The most DEPENDABLE shotgun you own..

[metalax]

Beretta 301A

 

[c01]

Benelli SBE2

 

[RX-178]

NEF/H&R Single shot 20ga.

 

[ArmedBear]

BTW my 870 is the LEAST dependable of my shotguns in real-world use.

Once it's loaded, assuming you pump it correctly, it's reliable unless you have certain ammo, which makes it jam.

However, if you are loading it while keeping your eyes on your target instead of looking down at the gun, it's very easy to stuff a round in backwards. Once you do, it's hell getting it out. If you want to use the gun immediately, plan to use it as a club, because that's all it's good for.

I don't consider the 870 particularly unreliable. However, it's best to think of things like this, before you give any gun too much credit.

 

[R3dundantC]

I'm going to disagree with ArmedBear.
My 870's are run kinda hard, in all weather conditions using all types of ammo. Never have had a problem.

*edit* I have locked it up once with a shell in backwards, but only once

 

[xcgates]

Seeing as I only own one shotgun, thats an easy answer (cheapest 870 I could get my hands on) That said, the only time it hasn't fired when I pulled the trigger was one of first times I shot trap. It may have been user error, though, as when I flipped the safety off, it went bang.

BTW, that is an 870 used pretty much entirely for trap, which answers the question I've heard from some people about needing a specialized gun. In fact at the range there were several people who used exactly what they used to hunt.

Addressing what ArmedBear said, I've only loaded through the magazine a couple times, mostly when testing slugs. So as previously mentioned, all my shooting has been trap (load one shell at a time), or introducing others to shooting (load one shell at a time so there is less chance of something going wrong.)

 

[ArmedBear]

*edit* I have locked it up once with a shell in backwards, but only once

My point is this: it will lock up hard, every single time you do this. If you do it once, twice, or a hundred times, it becomes a club each time. And I have guns which make this 100% impossible to do.

Same goes for short-shucking.

The 870 works if you use it perfectly. That may not be especially difficult, but I have guns that go "bang" when I pull the trigger, are impossible to load backwards, and can't be short-shucked. To call the 870 the "most dependable" shotgun I own would be inaccurate. To call it "unreliable" would be inaccurate, as well. It performs as advertised, except with Winchester Universals -- like most 870s.

This doesn't make the 870 "bad"; it means that you have to think through exactly what you mean by "dependable". And my 870 has failed on me, due to operator error, more often than any other gun, in part because either or both these operator errors aren't possible with some other guns. A burglar or a duck doesn't care why you didn't get a shot off.

 

[jmorris]

I am talkin' your "go to, no worries" shotgun that does it all for your hunting needs; turkey,deer,ducks,geese, and all small game;

I don’ t have one “go to” shotgun but I do have many for different purposes from hunting, playing and competition. With the right ammunition I have Saiga’s, 1100’s and other autos that run 100% but can be more problematic especially with poor ammunition and/or maintenance. Pumps are viewed as more reliable for the same reason a hammer is more reliable than a drill, less parts and man powered. Of course the simplicity of a single shot with out an auto extractor will make it the most reliable device, just not as versatile.

 

[ArmedBear]

Of course the simplicity of a single shot with out an auto extractor will make it the most reliable device, just not as versatile.

It is, however, FAR more versatile than an 870 or an 1100 locked up hard with a round in the magazine backwards.

 

[chas08]

I'm going to disagree with ArmedBear.

I have locked it up once with a shell in backwards, but only once

Yup... I did that once on a Duck hunt years ago myself. I've also short stroked or forgot to pump while using it during my benelli sbe1's absence for repairs. I can't blame the gun for "operator malfunctions" I've never had ammo issues with mine of any kind, but it's 13 yrs old and may predate those issues. All in all I'd count it among the most dependable guns I've owned.

 

[ArmedBear]

I can't blame the gun for "operator malfunctions"

Sure you can.

A pump gun's design allows short-shucking. See PF versus CRF rifles: CRF is designed so that the operator doesn't have to do things like lock the bolt down before unchambering a hot round. That's the design. PF has the advantage of... Oh wait, there aren't any, except for the manufacturer trimming costs...

Every design involves trade-offs. Seeing these for what they are is not "blaming the gun". They don't mean you shouldn't choose the gun. They might mean that you had better train to work around them, though, particularly if it's a defensive gun. Denial leads to poor training.

