Photo credit: High Caliber History/Youtube
Walk into any gun shop in September and you’ll see the same thing: new hunters staring at the same two or three pump guns everybody’s uncle recommended. Nothing wrong with that. Those classics earned their reputations.
But there’s a whole other layer of pump-action shotguns out there—some tougher, some smoother, some weirder, and some just better fits for certain hunts. A few are sleepers you can still find used if you keep your eyes open. Here are 20 pump guns that don’t usually get picked first by brand-new hunters, but absolutely deserve a look.
1. Winchester Model 1300 (Speed Pump)
The Model 1300 is one of those shotguns that surprises you the first time you run it hard. The action has a slick, quick feel that makes the “speed pump” nickname make sense, especially on fast follow-up shots in a dove field or when a rooster cackles out of cover.
They’re not as common on the new-gun rack anymore, which is part of the appeal. Find one that hasn’t been abused, and you’ve got a light-carrying, quick-pointing pump that just flat works.
2. Winchester Model 12
This is old-school steel and walnut with a feel modern budget guns rarely match. The Model 12 points like it’s reading your mind, and it has that tight, bank-vault kind of lockup that makes you want to shoot it well.
It’s also a reminder that “new” isn’t automatically “better.” They can be picky about condition and maintenance, so you don’t just grab any dusty one and call it good. Still, a solid Model 12 is a lifetime shotgun.
3. Remington 31
The Remington 31 doesn’t get talked about much outside of shotgun guys, but anyone who’s run one tends to remember it. The action is famously smooth, and it carries in the uplands like a bird gun should.
It’s not the cheapest used pump you’ll find, and parts aren’t as plug-and-play as newer guns. But if you want a classic that feels almost “too nice” for a pump, this is one of them.
4. Ithaca 37 (Featherlight)
Bottom ejection is the whole story with the Ithaca 37. If you’re left-handed—or you hunt with buddies and hate spitting empties across the blind—this design is a practical advantage, not a gimmick.
They tend to be slim and fast in the hands. The tradeoff is you’ll want to learn your specific gun’s quirks, because older examples can vary. Once you do, it’s hard not to like one.
5. Browning BPS
The BPS is a working man’s Browning—built heavier than most pumps, but built to last. Bottom eject and top tang safety make it friendly for both lefties and righties, and it’s one of the better “one shotgun for everybody in the house” options.
That extra weight is real on long walks, but it also helps with recoil. For late-season pheasants in a coat, or for a duck blind gun that gets knocked around, the BPS is hard to argue with.
6. Benelli Nova
The Benelli Nova looks a little odd the first time you see it, and it feels different because of the one-piece receiver/stock setup. In the rain, sleet, and mud, though, it starts making sense.
This is a pump I’ve seen keep running when other guns got “seasonal issues.” The fore-end stroke is long, and not everyone loves that, but if you want a no-nonsense bad-weather shotgun, it’s a real option.
7. Benelli SuperNova
The SuperNova takes the Nova idea and gives it a little more flexibility, especially with its stock and comfort features. If you shoot heavy 3½-inch waterfowl loads, you’ll appreciate any recoil help you can get.
It’s still not a delicate shotgun, and that’s the point. This one is for the guy who hunts when the forecast is ugly and the boat ramp is half ice.
8. Beretta 1301 Comp Pro Pump (Beretta 1301 Pump / 1201FP-era pumps)
Beretta isn’t who most folks think of for pump guns, which is why their pumps get overlooked. When you find one, they often have better fit and finish than the “usual starter” pumps, and they tend to point naturally.
The downside is simple: availability and parts aren’t as everywhere as the big two American pumps. If you’re the kind of person who likes being a little different and you maintain your gear, a Beretta pump can be a sweet shooter.
9. Fabarm SDASS Pump
Fabarm pumps don’t show up in every small-town shop, but the ones that do are usually built like somebody cared. They tend to feel tight, smooth, and modern without being “tacticool about it.”
This is a good example of a pump that costs more up front but doesn’t feel like a compromise. If you want one shotgun that can hunt, ride in the truck, and do range work without feeling cheap, it’s worth handling.
10. Mossberg 535 ATS
The 535 is not glamorous. It’s a tool that was built around the idea that hunters might shoot 2¾, 3, and 3½-inch shells depending on what the day calls for.
