Winchester Model 12 or Remington 870

[El Hombre]

...and that they weighed less than a car.

True, they are @ a 1/2 pound heavier than an 870.

But then the Model 12 was no lightweight either.

Balance is more important than weight. Besides more weight usually means less felt recoil.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I seriously doubt my life would have taken much of a turn had Pop gifted me a Model 12 back in 1959 instead of the 870 that I still have and cherish.

Both are superb, versatile, well made shotguns.

The 870 costs less.

Get what you want and exercise it frequently.....

 

[ArmedBear]

True, they are @ a 1/2 pound heavier than an 870.

But then the Model 12 was no lightweight either.

I didn't compare it to the Model 12. I'm not a Model 12 freak. They do nothing for me. I'd shoot one, but I couldn't care less about the things. A truck gun built with unnecessary expense and precision doesn't do much for me, nor does it make me feel "classy."

I would compare the Browning's balance and weight to the gun it was supposed to be, and the Browning sure does not compare favorably, other than the recoil absorption inherent in heavy guns.

 

[El Hombre]

I would compare the Browning's balance and weight to the gun it was supposed to be, and the Browning sure does not compare favorably, other than the recoil absorption inherent in heavy guns.


Ok, I'll bite.

What was it supposed to be?

My opinion always was an updated Model 17. (Another underrated excellent upland field gun.)

 

[ArmedBear]

An Ithaca 37 with styling cues from a Model 12.

The receiver of the BPS does look nicer, but the Featherlight is about as excellent as a pump upland field gun gets. If they just put on a tang safety...

 

[3pairs12]

My dad shoots 20k+ rounds of trap every year with the same Model 12. If thats not reliable, I don't know what is. He has worn out several barrels and firing pins but after that many rounds every year that is to be expected. The one he shoots the most has 500,000 rounds through it since he has owned it. He even won a Jeep with it at a New Years shoot several years ago against the likes of Perazzis and such.

 

[El Hombre]

An Ithaca 37 with styling cues from a Model 12.


Yup, the Model 17.
Ithaca waited for the patents to run out on the 17 & started production as the model 37.

You are right. Those are sweet guns.

 

[CSA 357]

Give me the mod 12! Just abetter made gun than the 870, and the 670 is a good gun

 

[ArmedBear]

Yup, the Model 17.
Ithaca waited for the patents to run out on the 17 & started production as the model 37.

Browning, sadly, has discontinued every last one of their greatest guns, except, perhaps, the BAR.

 

[mswestfall]

Both are great shotguns but....
For flavor, PBR beats Hamm's, hands down.