Favorite shotgun?

[chez323]

Ithaca model 37 featherlight 12 gauge with a moderate choke. I love this gun!

 

[Barry the Bear]

Chiappa 1887 bootleg leveraction, don't have one but I have fired it and would love to own one.

 

[pearsonm]

What is it that I don’t get about the Ithaca M37? I grew up carrying a 20-gauge version all over Kansas. It had feed issues, the machining is crude and the bluing is thin. I haven’t researched thoroughly but did Ithaca have financial problems starting in the 80's? That’s when my dad would have bought the gun.

 

[Geno]

Wow, this is a difficult one. The M870, M590-A1, the M37 are my favorite pump action models. The Browning Citori is my favorite for O/U. The Savage M212 is my favorite as a bolt-action. The truth is, we have so many excellent shotguns available, trying to decide which one is best or favorite is dizzying.

Geno

 

[Steve C]

My favorite shotgun is my Winchester Model 12 with 28" plain barrel, modified choke. Its well worn but its served me well for 40 years.

 

[CopperFouling]

I am partial to the model 21 Winchester. A friend had one that he let me use. It was a pre 59 custom deluxe made for his grandfather. In my limited experience, I believe it is the best gun I have ever held.

Pics? I've handled a few 21s in shops, and the grain on the wood always looks great.

 

[drcook]

Ithaca Model 37's. Particularly 16ga guns. As far as "ejection" or "feed" issues, most of them time it is a simple adjustment that is needed or some dirt cleaned out. There was a time when the company was raided for its money prior to the bankruptcy and final closing of the original Ithaca Co in King Ferry NY (the current iteration here in Ohio has no relationship to the old company other than the patents, design and name were bought).

I have 20's, 12's and 16 ga Ithacas, but hands down, the 16ga is my favorite. Ithacas are built (the old versions) on their own frame sizes, so carrying a gun that doesn't weigh much more than a 20ga with almost the payload capacity of a 12ga is why I like them.

Plus I understand the design and have built several from bare, empty receivers and can do all my own work on them. They are the Leggo set of the shotgun world once you understand which pieces are for which gun.

 

[clang]

I've got several shotguns, including SxSs, O/Us, and Autos. If I could only keep one it would be my Beretta 685 with 26.5" barrels choked imp cyl/mod. The 685 was the short lived predecessor to the 686, so you don't see them too often. Extractors were standard (ejectors were optional) and you could even get double triggers if you wanted them, but they did not have screw in chokes.

My gun is 6 lb 12 oz and has taken more pheasants than I could count. I've also got 28" mod/full one that I would hate to let go.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Tough call for me to pick a favorite.

In the running for the current no1 position are the Browning Liege on one rack in the center and the Remington Model 11 in the center on the other.

I know Liege shotguns get the stink-eye from Browning snobs of both the Superposed and Citori variety but this one really spoke to me from the very first time I picked it up then only got better in putting it to my shoulder and peaked out at firing it.

It just "gets me" and naturally discharges rounds exactly were I'm thinkin'.

The Remington (maybe/maybe not coincidentally) is another Browning step-child. I bought it when I was on my fightin' shotguns jag. Sure, it's a trainer rather than a fighter but it's a righteous U.S. Navy gun and has a riot barrel to boot.

Until relatively recently, it was just for looking at but then one day a couple years ago I decided on a whim to drag it out to the desert for one of our shoot-a-paloozas and blasted the bejeepers outa a fair ammount of clays.
Damn was that fun and gratifying as well.

Todd.

 

[plumberroy]

I would be hard pressed to find any shotgun that I like any better than a mid 90"s H&R 12 ga I have. It is fully camouflaged 24 in barrel fixed full choke points like it is part of me it is the easiest carrying shotgun I have every found it hits where I am looking with birdshot, slugs or buckshot.
It isn't a gun I would want to shoot 3-4 rounds of trap because it does kick, but when I am walking a lot and shooting a little it is my gun of choice
It is a simple, reliable shotgun that fits me and my style of hunting perfect!
Roy

 

[bannockburn]

Had a couple of O/Us that I was really fond of (Beretta Model 682 and a Franchi Renaissance, both in 12 ga.), that I had to part with when I needed the money. My favorite 12 ga. shotgun these days would be my Mossberg Model 9200 Turkey Gun while my favorite 20 ga. is my Winchester Model 1300, set up with a 22" vent rib barrel for upland game hunting. Nothing fancy or nicely finished with them; just two very reliable and durable shotguns that I like to have with me in the field.

 

[gunut]

I have a safe full of shotguns and then some.....the one I grab most of the time is a model 147 Merkel 12ga stgr st 28in ic/mod made in 93...

 

[SwampWolf]

I hear you gunut. As mentioned earlier in this thread, I do have some favorites over the (too) many smooth bores I own, but I would hate to have to give up my Merkel Model 147 EL sxs, chambered for 3" twenty gauge shells that I bought new in March 2000. Great little shotgun!

 

[clance]

I prefer the 20ga and have several in different makes and actions.

My preference is:

Single shot: Savage 220B

In SxS: AH Fox Sterlingworth

In O/U: Browning Citroi White Lighting

In pump: Remington Model 17

In semiauto: Browning Auto 5 Magnum

But if I had to just pick one, I guess it would have to be the Savage 220B. The simplicity of the gun and memories of walk through fields hunting those rascally wabbits.

 

[Andy John]

Favorite: Mossberg 500 12 gauge with Hogue furniture with 18" and 28" barrels.

2nd Favorite: Remington 870 20 gauge with 26" barrel and wood furniture.

 

[mrdemal]

Mossberg 930SPX not a favorite of anyone?

 

[CaptTripps]

For hunting it is hard to beat the warm feelings and affection I feel for my Win. M12, same as Steve C. gun, 28" with MOD choke made about 1937.

For home defense the nod goes to my 590A1 with 18.5 cylinder barrel and rifle sights. If a problem arises this gun can put it down with authority.

 

[ZVP]

My 20ga Stoger Uplander it fits me like a glove and hits where it'says pointed.

 

[Trung Si]

Nuff said!

 

[Ranger Roberts]

Benelli Ethos is my favorite hunting/clay busting shotgun.

All around fun? My Tromix 8 inch barrel Saiga 12 ga. That thing is crazy!

 

[farm23]

I have some of every type but my favorite is an old 16ga Ithaca SxS. It is a classic, light, and I shoot it well.

 

[Dr.Rob]

870 with the mag tube worn slick

 

[jdduffy]

wingmaster

 

[lobo9er]

SPAS 12.

 

[win71]

Probably this one

Although I usually hunt with an AYA

This is a 12ga. Parker two barrel set