Best pump-action combat shotgun in your opinion?

[Admiral Thrawn]

I'm interested to know what everyone thinks would be their preferred pump-action shotgun in a close-quarters combat situation, such as those encountered by SWAT, etc.

This is theoretically.. price does not have to be a concern.

 

[El Tejon]

The one you've been training with.

Favor the 870 here. Been with 870s for decades. Sturdy weapons and the design is so simple that even El Tejon can work on them.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I like the Mossberg 500, since it's lefty friendly.

any of the big Four will suffice for taking care of Knife weilding Noghri assailants, for sure.

 

[HS/LD]

There are a lot more people here with FAR FAR greater experience with SHOTGUNS than I have and they will mostly advocate the 870 as it is reliable, simple, durable and available, however...

I like the Winchester Defender 1300

Now the GO TO pump shotgun for police and military units around the world.
As it is actually a Fabrique Nationale (FN) made by under license for Winchester by US Repeating Arms.

Mine has been great.

Is it better than an 870?

Nope.
I just like it better

HS/LD

 

[Zander]

I like Mossberg's 590 series...dual-action bars and a tang-mounted safety.

And then there's the question of whether 870's are prone to fire when dropped; I've heard too many users complain that AD's were a problem in truly dire circumstances.

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

"any of the big Four will suffice for taking care of Knife weilding Noghri assailants, for sure."

ROFLMAO!!!

 

[dfariswheel]

Remington 870. Been around since 1950 and most parts from a new 2003 model will still interchange with the 1950 gun.

I have a friend who retired as the armorer for a large metro Police department. He jokes that his supply of 870 repair parts would fit into a shoe box, with enough room left over for a hamburger and fries.
Most of his shotgun repair work was replacing broken/splintered stocks and fore ends, and bent barrels.

There's a reason that just about every Police, Sheriff, State Police, and Federal agency use 870's, and it isn't because they like Remington's salesmen, or the guns are cheap. It's because the gun has proven itself reliable and tough for 50 years.

 

[196pc]

Kinda curious...hgow do people here feel about the Ithaca 37??

 

[jmbg29]

Kinda curious...hgow do people here feel about the Ithaca 37??

The Ithaca 37 and the Win. Mod. 12 are the only two that I know of that allow one to hold the trigger down and fire upon each close of the slide. Probably not the most accurate way to empty a shotgun in somebody's general direction, but very,very, fast.

Oh, and the Ithaca 37 is bottom feed/bottom eject. good for those who are leftys. The handed kind, not the commie kind.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Good combat shotguns aren't rare. Any of the Big Four will do well in trained, cool hands. The Italian guns are probably close, also.

I prefer the 870. But with similar training and familiarity with the others, I'd expect similar results, tho I may have to replace or fix some of the others more often. Moot point, even the alloy framed ones will handle an amazing number of rounds if maintained.

Neglect and abuse kill most shotguns, not use.

Dfaris, my old prison had all the spare parts for an inventory of over 30 870s fitting into a shell box except for a stock and forearm. We had a couple firing pins,bead sights, a mag spring or two and a spare bolt.

 

[ruger357]

870.

 

[TarpleyG]

HS/LD,

Why are FNs consistently $100 - $150 more than a Win 1300? I noticed this trend while shopping for my 1300. WTH, is there even any difference or does it cost an additional $100 to stamp POLICE SHOTGUN on the receiver? Maybe it has more stuff on it...

GT

 

[nascarnhlnra]

Can't go wrong with a 590 or a 870 I.M.O.

 

[NIGHTWATCH]

870.

 

[HSMITH]

The one you have that you have learned to shoot well is the best one EVER for you to use if things go bad.

 

[HS/LD]

HS/LD,

Why are FNs consistently $100 - $150 more than a Win 1300? I noticed this trend while shopping for my 1300. WTH, is there even any difference or does it cost an additional $100 to stamp POLICE SHOTGUN on the receiver? Maybe it has more stuff on it...

GT

I am not that familiar with the differences, however, I believe it is the rifle sights rather than a bead.


Regards,
HS/LD

 

[Kevlarman]

I'd say Remington 870. But with the way QC is going on, that may not be for long.

 

[SAWBONES]

Even if you're left-handed, the choices are about the same:

Rem 870 (mine is left-hand friendly).

Benelli Nova "Special Purpose" a close second (again, making it left-hand friendly is easy).

Mossy 500 (ambidextrous safety).

 

[Gewehr98]

Got a soft spot in my heart for an 870.

Father-in-law carried one as a Marine in Vietnam.

CHP friend of mine has one in his cruiser.

Mine rides duty next to the nightstand.

 

[Kahr carrier]

870 all the way.

 

[JeFF D]

I like the Mossberg 500 myself.

 

[foghornl]

From the shottys I am familiar with, the Rem 870, followed VERY closely by the Mossbergs.

That being said, I have a Maverick 88 by Mossberg with the short barrel (20" or so) 12 Ga pump, stoked with 3" Mag #4 Buckshot. Way I figure it, the BG is not going to be too picky about the brand I use to throw lead in his general direction

When I bought the Maverick, (1991) it was on a closeout special for about $106, as I recall. Bought the short barrel a few years later, on another closeout ($42)

 

[Coronach]

I have two SGs set up as HD-type guns. One is an 870, one is an Ithaca 37.

I favor the 870, but thats just because I've used an 870 since I was a teenager. Falconer swears by his Mossie, and when he's not tinkering with it and breaking little bits off or Locktighting the wrong bits together, he says it works pretty well, too.

Mike

 

[Wildalaska]

870..followed by an 870...

In third place...an old beat up 870

 

[triggertime]

A couple of years ago I would have answered Remington 870, but recently, I've become quite partial to the Benelli Nova Special Purpose. I just wish they'd offer it with interchangable choke tubes.