Pump action recommendations

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I invited some friends over too my property to rabbit hunt yesterday . There were 8 of us total , 6 had Remington's and 5 of them had an 870 Express . I have 4 870's and 3 of them are the Express models , bought within the last 3 years .
 
It’s hard to go wrong with an 870. I picked this Express up at a pawn shop for $175. It had a 28” barrel when I got it. I picked up a SP 26” barrel new in the box pretty cheap and traded the 28” vent rib barrel for a smooth 28” and cut it to 20”.
I use the 26” barrel for hunting and the 20” for home defense.
I put Magpul furniture on it and really like the way it feels.
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Still have my first 870 and it's very good. Happy with a Mossberg. Surprised no one has mentioned a Browning BPS, I used to have two and liked them. I just don't shoot pumps much anymore.
 
I have 4 870s. 3 older Wingmasters in 12 gauge, and one 20 gauge Express. All do very well..
 
I'll throw a sleeper into the midst. Weatherby's PA-08. They are Turkish made, well designed and affordable. There was a problem with heavy trigger pulls and I don't know if they have cured that. The triggers on their semi-auto were not that heavy. I could hunt with one.
 
hazard tree assessment
Why this is here I do not know. I was entering things somewhere else entirely.....I thought. Anyway I attempted to delete it unsuccessfully so you may all just laugh at me!
 
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+1 for the BPS...
First gun I ever bought and the first I fell in love with.
 
Posts number 3 and 21, and others, I'm sure.

A used Wingmaster or a Mossberg 500, provided they fit. Both can be excellent value for money in a pump. A pump would not be my first, or second, choice for Skeet, but as a value for money compromise, a Wingmaster is really hard to beat. Good luck!
 
I've been running a used 870 Express Supermag Turkey model as my "do all" since 2006?
It's been a champ.
Killed turkeys, doves, clays ..........it aint pretty (even though it looks new)..........and shoots where I look.
Yeah it's not a Wingmaster. Who cares?
I've had half a dozen Wingmasters, some Magnums too, pretty.............too pretty.
Actually the smoothest 870 I had was a used synth Express......dunno why, but that thing was superbslick.
Next best was my first 870 Special Field 20 ga (non Remchoke). That was a sweety.
But going back to the Express hate.............maybe the new ones suck.
I dunno.
I've had 3 Supermagnum Express and 3 reg Magnum Express. All flawless in function.
All were purchased before 2006. I did buy one of the non Turkey Supermag's new
All others IIRC were used, and not in season............read: bargains.

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Until I got a non magnum 1100 to run steel for doves (F&W area) I used this Supermag Turkey model.
It dropped birds better than the LL Bean and DU fashion plate guys' guns.
Which was pretty funny.
 
I'm looking for a pump 12 ga for duck and skeet. I don't have a ton of money right now so I need to go lower end. I was considering a CZ 612 but heard they are garbage, and I know Rem 870s fit me well but I'm worried about quality control issues. I've bought one Stoeger but owned multiple because they break and Benelli sends me new ones. Had a Mossberg 930 but got bad face slap, so don't think the 500 will fit. My preferred dimensions are:
LOP: 14.5"
DAH: 2.5"
DAC: 1.5"

My only requirements are that it doesn't break and has a single bead. Any recommendations for new or used would be appreciated, and don't tell me to just save money and buy a Citori. Also don't tell me to get a smith to fit one to me.

Shed

I don't think you can go wrong with a used Winchester model 12. I have a 16 ga but they are more common in 12. It's a well-balanced, proven design and is pretty simple to take down should you feel the need. If you're not gunning to get a ton of aftermarket parts it's the way to go. I don't know what choke is good for duck hunting but I hunt grouse, pheasants, rabbits and squirrels with the full fixed choke and shoot a lot of trap (though I acknowledge it's different than skeet) with it. If I don't have a buddy to shoot with I'll toss crushed beer cans in the air and shoot them, so if I can do that I'm sure you can hit a duck or a clay. I don't know anything about the dimensions on it though I'm sure they're easy to find with a little research.
 
