I bought the winchester SXP camp/field combo about a year ago and really like it a lot. I have about 9000 rounds (slugs, buckshot, game, and target loads) through it with no issues. It's light, fast, points well, and recoil is not bad at all.
Seems like the more I shoot it the more I like it. I routinely shoot 25's on skeet with it. It's fun to beat guys with high dollar o/u's and autos with a $400 pump gun.

I have a lot of time and rounds on Remington and Mossberg pumps as well and they are good also. I had an 870 express with well over 50,000 rounds. I prefer the Remington's to the Mossbergs, but that's just me. I am now starting to like this SXP over the Remington. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages.

I'd recommend you do some homework, test fit various guns, fire some if you can, then pick one that fits you best and has the safety, action bar release, loading ports, etc. that are convenient and easy to manipulate for you.

Good luck! Be safe! And welcome!

 

I really like the 870 Wingmaster. There are plenty of people who swear by the Ithaca model 37. I also have a Browning BPS that is smooth as glass, and dumps the empties at your feet, but it only loads from the bottom.

I don't think the modern pumps have any less recoil than their predecessors, and in some cases more if the gun is lighter. Also, my 20 ga pumps recoil a little more than my 12 ga with 7/8 oz loads.

 

In my opinion, the cleaning issues that a few people talk about are blow way out of reason. Yes you need to clean a gun after you shoot it. Takes less than 10 minutes. I've shot pumps and autos for 50 years and clean both the same. That Beretta you shot is a good one, keep looking for one. Any of the new or older Berettas are good guns. Browning put their name on at least one too, B-80. Nothing wrong with a quality pump either, it just won't reduce any recoil like the auto will. Good luck.

 

at 5'6", the youth or reduced length models are gonna be your best fit out of the box. A400 is a good gun, and comes in reduced length models (RL), as for pump guns, IMO the finest one you can buy new today is the browning BPS. a lot of others will function fine, but they dont compare overall to the browning.

 

Imo the best 3 pumps made today are the 870 Wingmaster, Ithaca 37, and the Browning BPS (in no order). IMO one of these 3 guns will last longer than the a400, and be a timeless firearm just like your Model 12.

 

Your model 12 is just fine

 

The Benelli Nova is also a good pumper and priced right also.

 

Depends on what you mean by best. In terms of pure construction quality, it's probably the Ithaca 37. That doesn't mean it's the best for your uses/purposes, though.

 

The Benelli Super Nova has those chevrons in the stock to help reduce recoil. I believe it also has a shim kit that comes with it to adjust cast of the stock. This is the only pump shotgun I know of that has the semi-auto like adjustability.
In the semi-auto category I would look at the Berretta a300 in the synthetic version. This is the gun I purchased for my wife. The stock is adjustable for length of pull and cast of stock. She is 5'3" and around 120#. We had a hard time finding a gun that would fit her. This gun we could adjust to fit her with everything that came with the gun. The gun was $600 new. It has been a great gun. Good luck.

 

All of the new pumps are heavier than your older model 12. All have choke tubes.
So any pump will be a more useful gun than your older model 12. But, I enjoy shooting the older model vs the new ones. I haven't bought a new pump in 10 years. I enjoy the old ones.

A gas operated auto will need cleaning, there is no argument here. if you want an auto that doesn't need cleaning as often you should get a recoil operated one. The minus to recoil operated autos is the changing of light to heavy loads. Some won't cycle light loads without the changing the recoil rings.

What I would do, what I had to do after 4 shoulder operations, is go to a lighter gauge. You are not sacrificing much by shooting a 20 gauge instead of a 12. And the recoil reduction is noticeable.
So i would look at a pump 20. Wingmaster, BPS or Ithaca. And in 20 I would look for a Browning A5 or a Franchi AL-48.

 

First off, the current crop of pump guns really has no advantage over the Model 12. You likely would not experience any difference in felt recoil, or any advantage in reliability. The Mod 12 is as good as any pump gun ever built.

Next, I agree that you might be over-thinking the issues with auto-loaders. Although one reads a lot of debate regarding cleaning issues, reliability, etc... regarding current models, the arguments really are nit-picking. Any of the current quality auto-loaders will go hundreds (if not thousands) of rounds between cleanings and will suffer very, very few cycling issues. Heck, even my 1960's technology Remington 1100's only need to be cleaned every few hundred rounds, and experience cycling issues numbering perhaps once every thousand rounds or so. I short-shuck a pump far more often than that. :? :roll:

Cleaning an autoloader is no more difficult than cleaning a pump gun. You may be surprised at how little difference there is in the mechanism.

For recoil attenuation, stick with the current crop of gas-operated autoloaders. Beretta A300, Browning Maxus, Winchester SX3, or the Remington VersaMax would all be excellent choices. In the used market you can find Beretta 390's, Browning Gold's, Winchester SX2's or Remington 1100/1187's pretty reasonably. Any of these with a wood stock can be cut down to fit you better. Also remember that heavier guns will further help with recoil (if you're used to shooting a Mod 12, an 8 lb gun probably won't bother you much). Good luck!

 

This same topic appears about once a week.

wingmaster, bps, ithaca, nova if u like a heavy plastic gun.

I like the wingmaster myself. Don't like BPS or Ithaca at all. Nova is too ugly.

 

Both these guns are prominent pump shotguns which are time proven, rugged, reliable, versatile, supported by aftermarket parts and are affordable. If you want to buy one, I recommend you to go to the local pawn shops for a good deal.

