I like the 870 for home defense. However, I see three big, big drawbacks in this role compared to my M1S90 .
1. Bolt does not lock back when gun is empty.
On my Benelli, you know without a doubt that you have shot the gun dry. With a pump, in the heat of battle, it is very easy to see how you could work the action when the gun is dry. I know all about shoot one/load one. I know how to do a chamber check. However, the ability to produce a click instead of a bang under stress is a big limitation.
2. Speed
I am twice as fast with my Benelli on multiple targets. My last shotgun class, we had to separate the guns in to two groups to make our competition fair. I know people claim pumps are faster. However, I have taken a 4 day class at Frontsight and 3 two day classes at various other schools. I have not witnessed anything even close.
3. Short shucking
I wish I would have been able to count the number of times I have seen pump gunners short shuck their shotgun understress and produce a click instead of a bang in my classes. I have seen rookies, cops, and instructors do this. My M1S90 has never malfunctioned once. I know all about training. However, I also know about Mr. Murphy and what stress does to even trained individuals. I think this is more of a problem than most people want to admit.
There you have it. I sincerely like the 870. However, my opinion is that it is second place to my Benelli for home defense.
1. Bolt does not lock back when gun is empty.
On my Benelli, you know without a doubt that you have shot the gun dry. With a pump, in the heat of battle, it is very easy to see how you could work the action when the gun is dry. I know all about shoot one/load one. I know how to do a chamber check. However, the ability to produce a click instead of a bang under stress is a big limitation.
2. Speed
I am twice as fast with my Benelli on multiple targets. My last shotgun class, we had to separate the guns in to two groups to make our competition fair. I know people claim pumps are faster. However, I have taken a 4 day class at Frontsight and 3 two day classes at various other schools. I have not witnessed anything even close.
3. Short shucking
I wish I would have been able to count the number of times I have seen pump gunners short shuck their shotgun understress and produce a click instead of a bang in my classes. I have seen rookies, cops, and instructors do this. My M1S90 has never malfunctioned once. I know all about training. However, I also know about Mr. Murphy and what stress does to even trained individuals. I think this is more of a problem than most people want to admit.
There you have it. I sincerely like the 870. However, my opinion is that it is second place to my Benelli for home defense.