Let's talk about shotguns

JasonV

I admit I am probably an opinionated shotgun snob. And set in my ways. But I was pleasantly surprised at a pump gun I picked up.
I won't own or shoot an 870 express or a Mossberg 500. Both junk in my opinion after having owned both.
I do love older Remington shotguns, especially a nice light and pretty wingmaster. And the older Remington semi autos are nice. I won't touch anything Remington put their name on in the past 25 years.
I prefer side by sides and over under shotguns with a preference for Browning.
Don't care for a 12 gauge at all, big heavy club.
A 16 gauge is pretty much all I shoot at targets, ducks, doves, and pheasants.
I do tolerate a Benelli Nova just because a fella should own at least one inexpensive shotgun.

I also haven't had much use for Winchester ever. In my opinion they survived way too long on a reputation without innovation and became stale. Everything Winchester made I am interested in is very high priced antiques- that has been my feeling for years.

But then I picked up a old pristine Winchester model 12 at an local estate auction last year. I got it because it seemed like one that was not so normal. It is a 12 gauge feather weight with an improved cylinder choked barrel. I think the barrel is 26 inches long. Made in late 60 or early 70s- i forget which. It has sat in the safe for a year without ever putting it to my shoulder.

But I have a new pheasant dog that needs training and I wanted to introduce her to close up gunfire. She is usually in the house when I am shooting and has never been up close when I shoot. So just for fun I got out the clay bird thrower and grabbed that model 12. Man that gun fits me good! Last night was the first time shooting it and I threw 27 clay birds and hit 24 of them. Tonight I hit 23 of 25. One of the reasons I carry a 16 gauge all the time is they are so light. But this model 12 is light also! I am definitely in love with this Winchester model 12. I think it will be my pheasant gun this year.
And the dog did good with it too! Dog is a standard poodle, her name is Little Ann. She is 8 months old and 50 pounds. Her dad is 90 pounds and I hope she stops growing.

So I guess an old opinionated fool can learn a new thing and be surprised once in a while. Now I have to wonder what other great shotguns I have overlooked!!!!!!

buddyb

I have an accumulation of Browning A5s,Winchester Model 12s,Remington Model 11s and a pristine Savage 750. 

BobJudy

There are a few model 12s in 12 and 20 gauge in the safes. In my opinion they were the best pump made, followed close by the Ithaca 37. I prefer the ones made post war as the early ones had to much drop in the stock and kick me like a ornery mule. I anger the true mod 12 aficionados because I like the post 64 made ones just as much as the older ones. 

Now that you have discovered mod 12s check out the mod 42. But be careful these old Winchester pumps can be addictive. I know because there just might be a few of those in the safes keeping the mod 12s company.😊 Bob

mohawk600

I used to have a Remington Sportsman, which is basically a copy of the Browning A5, in 16 guage. Damn that was a sweet gun.........wish I still had it.

savage170

The only shotgun that is on my want list right now is a 1897 win. I have always wanted one seems like when I have the funds I never run across a decent one

William81

Back in the early 70's during my teenage years I started searching for a shotgun to hunt with.  Both of my Grandfathers were hunters and I had the opportunity to fire both of their favorite shotguns.....My maternal Grandpa had a nice Remington 870 Wingmaster in 20 ga.   My paternal Grandpa had an Ithaca 37 Featherweight in 12 ga.    

I ended up purchasing an Ithaca 37 mainly because I an left handed and the bottom eject works well for me.....45 years later I still have that Ithaca and use it from time to time....I also inherited my maternal Grandpa's Wingmaster and will be using that in a few week when dove season opens !!!!

I have never owned a Semi-Auto...I like pump shotguns but some brands do not work for me, again the left handed thing gets in my way... I have refused to purchase a left handed shotgun...just stubborn I guess !

Nanuq907

My only shotgun is a 12ga Mossberg loaded with magnum slugs that I can drop in the mud. It’s not pretty by a long shot but it goes boom when I need it to.

SCOUT5

Been awhile since I had a model 12.   Every time I get one someone wants it bad enough to offer me a good profit and I let it go.   The one I do regret selling was a 20ga with 26" improved cylinder barrel.   It was a good bird and rabbit gun.   I have an 870 express 20ga that has never failed me but much prefer a wingmaster lite.   Ithaca has always been my favorite pump gun and I have a 12ga and a 20ga now.  I've never cared for Mossberg Pumps but have a had a couple newer Winchesters pumps that ran fine, they are fast.    

The past few years I've acquired some Ithaca sxs guns.  A 12ga  and a 16ga Ithaca made Lefevor nitros and an older flues model 20ga.    I have some O/U guns too.   Actually I have more shotguns than I can hunt with.   I've been thinking about that.

chme

Have an Ithaca 37 Featherlight that I rather like- and a Fox Sterlingworth 12 g SxS I REALLY like.  And if you want to learn to be humble, take the shotgun I inherited from my Dad, and shoot a round of sporting clays with it.  A Remington 1100 Light Field- in .410.  

