. You can pretty much put together whatever you need, from a pistol grip shorty to a high-capacity long-barrel precision shotgun. I think most of the options are not available in the US (because of regulations?), but at least one basic and quite inexpensive (for an STF/12) configuration is available. If you're interested in a new, performance oriented take on an old and well-established type of gun, it might be worth a look.
Having said that: Cheers to my Dad's 40+ years old Wingmaster! Still looking good!
. But I'd still like to add that from a quality/engineering/reliability/accuracy standpoint, the best 12 gauge pump action currently available is probably the Fabarm STF/12. And the system is extremely versatile. You can pretty much put together whatever you need, from a pistol grip shorty to a high-capacity long-barrel precision shotgun. I think most of the options are not available in the US (because of regulations?), but at least one basic and quite inexpensive (for an STF/12) configuration is available. If you're interested in a new, performance oriented take on an old and well-established type of gun, it might be worth a look.Having said that: Cheers to my Dad's 40+ years old Wingmaster! Still looking good!
gregintenn
Member
I'd say Ithaca 37, but since you want choke tubes. I'd steer you toward a Browning BPS. Same thing; different name.
Similar threads
