My HD shotgun is a 18" barreled Remington 870 with a 6 shot magazine. I have a side saddle on it that holds an additional 6 rounds. Ammo of choice is #1 buckshot but will "settle" for 00 buck when #1 is not available.

My personal favorite is the remington 870 express magnum. I have tried other peoples winchesters, mossbergs, etc. but for me the remington always felt the best. I will say that the lever action .410 that my friend used to have was pretty fun though.

I'm glad DenStinett mentioned Winchester. I keep and extended mag slug barrel handy (no rifling) and I've had great luck with 18 inch defenders. I've had a lot of others but keep going back to Winchester.

Get a older Remington 870 or Marlin 590. There are NO OTHERS!! 

All others compare them selves to the 870. Marlin did the 590 right when they went for the military contract, the 590 so setup is a great defensive shotgun!

Talk to any combat shotgun instructor. You just herd from this one.  

CW

Edit: A STRONG argument can be made for the Ithica too. Esp for a leftie as mentioned. (The 870 was offered LH as well.)

I just recently repaired my nephew's Remington 870 Express Magnum, they started using MIM parts in some of their cheaper runs sold at WalMart and Academy Stores.  Anyway many reported that the extractors were stretching with use.
I called Remington and the nice lady listened to my story about this issue and she took the serial number of the gun and stated that the parts were on "Back Order" but she said they would send out a new part for me because I could service the shotgun myself.  They did take  a month and a half to get the parts out to me, but I replaced the part which is a simple change out.

Still a great gun!

I'll be different...



Winchester 1897.

I think that was the model they used in the trenches of the war..."Trench Broom"

Winchester Model of 1897 Shotgun, M97 Trench Gun, Trench Broom

They are great, made all the difference back in the day... The where improved into the great model 12. neither is as durable or reliable as the 870.

I have one too, its a great gun! Here is a shot from many years ago on a Pheasant hunt with my lil brother.



CW

Remington 870

Remington 870. Best of the breed, bar none! Durability, reliability, form-follows-function.

Captain O

Hard to beat the Remington 870. The older ones are better.

5) Mossy 500s

FN SLP MK1

MKA 1919

SPAS 12

Beside my bed for breakins is an 18 inch/6 shot 500

I've been working with my shotguns extensively for the past year and added 3 870P's to the stable. I have found a new love in the #24888, 20" with +3 mag extension.

other than a antique Marlin hammer pump and a Win.mod 12 16 ga. the pump shotguns I use most are a Rem mod 870 Wingmaster 3' mag. fixed full choke.  this has been my main turkey killer for many years, a Win 1300 that has a smooth bore slug barrel with rifle sights. loaded with buckshot this is my deer jump gun.I also have a 26" barrel with screw in chokes for it. I use that for a spare turkey and upland bird gun, a  18" bbl Mossberg 500 Mariner Marine Finish for a boat gun and last is an old  2 3/4" chambered 18" bbl.  High Standard (Flight King) Crusier  that has a nickel finish. it stays loaded in my downstairs work shop.
I really like the smooth actions of Win.1300 and the High Standard. I like the way the Win 1300 feels and handles with either barrel and is so versatile so I guess you could say its my favorite but all are good shot guns.

Like? I like them all.

I have an 870. It is OK, but it could be better. It sometimes jams with Winchester el-cheapo steel base shells.

I like the old Winchester trench guns and the Ithaca M37 shotguns.



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