Advantages of Pump vs. Semi-auto?

[sm]

BIGGEST ADVANTAGE of Pumps-----
Less Lethal Rounds. Damn, they are a blast!!!!

I beg to differ.

In fact give me a person with mindset, training, with a Single shot shotgun to watch my six over someone with a tricked out shotgun with tricked out loads that learned all they know about guns and shooting from video games and internet.

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-Now for new folks, Dave is correct in regard to doing Searches, HUGE amount of information to be learned and to be read by novice, to experienced shooters again.

One really needs to ask themselves honestly - what is this firearm going to be used for - and - if smart will seek out instructors, trainers, experienced shooters doing/ participating in whatever this "task" is, and try a variety BEFORE they buy one.

Not applicable to NetNinjas just interested in posting on gun forums and posting about bolting stuff on and off a gun...

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--Gun must fit shooter.
This includes "Can the shooter manipulate all the features of a firearm?"

Pumps: some left handed folks find the bottom eject shotguns such as BPS and Ithaca 37 a "better fit" for them, right handed folks also choose these models in shooting out of Duck blinds and shells ejecting down, instead of onto other hunters in a blind.

Pumps are not ammo dependent, simple, reliable, easy to maintain , not dependent on gas, or recoil operation to function, less affected by harsh conditions.

Semi-Auto I always prefer to start new students, especially ladies, teenagers, or smaller framed folks ( including older folks) with a gas operated 1100 in 28 ga, This allows instructing the student in CORRECT Basic Fundamentals, of stance, foot position, mounting gun to face
, administrative drills , etc. 28 ga breaks as many targets, check any tote board where there is a tournament and the high scores are with the 28 ga - why? Simple, Less perceived recoil, therefore the shooter better focuses on Correct Basics and on the target.

Semis are easier to shoot from prone, training is the key - pumps just require being trained and practices is all. Applies to SxS and O/U as well.

Then the 28 ga pump

Then / next preference is a gas gun in 20 ga, 1100, Beretta 303/390/391 Browning Gold and the softest shooting 20 ga- Win 1400.

Now with all the Correct Basics ingrained, doing 25-100 repetitions of mounting gun to face each night, dryfire, a gun that fits...

Some transition to a 12 ga, pump or Semi. Some getting into Clay games, or hunting choose O/U...they EARNED their shooting skills, now they can transition to a 12 ga or any platform.

Some want a HD gun/ or combo gun.

Best Kept Secret is a 1100 in 20 ga. Applicable to other 20 ga gas guns.

Next is a 20 ga pump gun, easy to tote, and it is the shooter, not the gun, not the loading that makes the real difference anyway.

I'm 51, I never owned a shotgun that took anything other than 2 3/4" shells until a few years ago - except a .410. I felled everything from quail, to geese to deer. I had a 3" chamber in a 12 ga pump, never shot a 3" in it in the short time I owned it.

Students I have assisted with, or those seeking advice...see the above.

Then if wanting to get something for HD, first thing I suggest is get training of the brain. Go to a training class, Learn the LEGAL aspects, Let the instructor assist with GUN FIT to THEM and any ( if any) additions to a HD gun.

Some have attended Ayoob, and took a handgun class to learn The LEGAL, or Tom Given's for the LEGAL or [name another trainer]. Applicable to shotguns, this legal and mindset bit. Yep they bought a shotgun, and attended a non-shotgun class to learn legal, and mindset. Makes perfect sense to me- else I would not have suggested it.

Shotgun classes:

Some attended with a borrowed 20 ga gas or 20 ga pump. "I am here to learn , all I have are safety, correct basic fundamentals , and this gun I borrowed. Please assist me in choosing what I need and teach me please".

And not once have I heard an instructor talk down to a student for not owning a gun, or for bringing a bone stock 1100 or 870 20 ga to a class.

Might not have been the best gun for that class - by golly the student had a GREAT attitude, and had the basics down pat!

Now the student gets to try a variety themselves, learn from instructor what fits them, and observe the various quirks and nuances of various platforms and add-ons. Come home with all this written down, including measurments, part numbers, and ...then get a gun for THEM that fits THEM physically and for task. *grin*

Instructors want a willing, receptive student that will listen, is safe and has correct basic fundamentals. This is someone they can instruct.

Totally new to shotgun folks, I start with a Red Ryder BB Gun and shooting ping pong balls...seriously.

Can't buy it - gotta earn it.


s

 

[DougW]

CZguy, in the middle of the shotgun only stage, the follower jammed in the tube (2 round extension) about halfway and wouldn't feed the rounds. I continued to "fight" by pointing the barrel up when shucking the rounds to let gravity feed the shotgun. (I am afraid that I may have said some objectionable things at the time too!) I had to reload during the stage, and the shells would just slide into the mag tube. The follower would not budge. I finished the round without timing out, but my time sucked.

Upon disassembly, I found that some sand from prone shooting in the pistol/shotgun stage got inside the mag tube, and locked up the follower. I cleaned it and it was fine.

I really enjoyed the 870, and I am thinking about buying another. I personally like my Benelli better.

 

[pete f]

I prefer pumps to autos only in that is what i learned on.

To me a pump is as fast and as natural to operate as a semi.

I prefer remington to mossberg in that the junction ofthe action bars to the forearm ring is stronger in the remington than in the mossberg. They just feel most comfortable in my hands. i would prefer an Ithaca if they had a simpler way to attached a mag extension than re brazing on that barrel nib.

A 1100 in good condition is as good as anything. same with an A5.

If the person is an adult or large teenager, i have no problem starting them out on 1 oz skeet loads in a 12 guage. NEVER think its funny and drop a 2 oz load of Luballoys in the mix and hand them the shotgun. goodness that hurts.