What gun do you think of when you think of a classic turkey gun?

[Greg Massey]

Obviously there's a lot of "classics" that have killed a lot of turkeys. 

Winchester Model 12
Winchester Model 21
Ithaca Model 37
LC Smith doubles
Fox doubles
etc............

But those don't qualify as "designated, dedicated" guns DESIGNED to be "turkey guns".  When I think of the classic "turkey guns" I'm thinking.......

Remington 870 Turkey
Winchester 1300 laminated
Remington 11-87 Special Purpose
Browning BPS 10 gauge
Mossberg 835

X2 ... agree ... these were the start of turkey guns

[dzsmith]

From my generation, time, and location the classics are gonna be 870s, 1187s, 500s and 835s. That's probably gonna be the most common and popular models from the earliest era of my turkey hunting , I know there are many classics , but none of which I saw folks using as a kid . Who am I kidding.... When I was a kid nobody turkey hunted ......  never knew many Winchester users . Rifle or shotgun alike.... Just not a common name in these parts for whatever reason. Ruger, Remington .... Maybe a browning for the fancy folks .

[crow]

Obviously there's a lot of "classics" that have killed a lot of turkeys. 

Winchester Model 12
Winchester Model 21
Ithaca Model 37
LC Smith doubles
Fox doubles
etc............

But those don't qualify as "designated, dedicated" guns DESIGNED to be "turkey guns".  When I think of the classic "turkey guns" I'm thinking.......

Remington 870 Turkey
Winchester 1300 laminated
Remington 11-87 Special Purpose
Browning BPS 10 gauge
Mossberg 835

Why does a gun have to be designated or designed as a turkey gun to be a turkey gun, classic or not.

Hunters from Jordan's generation might of bought the tightest shooting gun made at that time for turkeys, but it would of also doubled as a waterfowl and/or buckshot gun. Probably the majority just used their only shotgun. To them when they were turkey hunting, that was their turkey gun.

Mr. Henry Davis went to the trouble and expense to have a custom 3" English gun built for him, the magnum gun of his time. It was designed to his specs, but even it wasn't to be a total turkey gun. He had it choked to shoot tight buckshot patterns for deer as well turkeys. His other English "turkey" gun, was also designed to be just as much of a tight patterning buckshot/deer gun as it was for turkeys. When he used a shotgun they were his turkey guns.

Simon Everett, turkey gun also used for waterfowl and deer, and I'm sure a lot more.

I don't have 1 gun that is set up just for turkeys, some will hold a pattern a little farther than others, all of them are used for a variety of game.
But when I'm turkey hunting that gun is my turkey gun

[Yoder409]

Obviously there's a lot of "classics" that have killed a lot of turkeys. 

Winchester Model 12
Winchester Model 21
Ithaca Model 37
LC Smith doubles
Fox doubles
etc............

But those don't qualify as "designated, dedicated" guns DESIGNED to be "turkey guns".  When I think of the classic "turkey guns" I'm thinking.......

Remington 870 Turkey
Winchester 1300 laminated
Remington 11-87 Special Purpose
Browning BPS 10 gauge
Mossberg 835

Why does a gun have to be designated or designed as a turkey gun to be a turkey gun, classic or not.

Hunters from Jordan's generation might of bought the tightest shooting gun made at that time for turkeys, but it would of also doubled as a waterfowl and/or buckshot gun. Probably the majority just used their only shotgun. To them when they were turkey hunting, that was their turkey gun.

Mr. Henry Davis went to the trouble and expense to have a custom 3" English gun built for him, the magnum gun of his time. It was designed to his specs, but even it wasn't to be a total turkey gun. He had it choked to shoot tight buckshot patterns for deer as well turkeys. His other English "turkey" gun, was also designed to be just as much of a tight patterning buckshot/deer gun as it was for turkeys. When he used a shotgun they were his turkey guns.

Simon Everett, turkey gun also used for waterfowl and deer, and I'm sure a lot more.

I don't have 1 gun that is set up just for turkeys, some will hold a pattern a little farther than others, all of them are used for a variety of game.
But when I'm turkey hunting that gun is my turkey gun

I guess I interpreted the OP's question as the title stated........   "classic turkey gun".......not "classic guns that kill turkeys".    I read the intent as guns designed FOR turkey hunting.   "Turkey guns", per se, are a relatively new concept. 

[wv mossy oak]

When I think classic, I have to go back into the 1960's.  My uncle Fred would take us turkey hunting and he carried a Model 12 Winchester 30" full choke.  Winchester Super X #4 shot was what he shot, I sure miss my Uncle Fred. 

[Turkeytider]

There have probably been more iterations of the 870 than any shotgun ever manufactured. My 2005 12gauge 870 Super Magnum SP-T ( Special Purpose-Thumbhole ) to me hardly even looks like an 870 with a Monte Carlo thumbhole stock, 21" barrel, 31/2" chamber in Mossy Oak Obsession. You could use it for other things I suppose, but it was designed to be a turkey gun.

[Brillo]

To me, classic implies old or traditional and I would have to go with a longer single shot or SxS with a minimal forestock.  Ten or twelve gauge.  I have never held an old SxS 12 but they must have weighed close to eight pounds!

[Yoder409]

I have never held an old SxS 12 but they must have weighed close to eight pounds!

7 lbs 7 oz

[owlhoot]

I have never held an old SxS 12 but they must have weighed close to eight pounds!

7 lbs 7 oz

Probably already said it , but will say it again. That is a sweet shotgun. And a classic.

[Yoder409]

Probably already said it , but will say it again. That is a sweet shotgun. And a classic.

Thank you, sir.   It IS a very special gun.  But, I tend to gravitate toward it's sister gun..........the 16 gauge.  It's dimensionally the  same for L.O.P. and barrel length.  But it's another 3/4 pound lighter.  Took my fall gobbler with the 16 this past fall.

[lxsolocam]

My Grandpa's old Ithaca model 37 featherlight 12 guage. 30 inch full choke barrel. No vent rib just plain barrel. Only chambered for 2 3/4" shells. But it'd sure whack em. Killed on both ends too. Had no recoil pad from the factory, hard plastic butt plate. Only weighed about 6 pounds seems like. Shot a beautiful pattern tho with old 2 3/4 green Remington nitro mags. Grew up on that old gun.


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[DMTJAGER]

Honestly if I could have ANY gun for use as a dedicated turkey slayer it would be a camo Remington SP-10 turkey special with the 23" barrel thumbhole stock topped with a RMR and shooting TSS shells I reloaded myself. I know that's the most extreme of over kills, but its what I've always wanted.

STILL kicking myself for not buying a absolute mint condition used SP-10 for $650 back when I bought my 870 SEM at the Gander Mtn. by my home.

[runngun]

Remington Model 31, predecessor to the 870
Parker, 12 gauge double
Ithaca Mag 10
Ithaca 37
Mossberg 835, 1988 1st run camouflage

I have all of the above plus alot of "new" ones as well.
The Remington Model 31 has a 18 inch barrel and a steel butt plate!!! Marked property "State of Louisiana".
THOR'S HAMMER!!!

Have a good one
         Bo

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