Pump shotguns- Who is manufacturing the best?

[bnewt3]

Im a lefty so I started on an Ithaca M37 youth in 20ga we had in the family and my 15th bday present was a new M37 12ga. We also have a M37 that my great uncle did all of his hunting with. As far as a pump goes, I cant imagine needing or wanting anything more.

Mine was made during some of the dark times in the company. There are some things here and there that show it, but after at least 1000rds it has never failed to go bang or cycle properly which is what really matters.

 

[betelgeuse]

I have an older Wingmaster Special, works evertime, all the time. I have been using a 26" barrel with the screw in chokes. I will never part with it. I kept the fixed 28 MOD barrel as well. I have a BPS, it's nice t00. The wingmaster feels a little more svelte. For some reason I have been using my 1100 with a 26" barrel for the last couple years on quail.

I have a friend who has several of the Ithacas. I really liked shooting them as well. He said stay away from magnum stuff in them,.

 

[Maineotter]

Pump shotguns are like trucks. Chevy, Ford, GMC, Ram. Everyone has their preference!

Hold a bunch and see what you like. They all handle very differently.

The big two are Mossberg 500 / 535 / 590 and Remington 870s. Ithaca 37s Winchesters and Browning BPS have a small cult following. I dont like plastic shelled ones, like the Benelli Nova or Remington 887.

Im personally a diehard 870 Fan, I look up the barrel codes to figure out the year and buy Dupont era mostly. But 1990s to pre 2006 is my ballpark. The older Wingmasters are fantastic if you like wood and blueing. The newer parkerized finish does last, just get it good and oily the first time and let it soak a little. Post 2006 the parkerized finish and quality control went to **** so avoid those.

The stock on 870s just fit me better, theyre easy to disassemble and clean, and the steel receiver soaks up some recoil. Plus most of the 20 gauges are built on a 20 gauge frame. I buy every one I find between 3 and 350 in good shape. I also have a set Im building with multiple receivers and barrels cerakoted sniper grey. I MEANT to do tungsten grey buttt I was a little distracted and now Im too invested to change. Works awesome for sea ducks tho

I have one friend who said "you just learned to shoot one shotgun well and refused to ever change or learn another." Another friend said "Im pretty sure your autistic" when he realized I only had 870s for shotguhs

 

[RyanT26]

Pump shotguns are like trucks. Chevy, Ford, GMC, Ram. Everyone has their preference!

Hold a bunch and see what you like. They all handle very differently.

The big two are Mossberg 500 / 535 / 590 and Remington 870s. Ithaca 37s Winchesters and Browning BPS have a small cult following. I dont like plastic shelled ones, like the Benelli Nova or Remington 887.

Im personally a diehard 870 Fan, I look up the barrel codes to figure out the year and buy Dupont era mostly. But 1990s to pre 2006 is my ballpark. The older Wingmasters are fantastic if you like wood and blueing. The newer parkerized finish does last, just get it good and oily the first time and let it soak a little. Post 2006 the parkerized finish and quality control went to **** so avoid those.

The stock on 870s just fit me better, theyre easy to disassemble and clean, and the steel receiver soaks up some recoil. Plus most of the 20 gauges are built on a 20 gauge frame. I buy every one I find between 3 and 350 in good shape. I also have a set Im building with multiple receivers and barrels cerakoted sniper grey. I MEANT to do tungsten grey buttt I was a little distracted and now Im too invested to change. Works awesome for sea ducks tho

I have one friend who said "you just learned to shoot one shotgun well and refused to ever change or learn another." Another friend said "Im pretty sure your autistic" when he realized I only had 870s for shotguhs

That’s a good kind of autism.

 

[Swamp Fox]

I understand pump shotguns are often thought as cheap entry-level guns into some point they are. Looking for a pump in a 20 gauge. I would prefer wood and blue steel.

Are the new Remington 870s as quality as they once were. Anybody who’s handled the Field Master or Wing Master is there enough difference to account for the extra money.

Looking at Ithaca 37 as well, haven’t been able to find one to handle though. I had a BPS years ago and it always felt like it was clunky.

On paper, I like what I see about the new Fieldmaster.

I wish I could find reasonably priced synthetic Monte Carlo stocks for 870s, though. 12s and 20s. The one on-line seller I've found is asking a mint for used and stripped. Anybody selling (listing) new seems to be perpetually out of stock.