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

I've had an Ithaca M37 12ga. for 47 years and it's never missed a beat. Bought a new one a few years ago and had nothing but trouble with it; wouldn't feed, wouldn't eject, etc. Very accurate with the fixed rifled barrel. Killed a lot of deer with it, but never did like it. The old ones would fire if you held the trigger down and pumped it. The newer ones would let the hammer follow the bolt forward, leaving you with a round in the chamber and the hammer not cocked. Next time you try to shoot nothing happens. I'd rather it go ahead and fire, at least then you know what happened. I say the old M37 is the best American pump ever made. You can keep the Win. M12, Rem. 870, and Moss. 500. Now that should start an argument.

I've had my 37 for over 20 years,never a hitch in the giddy up.

I had Winchester 1200 and hated it.

so I vote for the 37 based on my experiance,but I would love to get an old 870,or mod 12

I'm sure the Remington 870 has sold more pumps than any other. Myself, I like the Browning BPS although I've had both the Ithaca and the 870.

wingmaster

I'll go with the Wingmaster version of the Remington 870. Especially so the older guns chambered for the 2 3/4" shell and have the ringed skinny corn cob forearm. They handle and balance better than the 3" guns with "beavertail" forearms.

The 870 Wingmaster speaks for itself with its success. I'd say that the Models 12, 31, 37,and 97 are even better, and the BPS is great too.

Remington Model 31

Of the Pumps I have owned, I would put them in this order:
Win Mod 12
Browning BPS ( forgot this one some how)
Rem 870
Ithaca 37 ( The two I had were both problme prone but my Dad used one for many years with out any issues at all)
Mosberg 500- A distant 4th place
Marlin ( I forget the modle number) I bought at 10 yrs old for Doves.

Model 37
Browning BPS
Winchester Model 12

I'm talking about the OLD M37; the one chambered for the 2 3/4 in shell. The newer ones aren't worth a hoot. I won't even put them in the running. The 37 was a Browning design. Actually the Rem. 31, and the Browning BPS are both very similar operating systems; almost the same guns. The highly acclaimed Win. M12 was very stiff compared to the 37. I never did like them. The Moss. 500 is actually a good gun for the money. The 870 is a very good gun. I'd say the OLD M37, the BPS, the 31, the 870, then the M12 and the 500.

Out of the shotguns I've owned I like the 870 the best. However if I ever get around to replacing the butt stock on my M37 16ga it should make a great gun, based on the others that I've shot.

Remington Model 31 and Winchester Model 12. I like the 31 a little better but not much.

Have a couple pre 64 model 12's, a few 870's, and 2 older m37's. The gun I cherish is the ultrafeatherweight 20 gauge M37 with improved cylinder. There ya go....

Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 hands down! I prefer the Mossy though. Had it since I was 12 and has never had a single problem.

I have had many 870s (still have 3) BPS Nice gun but heavy and Ithaca I like my 870 lw 20 wingmaster the best.

Personally, I like the older Model 37 best of all. The Browning BPS is a "fancier" version of the M37, but it just doesn't feel or look as good as the lightweight 37 with the "corncob" forearm.

I never liked the Winchester Model 12 at all. It always seemed to be stiff and poorly put together to me, even though very popular to most of the public.

That said, the "best" American pump ever has to be the Remington 870. For reliability, under any and all conditions, no other pump gun can compare. It also looks good and feels right. The sales figures since it's introduction say it best....the 870 is Number 1.

Have you had a close look at the new ones? I'd be interested in more details about their quality.

Winchester Model 12.

I have a 60 year old 37 20ga. It's the slickest pump that I've ever shot. It is my foul weather,mud,snow go to gun. Having said that, I would rank them in this order: 870, 12, 37, 31, 500. It is interesting that so many of us prefer the older models with 2 3/4" chambers. I wonder how many of us have used a 31? Also, I have to mention
Winchester's little 42. I have one in skeet grade with very pretty wood. It is a joy to shoot!

looks like the 37 is winning here,anything Mossberg is Kmart Krap,the 870 is what I would have expected to win,but Rem has lessened thier quality for quantitiy as of late.

870 express is a very expensive canoe paddle,just like anyting Mossberg ever made.

long live the Ithaca!