Really thinking about selling the SX4 and going back to a pump. Anyone have feedback on the new 870?
If they're anything like the new production 700's I've handled lately they should be pretty stellar. Already scheming on how to buy a bunch of new faster twist 700 ADL's to use the barreled actions for custom projects. The BDL's are great too. I'm sure the new 870s are just as good quality wise but have yet to handle one.
I really like hunting with a pump. My old favorite is a Ithaca Model 37 Turkeyslayer but it is a dozen gauge. Last year I managed to do some trading for a new Remington Model 870 20. I tagged out in 3 states with a. It worked just like every one that I have handled. I put a Burris FF3 on it and at the end of the season I ordered a Pistol grip stock and forearm (MagPul). I really took a liking to it. Like I said I have not had any issues and I don't see any cosmetic issues with it .I did change the trigger spring from MCarbo reduced the pull to just under 3.5 pounds. Reduced by 2 pounds.
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Quote from: Gooserbat on January 25, 2024, 01:45:43 AM
Really thinking about selling the SX4 and going back to a pump. Anyone have feedback on the new 870?
I settled on a Mossberg 500 after hunting 20 years with Rem 1100. I'll tell you, there is no reason to have an auto out in the field for turkey, besides personal whim.
I'll go a tad farther: Turkey hunting is not the best place for a factory-new shotgun. I like my dedicated turkey gun to have mileage on it, because
a) I'm going to put more miles on it myself
b) Every scratch and ding I add won't bother me.
c) I'm only shooting a few shots a year.
Were I looking for a new turkey gun, I'd go used. I'd stop by Walmart on the way home and buy 4 cans of camo Krylon and have at it. That way, I'd never get used to any aesthetics left on the gun. When I got in at the end of season, I'd get rid of the residual mud, sand the scuffs and cover them over with more Krylon.
That is what I think of when I think turkey gun.
The new 870s are really, really nice. The Fieldmaster is a great impovement over the older Express. Better stocks, fit and finish, and the action is very slick and feels broken-in already compared to previous models. Remington (RemArms) did it right. I like that they are drilled and tapped already.
I agree with you about pumps. I love pumps. My go-tos are Browning BPSs. They aren't drilled and tapped, and tend to come with a 26" barrel as the shortest option (unless you have a rifled slug barrel). But they are very well built and a joy to shoot. With a steel receiver, they are bit on the heavier side. But it is what it is. I have BPSs from 10 gauge to .410 and all are perfectly reliable.
If you can get one, Ithacas built in Upper Sandusky may be the best made pumps out there right now, and the best to wear the Ithaca name. Just fabulous in every way. All steel, including the trigger group. Triggers that rival good rifle triggers. Slick actions. And mine shoot to point of aim. True 50/50 guns. They are a bit heavier than previous interations of the Model 37, but they make up for it in improved quality. They can still occassionally suffer from the M37 malady of getting out of timing - a somewhat common issue with M37s regardless of where they were made. I've sent one back for timing adjustment. I got it back working perfectly in about 2 weeks. Ithaca's customer service is among the best CS I've experienced ever, regardless of the type of business. But they are hard to come by now, since Ithaca is pretty is a low volume producer concentrating now on filling vast backorders.
Here's what I found Sam. Seems to have pretty positive reviews. Good luck in your search...
I've heard good things on the 870s. Personally, I haven't picked up one, but hearing good feedback.
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I enjoy them all , and it especially depends on the gun manufacturer .... NEVER sell your guns. just buy you another one ... IMO
My brother has a browning bps predator. Nice blind gun.
The Fieldmaster I fondled had a smooth action and as stated above is drilled and tapped.
Gooserbat - I really took a long look and read a lot of reviews and took the plunge and bought a new 20 gauge compact synthetic 870 Fieldmaster. Got it cerakoted and have a delta point pro. So far, I am very pleased with it. The fit and finish is much better and the trigger on mine is around four pounds which is very doable. Love that it is drilled and tapped from the factory and they said it has a lifetime warranty. Guess we will find out what that means if something goes wrong. I really feel that Remington is back to making some good guns again. And everyone that I know who has bought a Remington of recent is also pleased. Looking forward to killing a few turkeys with it this spring, - and who knows, it may become my primary gun.
Everything about the new ones seem to be upgraded.The finish is very good on the express, machining is very good on the action.Thumbs up to remarms.
All of the new 870s I've been able to handle in the past year have been superb!
Nothing but good things to say about my new field master 20 ga ,,
I hunted mine this past spring .