The 870's magazine/lifter design makes it lock up the way it does. It doesn't have to lock up hard when you load a round the wrong way. That is a flaw, since it could be done better. You decide whether it's a big flaw or a little one, but it exists either way.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Beretta A390 ST. Thousands upon thousands of rounds and never a failure of any kind. That includes every kind of cheap crap ammo money can buy. And I bought it used, so no telling really just how many rounds it has through it.

I can't blame the gun for "operator malfunctions"

Exactly right. I also have 2 870 Express that have been used quite a bit (not lately though) that have been super reliable.

 

[MCgunner]

However, if you are loading it while keeping your eyes on your target instead of looking down at the gun, it's very easy to stuff a round in backwards. Once you do, it's hell getting it out. If you want to use the gun immediately, plan to use it as a club, because that's all it's good for.

Do tell. ROFL BACKWARDS? I don't think I've done THAT one, yet. LOL! I used to get real ticked at my Wingmaster when it was cold and I had to leave the glove off my loading hand and my thumb was numb from the cold and I wouldn't quite get that shell in the mag when the shell elevator pinched my thumb and I yanked it out cussing and the shell would jump back under the elevator and lock up the works. Always happened when there were ducks everywhere in the sky and I was trying to get a load in fast. I much prefer my 500's design, but it's ammo picky, too, and after shooting my Winchester autoloader or a double, I'll often forget how to pump. Or, I'll switch from the pump to the autoloader and try to pump it after a shot, which doesn't bother the gun because it's already pumped itself. I adjust after a few shots, though. LOL

Yeah, I don't think there's a pump that could be called "reliable" when there's so many doubles and single shots out there that CANNOT jam, no way, no how, unless maybe you don't clean it in 25 years or something. My autoloader doesn't like 7/8 ounce loads, my Mossberg doesn't like 3" Winchester high speed. They are ammo picky like your 870, just goes with the territory. Feed 'em right and work 'em right and they work. But, a good single shot or double is damned near fool proof, relatively speaking. I mean, they work 100 percent for THIS fool. Anything COULD break, but you limit the possibilities when you llmit the moving parts.

 

[chas08]

They don't mean you shouldn't choose the gun. They might mean that you had better train to work around them, though, particularly if it's a defensive gun. Denial leads to poor training.

With that I agree. My backward round wasn't a matter of life or death for me. And it wasn't that big of an inconvenience because I had what I needed in my blind bag to remove the trigger group. So I was back up and running pretty quick. It did lead to a conscious change in the technique that I use to load all of my guns, especially the tubular fed magazine types. And so far it hasn't happened again, in however many years, on any gun I own. Now the short stroking rears it's ugly head now and then, especially when switching back and forth between double guns and semi's to pumps.

 

[Harley Rider 55]

Winchester 1300 Defender works fine because I only use it for HD

 

[Rshooter]

Remington 870 circa 1955. It still works as well as it did for the previous owners.

 

[TomADC]

I have two Charles Daly O/U's a 12 & 20 each have had more that 10,000 rounds thru them never missed a beat. The 20 when I hunted was a dove & quail slayer suspreme.

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

870 Wingmaster.

 

[DammitBoy]

Remington 1100
Benelli M1 super90
Mossberg 500
Remington 870
Stoeger coachgun

None of these have ever had a single issue, but the 1100 has been fired more often than all the others combined.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

Model 24 Winchester side by side, 12 ga IC/M, 26", dual triggers, extractors

 

[lowerunit411]

circa 1965 Belgium made Browning A-5 Light 12.

 

[okc-zee]

my 590A1

 

[Ky Larry]

My Ithica Model-37 made in 1940. But really, I have a Rem Model-1100 and a Winchester Home Defender and they've never missed a beat either. All 12ga.

 

[BHP FAN]

Winchester 1300.

 

[RetiredLawman]

My long recoil guns have given me great, trouble free service. I really like the SKB 900 and the Franchi 48. Gas guns are OK but are not as relaible as the long recoil actions.

I recently sold some of my guns. The inertia actions and the gas guns are gone. They were decent guns but required more care than the A5, 48, and 900. I started off with long recoil actions and will end with them. They have been good to me.