My Pump-Action Shotguns

[dak0ta]

Finally got the venerable Winchester Model 12 and Ithaca 37 Featherlight in my collection. M12 is 1955, full choke, 30 inch barrel. M37 is 1948, full choke, 30 inch barrel, aftermarket recoil pad.



I'm amazed by the build quality on these shotguns. The M37 is the smoothest, and ejects shells several feet. It also is the lightest at 6-7 lbs and balances the nicest. For upland she will be good. The M12 is solid, heavier, and is quality. About 7-8 lbs, the balance is good, but not as good as the Ithaca. The stocks are thicker than the sleek Ithaca. Compared to my Mossberg, they are about the same weight, but balance much better. Even with the Aluminum receiver on the Mossberg, the steel barrel up front makes it muzzle heavy. The balance point is not at the receiver. Also, I think Mossberg's barrel is thicker and has the ventrib. It is also a more compact design as you will see in the pictures.

I'm also intrigued that the Mossberg takes some of the best qualities from both of these shotguns. For example, the dual extractors, shell elevator staying up like the M37, bolt release similar to Win 12, Barrel attachment system, Mossberg's receiver holes are exactly in the same spot as the Ithaca. I'm sure there are more similarities. The bolts, bolt slides are also similar to the Ithaca.

Pictures from top to bottom (1948, 1955, 2008):

 

[lobo9er]

love the m37. deer slayers fills my freezer as long as I do my part.

 

[MCgunner]

Love the old 37s. Extremely smooth action that seems to pump itself. Lighter and quicker than a Browning BPS. Could use the Browning's tang safety, though. That's one of the things I like about the Mossberg. I have a 20 year old M500 Mossberg, is my primary duck gun. It's a tough son of a ....gun... and shoots a tight pattern, deadly with the fasteel stuff.

 

[dak0ta]

I cleaned the M12 and M37 today and oiled them up. The M12 is much smoother now, and the M37 is super slick.



It was sunny out so I took some close ups:

 

[Rail Driver]

VERY nice! Now you just need to add my Remington 870 to your collection

 

[dak0ta]

My first gun was an 870 Express. I like it, but not the finish because it tore up my rags and left bits everywhere. I sold it. Got the Mossberg.

I had a Wingmaster tactical style earlier this year, I liked it, but not the tactical part. So I sold it.

Now looking for a nice vintage field Wingmaster to add to my collection

 

[ridgerunner1965]

you need a nice vintage win model 97 to go with your other pumps.that and a old rem would really complete your collection

 

[jj1962hemi]

+1 on the 1897. You sold me on an Ithica M37, let me sell you on an 1897.

I have one made in ~1930. The gun is spare, with a small wrist and narrow forestock. It fits me really well and the lines are super clean. When you rack it, it's a little clunky compared to my 870, but Oh Man, does it sound like a pump action shotgun! I like the external hammer and the look, along with the history. You can pick up a serviceable one for around $400. The main downside I've seen is that most are choked full. I'd still get one, though!

 

[Fred Fuller]

Actually what your collection really needs (for scholarly research/comparison purposes of course) is a nice High Standard Flite King. Or you can substitute a Sears/JC Higgins Model 20 and still have essentially the same gun. See http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=289069370 for pictures...

The Flite King combines the tilting bolt of the Model 12, and was the source of the Mossberg 500's open lifter design... best of both worlds, IMHO.

 

[stan rose]

Congratulations on your new guns, enjoy them.

 

[tranders]

Two great old pump guns.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[dak0ta]

Are cracks at the wrist of the Ithacas a common problem due to the design?

 

[stan rose]

They are some what indicative of someone not tightening the stock completely when re assembling the shotgun. If they are very small I would just monitor them and make sure they do not get any bigger, if they do, or are already big enough to cause concern they can easily be repaired with a little acraglas.

 

[dak0ta]

I'll take some photos and post them so you guys can help me decide.

 

[dak0ta]

Today I shot skeet for the first time, and I used my Winchester M12 with its fixed full choke. The elderly gentlemen were nice guys and coached me on how to attack the clays. I could tell that even though I showed up with a pump gun, it was okay with them because it was the respected Model 12 in the company of their Beretta O/U's. I shot about 30% the first round, but with their coaching, I shot about 60%. I didn't find the full choke a handicap at all, albeit I was shooting singles, rather than pairs as I was new. But the full choke definitely trained me to swing better, point and aim better, and overall be more on the ball than with a looser choke constriction. I also was told that with the full choke, you can let the clays get further out so you can cover them with the bead and 'snipe' them out of the air since the pellet pattern allows this. I think this makes sense because the clay further out will appear to be moving out in a straighter line so you can just pick it out of the air.

As for the Model 12 itself, it's a masterpiece for a pump gun! Way better balanced and handling than my Mossberg 500. Everything is smooth, locks up and *pings* when the safety is clicked or the action locks up.

Also, since you guys warned me that the threads in the receiver can get worn, I cleaned the barrel from the muzzle without taking the gun down. I hope that none of the powder residue gets stuck in the receiver. I brushed the receiver's insides with a toothbrush and mopped up with a patch soaked in Hoppes. Then oiled.

For now, the M12 is my new favourite gun. Next time the Ithaca 37 will get its turn.

I also now think Skeet is more fun than Trap because for the same price, skeet lasts about 20-30 minutes vs 10 minutes in trap, and you get more varieties of shots.

Is Herb Parsons shooting with a full choke in this video?:

 

[dak0ta]

How could I rejuvenate the stock on my M12 without a full refinish that would hurt the value? I just want to remoisturize it with some BLO. Do I just 600 grit wet sand it in to blend it in with the older finish?

 

[TurtlePhish]

I would just use 0000 steel wool. Sandpaper would most likely completely remove the existing finish. You could even rub in the BLO by hand. If you don't wanna get all messy, just wear some nitrile gloves while you do it. Put some in your hand like lotion and just rub it in to the stock, let it dry for a while, repeat until satisfied with the results. That's how I did my J.C. Model 20 stock, and I like the way it looks. Though I did use Citrastrip on it first.

 

[MCgunner]

Now looking for a nice vintage field Wingmaster to add to my collection

Definitely the 870 to get if you just have to have an 870. I had a Wingmaster years ago, but sold it when I was needing money in college. I kick myself, but hey, hindsight, ya know? I much prefer my Mossbergs, though, for the ergos. I'd not hunt with or use an 870 if I had one.