Pardner or savage 350?

[brad higgins]

Hello all,I am in the market for a low cost shotgun im looking at the pardner or the savage 350,I have herd great things about the pardner but mixed things about the savage i had my heart set on the savage but this will be my HD gun and it must work any thoughts?

 

[Big_E]

I believe the Pardner is a 870 copy with a slightly different looking receiver. AFAIK, it can use all 870 accessories. The 350 is an Ithaca 37 copy IIRC, I think the Ithacas have less accessories available.

Both seem to be well built and reliable chinese copies. Do you like the bottom ejection of the Savage? Or do you favor the typical ejection of the pardner?

It really comes down to if you want to change furniture in the future and how you like your shotguns to eject.

 

[trstafford]

Stevens 350 down side

I recently bought a Stevens 350 and also have a Mossberg 500. I like the Stevens but if I had to do a quick reload in a HD situation it would not be as easy as using the drop in method of the side port on Mossberg. but if I need more than 4-5 rounds in HD situation I'm in deep mushroom stuff so it would be the least of my worries.

 

[c-bag]

I just bought a NEF Pardner 18" cylinder today for $219 + tax at Dick's sporting goods. I also handled the Savage 350. they wanted $299 for the Savage, but it came with ghost rings and an extra 28" barrel, which I thought was dumb, since I can't see being able to swing on a bird with the rear sight sticking up in the line of sight.

Here's the differences I noticed:

-The Savage was noticeably lighter, which i thought was odd since it can chamber 3-1/2" shells. If you're also going to hunt with it you should consider that, but if its going to be strictly a HD gun it's a non issue.

-The Savage, being a Ithaca clone, is bottom ejecting, which would be nice if you're left handed.

-The Pardner has a screw-off mag tube which will take an extension, if that's important to you.

I was already set on the Pardner so I honestly didn't look at the fit and finish of the Savage very closely. When I got the Pardner home I broke it down, cleaned out all the packing grease and inspected it. Overall, I was pleased with the quality of the construction. Everything fells solid, fits together tightly and the finish is a uniform matte black. There aren't a lot of tool marks inside the gun like I've seen on some low end firearms. My only quibble is that the brazing of the action bars to the slide is not covered with finish, I don't know if the finish doesn't adhere to it or what but it's only visible when the barrel is taken off.

I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet; when I do i'll post a range report. The slide is not stiff, in fact i just got up, held it vertically, hit the slide release and gave it a little shake; the weight of the forearm was enough to open the action. The safety clicks positively either way and the trigger is as good as any i've ever felt on a shotgun.

Bottom line: I'm very happy with the Pardner so far, and pending me getting a chance to take it out and see if it goes bang I would recommend it to others.

 

[reckless carolinian]

May I advocate an alternative? There are plenty of unloved 870s, 500s, and 37s, all proudly made in America, sitting in your local pawn shop. No, pawn shop gun counters are NOT my favorite place, but getting an older, USA made, name brand HD gun(or one that can be adapted to your liking) for the same price or less than an overseas copy of the same thing seems like a better idea to me. If I were you(and I'm not) and it were my money(and it isn't), that's the route I'd take. Just my opinion, friend.

 

[brad higgins]

That might be a alternative also looking at the maverick 88 with a 20 inch barrel 7+1 .

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

May I advocate an alternative? There are plenty of unloved 870s, 500s, and 37s, all proudly made in America, sitting in your local pawn shop. No, pawn shop gun counters are NOT my favorite place, but getting an older, USA made, name brand HD gun(or one that can be adapted to your liking) for the same price or less than an overseas copy of the same thing seems like a better idea to me. If I were you(and I'm not) and it were my money(and it isn't), that's the route I'd take. Just my opinion, friend.

Nothing wrong with buying American when one can afford/find the products. Around here, you wont find even a well used 870 for what you can get a NIB Pardner for.

As far as quality, the Pardner shotgun is as good or better than whats made here. All quality steel, fit together properly and well finished.

 

[reckless carolinian]

Revolving, my condolences. In my area, most pawnshops(slimy and nasty as they sometimes are) have moderately used shotguns for between $75-200. Of course the already tacticooled units will fetch a premium, but for a well traveled(but non-junker) 870 or 500, you can usually walk out for $150. Oddly, 37s go for less, from what I have gathered, they aren't very popular here. Also there is always the 'net. I'm not bashing the made in China guns, now. I firmly believe that you get the best you can afford, whatever that may be. Buy in haste, regret at leisure. Cover all the options, for making this extremely important purchase.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Like RC said, there's lots of US made pumps out there that need a good home and cost about the same or even less than that Chinese stuff.

In the OP's shoes, I'd look for a well broken in 37,88, 500,590, 870, 1200 or 1300 or even a High Standard riot model and change it to fit me and the mission.

FWIW, the last Wingmaster I bought was in 2001,IIRC, and was $178 out the door. Nigh new inside.

HTH....