Thoughts on the Pardner Pump Protector 12 Gauge

[ErikGr7]

Thoughts on the Pardner Pump Protector 12 Gauge?

I was wanting to get a good 12 gauge for HD mostly.
I looked at the Mossberg 500, Remington 870 all great
shotguns but I saw this one over in the corner of the shop.



Its made in China, which I don't like and it feels really
light and cheap when you pick it up...but it's priced so much
cheaper than the others.

I don't care about putting on a lot of tactical stuff. I just want
a plain jane shotgun for HD.

Is this ok? or do I need to put a few more dollars into this?
Any thoughts?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[buckeye .45]

My impression is that a HD shotty is something you are using to protect you and your loved ones, and as such it is probably worth the extra cash for an 870 or 500 (either or, I like them both).

If it feels light and cheap, do you trust you life to it in a situation where everything is screwed up?

[Shadowsbane]

Personally I would pick up the Maverick as a cheap alternative if I wanted new. It is made by mossberg and accepts most of the Mossberg stuff.

However used shotguns are at just about every pawnshop and often quite cheap, and barely used.

[Blackeagle]

Its made in China, which I don't like and it feels really
light and cheap when you pick it up...but it's priced so much
cheaper than the others.

I don't care about putting on a lot of tactical stuff. I just want
a plain jane shotgun for HD.

Would you buy the cheapest possible airbag? The most inexpensive parachute?

[SIXTO]

Its made in China, which I don't like and it feels really
light and cheap when you pick it up...but it's priced so much
cheaper than the others.

I think you already know the answer.

[atctimmy]

Personally I would pick up the Maverick as a cheap alternative if I wanted new. It is made by mossberg and accepts most of the Mossberg stuff.

However used shotguns are at just about every pawnshop and often quite cheap, and barely used.

+1. Buy a Mossberg or a Remington.

[ExSoldier]

Okay, speaking as an instructor, I'd have to know your skill level with a shotgun under high stress.

When the chips are down (I have seen this under match conditions, so imagine an intruder) there can be a tendency with folks who are less experienced with a pump to get the first round off, but for shot #2 they get too excited and fail to bring the pump forcefully down to the very bottom of it's range of travel and start back up too soon. This can result in a "double feed jam" and that is NOT something you want to experience in combat. It's nearly impossible to "clear" easily or quickly. I use an OLD Benelli semi auto and have never had the first problem.

[fp3675]

If this gun felt light and cheap I think you may have been in the airsoft section handling toy guns.

[WHEC724]

I've seen Walmarts carrying 870's for $341. I can't even find them online that cheap.

[Eaglebeak]

The New England Firearms "Pardner" is almost an exact clone of the Remington 870 to the point that almost all parts are completely interchangeable between the two including stocks, barrel, trigger group, bolt, pump slide, and pretty much everything else. I was a little leery myself in the beginning until I had to very reputable gunsmiths tell me I was crazy to spend extra money on a Remington unless I was looking for "pretty" 870. So, I bought the Pardner for $245.

Actually, the only difference I've found between my NEF Pardner and my 870 is the Pardner's magazine tube is about an inch or so longer (along with the difference in magazine loop spacing on the barrel). You could fit an 870 barrel on the Pardner, but would have to use a spacer sleeve between the barrel lug and magazine cap. When I fitted it with an 870 magazine tube extender, I had to knock the end out of the extender and cut it down to match the 18" barrel length before re-inserting the extender's end plug.

NEF is associated with H&R, and while most of the gun is Chinese made, the barrel and a few other components are made by H&R in the USA. Only thing I did was deburr and smooth the machined rails inside the receiver (like I did on my 870), and the Pardner is every bit as tight, sturdy, and actually a bit smoother pump action than the 870 has.

Since it's my HD shottie that I stay in practice with, I routinely fire 3" Magnum rifled slugs and 12-pellet 00-buckshot through it as smooth as silk with no problems whatsoever. If you're looking for a good 870 for HD and not after a pretty bird gun with a beautiful walnut stock, then you can save a few hundred bucks on the Pardner and have just as fine a gun as the Remington.

[Biggie313]

I have 1. 100% reliable. Dont buy into the "you need to buy the most expensive" If a $200 HD shotgun works just as well as a $300 Remington, why is one better? It is not. The finish is not as good as others, and the mag tube feed is sharp, but it gets the job done cheap and effective.

[Kilowatt3]

The New England Firearms "Pardner" is almost an exact clone of the Remington 870 to the point that almost all parts are completely interchangeable between the two including stocks, barrel, trigger group, bolt, pump slide, and pretty much everything else. I was a little leery myself in the beginning until I had to very reputable gunsmiths tell me I was crazy to spend extra money on a Remington unless I was looking for "pretty" 870. So, I bought the Pardner for $245...

...the Pardner is every bit as tight, sturdy, and actually a bit smoother pump action than the 870 has...

...smooth as silk with no problems whatsoever. If you're looking for a good 870 for HD and not after a pretty bird gun with a beautiful walnut stock, then you can save a few hundred bucks on the Pardner and have just as fine a gun as the Remington.

I've got one. $199 at Cabelas a little over a year ago. It's going to shoot when you need it to.

I actually saw a couple of reviews (wish I could provide a link, but I can't) where they were judged to be BETTER than an 870. Not sure I buy that assessment, but it's certainly a perfectly adequate HD gun. If you're after "fit 'n' finish", get an 870. If you want a pretty gun to pass down to your grandson as a family heirloom, maybe you want the 870. If you want a shotty that'll do the job for HD, and that's all, save the $ and get the Pardner. It's a great value.

Regards,
Jim

[Fishshavers]

I had to replace the right side shell latch in mine, after 2 shots. Since then it works great. The stock and forend seem sturdier than the one on my Mossberg 835.

[Woodsman]

So.....you saved $100 buying a cheap firearm? No thanks. Some things warrant "cheap". I buy storebrand vegetables, for example. Some things, you can have the best possible for very little more $$ than cheap. No one will ever explain to me the wisdom of being CHEAP on personal safety items.

[hayzor]

Pardner Pump - I own 1 with the 28" barrel. I've shot buckshot & birdshot thru it and works fine every time. Got my son the 20 ga youth model and it has never had a problem as well.
A friend with a new 870 has had more issues with his than I've had with mine.

In a home defense scenario, I'd be more concerned about a "double feed jam" as Exsoldier stated, than if the pardner pump will go bang.
From my experience, it is a simple and very sturdy gun.