Choice for my first pump?

Jahnj0584

Jahnj0584

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just looking for some thoughts on my first (and hopefully only) pump. Currently have a SxS Baikal in 12ga thats quite heavy. Only shot my buddies Ithaca Mo.37 featherlite and the comb fits me great - busted the first clay I shot with it! My only complaint is that I think the 30" barrel is a bit much to carry through the woods and swing around and there's no where to attach a sling!

We shoot clays for fun when we can, walk the woods for grouse, muck around for ducks, and bait coyotes. I want something light, classic, reliable, and with a full/mod choke or option to adjust. Something under $600 used is ideal for me.

Obviously leaning towards a m37 as well, just going to keep an eye out for good condition one. I assume a Remmy 870 wing master is pretty much identical? Does it even matter if the barrel is ribbed?
 
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I wouldn't call myself a "shotgun guy" but I've had a few really cheap pumps (canuck, tristar, churchill) and honestly they all have worked fine. Only issues I've seen was a 2015 ish remington locking up consistently when duck hunting and my dads winchester sxp having a hard time extracting a lot of shells. About 6 months ago I heard remington switched manufacturers or something to that affect and it sounded like the new ones were getting good reviews again. I got a browning bps a few years ago and I will say it's a lot nicer, but functionally most pumps shouldn't give you too many problems, especially an older one. This is just my experience, others may have had worse.
 
If you only want to buy a pump gun once stay awAy from turkajunk
Browning bps
Rem wingmaster with screw in chokes
Ithaca is good but the old ones are not steel shot comparable
Find a used bps for 600-800$ and you are set for the rest of your life
 
Jahnj0584 said:
Obviously leaning towards a m37 as well, just going to keep an eye out for good condition one. I assume a Remmy 870 wing master is pretty much identical? Does it even matter if the barrel is ribbed?
Click to expand...

On the older Ithacas, the barrels are not interchangeable. I can't remember where the cutoff is with regards to serial number. My old one from the '40's is slick. Ejection is from the bottom and the action stroke seems a little shorter compared to the 870.

The 870 wins the versatility contest. There are so many barrel options, you can turn it into almost anything. I would also recommend getting an older wingmaster. I'm not sure where I would draw the line, maybe mid-'80's, but you rarely hear of reliability issues with the older guns.
 
You can get a front sling mount for a M37, cut the 30” barrel to a better length and have it threaded for chokes. 20”-24” would be a nice length for the woods. Otherwise get yourself a nice used 870 and keep an eye out for a shorter 18”-20” threaded barrel, it’s the nice thing about 870’s. Barrels, stock sets, parts availability is huge.
 
If I were you, I'd hold out for a 37 in good condition, with a 26" barrel and a polychoke or fixed Mod. If ducks are on the menu, remember you'll have to either account for steel shot in the gun or get a $ofter alternative like bismuth. Winchester 12 is a heavier gun. If the 37 fits you, stay with it.
 
Model 37s with a serial number above 855,000 have interchangeable barrels (except for some Deerslayers).

Ithaca advertised their roto-forged barrels as being steel shot capable, for what it’s worth.
 
If I was to buy another pump I would likely try a Benelli. Have a Rem 870, also have a Browning BPS. Honestly not a big fan of the BPS and the bottom eject. Mine gun was brand new and was dumping live rounds out of the bottom. In the duck blind going for the third shot and click, then look down and hmmm, why are there live rounds on the floor. Got a gunsmith to adjust it, but still not a fan, don’t like the top tang safety either, prefer the cross bolt trigger safety like the Rem or Benelli has.
 
I think buying a used Browning BPS on the EE is the way to go. That or save some extra bucks and buy the model you want new. They are built very well, coming from the Japanese Miroku factory. They also do over under shotguns, as well as the A-bolt and X-bolt for browning. As well as the Winchester lever guns. Needless to say they make good stuff.

If the BPS is a bit too pricey you could all ways go the mossberg 500 or Remington 870 route. Or there is the Norinco – Winchester M-97 (1897) Clo. It's a classic look.
 
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