Pumps

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Try the old Hi-Standard riot guns. The only pump I have ever had that would drop to complete open when the lock was released while the barrel pointed upward.

Otherwise , yes ,you named some top end candidates.
 
A well broken in Wingmaster is right there with anything mentioned. In fact, any well broken in quality pump is usually pretty smooth. But with some it just means they are closer to a visit to the gun doctor than a Wingmaster.
 
Right you are Mnrivrat, The High Standard/JCHiggins Mod 20. It was a trick question, and you nailed it. It is the only one( ignorant statement) that holding it vertical,you can push slide release and it opens full stroke. Its also the only one with a 2 lb. fore end. Then 37 Ithaca/Rem17, then Win mod 12,then Broke in Wingmaster,Mossberg 500, 835, then I think Remington Mod 31,broke in Win 1200,a very select few Rem Expresses. I would say a Marlin 120 would be fast but they're so damn heavy I haven't found a broke in one yet. Benelli Novas about same as BPS.
Some Western Field/Savage 520s slick as anything, some not.?! Win97 and93, then Burgess, then Spencer.(not really, just yankin ya)Then S&W Riot Gun. 80s vintage S&W sporting pump compareable to Wingmaster. WEATHERBY PATRICIAN really good. Fore end might be bigger than HS.
But , and long as I say this, YMMV, I should be OK.
 
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The High Standard/JCHiggins Mod 20. It was a trick question, and you nailed it. It is the only one that holding it vertical,you can push slide release and it opens full stroke.
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My 16 gauge Model 12 will do it, but none of the others will, so I guess it's my smoothest.
 
chas08 I bet its old nickle steell! Thats what my 12 is.

I have an old Ithaca 37 20ga, that comes down to about half mast.
 
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chas08 I bet its old nickle steell! Thats what my 12 is.
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It's serial # dates it to 1954. I think thats post Nickle Steel era, and it has held its blue better than some of the old nickle guns I've seen.
have an old Ithaca 37 20ga, that comes down to about half mast.
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I have a 1984 vintage Ithaca 37 Ultra-featherlight in 20ga, and a 1957 vintage 16ga Model 37 that both do the same thing. Also a Remington Model 31 and Stevens 520 both in 16ga. I'm fond of the old Pumps they built them really well back then, and with some truly unique takedown features compared to todays models.
 
RugerMcMarlin said:
The High Standard/JCHiggins Mod 20. It was a trick question, and you nailed it. It is the only one that holding it vertical,you can push slide release and it opens full stroke.
Click to expand...

My Ithaca Model 37 12 gauge will do that.
 
There is a modern pump that is about the lightest 30 incher and the smoothest around. The fore end is too light to slide. You can buy this shotgun for about $150.00-200.00.
This was given to me by a bank board. I would not have purchased the thing. Arguably, it is the smoothest I have handled. I have a very old 870, a Model 12 riot gun, plus the tricked out Wincester M97s.
I have never checked the mechanics that is required to cock it, but there is no resistance. I sold a mint one a few months ago for $200.00.

Thw Winchester M1300.
 
A decades old Model 12 that has had about 10k shells ran thru it is pretty tough to beat as far as smoothness goes.
 
The one that's been oiled and used the most? That's my guess.

I compared my old Mossberg 500 to a friend's Wingmaster and mine still felt smoother. It was also much older.
 
The Remington model 31 was made to be the smoothest pump and known for it in it's day as the "ball bearing cornshucker" . You CAN hold only the corn cob and shake it fore and aft after firing. I have a 20 LT weight , a 12 with a poly choke as a loaner and it is very smooth AND a Deluxe 16 ga. that is insanely smooth,better than my Model 12s,870s, Model 37s or Flite Kings. It is only approached by my Valtro.
 
Yeah, 520 Savage, 1st Browning pump shotgun

I had a model 12 about fiftys vintage, price was rite, bought it because it was choked MOD. It had the later long tapered towards the front fore arm. it was pretty smooth.

Favorite reads Model 1912, is Nickel Steel, and is silver no blue, has coon tail fore end. Looks like it spent some time too close to a bored bird dog pup, on toe of stock. My go to gun for birds. Used to carry a picture of her in my wallet.
 
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Model 12s,37s, and the newer 1200s/1300s all seem pretty slick to me. 870s as a rule come next. H/S,Mossbergs and sundry Savage/Stevens seem to fall in the middle.

97s, much as I like them, seem to need a bit more muscle than other brands.

I do not regard the relative slickness as important. Learn your shotgun and it will be slick enough....
 
Model 12

The Model 12 has to be my choice. I've got a couple Rem 31s and they are also very smooth. My M12 trap gun will release fully and eject the fired shell when held vertically and hitting the release. A couple of guys at PG have
M12s that are also that smooth.
 
I have a older 20ga wingmaster LW magnum that cycles like cutting butter. I have not put enough rounds through my nova or win 1300 ranger (12ga) to get it broken in. My worst expierence was with a mossberg 935. I called it my slam actionbecause if the chamber was not totally clean the 3.5 inch shells would hang up in the chamber.
 
Can any new pumps be considered smooth/slick? Where is the line between smooth/slick and 'bout worn out?
 
BTG, very few name brand pumps ever get worn out. One friend has a Model 12 with 230,000 rounds through it had he bought it used.

870s last for longer than that too. So do 31s.

Edited to add: I shot a BPS today. It was smooth and handled well. The current user is 17, I doubt he'll need another pump, nor his kids...

Pump gun life is measured in human generations, not years.
 
I've got a well-shot Mossberg 500 that I point the muzzle up and push the slide release and it will drop all the way to the end of travel and shuck the shell in the chamber. That's smooth.

My Model 1200 Winchester would be the smoothest out of the box. That Speedpump is nice.
 
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