Shotguns

[Guest]

Just curious as are all these guns pumps or auto's, I have a very old 870 mossberg full choke tha tI am looking to upgrade to a newer model, it is only 2 3;/4 shot and has problem ejecting the 1 1/8 loads. I am looking for a new gun and am wondering if the express that is always listed a pump or auto?

Thanks-
Broncosguy

[Gissert]

I have been shooting a BPS in a 10 gauge since 1988. That gun has taken a beating and never skipped a beat. I also have a BPS in 12 gauge as well. Since I shoot left handed, I really like the bottom ejection.

Prior to the steel shot change, I shot a Savage Fox BSE in 20 gauge. What a sweet little side by side double that gun is. I used that gun for everything that flew. I can still see my first goose crumple to a three inch load of #4 when I was 16.

[Guest]

Was wondering if you guys are talking about pumps or just auto's for the 870 express.

Thanks-
Broncosguy

[The Chemist]

Both 870 Express' that I have are pumps. I would never go back to an auto in the duck blind. Maybe deer hunting.

[I Like Worms]

all 870's are pumps. The comparable auto-shottie is the 1100. I own a 870, best **** gun. period. If you want and auto shottie, buy 2. One to start hunting with, the second for when the first one jams. and it will jam.
ps, 870 is also good to use as a paddle when your motor breaks and your push pole won't reach the bottem. And it won't skip a beat.

[I Like Worms]

i can't say darn?

[Guest]

Geez, I dunno guys. I agree the 870 is a heck of nice workhorse, but my old 1100 is still going strong after 26 years of heavy use. It has thousands and thousands of rounds through it, and has by and large kept going without jamming or problems. I am not a fanatic about cleaning, but take care of it, and have used it for ducks, rabbits, partridge, pheasant, deer, geese, turkeys, cans and clay pigeons.
Just wish it handled 3" loads.....

[Gissert]

1100's can be a PITA at times, but a little preventive maintenance goes a long way.

The piston assembly needs to be clean, but not lubed to excess. If too much oil or solvent residue remains, they tend gum up and get sluggish when the temps drop.

[Guest]

I have a few skybusting buddies who swear by semi's, wont shoot a pump or a dbl. They get their fair share of birds, but I have seen them go through 5 shells to get 1 bird (upland, of course).
I was very close to purchasing a Benelli semi, I heard that they were the Cadillac of semi's, until, one frightfully cold day, we were busting brush looking for roosters, and my partners semi didnt jam, it froze, but I was able to touch off 2 shells from the o/u. That sealed the deal for me, stay with a more 'manual' gun. That, and I have seen many semis jam a shell or two.

[Duck-o-holic]

WaveWacker,

I currently shoot the 912 Variomax, and love it. I had initial problems with some jamming, but had the gas-port holes bored 1/1,000 of an inch, and that did the trick. It kicks them out great now, and I love having the option of 3 1/2" shells for late-season geese or turkey. It is imported by Benelli, and has some similar parts, but does not have the same inertia-action that the Benelli line does. Shoot me an email if you have any other questions about the gun, and the price ranges I've seen for it.

Good Gunnin'

Duck-o-holic

[email protected]

[hunt4food]

well, I'll add my two cents...Having started hunting 20 years ago, I used a second hand 870 wingmaster that my dad bought from a buddy. I don't care about what the Remington web site says, they just aren't the same. That gun never failed and was as smooth as a gun can be. I bought another 870 express 5 years ago and as far as I am concerned it would only be useful for pounding tent stakes. I sold that one. since it is human to think "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence", I bought an 11-87 auto. It's a good gun, but I have had it jam a time or two in colder weather. Once during deer hunting. last year I bought a used BPS 10ga. I use it for all of my waterfowl adventures now. It's a little hard on the shoulder after a box of shells, but I rarely use that many in a day. Some people think it's overkill to be shooting at Woodies with a 10ga., but the guys I hunted with this weekend won't all be having ducks for dinner tonight like I will.

[Dan97]

For me, there are three that I've used most often. An old 870 Express, an 1100 and a Citori. And now, all have there own special place. The 870 has been used for years for everything that flys. Both upland and waterfowl. No problems after years of faithful service. Not a single jam to it's record.

The 1100 was a completely different story. No matter how I cleaned and lubed (or not) this gun, low brass shells were out of the question. No problem if all you use it for is hunting. But with light trap loads....no way. This guy was retired to deer hunting only duties and has been accurized to be a 100 yard tack driver. A very impressive deer gun to say the least.

This leaves my good friend the Browning O/U. 28" barrels, Shoots anything up to 3" mags, light as a feather and swings as smooth as silk. Sure you only get two shots. But most times that's enough. Of the three, this one fit me right out of the box with no mods needed for a perfect fit. And I believe that the fit is the key. It doesn't really matter what gun you shoot, if it fits you well, you'll hit what you're pointing at.

Oh yeah, my vote goes to my Citori Grade III.

Dan

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[Fisher Dave]

Dan,

I will agree with you that Citori's are nice shooting guns, I have broken my fair amount of clays with them. Myself I think I would be too nervous using one in the duck blind .. they're not exactly cheap and I would hate to beat it up too bad. Scratches or shot size rust marks would nearly draw a tear out of me if I were using a Citori.

Your 1100 is usually a pretty good gun. Im wondering by what you described if something is worn out or not functioning right. My fiance's father has been using one for years shooting skeet weekly and has rarely ever had a jam, and he shoots year around (winter included) ... and reloads some very wimpy loads to minimize recoil. Im sure it wouldnt cost much to have a gunsmith check it out.

[Dan97]

Hi Fisher Dave...

I use to feel them same way you do towards the Citori. But it shoots so nice, I just can't put it down. Boats, blinds and in the field. She'll do it all. A bit of caution and post hunt clean-up, and she's good to go for round two, three, four........ Sure, she's got a couple bumps on her, but battle scars are pretty neat.

My 1100 is a dedicated slug slinger. The rifled slug barrel is now pinned to the receiver as well as the scope base. The work that would have been required to make my gun shoot light loads was to open up the "gas passer" in the barrel. A quick and easy procedure. I stumbled on to this "custom" slug gun idea, and will never change it back to bird duties. It's THAT good.

Thanks for the gunsmith idea, though.

Dan

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