Mobuck

OK. so you don't like either of the two most popular pump shotguns ever made and your bird dog is a poodle that lives in the house? In that case, your opinions on shotguns don't get much traction with me.

hillbille

got an old 870 express, and I know they aren't the quality of the older wingmasters, but that gun has logged miles of rabbitt hunting being drug through the brush and briars, many times used to beat the briars back just to walk/get to a downed rabbitt. yes the wood is scratched and blueing worn, but it was about $200 new and never failed to shoot or never jammed on me, for that money didn't mind dragging it through the brush.... who would do that with a browning or benelli????

Ricci.Wright

We did a show with the "NEW" Ithaca company from Ohio a few years back at the store. A big deal with some dude who had written a book on Ithacas and everything. Well I overheard one of the Ithaca company men standing at my counter telling customers how the Remington and Mossbergs were junk and they needed to toss them and buy the "NEW" Ithacas. I asked him to step into my office and explained to him that he could stop saying such crap or  pack up his people and guns and leave. Now I have no problem with good "OLD" Ithaca pump guns and have owned a few, but as it turned out at least some of the "NEW" Ithaca's were junk including a $3000,00 custom 28 ga. that one of my customers ordered that day. I sent that gun back three times just on cosmetic issues after waiting for months to get it. A few years later another customer insisted on ordering a $1300.00 model 37 slug gun even though I tried my best to talk him into going with something else. He was hunting somewhere up north that was shotgun only, had spent a lot of money on the hunt and wanted that damn Ithaca no mater what I said. Cool, his money, his choice. A week later this dude calls me and says how the gun won't shoot, has ruined his hunt and I will being refunding his money as soon as he returns. Uh, no, I won't. I called Ithaca and they bought the gun back finally. I never sold another "NEW" Ithaca. I did sell an old Ithaca last week, nice gun.

mogley98

Shotgun IMHO designed to spread the most amount of shot into a specific pattern depending on the intended target. If they work I like em

BobJudy

Mobuck said:

OK. so you don't like either of the two most popular pump shotguns ever made and your bird dog is a poodle that lives in the house? In that case, your opinions on shotguns don't get much traction with me.

The two most popular shotguns because they are cheap and aftermarket parts are common. Poor fit and finish and use plastic parts that aren't durable. Both trade on the reputation of the models made 50 years ago but the new ones just don't compare. So I have to agree with Jason about the express and 500.

Evidently you have never hunted over a standard poodle. They ain't your old Aunts' toy foo-foo dog. Bob

kimi

I haven't done much shotgunning as an adult, but as a youngster, my favorite shotgun was a Winchester Model 42.  I have quite a few shotguns at the present, with four of them being Wingmaster's.  My favorite of that bunch being a .410.  The Winchester that I have used a few times a very long time ago is a Model 1200 12 gauge.  I do have a great Winchester Model 12 in 16 gauge that has had a buttpad installed.  It's really a nice gun.

clays

Talk about some interesting Model 42 shotguns.  Watch this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODewYqDJDaI

BobJudy

After watching the video I have come to the conclusion that I have wasted to much money on things like food and mortgages over the last 45 years or so. If I hadn't wanted to eat and have a roof over my head, I could have accumulated 182 model 42 s too. Instead I only have 3 and am warm, dry and fat. 😊 Bob

SCOUT5

BobJudy said:

Evidently you have never hunted over a standard poodle. They ain't your old Aunts' toy foo-foo dog. Bob

They sure aren't.  From a good line of hunting stock the standard poodle makes a good field dog.

SCOUT5

I like shotguns, it's a weakness............maybe.    When the leaves are on and squirrels are cutting in the tops of trees I like to use a shotgun to squirrel hunt.   I carry my old shotguns for that just to give them some use and see what they are like to carry in the field.   Bird hunting it helps to use the same gun, that fits you,  everyday.  But squirrel hunting you are giving up little to carry a different gun each trip.

NeoBlackdog

Always been kinda partial to my Winchester 1200...
I'll just sit here and wait for the flamin' that's on it's way!

SCOUT5

NeoBlackdog said:

Always been kinda partial to my Winchester 1200...
I'll just sit here and wait for the flamin' that's on it's way!

I've had good service from the 1200, fastest pump action I've cycled, I have a 12ga now.  Without modifications they just don't fit me and compared to a wingmaster lite and an Ithaca 37 the 1200 is heavier and a little bulky.   But they shoot and function fine and several years I took one out west with me as a back up while pheasant hunting and to shoot heavy 3" loads out of when crane hunting.   My other gun was a 2 3/4" chambered Ithaca with IC choke, not quite enough for large steel shot required for cranes and geese.  I've since bought a Mossberg 935 with 3 1/2" chamber for that even though I now have an Ithaca 37 with 3" chamber.   

