Help with new bird gun suggestion.

I have little love for pump guns for shooting any kind of flying birds.

I'm more fond of Winchester Super-X Model 1's and Browning A-5's and the like.

Pumps can be short shucked too easily in the heat of the moment while semi-autos tend to do their thing automatically. YMMV!

1MoreFord said:

Pumps can be short shucked too easily in the heat of the moment while semi-autos tend to do their thing automatically. YMMV!

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Until they don't do their thing automatically. I bought an 870 Wingmaster as soon as I could after I turned 18 because I liked getting three shots off at ducks. My Dad's spare 1100 didn't always do that. (It had been abused before he bought it cheap, then bought a new one and let me use the old one. Keeping it working got me started in gunsmithing.) I have never short-shucked any pump, in any circumstance, and the 'heat of the moment' usually makes me work the action even more vigorously than usual. I shot a friend's 1100 the other day, and tried to pump it the first shot.....

Viny_88 said:

Mainly dove but eventually waterfowl as well. Yes sorry for not being very specific. Thank you! Yes the 870 express which is the cheapest version is only $289

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That was my first shotgun in 20 gauge. Never regretted it. Hunted dove, mostly.

1MoreFord said:

Pumps can be short shucked too easily in the heat of the moment while semi-autos tend to do their thing automatically.

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I shot a 2 3/4" 870 Wingmaster since 1968. In 1999 I got a 3 1/2" 870 Express and short-shucked it once. I have since transitioned to a semi-auto 20 ga. which malfunctions more in 6 months than my pumps did in 40 years.

Meh, semi auto, pump...I own and use them occasionally, but I really prefer the balance and handling of a double. O/Us are most affordable and, frankly, I prefer 'em assuming proper fit. I do like a gas auto's recoil attenuation with heavy steel shot loads. It's rare occasion that a third shot did me any good.

1MoreFord said:

I have little love for pump guns for shooting any kind of flying birds.

I'm more fond of Winchester Super-X Model 1's and Browning A-5's and the like.

Pumps can be short shucked too easily in the heat of the moment while semi-autos tend to do their thing automatically. YMMV!

Click to expand...

Finally broke the bolt on my Super X model 1. couldn't find a bolt, so I gave the two barrels I had to a good friend who had one he got at a gun show with a hacksawed barrel. He died 6 months later.

Anyway, far as the op is concerned he made a good purchase. For anyone else looking, I would suggest a used 870 wingmaster, or an older used 1100. Both fine shotguns that are usually easy fixed if they do happen to break. I hunted with a wingmaster from 1963 and then carried as a spare every time I hunted until I gave it to my son in law. I bet I let 20 people use that gun on hunts when theirs had broken.