Pump shotguns- Who is manufacturing the best?

[StupidLightweight]

The best pump guns are gone, but they're still cheap to buy on the used market and ready to serve for another few generations of use.

Check out the Winchester Model 12 in 20 gauge. For a bargain buy that works as well as anything ever made, J.C. Higgin's Model 20 is sweet shotgun. I snagged one with a bulged barrel for $90 to turn into a short-barrel shotgun. It's shockingly slick.

 

[pacoalcracker]

I have a better idea...just get a nice double. If you need a 3rd shot you ain't connecting anyways. Plus, they handle far better and are much lighter. Lets not forget they are classy. If you must do a pump, get the BPS.

 

[KurtR]

My dad has a early 70's 28" solid barrel wing master that has had alot of steel shot through it with no problem. Mine is a 1979 and same thing.

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

If you really want a blued pump gun, I'd go either a vintage 870 Wingmaster or a Browning BPS. The Goat of pump shotguns is a Winchester model 12 if you can find a nice one for a price you can live with. I have a nice 16 ga model myself, although it rarely leaves the safe. I usually hunt with a double for upland and a Benelli auto for waterfowl.

 

[TxLite]

I would look for a 80’s Remington wing master

This is what I did for my first shotgun when I turned 18 and it’s smooth as butter. Found a used 1981 model in great shape and absolutely love it. Gave $350 for it

 

[Steve300xcw]

Another vote for buying something used. Plenty of nice ones out there

 

[Loper]

OP I had a BPS at one time too, and while it is probably the most durable and well made pump, I thought it was clunky as well. It was a 3.5 inch gun and it just didn’t fit me well. Seemed like I was having to reach further out than what was natural for me to hold onto the handguard and pump the action.

Sometimes I regret selling it, but if I were to get another, I’d probably get a smaller 20 gauge.

 

[Blockcaver]

Love Winchester Model 12's. The large frame 12 ga versions for clay target shooting and the small frame 16 ga, 20 ga and 28 ga guns which all utilize the same frame size for carrying in the uplands. My 1935 20 ga 26" barrel with a solid rib only weighs about 6#5oz.

Winchester made over 2 million of them from 1912 thru 1964 with a few later versions (Y-model 12 ga guns and Miroku built 20 ga and 28 ga "copies"). Parts are still generally available and short of a firing pin for the 20 ga, I haven't needed any.

 

[Darby]

unfortunately... the 870's of old, aren't being made anymore.

 

[Bert01]

Another vote for a used Winchester 1300 or sxp. I got a 20ga youth 1300 for my 13th Christmas and it’s still going 32 years and 2 sons later. I never owned another shotgun until I was in my mid twenties. A lot of 3” buckshot and 3” steel shot through that gun, never an issue of any kind.

 

[RyanT26]

After going down a rabbit hole of pump shotguns the last month and a half, I decided to do what most would consider sacrilege.

My great grandpa purchased a Winchester model 12 12ga in 1922. I inherited it from my dad in 2002. It’s been sitting in the back of the safe for the last 22 years. No rust or pitting, the stock was cracked. Bluing is extremely thin and gone in some areas.
After researching restorations and talking to a gunsmith shop or two, I sent it off to Art’s gun shop in Missouri for a full restoration.

Still have my eye out for a 20 gauge pump. Already counting down the days till this one gets back to me though.

 

[OMF]

I think it's a good plan - restore it and use it. Get it back in use and looking good. I've seen a few restores from Art's and I thought they looked great. To me, guns are made to be used, not fondled and petted while you sip your cognac in your tweed smoking jacket.

 

[flathead#2]

We have 3 - 870's that function flawlessly. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 

[Slickhill]

Good call sending your M12 to Art’s, probably no place knows them better these days.

Now that the BPS is discontinued if I had to buy a new pump gun an Ithaca would probably be my only consideration.

But before doing that I’d be much more likely to hunt down an old Ithaca, a Remington M31 or M17, or another M12. If you wanted another M12 the late production Miroku M12s are super nice and probably your best chance at finding a new or nearly new gun.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

How are the Benelli super novas?

 

[Kurts86]

How are the Benelli super novas?

Very functional but very plastic. They are definitely the best made functional guns but they don’t have the look of a 1970’s Wingmaster.

 

[D.Blake]

I still shoot the same BPS my dad bought me when I was 14, so almost 20 years.

She aint pretty anymore but I average around 30 days in the blind per year.

 

[IAm_Not_Lost]

Mossberg or Maverick for a budget option that will work. I would avoid anything Remington. I personally purchased one about 10 years ago that was a disaster and is in line with most people's experiences since Remington had all of their issues.

 

[Wetwork]

I picked up a Benelli Nova 20 gauge in Advantage Timber, used, about ten years ago. Its been my go to for everything upland for years now. Its super light and has a magazine cut off switch (nice for down-loading, or tactical loading a speciality round.) I use a Winchester Super X2 3.5 for ducks, and 870 SuperExpress for geese. But as I mentioned I love that Benelli for upland and turkey. I thought I'd hate the thing, but I was helping out a buddy so I bought it and can't say enough nice things about it.-WW

 

[Ron.C]

I use a Browning BPS for waterfowl in saltwater estuaries, and I think its the best pump shotgun on the market. Reliable, silky smooth action and durable.

That said, I'ts not a gun I'd want to lug around on upland hunts.