Best shotguns
Last Sunday I asked readers their opinion of the best shotguns ever made, mentioning the Browning A-5 and the Remington 870. Below are the comments I received from readers.
”I have a Belgium made A-5 (light 20 gauge) which is about as good as they get for the following reasons: superb quality of manufacturing; five-shot capacity; will shoot reloaded or new shells all day without malfunctions; very lightweight to carry and swing on target; easy to change the barrel and lastly, the design seems to make pointing a natural motion.” – J. Paul Gragg, Oklahoma City
“My vote is for the Winchester Model 12. This gun is known not only for its excellent handling but is a great all-around firearm to use in the field or on the trap range.” – Mike Cook, Duncan
“My uncle gave me a Remington 870 pump about 25 years ago. It had been used quite a bit already and I’ve continued to fire away with it. I have not owned or even shot the Browning model that you referenced, but it would have to be an extrardinary gun to pull me away from the 870.” – Mark Webb, Durant
“My vote goes for the model 12 Winchester pump 20 gauge modified choke. I’ve used this for 30-some years. It has been maintenance free. They are reasonably priced and very durable. I also had a Belgium-made Browning A-5 I couldn’t master. I gave it to my son and he loves it.” - Carl Williams, Kingfisher
“My vote for the best shotgun of all time is the Model 12 Winchester pump. Its fit, finish and overall quality is head and shoulders above any other shotgun in my opinion.” – Tom Hayes, Purcell
“For me, it is the classic Mossberg 500 pump. While it may not be as expensive as a Remington or nowhere near and intricate as the Benelli, the Mossberg is a tough utility shotgun that can be used for dove, turkey, qual, and yes, even sporting clays. I believe you could drop the thing from an airplane and it would function adequately.” – Ron Black, host of the WILD Oklahoma radio and TV show
“It has to be the 870.” - Chris Thomas, Midwest City
“My vote is for the Franchi 20 gauge automatic. It is the lightest (minimal recoil) most versatile and deadly shotgun I have ever used in my 38 years of hunting. Great for all upland game and waterfowl. Wouldn’t have another! - Jim Chapman
“My vote for the best shotgun would have to go to the Ithaca Model 37 Featherweight (the one gun my Dad got for me in 1959 when I was awarded the Boy Scout Eagle Badge). The gun is light, doesn’t kick, is almost weatherproof (with its downward ejection). Mine is a 20 gauge, but my vote goes for the entire Ithaca 37 lineup. The Remington 870 is a good gun, too, but kind of bulky when compared to the Model 37.” – Sam Ebersole, Perry
“Out of the two guns I believe the Remington 870 is best. Why is that? Well, I have owned a lot of shotguns and owned both the A-5 and the 870 and after awhile, I had trouble with the A-5 not wanting to eject shells all the way and I have owned the 870 over 10 years now and I haven’t had any problems with it. But I think the best shotgun ever is the Ruger Red Label.” – Mitchell Loudermilk
“I bought (a Browning A-5) in ’62 for $159. To me, that’s the best that’s ever been made, I think, and I have used quite a few shotguns. It would eject shells perfectly and fire as fast you could pull the trigger. I shot many a box of shells in it. Never had to take it to the gun shop (for repair). I kept it oiled and cleaned. “ 87-year-old Arnold Heath of Norman
“I guess now my secret will be public. The best all around shotgun is positively the Ruger Red Label. I prefer 20 gauge with European Stock. Here is why. Great fit and handling. Quick to the shoulder (in the Euro stock). Good balance and weight, leading to low recoil and good swing through. Reasonably priced (used to be better, the demand is driving prices up). Can be used for skeet, sporting clays and game hunting equally well. Reliable. I’ve shot literally thousands of rounds through mine without a misfire or jam. Forcing cones are just right, yielding superb pattern and low recoil.” – Sheldon Lackey, Edmond
“The Browning A-5, Belgium-made, gets my vote. Why? Because it has never failed me in its mechanical operation!!!!! Mine is a low serial number which I have owned since 1969.” Gene Bartnicki, Duncan
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Comments
I would have to say the Browning A5 (Belgium Browning) in 16 gauge. The reason is superior craftsmanship…..I have literaly fired hundreds of shot guns and can never remember a malfunction of any sought. A previous post stated he had problems with getting the ol’ browning to eject. If you keep the weapon maintained (make sure the rings are set the right way for the loads you are shooting) you should never have a problem. I would say every so many years the recoil spring should get replaced maybe even the friction rings too. They’re cheap enough. The gun I discribed above was the very first shot gun I ever fired or hunted with. Plus left it to me when he passed. A fine piece of craftsmanship.
The Remington 870 Wingmaster, specifically the Wingmaster, is equal to the Winchester Model 12. Both are reliable as a World War 2 Model 1911. I own 2 Wingmasters, one in 12 gauge, one in 20 gauge. My 20 gauge was built in 1974, and has had more shells through it than a Browning sub-machine gun. It has never failed to properly function. The finish is just like the day I bought it. My 12 gauge on the other hand, I use it for everything. I have kept track of the rounds I have shot through it, and to date, it has fired 1,003,266 rounds with the only suggestion of being used it bluing wear on the magazine tube and the slide bars. As I am an FFL dealer, unbiased from repairing customer guns, there are only two greats, the Model 12, and the Model 870 Wingmaster. I will disagree on the A-5 as I have lost count on the number of capture screws, butt stocks, and firing pins I have replaced. THe only thing I will give the A-5 is it was made in a time when pride in workmanship mattered. Not discounting the Model 12 or Model 870 Wingmaster.
Between the two mentioned I think the quality of the A-5 is superior to the Wingmaster 870 and is many fold better than the 870 Express. However for affordability, useability, versatility and all the other “ilities” the 870 surpasses the Browning. For Christmas 1963 my parents (read as father because I’m sure my mother was appalled) bought me a 870 28 gauge. I still own that gun today. Over the years I’ve own and shot hundreds of shotguns and I’ve had 870s in mud, water, dust, freezing temps along with a unhealthy amount of sleet, hail, snow, etc. and I’ve NEVER had a malfunction with an 870.
As for the best shotgun ever I have to agree with Gene Sears. There are two that stand head and shoulders above the rest, unfortunately neither one are in producation anymore. The Winchester Model 12 and the Browning Superpose (Belgium). I remember as a little kid watching Gene Sears and my father (Wayne Lillard) standing side by side on the 27 yard line banging it out for the OK state championship (early 60s). You mention in your article about Mr. Sears he is the only man to win his state championship in all the shotgun sports, my father won the skeet, 16 yd. trap and handicap trap state crowns, but passed before I think there even was a sporting clays state event, so I guess he won the “ancient times” grand slam.