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161 - 180 of 244 Posts
You guys can say what you want about which pump is "best".
As several have already pointed out, we're all right.

...however...

I do know of the WORST pump action shotgun.
I know because I grew up shooting it.
My dad's J.C. Higgins Model 20.
12 gauge, full choke, plain 28" barrel with a recoil pad.
If he didn't have the pics to prove it, I'd never believe he used to shoot doves with that beast.
I grew up shooting upland in Eastern Washington and that thing was about as unweildly as a 16 inch navel gun...about as heavy, too.
I finally had to tell Dad to leave that thing at home, since he preferred his 11-48 (until he got the 1100 lightweght, that is).
Gawd, I hate that gun! (and my brother, apparently, feels the same way!)

DeanMk
 
Bushmaster that is an awesome pic., you have done well.

Classic, I'll bring a 12 and some 20's, I don't have a 16ga pump . . . yet.
 
Hmmmmmmmmm.
Best? My Grandfathers 1897 with the 30" full choke and no recoil pad and my Dads Polychoked Sears model 20 with a recoil pad.
Best for three reasons.....first because they belonged to them.....second they have never failed to function........third because they are now mine. I suspect that in not too many years they will be passed on to my sons...
Another reason they are the best is the additional fact they were built in the USA with materials grown and produced in the USA............ My guns...my best..my opinion....... Larry
 
I've stated my perference on this thread several times as the Model 12, and have been roundly countered by the 870 Wingmaster fans. All in fun. Suddenly I realized that I hadn't been thinking correctly with my preference for the Model 12. It is actually my SECOND favorite. My hands down favorite and new vote for the the best of all time is the WINCHESTER MODEL 42!!
 
DeanMk said:
You guys can say what you want about which pump is "best".
As several have already pointed out, we're all right.

...however...

I do know of the WORST pump action shotgun.
I know because I grew up shooting it.
My dad's J.C. Higgins Model 20.
12 gauge, full choke, plain 28" barrel with a recoil pad.
If he didn't have the pics to prove it, I'd never believe he used to shoot doves with that beast.
I grew up shooting upland in Eastern Washington and that thing was about as unweildly as a 16 inch navel gun...about as heavy, too.
I finally had to tell Dad to leave that thing at home, since he preferred his 11-48 (until he got the 1100 lightweght, that is).
Gawd, I hate that gun! (and my brother, apparently, feels the same way!)

DeanMk
I've also stated my favorites (Ithaca M37, Browning BPS, Remington Wingmaster, Win 12, in that order) but like you I also have a least favorite of all time. A Mossberg 500 in .410 gauge that my Father in Law gave our son. It constantly jammed, rattled and was ill finished, and had a sharp report and recoil for a little gun. I quickly moved him to an Ithaca M37 in 20 gauge and got rid of the Mossberg. A couple of years later I got him a BPS 12 gauge which is his favorite gun today.
 
i can not attest as to which is the best pump gun ever made, because somehow i have only managed to buy 870 remingtons, they fit me and i like the way they look. the only thing that i can say about the best pump gun ever made, is that i hope to be able to try them all at some point so i can thoroughly confuse myself while blissfully trying to decide which is the best. i think they will all be great to me, as i just love a good pump gun.

thanks
sam
 
Discussion starter · #169 ·
My dad had an old Coast to Coast that shot really well. My uncle Chris still bags Iowa roosters with it every year! Those guns were cheap, but worked!
 
I thought that we settled that it was the BPS and the 37 tied for first with all of those upside down ejecting models jockeying for second place!

All jokes aside, I really appreciate this thread guys. There has not been one instance that I remember of name calling, your an idiot replies, or anything other than honest discussion and debate. I have learned some things, and have a future clays shooting trip with a guy that I debated with on this thread. Great thread and great guys here.
 
Discussion starter · #176 ·
1897 Smelly. I couldn't ever stop those hammer guns from chewing up the web of my hand.

So here is what we all decided:
1. Ithaca 37
2. Remington 31
3. Winchester 12
4. Remington 17
5. Winchester 97
6. Remington 870
7. Browning BPS
8. Mossberg 500
 
Perhaps throw in one of those Flite Kings that people seem to like so much and I think that list is pretty complete. The merits of each and their handling could be debated forever. But in the end they are all serviceable, reliable guns that will get the job done long after most of us are gone.

Maybe we all just need to have a SGW all pump shoot sometime. Now that would be a blast, no pun intended.
 
uplanddan said:
1897 Smelly. I couldn't ever stop those hammer guns from chewing up the web of my hand.

So here is what we all decided:
1. Ithaca 37
2. Remington 31
3. Winchester 12
4. Remington 17
5. Winchester 97
6. Remington 870
7. Browning BPS
8. Mossberg 500
Say Dan, weren't the Remington Models 17 and 31 simply updated versions of the model 10?

DeanMk
 
161 - 180 of 244 Posts