 

Here is a thought. If your model 12 has too much recoil now then go down to WalMart and buy a Limbsaver brand slip on recoil pad. I too am getting older and tired of the recoil. Limbsavers are about as good as it gets and will reduce the amount of felt recoil considerably. They run about $25. Money well spent as I have put limbsavers on all my guns now. I have remington model 1100 magnums and my 870 wingmaster is a magnum. Reduced the recoil quite a bit. That being said, if you are still looking for a gun and want less recoil, I would suggest the Browning B2000. They haven't made them in a long time but I can attest that it is one of the lightest recoil shotguns I have ever shot and I've shot a lot. It is a semi auto though but man it's a sweet gun.

 

I like the Mossbergs because I prefer the thumb safety.

If I were to look at a new Semi for hunting id get a benelli M2. For clays I like Berettas

 

Here is a thought. If your model 12 has too much recoil now then go down to WalMart and buy a Limbsaver brand slip on recoil pad.

I am going to do this. I've had a pad on it for years but never one of these. Thanks for the suggestion.

Also, I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and advice. I really enjoy my Model 12 12 gauge and have for years; so far, I've never broken down and bought the other gauges, but am in the process of buying a Model 12 16 gauge and 20 gauge right now. I should have them in a couple of weeks.

 

Ray,

Nearly any gun with a wood stock can be made to fit you and, reduce the recoil you experience. A good recoil pad will be necessary, but adding a slip-on pad to your model 12 will make a stock that is too long for you now, even longer.

I suggest you do one of two things: Visit a good stock fitter who could change the stock's dimensions so they fit you and add a good recoil pad or, if you do not have a good stock fitter within driving distance, learn about stock fitting and direct a local gun smith to change the 12's stock dimensions so they will fit you.

 

Visit a good stock fitter who could change the stock's dimensions so they fit you and add a good recoil pad or, if you do not have a good stock fitter within driving distance, learn about stock fitting and direct a local gun smith to change the 12's stock dimensions so they will fit you.

Rollin,

You're right; anything that lengthens the stock will make it too long for me; I will do what you suggest. I don't know of a stock fitter, but I never have asked. Here, with all of the guns, gunsmiths, and shotgun and rifle enthusiasts, I am sure we've got a stock fitter.

Thanks again!!

Ray

 

Visit a good stock fitter who could change the stock's dimensions so they fit you and add a good recoil pad or, if you do not have a good stock fitter within driving distance, learn about stock fitting and direct a local gun smith to change the 12's stock dimensions so they will fit you.

Rollin,

You're right; anything that lengthens the stock will make it too long for me; I will do what you suggest. I don't know of a stock fitter, but I never have asked. Here, with all of the guns, gunsmiths, and shotgun and rifle enthusiasts, I am sure we've got a stock fitter.

Thanks again!!

Ray

In the event you don't want to modify your original stock for your Model 12, here is a website that sells stocks that fit the Model 12. You could get a replacement and have that modified so you don't mess with your original stock.
http://www.gunstocksinc.com/web_pages/W ... stocks.htm

 

Ithaca 37

 

Regarding the Benelli Vinci, since you mentioned it as a consideration, the matter of cleaning it is really simple - and it's a reliable recoil (inertia) action that will go a long time between cleanings. The look is a bit unconventional but the technology used by Benelli is quite innovative and it's a great shotgun - I have the 3.5" Super Vinci and it's my go-to waterfowl & bird hunting gun. It's taken dove, quail, pheasant, and ducks.

I also have a Benelli Super Nova pump and the ComfotTech recoil system works well to reduce recoil. It's also a reliable gun, but if I had to clean one of them, I'd rather clean the automatic.

 

I decided I am sticking with my Winchester Model 12s and buying a couple more of them. I have bought and should have in a few days a Winchester Model 12 16 gauge made in 1915. It looks great, has been checked by a gunsmith before shipment, and fired by the owner at my request. According to them, it looks and works great; it looked good online, $349.00 plus shipping, with a 3 day satisfaction arrangement. I am looking forward to getting this shotgun.



I am now looking at Model 12 20 Gauge. I have found one I like, in good shape it appears, made in 1919, and it shoots well according to the owner, around $700.00. With 3 of these great old, shootable shotguns, I will be very happy.

I decided to go this route rather than buying new pumps, and I am also buying a couple of semi-automatics, Beretta 291s. I kind of went wild for me.

Ray

 

{hs#
Harold,
You got it keep your Winchester Model 12s they are great guns.
I have two that my uncle left me that he bought new in the 50s.
I also have two Ithaca Model 37s that he bought new in the 50s.
They have been used but are in excellent condition, well taken care of by him and now me.
I have two Remington 870 Wingmasters that I have bought new.
The Remingtons are great guns, but do not compare to the Model 12s or 37s made years ago.
The Winchester Model 12s and Ithaca 37s made years ago you can pump fire them, (slam fire)
slang term, not the Ithaca 37s of today, or any other pump shotgun.
Great guns have been around before I was born and I am 64 years old and they will be around long after Im gone and the grandkids will have them.
Enjoy yours and be safe.
Fred

 

The best pump gun being made today is the Ithaca 37 without question. There are no plastic, aluminum or stamped parts.

 

Glad to hear the quandary is settled. Don't give up on the autoloader, they are not that hard to clean. The gas operated ones attenuate recoil well.

check out this video