Pump vs Semi Auto Tactical Shotgun

Semi Auto or Pump

  • Semi

    Votes: 80 51.3%

  • Pump

    Votes: 76 48.7%
  • Total voters
    156
  • Poll closed .
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I'm suprised to see so many votes for a semi auto that it even passes pumps by a small margin. For tactical reasons, I'm assuming you are either 3 gunning or HD. For HD, a semi fits this role. Nothing to worry about with a modern day semi auto shotgun for HD and since you aren't using birdshot (assuming you actually know why you SHOULD NEVER use birdshot for HD) than you are perfectly fine with Buckshot and Slugs. In 3 gun, going by what everyone else is saying, you'll find out pretty quick that you are hindered by a pump.
 
The only practical reason to choose a pump action shotgun over a reliable semi-auto is price. Pump actions are some of the least expensive guns on the market, and can cost less than half as much as semi-autos.

If you're willing to spend the extra $$$, I say go for the semi. If you're looking to save some bucks, go with the pump action.
 
Just picked up an FN SLP MKI for a steal at a local shop. My intent is to use it for Limited competition since the Saiga (which is punished for being obviously superior in concept, if not in quality of initial manufacture) is restricted to Open class. I took a box of mixed buck, bird and slugs for test firing last weekend.

B&P 5/0 buckshot: 10 rounds, no issues
S&B No. 4 buckshot: 10 rounds, 1 issue (my friend shooting, not me)
mixed Federal and Remington promo birdshot: 25 rounds, no issues
3" mag 15 pellet Remington OO buck: 5 rounds, no problems

While this was hardly an exhaustive test, it definitely has me convinced of the reliability of the platform. The one "issue" was due to my friend (who is used to pumps) not thinking the gun had cycled and manually shucking out a round. He insisted that one had not loaded, but there was an unfired round in the chamber, so I call BS.

At any rate, all loads were comfortable except the 3" mag, which I should have changed gas pistons for. The FN comes with one piston for loads under 1.5 ounces, one for over. Recoil was very low. With the birdshot I could literally sit on target and pull the trigger as fast as I could. Very impressed.

I still own a Benelli M1 (my first shotgun) and have owned an M3. My general preference now is for Saigas, but for a conventional autoloader, the SLP is extremely impressive.
 
The only practical reason to choose a pump action shotgun over a reliable semi-auto is price.
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Actually, the use of low-recoil SD rounds is another reason. Not all SA shotguns (even the expensive ones) handle light rounds well.

I've seen some tactical SA shotguns even jam with birdshot target loads (for any folks who favor birdshot).
 
Dangit, pumps are winning again! :D

Actually, the use of low-recoil SD rounds is another reason. Not all SA shotguns (even the expensive ones) handle light rounds well.

I've seen some tactical SA shotguns even jam with birdshot target loads (for any folks who favor birdshot).
Click to expand...

I'm still yet to try low recoil buckshot in my 1100 but birdshot will not function in it with the 21" barrel. Although, the whole low recoil buckshot seems unnecessary with the 100 as it is pretty low recoil then, I only shoot slugs and buck with the shorter barrel and it doesn't seem like too much recoil and all.
 
Actually, the use of low-recoil SD rounds is another reason. Not all SA shotguns (even the expensive ones) handle light rounds well.
Click to expand...

Low recoil rounds aren't really called for in any semi other than the inertial and recoil operated ones IMO.

Anyway, one thing i really like about semis is their ability to easily double tap a single target, not even with a super slick slamfire capable pump are you likely to pull this off as quickly or easily, especially if you're in a less than optimum shooting stance.
 
...save yourself some pain and get a high-quality semi-auto.
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That.

I prefer semi-auto across the board, for almost all uses except precision riflery for example (that obviously is owned by the bolt action). And especially for any and every single defense purpose, semi-auto only; handgun, rifle, shotgun.
 
You say "not just home defense." If this implies it may ever be used for self defense then you may need it to one day protect your life. Therefor it should be nothing but the best. for what its worth i worked on a catfish farm and we put 870's and 1100's through hell shooting all the fish cranes. The 870's held up much better. The 2 types were hardly ever cleaned. If you practice with the pump you can shoot it just fine without flaw. We sometimes put 100 shells through a gun a day. Over a few years thats a lot! we never did any work on the pumps but the autos stayed in the shop after about a year.They wee dropped in ponds, left in the beds of trucks, rained on, and sometimes run over. The 870's performed flawlessly 100% of the time. While the 1100's would fail to eject shells quite often. However you will not have this problem in competition of course. Im a pump guy.I have not had much experience with other brands so thats why i only talked remington. However, i love my model 12 and my 1897.
 
Low recoil rounds aren't really called for in any semi other than the inertial and recoil operated ones IMO.
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Some of us prefer the low-recoil rounds simply because they pattern tighter...

I would rather just use a tighter choke to get better patterns out of full power (and less expensive) buckshot. But Mossberg is too busy hanging all kinds of useless crap on the end of of the bbl to thread the inside of it for something useful...
 
Anyway, one thing i really like about semis is their ability to easily double tap a single target
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This, because the first 9 pellets of 00 are unlikely to make a difference?

I think we all get that, given the low relative power of most handgun rounds, a double-tap or hammer can make a lot of sense tactically. Not sure I've heard the same about 12 gauge 00.
 
Loosedhorse said:
...given the low relative power of most handgun rounds, a double-tap or hammer can make a lot of sense tactically. Not sure I've heard the same about 12 gauge 00.
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Thing is, double tapping with a shotgun doubles your pattern density. This can be valuable if shooting beyond optimum distance, if you are in a situation where some pellets flying by the target is not a concern.

Let us say that at distance D your pattern is three feet across. That's what, about seven square feet? So if you put 9 pellets into that space and then 9 more, you go from about 1.3 pellets per sq ft to 2.6 pellets.
 
This, because the first 9 pellets of 00 are unlikely to make a difference?

I think we all get that, given the low relative power of most handgun rounds, a double-tap or hammer can make a lot of sense tactically. Not sure I've heard the same about 12 gauge 00.
Click to expand...

Even with 12 gauge or rifles, more is better, whether you're dealing with a determined gunman, an enraged attacker with a melee weapon or a charging animal. There's nothing to say that your first shot or the second for that matter, will have the desired effect in the desired timeframe.

Besides, its just a lot of fun to practice, BOOMBOOM, two hulls in the air and two heavy payloads on target at a rate just as fast as the pistol and carbine guys can manage.
 
I'm not going to get into the proverbial 'pump vs. semi' debate that seems to be on the verge (For the record, I have both and trust both). That being said, I don't use "reduced power" or "low recoil" loads in any of my guns so I use my semi's (either 1187P or Saiga-12) a my go-to tactical shotgun. So my recommendation would be the semi.

-Cheers
 
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