Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
There’s a certain magic in pump-action shotguns. They don’t share the elegance of over-under or the raw efficiency of a good semi-auto. There’s still a reason why they outnumber both in America.
Maybe it’s the simple satisfaction of operating a firearm on brute force when you rack the pump or send a full thousand grains of lead downrange with a single shot. Maybe it’s just the fact that dollar for dollar, they’re one of the most versatile and effective firearms you can buy.
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Whatever it is, pump-actions remain some of the most popular firearms in America. Even in a sea full of excellent firearms, though, some stand a bit taller than the rest. Below we’ll take a look at some of the most popular pump-action shotguns of all time, as well as a modern classic Mossberg pump shotgun, the 590A1 Retrograde.
A History of Pump Action Shotguns
Shotguns in their simplest form have existed nearly as long as the concept of firearms; it didn’t take long after the first muzzleloader was invented for someone to stuff a bunch of smaller pellets down the barrel instead of one big one.
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Pump-actions came along quite a bit later, the first pump-action shotgun being patented in the mid-1800s in Britain. The design would then make its way to America some 40 years later by a man named Christian Spencer. Despite some limited use of Spencer’s shotgun in the Civil War, it never really caught on commercially, and production ceased before 1900.
At the time, most shotguns were used primarily as hunting implements, and few sportsmen saw the need for faster rates of fire or larger ammunition capacities on their quail and turkey hunts, particularly since pump-action shotguns of the era were substantially more expensive than traditional break-actions. It wasn’t until the onset of the First World War that pump-action shotguns rose to their current place of prominence.
Guns’ Roles In War
World War 1 introduced a new type of warfare, one replete with trenches, machine guns, and all manner of inventions. American soldiers were issued Winchester 1897 shotguns to assist them in the trenches and used them extremely effectively, aided by the Winchester’s ability to slam-fire and by the general familiarity of the average American with shotguns.
The 1897 would go on to be used in several subsequent wars, but more significantly, its effectiveness in the First World War led many soldiers to purchase pump-actions after returning home. The 1897 in particular found popularity with police departments in its riot gun configuration.
This, coupled with improvements in manufacturing and increased competition between manufacturers, slowly led to our current state of affairs, where pump-action shotguns are more common than any other action type, and are used for purposes ranging from police and military applications to hunting, to sport, to civilian personal defense.
The All-Time Champions
The field of pump-action shotguns is large, and varied, spanning both traditional designs like the Winchester 1897 with its exposed hammer and futuristic iterations like the KelTec KSG and its dual tubular magazines.
Still, some giants do stand taller than the rest. These next few shotguns each earned their place as classic pump-actions:
Winchester 1897
Arguably the gun that ignited America’s enduring fondness for pump-action shotguns, the Winchester 1897 is a hundred-year-old design that still holds up today.
It came in many variations in its day. All sported an exposed hammer, wood furniture, and classic corn-cob forend. The standard model, intended primarily for civilians, sported a 30-inch barrel, indelibly marking it as a hunting firearm.
The trench gun and riot gun configurations are perhaps the more iconic models, the latter bearing a shortened 20-inch barrel for greater maneuverability, while the former added not only the shortened barrel, but also a heat shield, bayonet lug, and sling swivels.
Unique amongst the other shotguns on our list, the Winchester 1897 was capable of slam-fire, meaning that users could hold the trigger and cycle the action to fire in quick succession, rather than have to pull the trigger for each shot. This function is part of what made it popular amongst police and military users.
While the 1897 has largely passed out of common use today, its unique aesthetic and historical significance secure its place as an all-time classic.
Mossberg 500
One of the most popular shotguns of all time, the Mossberg 500 has long been the epitome of value for money when it comes to pump-action shotguns.
The 500 has long been synonymous with reliability, trusted by police and civilian users for generations for every application shotguns can be used for. This Mossberg Pump Action is currently available in 35 different configurations, spanning various barrel lengths, calibers, and use cases.
One feature that has made it particularly popular is its tang-mounted safety. By locating the safety on the upper side of the receiver, all the way at the rear, Mossberg has positioned it perfectly so that it will sit nearly beneath the user’s thumb at all times, allowing it to be actuated without breaking the grip of the firing hand.
This makes the 500 especially well-suited to high-intensity applications where the safety would have to be worked frequently—although opting for a pistol grip stock will relocate your hand away from the safety.
Nationwide, the 500 has long been and will no doubt continue to be one of the most recommended, bought and beloved pump-action shotguns.
Remington 870
With over 11 million models sold, the Remington 870 has earned the right to call itself the most popular shotgun of all time in America. Characterized by a smooth action, reliable function, and unparalleled ubiquity, it is for many people the first image that comes to mind when you utter the word “shotgun,” a quintessential representation of the entire category.
Although the currently available configurations are more limited, it has at various times been offered in nearly every barrel length, caliber, and gauge possible. It’s still used today by police and military units and is among the most common firearms chosen for home defense.
As a hunting firearm, the 870 really needs no explanation; its most popular model isn’t called the Wingmaster for nothing.
While the 870 doesn’t share the Mossberg 500’s tang-mounted safety, its version, a cross-bolt located at the back of the trigger guard, lends itself equally well to use with a standard rifle stock or a more tactically-oriented pistol grip.
The Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde
Available from Mossberg, the 590A1 Retrograde is the perfect marriage of modern materials and machining with throwback aesthetics.
The base 590A1 is already a compelling package, designed as a beefed-up version of the Model 500 to be able to better endure the requirements of the US military, it features a reinforced barrel, metal trigger guard and safety, and in some models, a bayonet lug. The Retrograde model adds beautiful walnut furniture, classically styled ghost-ring sights, and a heat shield that subtly evokes the aesthetic of the tactical shotguns of yesteryear, such as the Winchester 1897 trench gun.
Of course, if you find the bayonet lug to be unnecessary and want to save a few bucks, the Mossberg 590 Retrograde is available without the A1 upgrades, although you will also forfeit the reinforced barrel.
Like all of Mossberg’s shotguns, the 590A1’s reputation for reliability is unimpeachable. Combined with the 20-inch barrel and 8+1 capacity, the 590A1 Retrograde is surprisingly practical as a home defense firearm, although the lack of ability to accept chokes limits its usefulness for hunting or sport shooting.
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The 590A1 Retrograde looks and feels like a true homage to the rich history of pump-action shotguns, though it does lean rather heavily toward the tactical side with its heat shield and bayonet lug.
Conclusion On Pump Action Shotguns
Pump-action shotguns hold a special place amongst the vast sea of available firearms today. While semi-autos are slowly encroaching on that popularity as they improve in reliability and fall in price, none will ever manage to entirely supplant the pump-action as the shotgun of tradition and repute.
Pump-action shotguns are simply too practical, too iconic, and too fun, and modern classics like the Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde only further cement the pump-action as a timeless choice.
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Please, no more articles on the effectiveness of pump shotguns. The gun grabbers are too dumb to know that unless we tell them. Stay safe. j
Absolutely neglectful to ignore the Ithaca 37 and Winchester Mod 12, both are war guns and police guns. I’m a retired police officer and used both the 870 and M500/590. They are great but I’ll keep my Ithaca 37
Like many of the commenters, I’m shocked you left out the Ithaca Model 37 Deerslayer. Used for decades by the L.A. Sheriff’s Department, that gun was one of the best, most reliable tools available. And whether one agrees or not, those versions with the slam-fire feature gave a reassuring edge in all-to-often multi-threat engagements. The 37 could easily have it’s own entire article.
Leaving out the Ithaca Model 37 is a glaring oversight! I’d take the Ithaca over any of the others on your list.
Good article. The one big omission was the great Winchester Model 12. It was called the perfect repeater for a reason.
forgot the Ithaca 37
I bought a 590 Retro a couple years ago. My only bitch is that it has a plastic trigger housing as I mistakenly assumed it would be an all steel shotgun. I researched the 590 before purchasing and didn’t realize only the 590A1 has the metal trigger housing. If I could find one I’d buy one. Checked with Mossberg and they don’t sell them. Haven’t been able to find them anywhere. Anybody know who would have a metal trigger guard for a 590?
Each Company/ Battery had 4 shotguns in thire respective arms rooms as part of T.O.E. In our Battery there was supposed to be 8 shotguns- one for each gun ( M109 Self Propelled Howitzer) section. When I asked the Battery Commander ( BC) why the shortfall he replied that there was no need to request more from Depot Level as each section had 2 M79/ M203’s that could fire buckshot or flechette rounds. Every swinging d&%k had to qualify on the 12 gauge. The DAT’s ( dumb ass tankers) in our Squadron carried thire .45’s on guard duty in thire standard issue shoulder holsters. Yes 12 ga shotguns- they all had bayonet lugs. Woe be unto you if you installed an M16 bayonet onto one.It took 2 crapheads to unlock it. It seems the lug was designed for the Garand bayonet. The shotguns were mainly reserved for Regimental Guard Mount. Shotguns were used to guard Post Finance( the best duty as pretty civilian girls worked there) the Ammo Supply Point and the Post hospital. The Motorpool was guarded by nightsticks. The external roving guards had shotguns usually a jeep, pickup or goofy gama goat). For walking point I always selected a shotgun as pointman ( Life Expectancy 1.5 minutes- Xin Loi) chose his weapon. When on 2 man Listening Post ( life expectancy 3 minutes) I always chose a shotgun. We ALWAYS were issued buckshot. I had Dad send me a couple boxes of slugs.
No mention of the Ithaca Model 37 or Browning BPS?
Nice article. I believe you overlooked one of the most innovative and reliable pump shotguns of all time – the Ithaca Model 37 (designed and also manufactured by Browning), with bottom ejection and therefore compatable with right and left-handed shooters, and no possibility of potential blowback in your face from the ejection port. And they were one of the early users if not the first to use raybar(?) sights. I have owned a 20ga and two 12ga Ithaca Model 37s, shot thousands of shells through them, and have never had a single jam or malfunction. They remained as solid as the day I bought them, and they shoot right out of the box with no stiffness of break-in period. Like most Browning designed products, it’s “The Best There Is”.
No mention of Ithaca model 37???
Winchester Model 12
We can all agree these pumps are the best, certainly not the prettiest. That would be Benelli. The problem with the Mossberg 590A1 Retro is availability. I waited 2 years for mine, and I live 7 miles from the factory. And its heavy. But, boy is it scary lookin’, just what the doctor ordered.
Ithaca model 37