I bought a nearly new 870 Wingmaster 30" full for $470 at the Tulsa Gun Show. What a sweet incredibly reliable fits-like-a-glove shotgun. i have a hard time not buying more of them just because they are so damn good. Win Model 12s are also really good but typically more expensive because more people collect them. Either of these would fill your need nicely.
 
I I was considering a CZ 612 but heard they are garbage,

Shed
I beg to differ. There is nothing wrong with a CZ 612. I have a 612 and 629 and have had no problems with either of them. They fit an average person well, so despite their light weight, they don't have unpleasant felt recoil. And the bottom line is, both of mine bring birds down on a vastly regular basis. CZ is one of the finest firearm company in the world with a flawless reputation; they wouldn't jeopardize that reputation by putting their name on weapon of poor quality.
 
I beg to differ. There is nothing wrong with a CZ 612. I have a 612 and 629 and have had no problems with either of them. They fit an average person well, so despite their light weight, they don't have unpleasant felt recoil. And the bottom line is, both of mine bring birds down on a vastly regular basis. CZ is one of the finest firearm company in the world with a flawless reputation; they wouldn't jeopardize that reputation by putting their name on weapon of poor quality.
You know CZ doesn't make their shotguns, right?
 
I said they would not put their name on it if it weren’t a quality product. I made no mention of the shotguns geographical provenence. You are aware, no doubt, that whether the guns are czesky made or as in this case, Turkish made, they still bear a CZ label. And they bear it with confidence.
 
I’m a big CZ fan. I have two CZ rifles and four CZ handguns. The shotguns are made in Turkey as already stated which doesn’t bother me in the least, I have two Turkish made Weatherby’s which I find excellent. CZ stands behind their Turkish firearms the same as they do with their own guns made in the Czech Republic, which is outstanding.

While they always going bang I feel CZ shotguns are not made to the same level of fit and finish as some other Turkish shotguns, namely the Weatherby SA-08, SA-459, Mossberg SA-20 and Tristar. I’ve owned two CZ 720’s and didn’t keep them very long. So, as much as I love CZ I don’t own their shotguns.
 
Go find a used 870 that will take choke tubes--as far as quality issues, look for a wingmaster and try to avoid the express models.

Or an old Remington 870 Wingmaster with the old vent ribbed 28" modified choke.

Fine for skeet and throws the hard shot well.

(And then put an 18" Mossberg 870 CYL Bbl on it for a house-broom.)
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GR
 
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Welcome to the THR bimonthly "Which pump shotgun?!" -thread lottery!

The winning numbers are... eight... seven... and zero! What a coincidence! These are the same numbers we have time and time again! Congratulations to the winners!

Cancelled until further notice: the highly limited edition "Which pump shotgun that is not a Remington 870?!" -thread.

:)
 
Uh, hate to break it to some folks, but the QC issues happened over a certain span of time, were not model dependent.
I've had a half dozen Express models, three of them bought new (two w J locks)...........they were fine.
I still have one (bought used).............runs like a champ.

At least w an Express 12 ga you get a Magnum receiver. Whatever design change there was, it was standardized when the Express line came out.
 
I have used several slip on pads, never had one that wobbled or was loose. I have no idea where you would get a stock so small and pad so big it would wiggle but I guess some folks manage weird things. You can also buy a replacement pad or buy or make spacers. It is not hard.
 
In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with a Remington 870, Mossberg 500 or a Browning BPS. It depends on what fits you the best.

A used Winchester Model 12 would be another good option.

If you are planning to shoot much on a skeet field, a more robust shotgun is a must. Skeet shooters shoot ammunition by the pallet load. You will want a shotgun capable of handling the shell count. A budget priced pump shotgun may not be up to the challenge of extensive skeet shooting.

In the 1930s to 1940s, a pump gun was "the" gun for skeet. Over the years, the over/under and semi-auto took over that position. But, if you are planning to practice for hunting situations, then a pump gun will be just fine on the skeet field. A pump shotgun will do well on a skeet field particularly when practicing for hunting. A pump gun will not compete with an over/under or semi-auto in matches these days.

If you are planning to compete in skeet, an over/under or semi-auto will be needed. Today, a perfect score is needed to get into the shoot off to win a class in skeet shooting. Shooting a pump gun in skeet is just too busy to make obtaining a perfect score a reliable thing.
 
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