Quote from: Old Swamper on January 26, 2024, 09:51:00 AM
Never seen any good reason to leave my old 870.
Ditto. Bought a 870 Turkey Express back in the early 1990s. No regrets.
Every few months I get that urge to buy a semiauto, but I keep remembering the four 870s I have and how they have been flawless for the better part of 40 years and wonder why I would want to abandon them.
Maybe one day I'll get weak and slip up and buy an auto loader.
Quote from: Old Swamper on January 26, 2024, 09:51:00 AM
Never seen any good reason to leave my old 870.
Same here. I've been 870 guy my whole turkey hunting life. I will admit there are better options than a pump action while you're crumpled up on the ground, but fortunately I don't often need a follow up shot. The weight doesn't thrill me either, but I've grown attached to the thing through the years and as they say.."if it ain't broke.."
I also have an 870 Super Mag with the original wooden thumbhole stock (NOT the Shurshot) that is covered in MOBU camo (all metal & all wood) from the factory. I've never fired a 3.5" magnum shell out of it & I bought it new. As a matter of fact, there have only been 6 shots fired from this shotgun. 3" shells have never handicapped me from harvesting toms. But........ carrying a 5.6 lb Benelli Montefeltro 20 gauge sure is nice compared to the heavy "cannon like" 870.
I like pump shotgun. I love it when I can action the pump and do a second shot on a second prey. The shlack-schlack... pawf... Is something in itself that I remember long after the hunt is done... And I like it that it's a bit slow (slower than a auto). You can control when and where you eject the empty shell, how fast you need to chamber the next round... And for my needs, I don't need something faster than that, it's enough. And I like to see that people here are fans of the 870s... That's what I have and i love it... I call it a tank...
I have dedicated turkey shotguns in every legal action (except bolt action). When I'm traveling and can't afford a gun to fail, I pick a pump every time. A double barrel is my second choice. My semi-autos don't travel far from home and then have a backup nearby.
I have pumps and enjoy them, but as I have gotten older I sure do like my auto guns .... LOL
So after I already posted here about the 700s, I had a chance to handle a few new production 870s the other day. I was impressed most with the 20 ga wingmaster they had. I almost walked out with it even though I don't need it. The fieldmasters are a step above the old expresses in my opinion, decent matte finish and seemed to have a slick action. I wouldn't hesitate if I were looking for a pump gun.
Quote from: joey46 on January 26, 2024, 09:55:08 AM
Quote from: Old Swamper on January 26, 2024, 09:51:00 AM
Never seen any good reason to leave my old 870.
Ditto. Bought a 870 Turkey Express back in the early 1990s. No regrets.
x3
I have an 1187 compact I bought just to try to replace my compact 870....had the gun completed with cerakote, red dot, etc and have yet to hunt with it in years. I always reach for the 870 still!
90% of gobblers seem to get killed with the first shot. But when a follow up is needed an auto is nice to have. I duck hunt with an auto and have enjoyed the past 7-8 years with my affinity 20
That said I'd pull one of my 870s out in a heartbeat. I keep one with a turkey choke in it.
I don't know about the new 870's, but it would be real hard for me to give up my SX4! Maybe for a new style browning A5 16 gauge, or a nice SP10 with the turkey barrel.
Good luck with the new gun. See you all in a couple weeks.
After my franchi auto jamming and costing me a Turkey I started using my old 870 Supermag that just sat in its case.Bought a hevi shot choke tube for less than 10 bucks on Rogers and it patterns awesome with LB XR. I like the peace of mind of not worrying if something got caught on the charge handle of an auto resulting in a click when it's go time.
I've used both. Hard to beat an auto 20 gauge
Started with a mossberg 835 I think around 1996 . A few years later I switched to an 870 super mag that I used for years . About 6 years ago I wanted to go lighter and went with the 20 gauge M2 . I loved all of them but I think I found my favorite.
I don't like autos but love pumps. My favorite shot gun is a 28 gauge LW frame 870 express. With TSS it is great on turkeys. I have an 870 Supermag, BPS, Win 1300, 835 , Win model 12, Win model 42 and probably some more that I can't think of at the moment. No question the best built is the BPS. The 835 has killed the most birds.
I have gone the other way. I am swapping out my trusty 12 gauge 870 that has been with me all over the country for the last 20+ years and going to a 20ga semi-auto. Going for a somewhat lighter, recoil friendly option.
I'm sure the old 870 will get pulled out from time to time.
