doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Lightest pumpgun ever made?

Thanks Ted! That pretty-well sums it up. I have a brother, a brother-in-law, and a father-in-law that prefer to shoot pumps as well (big ole'12-bores!), but I prefer to have them ready and willing to go when the time comes to hunt. Thus my additional battery of guns. And...for almost no money, I can keep them ploding along with these much-lighter, sub-gauge guns. I love a good value and these little corn-shuckers have it in spades!

I have had plenty of shotguns, but now own only one Charles Daly Field bottom ejector. It's 12ga 3" pump 28" vent-rib barrel with choke tubes. With these specs at 6lb11 oz it is probably among the lightest pump guns made. The only non-steel parts are: Bradley bead, white spacers, walnut stock, plastic butt plate and magazine plug. I'm done with buying shotguns.

On my 1st trip to Argentina back in the 1980s, I brought my Ithaca 12ga model 37 for back-up to a 12ga Remington 11-87. The 11-87 gummed up from the first morning's shooting and I switched over to the Ithaca pump. I guess the recoil difference between the gas auto and the light pumpgun accentuated by the high volume shooting assured that I would dutifully clean my 11-87 every evening and also at lunch every day. That light pump like to have destroyed my shoulder...Geo

Although they do come in different configurations, a 12 gauge Ithaca 37 would likely not have been my pick for backup on a high volume shoot outside the country. I own the heaviest one I've ever seen, but, a work shift (8 hours) of shooting it in Argentina would likely still be problamatic, depending on loads, I suppose.

I would have probably taken a pair of 1187s, and cleaned one every other day.

Bet you didn't have to clean the Ithaca.

Best,
Ted

That's what I was thinking, I bet Geo was saying, it hurts but it just keeps shooting and shooting and working and working no matter what I do to this thing.

Where the heck is Walt at? I know he has a new 28 gauge, Model 37 . I only have second hand knowledge as my buddy owns one, completely decked out, and not only does he love it but everyone who uses it loves it.

My understanding is Walt had it (28ga 37) made with a stock profile similar to an early gun. I'm sure it's an extra expense but for me would make for a nicer looking a shooting gun.

The lightest of my pump fleet is a 1957 26" modified plain barrel 20 gauge M37 at 5 7/8 lbs. It is a fabulous dove and snipe gun. My 28 gauge M37 is 6 lbs. I've seen photos of Walt's gun and he had it done right. While mine is a fine gun, the factory wood comes with a recoil pad which is unnecessary on a 28 gauge. The lines of Walt's stock are superior to the new styled stock and his is without a pad by special order. I'd be surprised if there is a finer one in existence than Walt's.

Ithaca in Ohio does have a custom shop that you can have an earlier styled stock put on.

I learned that later, but probably wouldn't have spent the extra. It was steep enough with the upgraded factory wood. Gil

I have been away. I once owned a 20 gauge Ultralite with english stock and hard butt. It weighed about 4 3/4 pound. I fired 5 slugs sitting at a bench rest. No padding on my shirt. With tears in my eyes, I could shoot no more. Light weight guns are great to carry but are bummers to shoot. Of course when firing at game, recoil is not as noticeable.