I have only owned 2 shotguns, a Remington 870 Express, and a Browning BPS, both 12 gauge, and 26 inch barrels. Both are kept clean and well oiled.
I sold my Remington, while it was generally reliable and an ok shooter, I noticed that the bolt was putting 2 dents into the receiver top, and the bolt lug was barely into the notch in the barrel lug recess, after putting 1,300 rounds through it, mostly low velocity stuff for trap. I have noticed that numerous other 870s including Wingmasters do this too, it concerned me for safety reasons. Also you had to be careful about loading it as the little metal part that holds the shells into the magazine barely had any grab to it and I had the Remington try to double feed on me while hunting, until I gave it a swift tug to clear it. Remington mentions it in their owners manual, so it is a poor design.
The Browning needs to be kept clean in the chamber area as carbon fowl up can cause the fired shells to stick. This explains why Browning does not seem to have police and military sales on this model. A hand honing with a cleaning rod and bronze brush does the trick. Very nice shotgun otherwise, excellent fit and finish, robust action with excellent lockup, shoots the Foster slugs and other loads better than the Remington.
I am thinking of getting a second shotgun, as a backup and for variety. I usually crow hunt so something other than a 2 shot gun would be preferred, but I am open to a double barrel for trap and other applications. The semi-auto Benellis are too expensive, and the upper level double barreled over and unders are also a rich mans's gun. Anybody have any stories of their worst and their best shotguns they owned that have stood out over the years? :-)
Thanks
