Pennsylvania Game News - February 2010 - 63

thing, Zutz was too quick to accept British gun writers on the topic of American shotguns. The Brits are fine, but they are not us and vice versa; let’s keep it that way. Secondly, Zutz said that pump shotguns became basically obsolete when John Browning brought out his Model A-5 semiautomatic shotgun. Zutz related that another earlier gun writer, Charles Askins Sr. said, “An autoloading mechanism is the ultimate fate of all pump repeaters” in his 1910 book, The American Shotgun. Both authors, and they were both well respected gun writers, may be right eventually, but in neither case did their prophesies come true within the time constraints the writers alluded to. One hundred years for Askins and 20 plus years for Zutz compel me to think they were rushing the issue. Perhaps they were both blinded by the semi-automatic’s technology; it is impressive. Some could argue for Zutz’s and Askins’ opinion about semis replacing pumps, because semi-automatics have really advanced and have few, if any, real kinks. I have used over-unders and side-bysides for too long and too exclusively to shoot a pump gun well. In the hands of a practitioner, though, pump shotguns will hold their own in most company in terms of practical speed and reliability. Years ago I shot clays with a couple of old-timers who could really shuck and shoot. Their scores with those 870s put them in the money at a lot of shoots. Zutz pointed out that virtually no competitive clay target shooters used pump shotguns, and he is correct. On the other hand, there are far more hunters and casual target shooters than there are competitive clay target shooters. Millions of hunters and casual shooters still choose to shoot pump shotguns. Pumps offer a reliable three shots with little possibility of jamming, in Fun Game answers: wood duck; black duck FEBRUARY 2010 the hands of an experienced user. Pumps have the single sighting plane that many hunters and shooters prefer. Pump guns are easy to disassemble, clean and maintain. If one does have a problem with his 870, most gunsmiths can solve it easily. As long as reliable semi-autos cost from $800 to $1800, pump guns with their $250 to $500 price tags will remain popular. Fact is, a lot of shooters just plain like pumps. As mentioned, moderate cost is an important factor in selecting a pump gun. Pump shotguns, though, represent a good value in today’s marketplace. Pumps are reliable and long lasting. The Remington 870 I bought used 25 years ago had a lot of miles on it then, and it still works well. Fitted with a scope it makes a fine slug gun for deer. Additional versatility comes from the fact that pumps are chambered in 10, 12, 16, 20 and 28 gauges, as well as the .410 bore. Remington 870 shotguns can be purchased in nearly any configuration one could think of, from a high-end model with great wood and a fantastic bluing job to a value-priced plain version. Camo, blued, black matte, stainless steel and nickel finishes can be had on 870s. Wood and synthetic stocks with straight, pistol or military/law enforcement-style grips are available. Chamber lengths from 2¾- to 3½-inches are available, as are screw-in choke tubes. Pump shotguns were, and are, built for sporting purposes, such as hunting and shooting clays. The awesome firepower of pump shotguns carrying multiple shotshells in extended magazines also makes them excellent choices as a military weapon for specific, short-range objectives. Pump shotguns can also be found in a large percentage of America’s police cars, and they make excellent home/self-defense firearms. At 60 we humans tend to be winding down. Remington 870s, on the other hand, are still going strong and can successfully meet nearly every shotgun need. For a Remington 870 it’s just like a walk in the park.

Pennsylvania Game News - February 2010

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