Opinions wanted on a new Pump Action Shotgun

I'd save a few more bucks and go with the 870 Wingmaster. Ton's of aftermarket stuff, barrels, chokes, accessory sights etc. and the
870 is very easy & relatively inexpensive for a gunsmith to adjust ( drop, cast, LOP, pitch) to fit you even better. Dead simple to pull
apart to clean & maintain ... and if it should ever arise, parts are easy to find & install. I believe I'm on year 26 or 27 with mine, and so
far, not even an extractor has been replaced. It's taken quail & doves in the tropics, Canadas, Snows & Specks out west, a ton of
ducks both here & out west, a few pheasants & even a few grouse ( although I typically use a SxS for upland game. As an "all-rounder"
I'd start with a 12 ga. 3" chamber 28" barrel ... and get yourself a "Skeet" Remchoke to go with the I.Cyl, Mod & Full provided.
 
I have a brand new 870 express super magnum, sold a 82 express to get it. Don't do it, find yourself a used super magnum 870. The new remingtons are ####.
 
FLYBYU44 said:
I'm a big fan of the Browning BPS, love the bottom ejection.
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Don't forget the top-tang safety.....

Built like a tank, always functions perfectly, has never let me down. Carried it so much that all the bluing on the side of the action has worn down...
The only thing I can fault it for is that it's a little bit on the heavy side but that flaw is easily forgotten when in the goose blind pounding your shoulder with a bunch of 3 inchers.
 
G P said:
Any Remington express made since 2007 will likely jam. I am a big fan of the SXP. Haven't tried the weatherby though.
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Is this from personal experience or what you've read/ heard from a friend of a friends uncle? Beyond the odd hard extraction with cheap shells I've yet to see any of my friends and other people at the range have their express "jam" unless the person behind the gun is shortstroking.. The finish may be cheap but the 970 is still the best selling pump of all time and has changed very little since its introduction in 51 besides some cheaper components..
 
I would be looking at the Winchester myself, provided it fits. I have an 870 turkey/predator which I love, but i couldn't go without my Winchester 1300. I use it for skeet, trap, and everything besides turkey, which is why my 870 is for. I used to use my 1300 for turkey but wanted a dedicated turkey gun. Just love my Winchester. All will serve you well, so look more at fit.
 
Adam134 said:
Is this from personal experience or what you've read/ heard from a friend of a friends uncle? Beyond the odd hard extraction with cheap shells I've yet to see any of my friends and other people at the range have their express "jam" unless the person behind the gun is shortstroking.. The finish may be cheap but the 970 is still the best selling pump of all time and has changed very little since its introduction in 51 besides some cheaper components..
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My new 870 express doesn't jam any kind of shells, it's just small things that they cheaped out on compared to my old express. I also understand that the express is a value model. If the H&R pump would have came in super magnum 28" barrel I would have got that instead and saved 250$ for the same fit and finish! I had an 887 nitro mag before my new express, don't get me started on that. Light strikes, bead was off center, would jam EVERY round, high brass quality shells, traded that sucker in on this and just am happy to have something that works LOL.
 
Having owned an 870 Express, Wingmaster, Mossberg 500, Benelli Nova.

I'd give the nod to the Benelli for being an outstanding firearm ''IF'' it fits you. The rotating bolt is quick, and the pump is slick, but not in the sense of an 870 Wingmaster. The sound it makes when being cycled is quiet and doesn't sound slick, but you can feel the action almost working itself with the recoil in your hand. The gun is 8lbs and is the heaviest of the lot. It's a good waterfowl gun, but I would not take it out for upland.

The Wingmaster is slick and trim. Pride of ownership here.

The Mossberg 500 is a workhorse that will do anything you ask of it, it is loose and rattly, but it works. Easy to operate and you have confidence in it. 870s sometimes have the weak ejection issue. I'd say it's a better buy than an Express.

They will all serve their purpose. Having upgraded to the Nova, I can see that the extra money goes into better design and fit and function. I still love the 870 and 500, but there's just a little bit more attention to detail and quality that goes into the Italian shotgun. This is Benelli's cheapest model too.
 
Out of your given options, I would buy a used older 870 Wingmaster. If I was buying new, I would take a Mossberg 500. Not fancy, but cost effective and utterly reliable. Plus they fit me well.
 
Spent the morning shopping, I think I've settled on a Benelli Nova. Seemed to fit me best and had a quality feel to it compared to the Remington & Weatherby I looked at. Anything I should know about them?
 
300Spartans said:
Benelli Nova.
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Way on the bandwagon with you got one last year it's a very nice piece. There made in Italy no ? Not many cool parts for them yet. But who cares for an econo pump that will last and functions perfect why mess with it. The camo one seems a little high for colors but that's my thoughts.
 
I've said this before. I don't know where folks get the idea that the wingmasters are so 'smooth'. I owned a mint early 70s wingmaster that had the typical 'hitch' in cocking that is inherent to that action. I sold the Remington within a year of buying it and same with the Mossberg 500 that I owned. With the Mossberg the annoyance was the wobbly forestock and action bars. It always felt like something was missing or had come loose. I did hang onto my Ithaca and of course the Winchester! Aaaahhhh the Winchester pump. A thing of beauty. Now there's a 'smooth' action and fast to operate. Wouldn't trade the Winnie for the world!
 
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