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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458 |
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.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,535
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,535 |
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
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,887
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,887 |
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.
"The older I get, the better I was"
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,440
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Campfire Regular
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,694 |
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.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 215
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Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2005
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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.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,522
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2003
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Remington Model 31
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 389
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 389 |
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.
Last edited by BigPappaX3; 07/06/09.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,849
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
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Model 37 Browning BPS Winchester Model 12
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 458 |
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.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 275
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Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 275 |
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.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,469
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,469 |
Remington Model 31 and Winchester Model 12. I like the 31 a little better but not much.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,154
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,154 |
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....
"Never force anything, just get a bigger hammer".
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,725
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,725 |
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'm Libertarian for these 3 reasons:
1.) I'm American 2.) I'm not insane enough to be Democrat 3.) I'm not wussy enough to be Republican
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 387
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Campfire Member
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Posts: 387 |
I have had many 870s (still have 3) BPS Nice gun but heavy and Ithaca I like my 870 lw 20 wingmaster the best.
Goodnight Chesty Puller... Wherever you are.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,225
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,225 |
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.
I hate change, it's never for the better.... Grumpy Old Men The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 18,667 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 18,667 Likes: 1 |
The newer ones aren't worth a hoot. Have you had a close look at the new ones? I'd be interested in more details about their quality.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,437
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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μολὼν λαβέ
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 405
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 405 |
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!
Last edited by gregory; 07/12/09.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,535
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,535 |
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!
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