I think the best shotgun ever made is the one you learned to shoot with or your first one owned. I learned with a Fox double and my first purchased was a 16 ga. Model 12 Winchester. Still hunt with a 12 ga #12.

I agree with Bob. The one I started out on was a Stevens single shot 12 gauge...no second chances with that one! I now shoot a Browning Citori, but have great early memories with the old Stevens.

Back around 1995-96 Dave Parker the former owner of my local gunshop showed me a new in leather case Purdy 28 ga. he got from an estate sale. It was a sight to behold. Dave wanted $40K for it and it eventually sold. The gun came from a stockbroker that made a rich client a bundle. The story is the rich client said I want to do something for you so order any gun you want on me. He ordered the Purdy and never fired it.

What about the Mossberg that broke the 3in/3.5in molds guys. I know that everybody likes to look at those "house" guns but who could ever afford them?

870- the go anywhere, kill anything, most reliable and functional gun for the price

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I agree with bob devaney on his post. I also grew up with an old savage fox side by side 20 gauge and learned how to shoot with it.However, i retired it and got a remington 870 which has never failed me to this day during dove, duck, and turkey season so its got to be up there. But personally, i think either the browning a5 or the winchester model 12 would be the best

i own a stoger side by side and it is one of my favorite all around guns

There are some nice shotguns. i have a benealy 12g.

I would think the Winchester 101 would be at the lower end og the group. After all Herter's copyed it.

I would love to have one but the other half yes no.

Bob I agree about Stevens! I have311's in 12&16, and one of the new 411 Sporters with Carlson Chokes.

I remember my Granpa's old stevens side by side - triggers fore and aft, and me 12 years old - pulled the forrard trigger and recoiled into the after trigger and ended up on my butt! Great Gun!

I have a Stevens side-by-side that my dad gave to me. He didn't hunt much, but my uncles did. In fact, the only time I can remember him going hunting was when he took me or my brother. I have since purchased a Remington 1100. The Remington is a nice shotgun, however, I find a lot more meaning in my time in the field when I carry that double. My dad now goes pheasant hunting again, but now he drives the truck from field to field with my son at his side until he is old enough to join me in the field. Someday the Stevens will be his.

i really think that the ruger red label is a pretty solid over and under it should be on this list of shotguns

i have rem1100 and moss500, love them and will untill the end

I honestly do not believe that you can beat a Model 37 Ithaca pump. They are good for both righties and lefties as they are a bottom ejecting gun. I had one, which I gave to my son, to start him out shooting, and I am now looking for the right one to replace it in my collection.

I have a few old friends but my favorite is my Mossberg 195(mfg 1954)bolt action 12 guage with the c-lect choke and i think its overlooked as a great gun that everyone wants its 5 times stronger than a pump and has a fully adjustable choke and a monte-carlo stock that feels like a rifle its sweet the way it handles with its 26" ported barrel,and detachable 2 shot magazine(3 total)and it weighs about 7 1/2 pounds most people have never seen one but i absolutely love mine..

My dad bought a L.C. Smith field grade shotgun in 1948. He paid $100. He died in 1993 and I have the gun today. It holds great memories and meaning for me.

Great list! I do agree with most of the gunds on this list. There are a lot of strong feelings from other fellow sportsman on what is the best shotgun. I do agree with a few that it is the gun your dad or grandfather happened to teach you to shoot with. Heck, today almost any shotgun you buy is very very reliable although I don't think they will be held in such high regard as the classics. I have owned or still own most of the guns on this list except for the extreem priced ones. If I had to pick overall best gun FOR THE MONEY it would be the Browning Citori. Of course the the Remington 870 is a fantastic gun at about 1/5 the price but when you consider the overall quality of the Citoi and the "hand me down" quality it is hard to beat.