Affordable Older Pump/Semi that will handle steel?

[elch jager]

I am just getting into waterfowl hunting this fall and have had some success this past weekend with a borrowed 870 Super Mag. The Remington has really weak ejection and jams more often than not - the spent shell fails to clear and gets trapped on the charging stroke. Now that I have a dozen Mallard decoys and some time on the call, I have been getting birds to decoy close enough… but this pump might as well be a single!

I am shopping for my own 12GA now – trying to be really conservative until next tax return when I’ll get a nice semi. In the meantime, are there any affordable older pumps or semi’s that will shoot steel? I like the Browning BPS and Ithaca 37 as well as the Remington 1100 but don’t know if they require leaded fuel only. Are there any good options under $500 or so?

[bighornbob]

Buy a brand new maverick 88. At cabelas for $300

[BgBlkDg]

Buy a Benelli Nova or Super Nova, keep it maintained and it will serve your grandchild. Ugly, yep, but, work like dambusters.

[swamper]

I agree with Bighornbob. Basic pump shotgun that works great. And if you want spend a little extra you can get the Maverick 88 as a combo with a regular barrel that takes different chokes as well as a defender barrel. And it shoots 3" shells as opposed to some of the older guns that only shoot 2 3/4". JMHO

[guest]

Why not a used decent affordable gun..... You say until,Tax return. Why waste $$.

But out if shooting steel, any with full choke needs to be modified, for about 60 bucks.

with an 870 Wingmaster, some that are not used to it don't pump back fully or firm enough, causing a jam. You need to slam it back full. This happens to some when shooting and pumping straight up.

The 870 Wingmaster ..... Older ones, is one of the most reliable, best pump on the market. May be the operators issue rather then the gun itself. Or it may just need a good cleaning.

All the best to you.

[lowball]

Buy a Benelli Nova or Super Nova, keep it maintained and it will serve your grandchild. Ugly, yep, but, work like dambusters.

That would be my advise as well!

[f350ps]

I agree with Curly, it sounds like you're short stroking it. Make sure it's clean and well lubed then try it again and really concentrate on slamming it all the way back! K

[elch jager]

Thx CT - PM sent...

So for $60, any older gun can be worked to take steel? Like a Wingmaster or M37 etc... Do they just ream the barrel out to a modified choke or IC? I'd be shooting over decoys at 40 yards or so with the odd passing shot for fly by's that aren't out of range.

[elch jager]

I agree with Curly, it sounds like you're short stroking it. Make sure it's clean and well lubed then try it again and really concentrate on slamming it all the way back! K

Cleaned well and lubed up nicely... slamming the heck out of it... next to new gun - maybe 10 shells through it when I borrowed it...

[SuperYeti]

Cleaned well and lubed up nicely... slamming the heck out of it... next to new gun - maybe 10 shells through it when I borrowed it...

If it's a newer one, it could have a rough chamber. Remington has had some issues on the newer production stuff. If you're looking for a $500 shotguns, check out Reliable, they have a huge selection of new and used inventory available on their website and/or in-store.

Warren

[MichelD]

I bought a 1957 Wingmaster at a gun show and had it opened up to Modified and shot it quite a bit before getting an 870 Express with 3-inch capability and tubes.

Also have a 1964 Browning A5 in 2 3/4-inch with a modified barrel. I shoot steel in it no problem.

[guest]

Thx CT - PM sent...

So for $60, any older gun can be worked to take steel? Like a Wingmaster or M37 etc... Do they just ream the barrel out to a modified choke or IC? I'd be shooting over decoys at 40 yards or so with the odd passing shot for fly by's that aren't out of range.

Yes, I have one from the fifties that was shot so much hardly needed to be honed. Lol. ...... The other the 1980, was like never used ...... So glad ER done to avoid bulging the barrel.

Both th drop ducks and geese like no tomorrow ......:mrgreen::mrgreen:

[Foxton Gundogs]

I build most of my waterfowl guns from 3" semis, I like to have the choke done to Improved Modified. Rework the forcing cone and I'm good to go. To say Any gun can be reworked to shoot steel is a bit of an overstatement, you have to consider how thin the barrel wall is to mention one thing,

[elch jager]

I build most of my waterfowl guns from 3" semis, I like to have the choke done to Improved Modified. Rework the forcing cone and I'm good to go. To say Any gun can be reworked to shoot steel is a bit of an overstatement, you have to consider how thin the barrel wall is to mention one thing,

Thx! What are a few make/models that you would consider for this?

[180grainer]

I am just getting into waterfowl hunting this fall and have had some success this past weekend with a borrowed 870 Super Mag. The Remington has really weak ejection and jams more often than not - the spent shell fails to clear and gets trapped on the charging stroke. Now that I have a dozen Mallard decoys and some time on the call, I have been getting birds to decoy close enough… but this pump might as well be a single!

I am shopping for my own 12GA now – trying to be really conservative until next tax return when I’ll get a nice semi. In the meantime, are there any affordable older pumps or semi’s that will shoot steel? I like the Browning BPS and Ithaca 37 as well as the Remington 1100 but don’t know if they require leaded fuel only. Are there any good options under $500 or so?

Find an old Wingmaster that's in good condition, and never look back.

[russm]

Buy a brand new maverick 88. At cabelas for $300

Gor a cheap gun its hard to go wrong with, bought mine with a 28" and 18" barrel for $280 5 or 6 years ago, its killed a lot of birds and shot a lot of targets and Ive had no issues, it's the type of gun you can just toss in the back of the truck and not worry about it getting beat up.

[Foxton Gundogs]

Thx! What are a few make/models that you would consider for this?

I have had good luck with the following. Browning A5, Remington 1100 or Mod. 58, Winchester Mod 50 or 59 or SX1. I start with a 3" model, 28 or preferably 30/32" barrel, most of which are full choke, I have the choke opened up to IM or mod. and have the forcing cone lengthened and Bob's your uncle.

[ajr5406]

Buy a Benelli Nova or Super Nova, keep it maintained and it will serve your grandchild. Ugly, yep, but, work like dambusters.

I took this advice and bought a Nova. So far its been awesome and has never jammed, even with a variety of cheap target ammo shooting clays.