Nanuq907

SCOUT5 said:

From a good line of hunting stock the standard poodle makes a good field dog.

I had a friend with a standard poodle, he thought he'd try a black Lab next time around.  So he picked the best from the litter and the seller told him that's going to be one fiiiiiiine huntin dog.
So he went out hunting with the young Lab and try as he might, all day hunting produced exactly zero ducks.  So back to the seller he went, and confronted him.
Buyer:  "I thought you told me he'd be a fine hunting dog?  I was out all day and didn't get one duck!"
Seller:  "Hmmmmmmm.  Maybe you weren't throwing him high enough?"

clays

They are pretty good at fishing too.

JasonV

I am a big fan of the Ithaca model 37 and the Browning BPS. My first shotgun was a model 37 20 gauge.

Poodles were originally German hunting dogs. They are becoming very popular here in SD for pheasants.
She is a very smart puppy and trainable but I have to introduce things to her slowly as she is wary of new things.

gruntled2

A Winchester model 42 skeet gun is just about all I have left on my want list. Every time I have decided I will go ahead & buy one the prices have gone up above what I had braced myself to pay. It's really no matter though since I couldn't afford to feed one. Can't believe the price of 2 1/2" .410s & I really hate the plastic shells. 

scooterdriver

Dang Clays...she even puts them on a fish stringer!

BobJudy

KenK/84Bravo said:

Standard Poodles were bred as a water hunting dog. Not your typical lapdog.

Own a Win. 1897, an early 20ga Mossberg mdl. 500 (no plastic) , High Standard Riot Pump, Win.1300 Defender Riot Pump, Bennelli Super Nova, Rem. Automaster (precursor to the 1100), Iver Johnson Hercules and Champion, Crescent Red Chieftan, Savage Stevens 24V .30 .30 over a 20ga. etc. etc.

More that I am forgetting, I am sure. Those are just off the top of my head.

Oh yeah, a Savage Stevens 311A 20ga SxS, and found a JC Higgins (Sears &Roebuck) mdl. 20 12ga. pump w/vent rib barrel and adj choke in the back of the safe. Nicely figured and cut checkered walnut stock.(Don't remember this one, or where it came from.) Can anyone tell me more about this one? (About to start researching.)

I think it was made by High Standard and is a rebranded version of their model 200. Nice gun. Sounds like you have the deluxe version. Bob

papernicker

 A few months back, I stumbled on a High Standard Flite King pump,  awesome gun  for 200$ or any money

asop

Shot and still have a Mod. 12, 3" for ducks I used for many years.  When lead wasn't  allowed I went with an 870.  Pheasants used and still have Mod. 12, 20 ga.  I also have a Mod. 42 which is the .410 version. 
 

pulsarnc

Fanciest I own is a new 870 express if you don’t count my grandfather ‘s 1923 Ithaca double . Main gun for most of the last 35 years has been a Winchester 1300 I bought new . It has been my everything gun . Have an assortment of everything else hanging around including some ted Williams , jc Higgins and such .

select-fire

Started out on a Stevens 311 .410 Dad gave me when I was 8 and used it for rabbit and squirrel hunting. Funny thing when you get good with a 410 every thing becomes simple shooting larger gauges. Then at 11 it was sold and upgraded to a 20 gauge.. same gauge Dad shot in his A5 Browning light 20 with a cylinder bore for quail. I started shooting that gun as a junior in high school during quail season. Dad bought me a 1100 Remington light 20 that yr for Christmas. After he died I kept the Browning and sold the Remington. Didn't need 2 bird guns. Then the 410 bug still haunted me. I bought a superposed browning 410. I loved that gun but it still didn't do what Dads ol' A5 could do to birds. I just couldn't shoot it as well. Then on to Model 42 Winchesters.. Which became an addiction. I cannot tell you exactly how many I owned at one time but it was quite a few. I sold and bought them like candy. Something about a 42 that just felt right in your hands shooting birds. Dads Browning stayed parked in the safe. Then one day a man wanted to buy all my 42's for a collection. He got his way and I haven't owned one since. I went back to shooting birds with the ol' A5. Then as luck would have it I purchased a 12 gauge HK over under at a gun show. Had  a funny barrel that had rifling in it. I thought it was for shooting deer slugs. Only a 24 inch barrel which should be great for upland hunting. As luck had it something pointed me to that gun. It was and still is the best bird gun  I have shot. Dads Browning is parked in the safe and hasn't been shot for yrs. I keep an old remington express with a police ported riot gun barrel along with a 36 inch hasting barrel for long range duck hunting. Dual purpose cheap throwaway society firearm. Not pretty but does the job .