Are you Break Open 2 barrel (O/U and SXS) or Autoloader guy

I like my SxS in 12ga, 16ga, and 28ga flavors. I even like my O/U at times.
 

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If I never needed a 3rd shot, one of the Citori Lightnings get the nod. While getting a double on birds is fun, a triple is an even greater thrill. However, getting older means carrying less weight in the field. The 7 lb. auto's are slowly being replaced by the 6-6 1/2 lb. O/U's.
 
McFarmer said:
Where does my BPS, 870, 37 and model 12 fit in ?

Oh, and the JC Higgins model 20 ?
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Never been a BPS or model 12 guy but think the 37 may be the best pump gun of all time. I know to many that is blasphemy but I really think that. I have a 12 gauge that my step dad hunted hard with for 30 years before giving it to me and I did my best to wear it out but never could. I am in the process of getting it restocked and plan on using it some in the future for old times sake. Seems like about everything 6-9 months I fire up about finding a 16 gauge 37 and start the search again but so far haven’t found the right one. I will at some point.
 
Matt D said:
Never been a BPS or model 12 guy but think the 37 may be the best pump gun of all time. I know to many that is blasphemy but I really think that. I have a 12 gauge that my step dad hunted hard with for 30 years before giving it to me and I did my best to wear it out but never could. I am in the process of getting it restocked and plan on using it some in the future for old times sake. Seems like about everything 6-9 months I fire up about finding a 16 gauge 37 and start the search again but so far haven’t found the right one. I will at some point.
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I owned most of the best brands. The 870-wing master was a great gun. The model 12's were probably the best ever made, But the 37 was the lightest, fastest most deadly of them all. I still have my 16 that I bought for 80.00 in about 72. And my 12-gauge serial # 722. And my model 12 trap gun. That should tell you something.
 
Red label 12 said:
Always a double, but I’m getting an Ithaca 37 20g that belonged to my Grandpa soon so I’ll have to give it a go this season
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My 37 is picky with modern shell bases. Seems the steel bases don’t extract as well as the older brass ones, my 37 was made in the late 1940s so maybe newer ones are better.
I sent it in to Diamond Gunsmithing, they helped it but there is only one shell I can shoot trap with.

If I had to grab one pump to hunt with it would be the BPS. As a left handed shooter the tang safety is nice, even though I have converted all my shotguns to left safely.
 
McFarmer said:
My 37 is picky with modern shell bases. Seems the steel bases don’t extract as well as the older brass ones, my 37 was made in the late 1940s so maybe newer ones are better.
I sent it in to Diamond Gunsmithing, they helped it but there is only one shell I can shoot trap with.

If I had to grab one pump to hunt with it would be the BPS. As a left handed shooter the tang safety is nice, even though I have converted all my shotguns to left safely.
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Yep, older ones notorious for tight chambers.
 
I once thought I was an over/under guy, but I'm definitely an autoloader guy. Once in a blue moon I want more than 2 shots, & since I want it, I'm going to have it. I think it's also a mental thing. The thought of possibly being short a shot or 2 isn't even on my radar. And oddly, no over/under shoots quite as nice for me as my 1990 Japanese Sweet 16. I really, really love that gun. There is a Fausti o/u 16 gauge I'd really like to own, but I've never even fondled one, much less shot one. I can't make it make sense to part with that much cash for a gun that I honestly can't imagine liking better than my Sweet 16. So I haven't pulled the trigger, so to speak, on a Fausti.
 
SxS's for me. There's a nostalgia in them i can't find anywhere else. Old guns, wet dogs, paper shells. Step back in time. When my son was little we'd shoot a bird or two, make a fire and roast the meat right there on sticks we sharpened with our knives. Hot tea on the side. My Dad did the same for me. If you ever want to get a young man hooked on the sport make it an adventure. Lefever Nitro 20, Remington 11 12, Browning BSS 12IMG_3394.jpeg
 
Auto's for me, I agree with A5 above, I think it's a mental thing. I've tried several O/U's and I just don't seem to have the same confidence I do with an Auto.
 
I've gone the opposite of A5 and Revs. I started with autos, and last few years have been using an O/U. I feel I shoot better knowing that I've got 2 shots to make it count. I've always been a more instinctually/pressure shooter. It's why I'm trash shooting skeet but can shoot really well on live birds.

Shooting an O/U I pause more often to get a good shoot off versus rapping one off the moment I get my gun shouldered like I did with my autos. I can't tell you how many birds I've shot with my 2nd or 3rd shot with my autos because I'm rushing my shot. My O/U I'm typically dropping the bird with my first shot. And if a bird gets away because I couldn't drop it with 2 shots, maybe that's just the way it goes and I'm doing my part for conservation.
 
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