It’s also a gun I’ve seen guys keep for years because it never gave them a reason to sell it. The action won’t feel like a polished old Ithaca, but for waterfowl and turkeys on a budget, it’s a lot of capability.
11. Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag
If you want a pump that’s basically dedicated to heavier payloads, the 835 is a known hammer. It’s loud, it’s big, and it’s not what I’d pick for a casual dove shoot.
But for turkey hunters who like to pattern a pile of loads and squeeze every bit of performance they can, this gun has been filling tags for a long time. It’s more specialized than most first-time buyers need, which is why it gets skipped.
12. Mossberg 590 (and 590A1)
This one gets pigeonholed as “home defense,” but a tough pump is a tough pump. The 590-series guns are built for hard use, and it shows in the way they hold up when they’re not babied.
For a camp gun, a behind-the-seat ranch shotgun (stored legally and safely), or a general-purpose beater, the 590 is hard to wear out. Not everyone wants the extra weight or the look, but function-wise it’s solid.
13. Remington 870 Wingmaster (older production)
Everybody knows the 870 name, but the Wingmaster in older trim is a different animal than the bargain-rack versions that came later. The polish, the slickness, the way it cycles—there’s a reason old-timers hang onto them.
If you stumble onto a clean used Wingmaster, you’re buying a pump that can do just about anything and feel good doing it. There’s nothing fancy about it, and that is kind of the point.
14. Remington 870 Police Magnum
These were built for duty use, which usually means sturdier parts and a “do it all day” attitude. They’re not always pretty, and they may show rack wear, but many of them run like sewing machines.
For a guy who wants an 870 that’s more about function than shine, the Police Magnum is a smart used-market target. Just inspect it like you would any used gun—springs and maintenance matter.
15. Harrington & Richardson Pardner Pump
The Pardner Pump is basically the no-frills, budget-friendly route into an 870-style layout. They were common as “loaner” or “truck” guns for a reason: simple, serviceable, and not heartbreaking if it gets scratched.
Triggers and finish aren’t going to win any beauty contests. Still, if you find one that runs and you keep it clean, it can be a steady field gun that doesn’t demand a lot.
16. Stevens 320
The Stevens 320 is another one that doesn’t get bragged about much, but it keeps ending up in the hands of folks who need a pump that works without draining the hunting fund. They’re usually heavier and a bit rougher than higher-end pumps.
Where it shines is simple use. If you’re the guy who wants a basic shotgun for occasional birds, camp use, or as a backup for buddies, it does the job without pretending to be something else.
17. Winchester SXP (Super X Pump)
The SXP is a modern pump that gets overlooked because it isn’t “the old classic” and it isn’t the default recommendation. But the truth is, these guns can run fast and point well, and they’re usually priced where regular folks can still buy one.
They’re a little more “modern” in feel, and not everyone loves that. If you shoulder one and it fits you, it’s a better choice than forcing yourself into a shotgun that doesn’t.
18. CZ 612 Pump
CZ has a reputation for giving you a lot of gun for the money, and the 612 is in that lane. It’s a straightforward hunting pump that tends to come with features you’d otherwise pay extra for on some other brands.
This is the kind of shotgun that makes sense for a new hunter who’s willing to be slightly off the beaten path. It won’t have the same massive aftermarket as an 870, but most hunters don’t need a massive aftermarket.
19. Weatherby PA-08 Pump
The PA-08 is a good example of a pump that doesn’t get picked first because it isn’t part of the “big two” conversation. In the hands, though, they can be surprisingly nice—often smoother than you expect at the price point.
If you want a field gun that looks respectable, carries well, and won’t make you flinch when it gets a scratch in the cattails, this one belongs on the shortlist.
20. Norinco 982 (Ithaca 37 clone)
This one is for the guy who wants the bottom-eject feel without chasing a pricier classic right away. The 982 has been around as a clone-style pump that can run well if you get a decent example and keep it maintained.
No, it’s not a collectible, and yes, it’s a “check it over carefully” kind of purchase. But as a practical field tool, it can make a lot of sense for a lefty or anyone who likes the Ithaca-style layout.
If you’re new to pump guns, the best advice I can give is boring: shoulder a bunch of them, cycle the action, and pay attention to how it carries. The one that fits and runs is the one you’ll actually hunt with. And if you’re buying used, spend your time inspecting condition instead of getting hypnotized by a brand name.
Like The Avid Outdoorsman’s content? Be sure to follow us.
Here’s more from us:
