I want a high-quality pump gun

[Gunsmoker]

Besides the Rem 870, what's a good high quality pump gun?

I don't have anything against the 870. It's just that I already have one and want a different pump gun.

I'd prefer something in the $500 range with a barrel 20" or shorter. I'm willing to pay more though for more quality.

 

[Fred Fuller]

There are a couple of makes/models as good as a good 870, but nothing better. Browning just came out with a BPS tricked out as a defensive gun, you might look at that one. And I wouldn't turn up my nose at a Mossberg 590A1 either. The new iteration of Ithacas may be in production now, I don't know- but a Model 37 or Model 87 might be worth looking at as well, if you find one.

hth,

lpl/nc

 

[ArmedBear]

What, if anything, don't you like about the 870?

If we know that, we can point you in a better direction.

Know that the guns Lee listed (and I was going to list) are all different. They have different controls, sometimes VERY different.

If you want it for defensive use, consider that familiarity with the controls in the dark is worth something.

 

[Milkmaster]

I for one prefer the Winchester 1300 to the 870. I don't know if it is better to all, but it is a better fit for ME. Some new ones still can be bought. Parts are easy to find. The production line stopped mid 2006. I know Bass Pro here still has some.

 

[Oldnamvet]

The 1300 is a fine gun and different from the 870, another fine gun. Location of safety, location of slide release, general feel..........different.
I was looking at one today ( like I need another gun) at the local Ace Hardware. Someone brought it in because they bought it years ago and never shot it. It looks like it just came out of the box. This one is a smooth bore slug gun. After 4 months on the rack at $349, I would bet I could get them to go for $300.

 

[Milkmaster]

Both my 1300's have the 28" ribbed barrel and WINCHOKE system. I use them for a trap gun mostly because I don't hunt quail anymore. The last few 1300's seem to be getting put on sale for less these days for those lucky enough to come across a new one. Both shoot flawlessly so far.

 

[Shark32]

my Benelli Nova is flawless. it is within your price range and a great gun

 

[sonyman74]

So are my Super Nova's. Here are two of the three.

 

[Belgiboy]

+1 on the Benelli nova. If you already have a 870, the Benelli will give you a whole different look and feel and it is a great gun. I have both, I use the 870 wingmaster for ducks and the Nova for grouse when a light gun that will cycle easy and fast is really a must.

 

[huntershooter]

Find a good/used mod. 12.

 

[ACP230]

I second the Model 12.
There are some good used ones available from time to time on Gunsamerica.
Also the versions made in Japan and imported by Browning more recently are nice.
There's a 20 gauge at a local store that looks really nice. I think it's a bit more than your price range though.

 

[Quiet]

Benelli Nova and Super Nova.

 

[gunut]

I agree with the model 12 riot gun and will add the winchester model 25 riot to the list...nothing like a HD gun with a little collectable/nostalgia to go with it....not to mention the slam fire capability...

 

[Noah Zark]

My favorite pump for over 40 years has been the well-made Ithaca 37. It is light but strong due to the closed receiver -- shells are loaded and ejected out the bottom and there's no ejection port to weaken the receiver. For most of its production life, the 37 was made without a disconnector (like the Winchester 97 and early Model 12s), and you can hold back the trigger and simply work the action. Barrels are easily interchangeable on five-shot models. And it's a John Browning design.

Ithaca 37 are once again in production, being made in northern Ohio. But used ones are available in most gun shops at least in northern PA and southern NY from $250 to $400. And for what you get in a quality pump, that's a heckuva deal.

Noah

 

[New_geezer]

Another vote for a nice used Winchester Model 12. They are considered by many to be the finest pump gun ever made. Parts are still readily available because of the quality and popularity of this gun. For $500 you should be able to find a good one.

 

[RNB65]

A couple of years ago my brother bought an old BPS to use as his beater duck hunting gun and he absolutely loves it. He's also got a field grade Rem 1187, Beretta 391, and Benelli Nova and he prefers shooting the BPS over any of them.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Somehow I've stayed out of this till now. Here's my list of favorite pumps with the ones I like best at the top and so on.

The 870.

The 870.

The 870.

The Model 12.

Remington's Model 31.

The Ithaca 37.

The Winchester 1300.

The Mossberg 500/590.

And a bunch of others I have little interest in or experience with..

Owning and operating any of these is a joy forever. Any of the above will give decades of service.

There's more good pump shotguns out there than good shotgunners. Do what you can to change that....

 

[benelli12]

My winchester 1200 has been a war horse, and has been passed from my grandfather to me. I have shot thousands of rounds through it without a hiccup, this includes 3" slugs in the 2 3/4" chamber.

It also has the smoothest action i have ever layed hands on.

 

[TrapperReady]

My top favorites, in order:

1) Winchester Model 12*
2) Remington Model 870
3) Ithaca Model 37

Although I have a healthy respect for them, I've never cared for any of the Mossbergs I've handled or shot. The Browning BPS is a fine gun, but they just don't seem to fit me very well. The Winchester 1300, while a totally adequate gun (the resident HD shotgun is a 1300 Defender), I prefer the three listed above.

* Of course, the Winchester Model 42 may be my all-time favorite, but if someone cut the barrel down to 20", things could get mighty ugly real fast.

 

[cwmcgu2]

The Benelli Nova and Supernova line is the best out there when it comes to pump guns... sure that may just be my opinion but I was confident enough in it to spend the extra money over a Remington 870 to buy a Benelli Supernova. I absolutely love my Supernova and it has never failed me as of yet.

 

[IDriveB5]

The only thing better than an 870 is... two 870s

 

[Fabarmfp6]

the best quality.

 

[Ala Dan]

The Holy Grail Of Pump Shotguns

12 gague Remington 870 Marine Magnum

 

[RNB65]

The Holy Grail Of Pump Shotguns

Well, I have one and it's no holy grail. It might be if it had screw in tubes. But fixed cylinder choke really limits it's usefulness to about 20-25yds with buckshot and about 50yds max with slugs. It's a real short range weapon.

 

[SwampWolf]

I too love pump guns and I don't know of any bad ones. That said, the following are shotguns I have either owned in the past or still have (except where noted) and are ranked in order of preference:

1) Winchester Model 12 (have used but never owned, but best looking and "feeling "of all of them)

2) Remington Model 31 ( " " " " " , but second best looking and feeling of all of them)

3) Ithaca Model 37 (my first shotgun, loved the light-weight and bottom ejection. Traded it for a Browning Double Auto in 1961. Would love to have one in 16 ga.)

4) Browning BPS (my last-so far!- shotgun, love the heavy-weight for its intended purpose-turkey and waterfowl, the bottom ejection and the tang safety)

5) Winchester Model 97 (appreciate the material, design and workmanship on a gun that was viable in the marketplace for over half a century. Got rid of mine because I found the trigger guard too cramped to use safely when wearing gloves while duck hunting and because I was afraid that steel shot might be harmful to the bore. It had a 32" long barrel, choked full and I've never patterned any shotgun that had a pattern as tight as this one)

6) Marlin Model 120 ( did a good job in mimicking the Model 12. I had a couple of these over the years and, if you can find one, they're good guns. I detest impressed checkering and most 120s had it)

7) Smith & Wesson Model 3000 (did a good job in mimicking the Model 870 but eliminated a jam factor known in le circles that seemed peculiar to Remington. I do regret selling mine)

8) Remington Model 870 (hard to fault this gun but if the safety has to be on the trigger guard I much prefer it to be in the front instead of the rear)

9) Winchester Model 1300 (will never fill the Model 12's large shoes but I like where the safety's at and it is a slick action. A scope is mounted on mine for use in hunting Ohio whitetails)

10) Mossberg Model 835 (typical Mossberg in that it's a lot of gun for the money and the safety is exactly where it should be- on the tang. Got rid of mine because I found the gun to be too light in weight when firing heavy loads- ergo, the BPS)

11) Benelli Nova (ugliest shotgun I ever owned but because it is reliable and has a very smooth action it stands duty as my hd shotgun. And the price was right)

12) Smith & Wesson Model 916 (the Hi-Point of shotguns except, unlike Hi-Points, the 916 was an utterly unreliable firearm. They didn't cost much but whatever you paid for it ,you paid too much)