replacing my remington 870.. but with what?

[xjsnake]

Browning BPS

 

[Old Shooter]

I've had the Remington 870, Mossburg 500 and the Ithaca 37.
right now I only have an 870 Express.

If I was to let the 870 go I would replace it with the Ithaca in a heartbeat. That bottom ejection is nice and my 37 was very reliable and handled nicely for me.

 

[drcook]

I am not an Ithaca lover, but the current ones are no heavier than the old ones with the steel receiver from what I have seen. I doubt anyone has a scale accurate enough to measure the difference between steel alloys.

but they are heavier (a couple lbs heavier)

I can see that I had 8.4 instead of 7.4 in mind, which is erroneous

HOWEVER the actual numbers are:

For a 16ga. 6.2 lbs -vs- 7.4 lbs , actual weights and weights published on their site. the barrels are thicker, yes I have micrometers, yes I have mic'ed the barrels. yes I have Ithacas to compare the new to the old.

the barrels are substantially thicker. a 1956 16ga measures .760 in dia at the muzzle, a King Ferry (Ithaca moved to King Ferry after one of their sales) measures .792 at the muzzle (moving into the steel shot realm) and the new Upper Sandusky barrels use a heavier alloy than the King Ferry barrels.

That extra wall thickness to accomodate steel shot adds weight.

the same holds true in the 20's and 12's. as stated, the current ones use a heavier alloy and are rated for steel shot. while you can get away for a bit with steel in the older ones, an older full choked barrel would eventually have the choke removed

the downside to the new Ithacas are that they are a bit pricey. a Browning BPS costs substantially less than a new Ithaca.

for example at Cabelas, on a side by side comparison you can buy a BPS for $599.99 the comparable Ithaca is $849.99.

Ithacas are a niche gun, you either like them or you don't. You either like the new ones or you don't. They handle and carry superb, especially an older one. But you have to be careful about what you are buying in an older one, as they have one real bad fault, when you store them standing up, oil from the receiver runs down into the stock and eventually softens it up enough to rot the wood and cause it to split.

But are they worth the price differential ? To me, yes, to another person, probably not.

They are go bang and the rabbit, duck, pheasant, goose, turkey, clay target etc receives a dose of lead shot, just the same as with any other shotgun.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Not sure what the planned purpose is for it. A side by side or an over under would be fun to have. For what it's worth, I really like my Mossberg 500 as a general purpose doit all shot gun. The other reccomendations above all sound good as well.

 

[TAKtical]

Anything made by Benelli. Ive had a nova, supernova, M1 Super 90, and M4. I dont think many people who have owned a Benelli will try to steer you in another direction. They are just excellent guns. A Nova tactical will run you about $350, thats not far off from an 870.

 

[danthearmyman]

I have an 870...wouldn't get rid of it ever.

I picked up a CZ Canvasback, and love that over/under shotgun for skeet/trap

My next up is probably going to be a Remington 11-87 or a mossberg 590. Wanting to get into the semi-auto game.

If money isn't a problem, I'd honestly be looking Benelli semi's

 

[Katana8869]

Love my Bennelli Nova.... but at risk of getting flamed off of the board may I suggest the IAC Hawk 982? I bought one to act as a "back-up" shotgun and just all around beater new for 200 bucks. What I got was an EXCELLENT 870 clone that imo is better than the original. It shares accesories and most parts with the 870 (except barrels), has an all steel reciever, metal trigger group, very good ghost ring sights and it has a nice smooth action. Downside.... it's Chinese. Which is a complete dealbreaker for some. If however you can get beyond that it is one hell of a gun for the money.

 

[jason41987]

i use my shotgun for a variety of things.. but i might get a second pump action, one with a pistol grip/buttstock combo and extended tube mag, and the other for hunting

 

[maxyedor]

Another for for the BPS. I have an 870, and have zero complaints, but if I could do it all over, I'd spend the few extra dollars for an entry level BPS in a heartbeat. The older Model 12 Winchesters are fine guns, as are the old Wingmasters, but nothing on the shelves today beats a BPS if you want a pump gun IMHO.

 

[jason41987]

what makes the BPS special?

 

[drcook]

The BPS is another bottom ejecting shotgun, just like the Ithaca is. The safety is on top the tang, making it ideal for left-handed folks. Dual action bars, lots of features.

here is their description and a video

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/family.asp?webflag_=011b

Gander Mountain typically stocks them, so you could go there to check one out. Gander Mt is typically a bit pricey, just like Cabelas is usually pricey, especially on used guns. BUT you would be able to see and handle one.

 

[jason41987]

hmm, i dont like the idea of a tang safety though.. id like to put on a combination pistol grip and buttstock... would be impossible to reach it without removing a hand from the shotgun

 

[Hilljun]

But What?

I love my Benelli Nova 3 1/2 in pump. I've not had any problems and can hit (what i'm trying to) out to 100 yards with slugs out of the factory barrel. The best part is you can pick one up for under four bills. In the fall I will shoot a case of cheap shells a week between shooting trash ducks off the minnow ponds and those giant swarms of mosquitoes or black birds you really can't tell the difference in Arkansas.

 

[jason41987]

what i should do, is shop for a double-barrel for hunting while i convert the 870 into a home defense / tactical shotty... so im going to start shopping for some double barrels... i like the classic-ness of the side by sides, like an old coach gun.. but i think id like a nice over/under, or possibly a combination 12 gauge for fowl and turkey, with some sort of a rifle barrel for deer

 

[Fiv3r]

I really love my old Ithaca DSPS I bought from a good friend. I put the rest of my pump guns out to pasture. The 37 is the most accurate, comfortable, balanced, and just plain cool shotgun I have ever owned. I'll never ever get rid of it.

 

[gunfish]

How about a metric Remington 870. Howa built them for S&W and mossberg in the 80's. I have put over 5000 rounds the one with no apparant wear. Look for S&W model 3000.