Fit is everything in a shotgun. If the 870 fits you, it is a good choice.
Try before you buy.
Winchester SXP might be a better fit.
I just went to SAIL and handled both. They both seemed to fit equally well. Does this mean I am not shouldering either properly?
Probably not, they most likely have a similar fit for you.
Place the stock solidly in your shoulder pocket. Slightly open your mouth and place the stock on your cheek pretty much between your top & bottom teeth. You want to lay into the stock a bit, meaning more forward on it (vs being the the middle or rear of stock).
Does it feel comfortable holding the forend & reaching the trigger while holding SG like this ? Or.... does it feel too cramped like the receiver/trigger are too close to you, or does it feel like the forearm and trigger are too far away and you're reaching too much?
How's the sight picture ? Is it comfortable to see the front sight or do you have to raise your cheek from the comfortable position, or squish it down uncomfortably to see it ?
For LOP place the stock butt into your firing hand inner elbow. Lay your shooting arm along right side of stock (assuming you're right handed). Place you trigger finger on the trigger in the middle of trigger finger first segment (halfway from tip to first joint). Is that essentially a perfect fit from butt in elbow to trigger finger ?
(For me, I never really care about LOP because it's not too big a deal to change. Additionally I prefer slightly shorter LOP's anyway)
Very helpful. Thank you.
I wish I went for a wingmaster first.
There was a very reasonably priced 3" 1100 in EE past week. Have owned and regularly shot an 1100 since the 70's and remain a fan. Regarding choke tubes, most hunting applications a mod is all you really need so fixed choke mod is not a big compromise. Had my original 30" full choke barrel cut to 26" and threads cut for thin wall tubes. Guess what, only use my mod tube.
In order of quality & workmanship &
smoothness of function
870 wingmaster - Browning Bps
Weatherby
870 express
Mossberg
You know Don, I have found a true admiration for the Browning BPS. I have a 12 bore and a 10 bore. Due to my thick build I had to take about 3/8" off of the stocks on each. They are heavy but built solid like a tank. I have to really consider that they are about the best built pump on the market. I still like my Winchester pumps, 870 and Ithaca 37 models but the BPS is winning me over.
Darryl
Darryl, check out post #6. I feel there are a lot of people contributing to this thread and offering up some excellent guidance to the OP based on their experience. I also think some of them may of never handled/fired a BPS.
The op is looking for versatility in a shotgun...hence the title of his thread and the reason most folks didn't mention the BPS.



























