Companion for the M12?

Many shotguns from that period are usually durable. Ithaca 37 is always a fun shotgun, but it might be a little lightweight for clay shooting. 870 like you mentioned is always a good choice. You could go a little more modern to a Remington 1148 or the 1100. Parts are readily available for the 1100 to this day. The 1100 is an easy gas gun to service and shoot.

HammsBeer said:

Looking to stick with pumps since I use RST light loads that probably won't reliably run an autoloader. Ithaca is one I've thought about but didn't know they were light weight.

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Of course you could always add some weight to it in the mag tube or the stock hole.

aw c'mon guys! there can be only one. made just like the win 12. the gun that broke winchester repeating arms. super x model one. and nuline has any of the parts need that are missing or blacksmithed. you do need to replace the buffer though......just saying
...the fixed choke no rib is no problem but the corn cob foreend is...

It won't cycle light RST's, for starters. Try looking for some of the lesser known pumps from between the wars. I suggest a Remington Model 31 for starters. Vic Reinders made the 31 famous as a Trap gun, as Rudy Etchen and Daro Handy would later with the 870.
The RST's through a 37 shouldn't be too bad; a 14 year old girl in my Trap league shoots one, her Grandpa's old gun, and gets sore after about 4 rounds of trap with it. (I keep offering her the use of my back up gun, an 1100 Competition Synthetic, very tame recoil, but she will only shoot that old 37...)

I love my Ithaca 37.

Ithaca 37 all day long and three times on Sunday. I've been using the 37s since I was a kid. I routinely use them for clays, 100 and 200 target days are common place for me and my cronies. The only times I've felt anything is when I got lazy with my cheek weld and received the customary face slap. Great shotguns, lots of fun, and parts are easily available.
Edit: Also if you come across a Remington Model 31, those are fun too.

a good used remington 870 can be had at good prices with all the extra barrels-stocks and other goodies available.

I had the pleasure of shooting with a fellow from MI that was here during the winter. He shot clays with an old, very old, 870 12ga with a 32” barrel. I arrive one morning at the Champion range to go out with the Old Timer Group and a buddy met me, he said wait until you see this, do not say a word, just watch. So out we go, this guy comes up to shoot says 75 at 5. Yep, and the bird flies, wait, wait, wait bang, breaks out 75 yards at 5 ft off the ground. I look over and my buddy, he is grinning like a possum, holding up 5 fingers and says, MI state champion. The things you see in a vacation spot during the winter.

A friend had a Remington Model 31 Trap, the only pump gun I ever really liked.

Marlin M120 , Stevens M620 , Hi-Standard M200 all pretty good early pumps.

winchester model 50, quite similar in form and constructed of steel with no stamped parts. i have one,, made in about 1958 (my birth year). looks handsome alongside my pappy's model 12 made in 1929. Re read your post, you looking for pump. Model 50 is semi auto.Then, you really should have Winchester mode! 97! See a pattern here?

Have fun in your quest.

Again, probably won't cycle those light RST loads. It also strikes out on the corncob forend.

HammsBeer said:

I have a well used but cared for M12 made in '47 that I take out for casual clay shooting. I've been thinking of getting another 12ga shotgun, possibly an early 870 wingmaster, but I'm asking if there are any other guns I should consider instead?

A few requirements: a corncob style fore end, no rib, fixed choke, and spare parts are not unobtanium.

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If you have a Model 12, why in the world would you want anything else?

Stevens 520 /620. Classic JM Browning design.

D.B. Cooper said:

If you have a Model 12, why in the world would you want anything else?

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After shooting two rounds of Trap today (a 50 bird Jackpot shoot in -10 F, which I was nowhere near winning) with mine, I tend to agree. I missed shooting a Model 12; won't be getting rid of this one.

HammsBeer said:

Well I very much love my ball bearing slick M12, it's actually a wedding present from my wife.
I'd like to have a second shotgun for variety, and less wear/tear on the M12, but it'll be tough to beat that smooth action.

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So, the trouble I have with mine, and the only reason I would want to replace it, is that I can't shoot steel in it without damaging the barrel/choke, and steel is required for waterfowl hunting. SO...if you want to duck hunt (or you live in a state that requires steel for upland game) then yeah, you kind of have to have something else. (You can special order Bismuth or other non steel non toxic shot, but it's so expensive that you will quickly have spent enough to just buy another gun.) So in that case...my vote would be a modern day Ithaca 37. Second behind that would be the higher end Mossberg.

On a related side note, if you're hunting upland game with lead shot, I would consider additional Model 12s with shorter barrels and a more open choke for those fast fliers. Possibly a 20" barrel riot gun for home defense as well.

You know...if FN/Browning were to bring back the Model 12, as they have the Mirikou-made lever action rifles, for as much as I bash the Mirikou guns for being made in Japan, and if they brought back the same Model 12 (pre 64 design and materials, machined from a solid block of steel, etc. etc.), but with a barrel strong enough for steel shot, I do believe I would buy one or two of those.

HammsBeer said:

Well I very much love my ball bearing slick M12, it's actually a wedding present from my wife.
I'd like to have a second shotgun for variety, and less wear/tear on the M12, but it'll be tough to beat that smooth action.

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The Hi-Standard riot guns I have owned in the past were the smoothest pumps I ever owned. From a locked breach empty gun you could set them on their butt and push the slide release to have them completely open simply by the weight of the bolt and pump arm. I have yet to see even the Model 12 do that . The riot guns were built off the same action as their Model 200. If you run across one of these Model 200's all I am saying is that you should take the time to look at it. I am personally not a fan of the Win 1897. Many are worn out , and even ones that are pretty good have taken hide off the top of my thumb with the bolt running over it. Just my opinion and experience. Good luck with your search.

Another vote for the 97. Mine was built in 1914, and works as good as new. Shoot lots of targets and game with it. If you're worried about it biting you, learn to keep your thumb out of the way! Mine bit me once, learned my lesson.

Mac

D.B. Cooper said:

You know...if FN/Browning were to bring back the Model 12, as they have the Mirikou-made lever action rifles, for as much as I bash the Mirikou guns for being made in Japan, and if they brought back the same Model 12 (pre 64 design and materials, machined from a solid block of steel, etc. etc.), but with a barrel strong enough for steel shot, I do believe I would buy one or two of those.

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They did a while back, but in limited numbers, and in the smaller gauges, mostly 20. They were made by Miroku, and IIRC they were expensive.

MacAR said:

Another vote for the 97. Mine was built in 1914, and works as good as new. Shoot lots of targets and game with it. If you're worried about it biting you, learn to keep your thumb out of the way! Mine bit me once, learned my lesson.

Mac

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I agree. Got bit once, learned my lesson. I almost bought a 97 when I bought my 12, but the 97 was a mottled patina, and needed a new trigger and sear. (The hammer followed, but stopped at the half-cock.)