Help me decide on a shotgun

[GoShox]

First I want to say hi to everyone, this is my first post so don't be too rough on me . A quick bit about myself: I'm 28, live in Wichita Kansas, an avid hunter and am starting to shoot a lot more trap lately.

I'm in the market for a new/used 12ga. This gun will be used primarily for trap, dove hunting, and upland bird hunting. The lighter the better (don't want to lug a canon all day hunting upland birds), but I don't want something that kicks like a mule either, so something in between would be great. I've hunted all my life with an Ithica Model 37 feather weight 20ga pump, but its time I move to a 12ga. I am kind of partial to pumps since that's what I've always shot, so that is what I would prefer, however I am open to considering an auto loader or an over/under. I prefer shorter length (26-28") as well. Money is somewhat of an issue, my budget is roughly $1000 give or take a couple hundred.

I went to the gun show this weekend at the Colliseum. Here's what I discovered:
1) For some reason there were quite a few auto-loaders I could not sight up, meaning I physically could not get the bead to line up. Not sure what causes this but it was frustrating. Not all were this way, but quite a few.
2) Over/unders will take some getting used to the thumb switch for switching barrels. I did not like the Weatherby Orion with the switch behind the trigger.

I plan to keep your recommendations in mind when I go to a local dealer and try out some guns.

Any recommendations? Thanks!

 

[bowfin]

Ithaca Model 37 Pump in 12 gauge would be my first choice.

As far as switching barrels with an O/U, I think I owned and hunted with an Ithaca/SKB over and under for years, and I might have used the barrel switch twice, and that was only shooting trap. Never, ever switched barrels during the middle of a hunt.

 

[dpote]

I would second the idea of getting a 37 in 12ga. You've already got one in 20ga, it fits you, and are familiar with it.
Recoil can be managed with light trap loads or an aftermarket pad.
If you did want something to kick like a mule, I would recommend a Mossberg 835 with 3.5" shells. They are a laugh riot! (kidding)
A whole lot of people here will suggest the Remington 870.

Welcome aboard,
Dave

 

[GoShox]

My father actually has a 37 12 guage (the 20 ga is his too), but I've had a lot of problems with it. I debated getting it fixed, but decided its probably time I own my own shotgun instead of using his all the time. I'll look into the Remington 870. Any other recommendations?

 

[Scoupe]

GoShox (BTW, what happened to the Shox this year? Started off strong and died.)

First off, try to get a little hands on experience with some different guns. Where are you shooting? I know there are plenty of helpful and friendly folks up at the Ark Valley Club a little north and east of Park City. Most shooters are happy to let you try their gun a few times once they find out you're looking. Also, once the word is out you're looking, guns tend to come out of the woodwork for sale.

While I love my own M37 for duck hunting and whacking ditch-parrots, it's not my choice as a target gun. Too light and I don't care for the loading procedure in target usage. OTOH, if it's a hunting gun you take to the trap field now and then - no problem. I would stick with the Ithaca or an 870 these days.

If I were to spend more time at the trap field with the gun, in your price range I'd go Remington 1100 or Beretta 391. If you want to get into the $1200 range, a nice used Citori can be had with a little patience and digging.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[GoShox]

Scoupe,

Injuries didn't help us this year. Plus we really lacked an ability to defend the post, it didn't show in that first 9 games, but as soon as we hit Valley play it was exposed immediately. Then we spiraled down into a funk we couldn't dig ourselves out of. Very disappointing season, next year should be a little better, we have some exciting freshmen coming in, and some guys that redshirted this year that should provide some good minutes.

I definately plan to shoot before I buy. I'll look into the Rem 1100 and Beretta 391 as well. Thanks!

 

[ThirdShiftRich]

I took my Ithaca 37 12ga to a sporting clays range last weekend and it was great to shoot. I had rented a pretty nice Browning Citori to use, and I found myself going back to the Model 37. So light, sights up awesome, and I actually enjoy the recoil, just part of the fun.

I think when I get better and have some more desire to excel on the sporting clays range, I'll go for a nice semi-auto. Winchester Super X1 maybe.

 

[Milkmaster]

Winchester 1300 for a pump
Remington 1100 for an auto