Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns What's the best American pump shotgun ever made?

I would have to say:
1) 870 Wingmaster
2) Model 12
but they are very close.

The 870 was designed to be cheaply mass produced - stampings and pins instead of forgings and screws. 12, 31, or 37 for me.

I'd say the Remington 870 Wingmaster.

Thing is there's not many choices. I wonder which one got the most votes.

Okay, I was thinking about scoring this anyway. I went through and counted where I thought people identified clear #1s. Some people posted more than once as well so I tried to watch out for that. So don't blame me if your count differs.

Ithaca 37 - 12
Rem 870 - 10
Win 12 - 10
Rem 31 - 6
Win 1897 - 3
Win 1200 - 2
BPS - 1
Moss 500 - 1
Marlin 120 - 1
Stevens 520 - 1

I've only had 4, still have 3. All 12's.
In order to to bottem...
the BPS upland,
the Rem 870,
Winchester 1300,
and the one I no longer have- Wards Western field (Moss 500)

870

for the money, the 870. ithica 37 is a damn good gun as well

I have owned several model 12's 12ga, an 870 12ga, and a couple of BPS a 12 and 20. All were very good and reliable. I generally used them for different purposes. The BPS's had short barrels and made excellent wood duck guns in thick cover and good turkey guns. The model 12's were great dove guns, and the 870, well it is also a classic, and I used it for quail and duck. All did the job exceptionally well. Out of all of them, the one that would be the last to go would be the 20 ga BPS, it was also a great dove/quail gun. I would like to get another longer barrel for it. The model 12's went down the road, I still have the BPSs', the 870 wingmaster went to my son. I have found it interesting that as I have gotten older, I have moved away from the 12 ga down towards the 20 and 28ga. A model 12 in 28ga would be a really nice fun gun to have. I think browning made some a few years back.

870 followed closely by a couple of others.............

For me it is the Ithaca model 37, I own 4 personnally and the only I won't use it for anymore is duck hunting because of steel shot.

Well, I figured I had to say something about my love of all the JMB-designed shotguns - and I couldn't exactly figure which one would be the "top dog".

Stevens 520 - the original "double hump" - would be my number one, followed by my Savage 720 or Remington 11 AKA Browning Auto-5.

The Stevens 520A, 620A, 620 are all great too - same break-down gun at the core. Here are a pair of my 520's.

As much as I enjoy pump shotguns of all makes, I would pick the 870..Trouble free and simple to clean..All have their good points.. and draw backs.. But as much as I like my 37 for uplands, and my model 12 for turkey, and the smooth operation of the 31, or the looks of the 97, and the power of the BPS 10 ga.
and the compactness of the 835, if I sold all my pumps but one, the old 870 would remain..A bit heavy, but ultra reliable and easy to take apart.. I am not sure, but it may be the oldest pump made continually...

Marlin 120 Magnum. You asked. I've had mine for 50 years haven't had a problem!

1. Old Model 870 Wingmaster, preferably a 16ga!
2. My old Ithaca Model 37 Riot Gun w/ Factory 20" bbl & extended tube.
3.My 1960 Winchester Model 42 .410. Basically a scaled down Model 12 Winchester
4. My new Winchester SXP 12ga Pump Riot Gun. It's fuggly but has a very slick action!
Academy Sports had them on Clearence the day after Sandy Hook for $250.00 !
Was a impulse purchase, but I couldn't resist the price. So far, I'm Impressed.
It's almost as slick as my Ithaca 37 Riot Gun that I had decided was to valuable to use as my truck gun anymore. The SPX 12ga now rides in my F-250 along with my Rem. AR-15 Varmit / Coyote Critter Gitter

I have no experience with the Model 12, but I love the Ithaca 37. My vote for 2nd would be the Mossberg 500. I have been shooting mine for over 25 years without an issue. It has seen some killer duck hunts in Arkansas, and performed like a champ!

Agree with you on the Winny 1200. Right now I have old 870 Wingmaster and
a very old mod 12. Both always go bang.

The SXP is of Turkish manufacture. Just sayin'

My vote would be for the Remington 870 of older manufacture.

I've got a setup like your bottom gun. Brilliant takedown design, but getting a spare front end can be hit or miss. Sometimes they fit, sometimes they don't.

But to the original question, the only correct answer is still Remington Model 31.

Of those I have owned I would rank them as follows:

Model 12 (1939 16 ga.)
Model 870 Wingmaster (1960's 12 ga.)
Model 37 (1950's 20 ga.
Winchester Model 1300 (12 ga. 28" Winchokes)
Browning BPS (Early 12 ga. straight stocked 26" bbl)

The Ithaca jammed every so often. The Model 12,1300, and 870 never did anything but shoot. The BPS was reliable too and I liked the magazine cutoff but felt it was too heavy.

If I ranked them on just how they carried in the field then the Model 12 would still be first but the Model 37 would move to second.