Would you say the Win M12 is heavier and is better for clay sports whereas the Ithaca is lighter and balances well and is better for upland and ducks?
The only downside I can think of for the Ithaca is that the wrist tends to develop cracks that get worse over time.
P.S. Feel free to post your classic American pumps in this thread. It might as well become a knowledge thread for those interested in these uniquely American shooting irons.
I'll start:
2008 Mossberg 500A - Serves me well, accurate with foster slugs and steel shot, as well as lead for clays. LOP seems a little short for me after shouldering my M12 and M37, but it's dead nuts reliable that I know it will come through in the toughest conditions when I need it most. May consider changing out the safety to metal one day, but it seems to be fine now. Polymer trigger guard doesn't bother me, I did change the mag follower to a SJ Hardware orange delrin one since it's Hi-Vis and there's a nub for tactile verification. Feeding may also be smoother too. This gun is smooth but because it's built so lose, it catches on itself so the sliding of the action bars isn't a perfect straight glide, but rather wobbly and that is due to the flexible action bars.
Nov 2011 Sitka blacktail doe (1st deer with Federal Tru-Ball 1 oz slug at 20 yards)
1948 Ithaca M37 Standard 12 ga - Shows character, light, nice black walnut stocks, handles very nicely, smoothest pump I own.
Notice wrist cracks
1955 Winchester M12 Standard 12 ga - My new favourite clay gun, heavy enough to shoot a lot, swings well with the long barrel, balance is perfect so the weight doesn't feel burdensome. 2nd smoothest pump I own. Always goes *ping* when the action locks or safety button pushed.
I really enjoy the corn-cob fore-end on these older pumps. Anybody else like them too?