What's your favorite turkey gun?

[buckeye]

Just curious to see what everybody is shootin. Been hearing a lot of debates over the Mossberg 835 and Remington 870 special purpose guns. Im kinda partial to my trusty old Ithaca mod. 37 featherweight.

[lonepine]

m16 ha

[DoniphanRedneck]

I like the old remington model 1100 semi-auto.

DoniphanRedneck

[maw]

Remington 870 Turkey express. Real tree camo.

[hobiecat]

I shoot a Mossberg 835 ultimag with 3 1/2 in #4 or #5. It's done the job for me!!

[N2OUTDOORS]

Benelli Montefeltro, full choke, two 3" magnums #6 followed by #4 copper plated and buffered loads. Advantage Camo sock over gun with Hi-Viz Sites.

[sptsman]

I have a Mossberg 835, 3 1/2" as well. It is truly a piss-poor piece of craftsmanship. However, it's lightweight and usually only requires one shot. In addition, I can be a little rough on guns throughout the turkey season. For these reasons, I usually carry the 835 rather than my Winchester Super X2. The X2 is a better gun, by far. But it is a little heavier and is still in reasonably decent shape...

[DH_72]

I use a Winchester 1300 pump in MossyOak camo. I use a M.A.D. Max choke tube and shoot #5 Winchester High Velocity. Only thing I don't like about the gun is that it kicks like a mule.

[fish]

A 25+ yr old BPS 12 ga 30" full bbl. I can't remember when I bought it but I only paid $150.It is the first and only gun I use for turkeys and the occasional meat shoot.

[FowlWeather Friend]

Mossburg 835 - and ditto on what sptsman said. Always nice to have a beater!

[GoGop]

So sptsmn thinks a gun that takes a beating, and regularly does one shot kills is junk, and FWF agrees. Sounds like a definition of a good gun to me.
Yup, 835 is what I use, and I love it. To me a junk gun would be one you can't use because you're afraid of hurting it, or because it won't function.

[sptsman]

GoGop - Let me elaborate. Yes, it seems to take some abuse and still fire. However, the gun does not lend itself to multiple shots and a smooth operation. After I got the gun, 10+ years ago, I took it into the goose field because I wanted to shoot 3 1/2" shells and had no other gun that could, at that time. I was seriously disappointed in performance of the gun. It was not smooth and often had trouble properly cycling shells. In some cases it would not grab them for ejection and I had to dig the spent hull out with the tip of my knife (as geese flew away). This happened at least 3-4 times on two trips. In other cases, it would not put the new shell in properly, leaving a shell cock-eyed, only partially chambered and unable to fire. I solved the ejection problem with a brass brush and a cordless drill. I solved the other problem by not taking it into goose field or duck blind anymore...



Again, I like the gun for turkey hunting because it's light and I rarely take more than one shot. But the gun is what it is. I think it cost less that $225, 10+ years ago. Generally, you get what you pay for with guns. I find the 835 to be no exception. It is an inexpensive, functional gun. But if you plan on cycling a case or two of shells through it every year, I think most folks will be disappointed in the overall performance. It's pretty "loose" and a bit sloppy...



I will likely never sell or get rid of this gun because it has a place in my gun case. I like the fact that it is lightweight and the shorter barrel. But I can't pretend it is a fine piece of American engineering and craftsmanship. It is, in fact, a low cost gun that has its place in the market.



Don't get all touchy that I'm offending your gun. Hell, I own one and use it. But it is what it is...

[BornBad]

Sptsman, gave you some stars... You can only go down hill from here

[GoGop]

I wasn't touchy, I just didn't understand the conflict between works good, but bad workmanship.
I've heard others say similar things about 835's, calling them Ulti-SNAG and stuff like that, but mine has been good. It may be because I don't shoot as much as others, but so far my only jambs have been my fault. With 3.5" shells, I tend to short-shuck it.
Thanks sptsmn

[Center Punch]

870 Super Mag w/ the new Rem 3 recoil pad and Remington Knurled(No Wrench Needed) Turkey tube. Mo/BU camo, 26" barrel, Win HV 3" #5's or 3.5" #6's.