12 Guage pumps???????????
 

I am looking to get a general purpose upland and water bird shotgun for use in MA. It seems that the best value is in a pump (although I might consider a semi-auto if the price wasn't too steep). Any advice on a good quality flexible gun that doesn't cost more than 700-800 bucks, and will give me the most options?
What are the Benelli Nova Pumps like?
Thanks.

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RE: 12 Guage pumps???????????
 

Ithaca model 37 the best pump gun ever made..unchanged for over 50 years
everything is made the same and parts are very interchangable..extra barrels are floating around everywhere should you need one

RE: 12 Guage pumps???????????
 

I'll disagree about the Ithacas. We use them in the Sheriff's department I work at. The wood stocks all have a tendency to crack around the area where they connect to the receiver, plus, they only have one slide rail. Remington 870's have two. That adds for strength and duability.

Get a Remington 870, super magnum. It can chamber 2 3/4", 3", and the newere 3 1/2" shells. Ithacas cant do all three. Right there, that gives you more options.

You can hunt everything from upland game to long range goose hunting and steel shot. The 3 1/2" inchers are compared to a 10Ga load. Bitchen gun. I own 6 different 870's and one Ithaca. Love them Remingtons and their capabilities.

RE: 12 Guage pumps???????????
 

OK thanks. Is there any advantage to going for a 1187 semiauto rather than an 870?

RE: 12 Guage pumps???????????
 

I have had two 870's and have never had a problem with either.Very dependable it's now the only shotgun I own.

RE: 12 Guage pumps???????????
 

Also I notice that the 870 comes in a variety of barrel lengths (20, 21, 23, 26 and 28"). What are the advantages of a longer barrel?
I have seen a 870 3.5" 12guage advertised at a good price but it has a 23" barrel, will this limit range at all? Are there any other aspect of the 870 Spec that I need to be aware of when buying one?

Thanks.

RE: 12 Guage pumps???????????
 

Plain and Simple Remington 870. You won't go wrong with a 870.I've had a couple of them for years and never a misfire or jam! Ruger Redhawk

RE: 12 Guage pumps???????????
 

Moss 500!
Had mine for 16 years and never had a problem.
I have 3 field guns and that is the one I always use because I know it will never fail me.

RE: 12 Guage pumps???????????
 

Remington 870 is the best pump shotgun ever made. As fas as barrel length the old rule of thumb was longer barrels would shoot further and hold a tighter pattern, but with newer powders and interchangeable choke tubes thats not the case any more. Longer barrels will still hold your pattern a little tighter but not much. Barrel length is a personal preference, mine is 26 inches, but some people prefer 28 or even 30 inches. Sometimes the little bit of extra weight on the end of a longer barrel can help with follow thru on your shot. Try them all find the one that feels good to you.