My shotgun basically went tits up during 3rd period goose season this last year. I will be in the market for another over the summer. any advise or "stay away" froms would be great. Pump or autoloader.....

Sure like my 870's.

might end up going that route.

+1 on the Remington 870. Affordable and durable.

Then again look it over close, finish wise, before purchase. Seems like they are rough lately. Shoot good and reliable though.

870 Wingmaster... got 3 and wouldnt sell them for the world... should be able to find used ones for 250-350...

as to how reliable they are, i have my dads, that hes had since he was 12 years old, when he died 6 years ago he was 52.. shot many 24 of 25 rounds of clays with it

I saw an 11-87 on Seattleguns.net for $400. 28" with black synthetic stocks.

Super reliable and probably only autoloader in the price range worth considering IMOP

Both those Remmys are proven.
The 1100 as well.

If you're used to an auto, sometimes a pump will screw you up in the heat of action.
I've seen guys jerking on the trigger trying for that second shot and forgetting to pump.

there have been quite a few going through seattleguns.net lately. keep your eye on it and something will come up. in fact the 11-87 is still there. ad says $450

http://seattleguns.net/showthread.php?153003-WTS-Remington-11-87




willy

DD,

I'm just the opposite. never hunted with an auto. Hardly ever shot one. I'm a bit rough on guns and hunt quite a bit during the waterfowl season.

I have a friend looking to part with a 1969 870 wingmaster in mint condition.

really cool gun but as far as day to day hunting?

my dads 12 gauge is a 66, and has been USED, not beat on, but used, and there is zero issues with it, and none have ever occured... mine is from the 80s i think, zero issues, and the other one is my dads 20 gauge, likely from the 70s, zero issues with it...

the 870 IMO is the best pump shotgun ever made... and when i can find deals on Wingmasters, i buy them... all of mine have come for 400 and under...

id pick it up, you will love it... i threw a high viz rail sight on mine, and it actually helps a bit as well...

Benelli has quite the fan club these days. Never handled one.

I've put many thousands of rounds downrange through an Ithaca Model 37
Been around quite a few 870's

The venerable Model 12 is a fan favorite.

Always thought of Mossberg as cheap gun, but they are making inroads.

BPS always seemed like a clunky Model 37 knock off.

Winchester 1300 is unremarkable and cheap feeling, IMO.

All the pumps in this list have earned good reps. Some have better genetics.
http://hunting.about.com/od/shotgun/tp/top_pump_shotguns.htm

The only one to avoid, that is mentioned in passing, is the Model 97 because of it's propensity for accidental discharge.
It's a wall hanger.
Model 12 cured the 97's shortcomings.

the Mossberg 500 is a good shotgun, but like you said DD, they are cheap.... for the money tho, you cant beat them for certian things..

never owned a Benelli, but they are fine guns... just really expensive...

i really follow and enjoy watching Tom Knapp, he was the shooter for Benelli for quite a while, till he got sick, and they basically fired him.... now he shoots for CZ... check them out, deffinately will be the next autoloader i buy, and in the link is a video of them Dove hunting in South America, and put through EXTREME abuse, yet they still keep clicking....

oh, and both the 712, and 912 are under 500 bucks

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-712-semi-auto/

I have a model 37 featherweight. cool gun, was my gramps. want to keep it clean. does yours jam up upon ejection, mine does badly, seems some shells are better than others....

AA reloads.
Winchester brass starts out with a bigger rim diameter.
Then the firing/reloading/firing process makes them bigger yet, even with resizing.
Solution was Federal or Remington/Peters.

Another one here for the 870......I have owned one for quite awhile and never had an issue with it. I have since upgraded and pass it over to the woman for goose hunting. Very stout gun at a great price. Word of advise go with the 870 super magnum. 3 1/2" shells are the sh!t for big geese. I used to hunt birds a ton more when I live in wyoming and my family owns land on the north platt river in nebraska.

If I could only have one shotgun <SHUDDER> I'd take my trusty 870 Wingmaster Magnum over anything else in my safe!

I think I bough that old girl new back in 1986 or so. My very first gun that I bought with my own monies. I still love that gun.

As MikeH pointed out, seeing how there's a Super Magnum version, that's even better!

Remington 870 Super Magnum

+win

Game over. Next?

I bought my first gun (870 express mag) with money I earned my freshman year in 88 from Jafco in North Everett. Still have it. It's finish is non existent from hunting salt marshes and not taking proper care of it but it SHOOTS!

I've had two 3.5" chambered shotguns. A Mossberg 835 and a Benelli Super Nova. My brother has a 3.5" 870.

Sold both of mine and went back to a 3" 870. My brother still owns his POS.

With the hundreds of non-toxic loads on the market nowdays,a 3" chamber will do everything you need to do with a 12ga.

If you think you need a 3.5" 12ga,you'd be better off with a 10ga IMO.