Choosing A Pump-Action

Been shooting partridge all season with my grizz 12.5. The ghost rings and choke also make it a great deer gun, did'nt get a shot at one yet though. The accuracy with slugs truely made me appreciate my grizz. I can switch out 870 barrels with no issues. I dont grab any other when I go out now. The maneuverability through thick brush, accuracy, and ease of carry have changed my thoughts about short barrels. Built like a tank in my eyes, and a little louder lol but not to bad. I only changed out the follower (S&J) and the mag spring (police) so far. Mesa maybe for xmas :) Ya
 
manbearpig said:
no theyre not useless at all. the second gen ones you get now even come with chokes which make them semi-viable for hunting. if i bought one now id get one with ghost rings.

the one problem i see with the Grizzlies is that - at least on the first gen ones like mine - the barrels do not index the same as an 870 barrel. so if you want to pick up a cheap 870 Express barrel off the EE for hunting, your sights are going to be offset a few degrees.

also there is a slight dimensional difference between the two. other than stocks, 870 parts dont really fit: my Grizzly wont take my Wingmaster triggergroup (without modification), bolt, etc.

the Grizzly is a great gun, i love mine. theyre built even beefier than the 870 Express. BUT it doesnt have the true versatility of one. If you want versatility, get an 870. if you want a fun short-barreled shotgun or mag fed, get a Grizzly.


*edit
i should add that if you are only going to be hunting small game, upland, etc with this then there are some great deals to be had on old 2 3/4" Wingmasters. you could pick one up dirt cheap (couple hundred bucks), and 2 3/4" is all youll need. theyll often come with 30" fixed choke plain barrels, you can cut one down to 18.5" for an HD barrel and pick up a cheap Express barrel off the EE. altogether it will cost you the same as a Grizzly.
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I have a bird gun already, and the rifle I use for large game. This is for survival/defensive/utility purposes.
 
pharaoh2 said:
Oh goog God, I could only imagine a 3 inch, 1 1/4 ounce waterfowl load out of a 12.5 inch barrel. Anyone who would suggest that obviously doesn't hunt and I can say nobody sharing a blind with me using one of these would be welcome. Putting a blast 30 inches in front is one thing, blasting a 12 inch gun next to your partners ears will never go over well.
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that is the only complaint I have while hunting ducks with my DA Grizz. Its loud. Bring earplugs, and spares for your buddies who will undoubtedly forget theirs.

The 12" barrel isnt ideal for ducks, but it works just fine. Lots of fowl in my freezer as proof.

One benefit of the short barrel is if you miss with the shot, there is always a chance the bird will get toasted from the muzzle flash :D
 
+ 30-40 for 870 Express.

Wingmaster quality and parts at Mossberg price. I would stick to non-magnum (2/34-3") Express as there are complains about the Magnum's cycling.

Unfortunately, it is true. You look at it, It rusts. Still worth it.
 
Just be warned if you get a new express some of them have burrs or imperfections on the inside of the chamber that will cause a spent shell to stick so you can't cycle the action. This is easily fixed, but just be aware that this happens, especially with cheap ammo.
 
pharaoh2 said:
Oh goog God, I could only imagine a 3 inch, 1 1/4 ounce waterfowl load out of a 12.5 inch barrel. Anyone who would suggest that obviously doesn't hunt and I can say nobody sharing a blind with me using one of these would be welcome. Putting a blast 30 inches in front is one thing, blasting a 12 inch gun next to your partners ears will never go over well.
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you do realize that there are many things you can hunt with a shotgun aside from waterfowl, right?

it makes a nearly ideal grouse gun. for waterfowl id personally want a traditional length barrel with a proper swing and sighting plane, and preferably a reliable semi auto. id never even dream of using my grizzly for waterfowl.
 
Win/64 said:
Probably the same dimension you buy your quality $200 sxs's.
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manbearpig said:
considering the average cost of an old used SxS is ~$200-300, $150 is proportionately a lot of money to fix it. its easier to just buy one that doesnt wiggle in the first place. if its a family heirloom like yours, then its a different story and cost is not an issue.
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dont twist my words :kickInTheNuts:
 
I like my 1st gen Grizzly 12.5"...but if I were to do it all over again I might (on the fence) have gone with a true Rem tactical, because (I'm not sure how wisely) I spent hundreds of dollars in upgrades/modification work on the gun - Wilson ghost rings, parkerizing, Knoxx stock, speedfeed forearm, S&J follower and internals smoothed. Took off the Mesa carrier to reduce the weight. All in, maybe $650-700? Hard to get to that price with those features, but there are still those who don't like the imports. To get that barrel length and feature set, the DA/Norcs are hard to beat.

Used mine as my dogging gun for moose this year, and it is the perfect length for strapping on your back and bushwhacking with, not getting caught on anything, signaling the run start, and grouse getting if the opportunity came about. If I lived in Grizzly territory, it would be my go-to bear defense gun.
 
Pumping an 870 or mossberg is like using one of those old credit card imprint machines where you have to roll that big wheel over the card. Takes a long time to break them in.
BPS is smooth out of the box, the blue finish is deep and comes with wood that is OK but not so nice you don't want to take it out like the glossy wingmaster. Also a couple hundred bucks cheaper. Can get a used one for under $500. Harder to find accessories for it though.
 
Anyone notice the price of a new Ithaca Model 37? Over a $1000. Have they sold any?
 
manbearpig said:
youre conveniently omitting the 'old used' part, and the fact that it was posted in a thread where the OP was asking how much it would cost to fix a gun he wanted to buy for $200.

:jerkit:
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There is nothing wrong with "old and used" if you know what you are looking for. The thing is to get "educated". And I guarantee the "pump gun" will be in the back of the safe.
 
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