Sounds like we have a "Legion of pumpgunners" here--There are Four/Five Shotgun Groups: Pump,Autoloader, Double Barrel (split group between the side-by-side and the over/under clans, and Single shot-- I didn't include the few bolt actioned shotguns.
I am 70, have shot several Beretta and Ruger O/U's, also a few good autoloaders- all that belonged to my friends-- But what pleases me the most is the feel of a good well balanced side-by-side- and I prefer 28" to 30" barrel length, 12 gauge and double triggers with a POW style grip and splinter style forearm. Some of this carries over to my love of the older M12's- the field guns with the 18 ring "corncob" forearms and the pre-1935 style buttstock with the graceful smaller grip- just fits my hands and mounting style a bit better-
I like the fine 1897 too-although as I use some of my M12's for waterfowling, and late season- the open brech cycle and exposed hammer are not quite my cup of tea- and yes, I do "backslide" to the ugly Mossenberg 835 12 I won at a DU Banquet a few years ago--
From a practical point of view, it, as the Germans like to say- "Machts Nicht"-- makes no difference- to the dead mallard or pigeon or rooster pheasant in the grass before you what make, model and gauge of scattergun brought about its demise--Dead is dead- and although not a clays man, we could postulate that same concept for a shattered blaze orange disc as well--
I just feel that, as long as I can afford to indulge my preferences, why not do so as to the type of shotguns I use--And there is something about a well-worn pumpgun in late October-- best example of that, IMO-- GSJ Fall 1977--One of the all-time best pheasant hunting stories ever published (IMO of course) John Hewitt's Kansas experience- "There's Always Tomorrow"- and the fine photo of a graying at the muzzles Lab, a barn door well weathered, a brace of deceased roosters and a well used (and I would guess, much loved by its owner) Remington M31 long barreled 12 gauge pumpgun--
