Most practical: 870
Slickest action: Higgins
My favorite: 31

 

I love Ithacas and I’ll never be without one. I think they’re the best as far as quality, machining and pointability. For ease of barrel swaps and longevity, as well as serviceability, even though they’re stamped sheet metal and pot metal, I’d have to give the nod to Remington’s 870. I think they dumbed down the game and cheapened the market but they seem to last forever.
I won’t own a Mossberg. I’ve seen too many crap out and ruin hunts.

 

I was gonna say what he said. Exactly..but he said it first.

 

I can’t see myself not owning an 870.

 

Best? Ithaca

Favorite? Win 42

Most okayest? Wingmaster

 

870

 

I have only ever shot a 20 ga 870 pump. It got me started as a kid so it holds a special place.

 

870

 

More 870s have been made than any other pump shotgun. That says it all. I even own one and I am not a fan of pump guns.

 

That probably means they were the cheapest and most available. But that certainly doesn’t make them a bad choice.

 

The bicep workout I had on Monday.

 

Ithaca 37 is my vote.

 

870 LH

 

Would be toss up between Ithaca 37, Rem 31 & Win 12. Arguing over these 3 is Ford vs Chevy argument. Higgins made by High Standard is slick action but gun is heavy. The REM 870, Moss 500
& Brn BPS are second class shotguns. Cost cutters by modern materials and stampings. Comparing these to 1st three is apples & oranges argument.

 

870 Wingmaster

 

Model 37.....but not the pictured effort.

Beyond what works best for me, the Model 12 scratches more itches.

 

Remington 870 (10 million sold for a reason)
Remington 31 (fastest action of all pumps)
Winchester model 12 (took 52 years to sell 2 million pre-64's)
Ithaca 37

 

what does the pre 64s have to do with anything???????

 

Favorite to shoot? Ithaca Model 37, Remington 870, Winchester Model 12.

Best made? Model 12 hands down.

If I could only own one? 870, stamped parts or no stamped parts, they work, they last and they fit a lot of folks well.

 

This is a pretty good answer.

Personally, I get a lot of satisfaction out of owning and shooting the M37. Logically, I realize the 870 works and works well. All things considered, the 870 is probably the most practical/versatile pump shotgun ever made.

 

Remington model 17.

Phage

 

The Model 42 with a rib is super sweet. The 870 is the HOA/HAA though.

 

Indeed

 

The 3 slickest IMO are the JC Higgins model 20
The Remington model 31
And a sleeper the model 3000 S&W.

 

I haven't any experience with a 37, but I own the rest of them (except a Mossberg, but I've shot my brother's).

The older designs in the group with the tilting bolts are indisputably smoother. That said, part of pump practicality is economy. I think the 870 best bridges the gap between elegance & practicality. There may be some stamped mousetrap mechanisms on the inside, but a TB or TC with high grade wood & deep blue is still eye-catching.

It always irks me when I see the Mossberg associated directly with the 31. I'd say the Mossberg's parents are the High Standard and the 870. Now, the High Standard - THAT's largely a cheapened 31.

 

Like trying to choose a favorite child. None of them I wouldn't want to own. Currently have a 37, 2 500's and 2 870's. If I had to narrow it down to one, it would be a coin toss between the 37 and the 870 which both are 16 gauges. The other 870 is a 12 gauge riot configuration.

 

Winchester Model 12.

 

Ithaca Model 37.

 

The Mossberg 500. A solid value. Light enough to carry all day. Tough as a tank. Easy to fieldstrip. Goes bang - every time.

 

A pre-1970-ish Wingmaster is The Shotgun. Otherwise I got to put my money on the Browning Pump Shotgun, the BPS.

s/f. Steve