Quote from: OJR on February 06, 2024, 01:44:52 PM
I have gone the other way. I am swapping out my trusty 12 gauge 870 that has been with me all over the country for the last 20+ years and going to a 20ga semi-auto. Going for a somewhat lighter, recoil friendly option.
I'm sure the old 870 will get pulled out from time to time.
Same with me. After having surgery on my shoulder for the 3rd time less than 2 weeks ago. I'm going to be looking for a 20ga. auto with a softer recoil than my 870SPM 12ga.
I have always been a fan of pumps for many years the bulk really that's all i used. The old 70's wingmaster and the 835. They accounted for many a meal over the years. Not long ago i bought a Benelli Supernova for Duck and Geese hunting and thought i'd make it a Turkey gun too and with a carlson 640 choke and a red dot its a shooter and recoil aint that bad i was really surprised how light it felt shooting a stiff TSS load. I bought the gun as a all weather kinda let it rain who cares gun and the red dot kinda flies in the face of that IMO.
I'm a blind hunter any more my running and gunning days are behind me. So a camo gun (back in the day i never had one or a bind) really isn't important to me. Anyway i got a nice Benelli Montefeltro 20 ga with a Jebbs .555 choke that throws a great pattern with #9 TSS a warne rail mount and a nice Holosun green dot circle reflex sight. Its lightweight very dependable and never failed to work perfectly. I think i'm going to make it my dedicated Turkey gun.
And if i want to carry the Supernova i'll just use the bead. Same with the Over Under 20 ga. A man has just gotta have a turkey choke for all his shotguns :).
Quote from: Gooserbat on January 25, 2024, 01:45:43 AM
Really thinking about selling the SX4 and going back to a pump. Anyone have feedback on the new 870?
Gooserbat, can you share why you are considering going back to a pump? I have been salivating over a new semi-auto in 20g for about 2 years now. The reason I started looking was that I am nearing my mid 50's and my longstanding pump shotgun really started feeling heavy the last couple of years when I put on the miles sneak hunting. I have a long 12g SuperNova with a pistol grip and it's about as heavy of a turkey gun as you can get. I was thinking I could shed a lot of weight by going to a semi 20g.
There is a bit of a positive update for me, however. I had a defective heart valve that recently gave up altogether. It probably had been affecting me for the last couple of years without me knowing it (i knew about the bad valve, but didn't know it had taken a turn for the worse). I now have a new mechanical valve. I'm being told I will feel 10+ years younger in a few months. I am going to put off on my new purchase until after this season as I can't shoot a gun due to my recent surgery where they cut my breastplate. Even if my old gun ultimately doesn't seem that heavy anymore, it's hard for me to shake new gun fever once I've got it!
Quote from: Timmer on February 09, 2024, 08:57:30 PM
Quote from: Gooserbat on January 25, 2024, 01:45:43 AM
Really thinking about selling the SX4 and going back to a pump. Anyone have feedback on the new 870?
Gooserbat, can you share why you are considering going back to a pump? I have been salivating over a new semi-auto in 20g for about 2 years now. The reason I started looking was that I am nearing my mid 50's and my longstanding pump shotgun really started feeling heavy the last couple of years when I put on the miles sneak hunting. I have a long 12g SuperNova with a pistol grip and it's about as heavy of a turkey gun as you can get. I was thinking I could shed a lot of weight by going to a semi 20g.
There is a bit of a positive update for me, however. I had a defective heart valve that recently gave up altogether. It probably had been affecting me for the last couple of years without me knowing it (i knew about the bad valve, but didn't know it had taken a turn for the worse). I now have a new mechanical valve. I'm being told I will feel 10+ years younger in a few months. I am going to put off on my new purchase until after this season as I can't shoot a gun due to my recent surgery where they cut my breastplate. Even if it ultimately doesn't seem that heavy, it's hard for me to shake new gun fever once I've got it!
Ok to answer the question of my choice it boils down to i simply like a pump and an 870 in particular. I've had several turkey guns and I always come back. Im just curious about the new ones mostly because they are drilled for a scope base.
I know it probably doesn't matter to most because they will put an optic on their gun. The walnut and the Synthetic stock have a different drop at the heel. The walnut stock, I'm looking right down the barrel, with the synthetic stock I seem to be pointing up.
Decided on a new .410 this year, wanted more shots than the 301 had to offer. Went with a Mossberg 500. Wasn't sure I trust Turkey to help me kill turkeys lol wish Mossberg made it and made it in the us. The price would probably be a lot though. Anyways just hard to beat the feel of trust a pump shotgun has to offer. Has me wanting to go to a plain jane 870 as my backup gun this year