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Post by Boilermaker on Feb 3, 2015 10:52:03 GMT -5
I was wanting some advice on a new (or gently used) 3.5" pump gun. I'm looking to take a back up to S. Illinois for a snow goose hunt and also want a 3.5" gun for turkey hunting and late season Canada's. I bumped my head 2 years ago and bought the new A-5 before they came out with the 3.5" version. I know this will be another Ford vs. Chevy debate; but your opinions would be greatly appreciated. After some research I can get either one around the $500 mark.
I've heard great things about the Nova's (not sure if I'll spend the extra $100 for a Super Nova), but my goodness they are ugly. Also, they're not an American owned company. Parts and extras I'm sure will be more costly.
On the other hand, the 870 is THE pump gun of the USA. Barrels, chokes and any other part can be found it seems about anywhere at a reasonable price. However, I've heard recent reports that Remington's quality has been slipping for the last couple years.
Thoughts?
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Post by dbd870 on Feb 3, 2015 12:02:24 GMT -5
Which one fits you better?
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Post by Boilermaker on Feb 3, 2015 12:49:07 GMT -5
I've shot both, and I have to say I've always had a mental block on pumps and didn't shoot either one better than the other. I do like the feel of the 870 better, less clunky. Regardless of which I choose it's gonna take some getting used to after always shooting autos.
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Post by featherduster on Feb 3, 2015 15:51:20 GMT -5
Both are good guns and either one would be a great choice, I should know I own both brands.
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Post by duff on Feb 4, 2015 10:32:11 GMT -5
Yes both are great guns. Pick the one you want.
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Post by omegahunter on Feb 5, 2015 8:07:48 GMT -5
Don't know if the situation has changed, but I had heard several years ago that warranty work was a pain in the rear on the Benelli's if you would need it.
I would go with the 870 just because of personal preference as I have one in 3" 12ga and 3" 20ga and both fit me to a T.
And if you already think the 870 feels better, that is the one I would pick.
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Post by Boilermaker on Feb 5, 2015 8:12:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the input guys, I've got an 870 on hold at the local gun shop until I can make it in this weekend to pick it up!
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Post by featherduster on Feb 5, 2015 12:28:19 GMT -5
Good choice.
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Post by esshup on Feb 7, 2015 7:37:14 GMT -5
Shoot it before you go on the trip. Remington has had QC problems recently. A local gunsmith has had to remove 3 fired shells from 3 different new 870's. First time the guns were fired, the shells jammed in the chamber. There was a ridge left in the chamber, and when a shell was fired it effectively locked the shell in the chamber. He had to re-ream the chamber on all 3 barrels.
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Post by dbd870 on Feb 7, 2015 7:48:45 GMT -5
Shoot it before you go on the trip. Remington has had QC problems recently. A local gunsmith has had to remove 3 fired shells from 3 different new 870's. First time the guns were fired, the shells jammed in the chamber. There was a ridge left in the chamber, and when a shell was fired it effectively locked the shell in the chamber. He had to re-ream the chamber on all 3 barrels. Hate hearing that but it really doesn't surprise me.
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Post by esshup on Feb 8, 2015 1:10:08 GMT -5
I'm worried that the same philosophy will happen at Savage with the new owners. According the the head of the custom shop, they destroyed the tooling that was used to build the Savage Strykers and Muzzleloaders. They aren't even available thru the custom shop any more.
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Post by trapperdave on Feb 9, 2015 7:41:10 GMT -5
Life is too short to carry an ugly gun. Get the Remington
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Post by Boilermaker on Feb 9, 2015 10:04:55 GMT -5
Got the 870, it was also much lighter than the Nova as well. Very glad I did too. Thanks for the heads up about the ejecting issues. I'll make sure to run a few rounds through it before I go. Thanks everyone for the input.
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Post by chubwub on Feb 12, 2015 14:36:43 GMT -5
Shoot it before you go on the trip. Remington has had QC problems recently. A local gunsmith has had to remove 3 fired shells from 3 different new 870's. First time the guns were fired, the shells jammed in the chamber. There was a ridge left in the chamber, and when a shell was fired it effectively locked the shell in the chamber. He had to re-ream the chamber on all 3 barrels. We have also heard the same thing. Fiance normally has pretty good things to say about 870's but said he wouldn't buy one that has been made in the past 3 years or so because of the issues. It's a shame they took such a tried and true design and jacked it all up.
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Post by moose1am on Apr 1, 2015 23:15:49 GMT -5
I'm glad that I still have access to a older Remington Model 870 Wing-master with a ribbed barrel. I've only used it to hunt doves and got 5 doves with 1/2 a box of new Steel Shot. I think it was #8 shot but can't remember the size of the pellets. It was my first time to shoot steel shot as it's been a long time since I went hunting with the Remington Model 870. I owned one of the Model 870 Wing-master back in the late 1960s and used that shotgun to hunt rabbits, ducks, geese, squirrels and crows. I was still in High School back in those days and found that shotgun with a modified chock great for all types of game. I think that my old Remington Wing-master only shot 2 & 3/4" shells. But the new model I have access to is built to shoot 3" shells for sure and it may even be able to use the 3 1/2" shells. I'm not at home right now and can't look at the gun to make sure what the max size shell is shoots.
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