[delcrossv]

I've always used a SxS, but #2 son is looking for a 12 ga pump gun for hunting/ clays/home defense . Need something that takes choke tubes so he can use it for brids, clays and slugs for deer.

Recommendations?

 

[Oldbrass]

Mossberg 500 or remington 870

 

[Breakaway500]

Tough to beat the Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 pumps. I like the older Winchester model 12s and the Ithica 37s but some didn't come with replaceable chokes. I have a few with Polychokes which some hate..but I love.

If you really want the "ultimate" pump..try a DP12...

 

[Charlie686]

My Ithica Model 37 isover 40 yrs. old and has never let me down. Mine id mod. choke and it serves me well for just abour everything.

 

[Injunbro]

IMNVHO nothing compares w/ an Ithaca.

 

[Abby'sDad]

Ithaca, Win Model 12, Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Maverick 88(Mossberg brand)

 

[Charlie686]

IMNVHO nothing compares w/ an Ithaca.

I don't shoot Hi brass much anymore. This 70 yr. old shoulder won't take the punishment. If I choose my shoots lo brass gets the job done.

 

[Breakaway500]

Every home needs at least ONE 12 gauge pump gun. Pretty much take care of anything. I had a lazy friend that shot a hole through his 10” thigh foundation with slugs so he could get a waterline through. Give the laziest man the hardest job he will find the easiest way to do it. Handy tool the pump shotgun! My favorite firearm.

 

[jeepnut]

I got a Stevens 520 and has been a couple of trips and has functioned flawlessly and is a takedown.
The others listed too are excellent also.

 

[Blackcloud2]

You have choices and many have been mentioned, but this one would be hard to find now, a Revelation (sold through Western Auto) 12 gauge from the late 50' to early 60's, my grandfather's hunting gun. It has a fixed full choke, but it's been used by me personally on dove, quail, rabbits and one duck, oh yeah, many clay pigeons too. It also saw time riding in a police car with my dad and there's no telling what my grandfather in rural western Arkansas harvested with it back before 1966. About 10 years ago I took up a renewed interest in clay shooting for a short time and bought a used Winchester 1400 semi-auto, so I turned over the old pump shotgun at that time to his great-grandson to keep and pass on to future family!

 

[Waidmann]

I have owned Browning, Remington, Mossberg and Winchester along the way. The Browning, like the Ithaca 37 loads and ejects through the bottom. I had a tendency to short stroke the Browning, ejecting but not reloading it. I would recommend passing on any old style nozzle choke devices having seen several mounted a freckle off center, not good. Unless of course if you can try it out ahead of purchase....

Slugs, a different matter. Slugs imho just about demand rifle sights.

 

[msharley]

Hey D,

For a right hander, the Rem 870.

For a left hander, the Mossberg.

(not knocking Ithaca... just more readily available accessories for the 870 & 500/550.)

The 870 safety is on the trigger guard. In such a fashion that the Left Handed have a neat trick of dealing with it.

The Mossberg safety is on the tang. Easily worked leftie or rightie!

Now, both make (and there are aftermarket parts galore) "Slug Barrels". Smooth & Rifled. One can use the same shotgun on the same day to hunt birds/rabbits/turkey and venison. Simply swap the barrel for slugs. 30 seconds max.

Both have choke tubes...

There are a variety of stocks, mag tubes...etc for both...and AFFORDABLE!

You can get a used Mossy for about $250 to $300. A little more for the 870..

Hope this helps...

Later, Mark

 

[Keith44Spl]

I got the wife an 870...and she's been happier ever since.

.

 

[Bmaintz]

I've always used a SxS, but #2 son is looking for a 12 ga pump gun for hunting/ clays/home defense . Need something that takes choke tubes so he can use it for brids, clays and slugs for deer.

Recommendations?

Rem Wing Master (older one)... I have a 20 gauge & great for hunting...No jams

 

[Abby'sDad]

Hey D,

For a right hander, the Rem 870.

For a left hander, the Mossberg.

(not knocking Ithaca... just more readily available accessories for the 870 & 500/550.)

The 870 safety is on the trigger guard. In such a fashion that the Left Handed have a neat trick of dealing with it.

The Mossberg safety is on the tang. Easily worked leftie or rightie!

Now, both make (and there are aftermarket parts galore) "Slug Barrels". Smooth & Rifled. One can use the same shotgun on the same day to hunt birds/rabbits/turkey and venison. Simply swap the barrel for slugs. 30 seconds max.

Both have choke tubes...

There are a variety of stocks, mag tubes...etc for both...and AFFORDABLE!

You can get a used Mossy for about $250 to $300. A little more for the 870..

Hope this helps...

Later, Mark

Remington made LH 870s, no need to go with a Mossberg

 

[gunjunkie]

Remington made LH 870s, no need to go with a Mossberg

Or a Browning BPS, since they are ambidextrous.

 

[PandRFan]

My favorite is the Winchester M12. I have a 12 gauge that some idiot put an adjustable choke on. Ruined the value but makes a nice huntin' shotgun.
But my absolute favorite is one a got 41 years ago tonight. The family was over for Christmas Eve and I was handing out the presents. I wasn't getting much, and I thought to myself "Well, it's not about presents anyway". Then Dad handed me an envelope. I opened it and there was a note inside that said "go look in the corner and see if there's anything you like". In that corner was a perfect M42 Winchester. For those who don't know that is a scaled down M12 in .410 Bore.
I still have it and it is my most valuable shotgun.
Jim

 

[HectorFuego]

Take at look at the Benelli Nova. It was my go to gun for dove hunting a couple of years ago. Very smooth action. I've run every thing from 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 inch shells through it and it cycled them all without a problem. It comes with I/C, Modified, and Full choke tubes, plus there are all kinds of aftermarket tubes available.

Hector

 

[Area51guy!]

Winchester Model 12 or Ithica Model 37. The cream of the crop in pump guns. The Win Model 12 I currently own is a 20 gauge skeet gun but it works well in the field as well!

 

[msharley]

I've always used a SxS, but #2 son is looking for a 12 ga pump gun for hunting/ clays/home defense . Need something that takes choke tubes so he can use it for brids, clays and slugs for deer.

Recommendations?

Hey D Man,

Well? What's he going to get?

Pics?

Later, Mark