If you only had one type, what would it be?

[Dionysusigma]

If you were allowed to have only one type of shotgun, what would you choose and why?

[sm]

Pump
Reliable.

Now, we won't get into a platform bashing here will we? didn't think so ;)

I have enjoyed and used all platforms, including semi's. I ran semi's hard, like my SX1 that for years I put as much 25K rds a year through it. Yeah you read that right. SX1 was not the only one, includes 1100's which I prefer to 11-87, the Beretta 302,303, 391s, SX2.

SX1 ran 'em and felled 'em in freezing cold,mud/muck and ice. Blistering heat...won me tourney's...even ran my "scrap" loads...lavender Fiocchi hulls, black Rem hull reloads some held together with candle wax and electrical tape. [Dave cringes...they were "scrap" loads Dave :p ] Ran paper( new and reloaded)...and by golly ran factory shells too.:D [Dave -turn away again...I've run without cleaning for extended periods]

One platform for life, a pump. Less dependent on weather, loading criteria ( run mild 7/8 oz ) to heavy hitters. not dependent on gas system, less stuff dependent on each other, will run dirty.

Yep still shoot my SX1, right partial to it...but for life and one scattergun only...Pump

Now that Dave has cringed and spilled his coffee...
:p

[Dave McCracken]

Luckily, didn''t have coffee in hand when reading that last,73. Did cringe...

There's plenty of happy X-1 and 2 users, but I agree on pumps being the best choice for an only shotgun.

They will work no matter what.

If you use loads that violate the boundaries of proper ammo and sanity, they work.

If you forget to clean it for a decade or so, they work.

If you run everything from 7/8 to 2 oz loads to slugs, they work.

They work cost less than a week's pay to a working man, will last generations if properly maintained (Ahem,73) and can take everything from squirrels to medium game. Food and protection for a pittance...

[45auto]

Given the fact I use the shotgun for sporting use only, I'd go with the O/U.

Nice shooting, reliable, durable and safe, at least easy to tell.

If I had to pick a shotgun to perform all tasks, from rifle like shooting, HD and sporting, I'd have to go with an auto. Only because I've never owned a pump, hard to believe I know, and it can be quite humorous watching me shoot a pump style shotgun. :)

[cslinger]

Pump, no questions about it.

Like Dave said it is simply the most versitile. Actually it is just about the most versitile firearm period.

[Okiecruffler]

Make mine a SXS. I grew up shooting one. I've bought them all, but everything tends to go away except the SXS's. And what's strange, I shoot WAY better with my SXS than with anything else. I know it's a mental thing, but what can you do.

[sm]

Cosmoline ain't an aftertaste, It's a seasoning.
:D I wondered when that sig would should up...Great !

I appreciate all platforms. Semi's for reduced felt recoil as when I competed. I did use O/U for smaller gauges. Single shots as trainers, fun factor, reliable affordable. Pumps just work. SXS, well they have something similar, but different in their own way - soul. The craftsmanship, the history...be it an affordable one, or "real high dollar". For clays the O/U's sighting plane worked best for me. SxS I was really appreciative of the handling when bird hunting. SXS do have a unique feel and handling quality.

O/U and SxS do have 'nuther thing going for 'em...don't have to bend down to retrieve hulls. I had double knee surgery back in '93...I appreciated that fact a great deal. ;)

Ain't no bad shotgun platforms, some more adaptive than others, some more utilitarian...IMO.

Oh Dave...at the time I was spending more time shooting, needed the practice...( that's an understatement). I'll have you know my pet SX1 was cleaned and put away all squeaky and shiney after last use...I only fired 75 rds. [ blows my reputation- huh]. Yep, tho' my pet, giving a rest and shooting less. '74 model, and figured a little less shooting , more admiration, and TLC. Least I could do for all the hard work provided. Retired you might say.

[Brian Dale]

If you were allowed to have only one type of shotgun
I know I'm harping on RKBA, but how about "if you could afford" - or pick any word but "allowed" - and it could (magically) be any type, regardless of price ...

It'd be a pump, and I only own autos at present. Pump shotguns always work, forever. An 870 is on my "must-buy" list.

[ruger357]

Just happen to like pumps.

[Marko Kloos]

Pump. The most versatile firearm available to humanity.

[Dave Markowitz]

And now for something completely different:

A Pedersoli SxS 12 gauge percussion double. I had one several years ago which I unfortunately had to let go due to financial considerations. I shot it better than any other shotgun I ever tried.

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

This is exactly the question I've been asking myself for months. After changing my mind about a million times, I voted O/U.

Fewest moving parts.
No short-shucking.
Reliably fires all loads.
Insensitive to dirt.
Good for clay games.
Gauge reducers make light loads possible for people like me who don't reload.
Few HD situations short of a riot would need more than 2 rounds (and those can be loaded from a carrier.)

Now, which O/U? :D

- pdmoderator

[esheato]

I voted O/U.

-less moving parts
-reliable
-i live for skeet and 5-stand and sporting clays
-2 chokes

There's a timeless beauty to a quality O/U. And besides, nothing swings quite like it.

esheato...

[PJR]

Limited to one type the o/u is my choice. I have four currently in the gun safe and they will get the job done for sporting clays, skeet, trap, hunting and while possibly not the first choice for deer and social events I wouldn't feel under equipped should the need arise.

Paul

[Abominable No-Man]

Pump, definitely. I don't shoot skeet and I'm not a shotgun hunter, so about all I'd use it for would be home defense.

ANM

[TrapperReady]

pdmoderator - In your post, you ask "Now which O/U?"

In all seriousness, I'd pick one that fits you well. IMO, this is particularly critical with O/U shotguns, and isn't something easily determined by picking them up in a store.

For example, I own and shoot a Browning 425. A friend has a 325, and his son has a 525. They should be very similar. However, each one has a very distinct personality.

I've shot a number of Beretta O/Us, and they seem to work a little better for me, as the Brownings geometry tends to smack my cheek far harder.

I can easily adapt to nearly any pump or autoloader and shoot it comfortably, but I find some O/Us just plain unpleasant to shoot.

If at all possible, beg or borrow (but don't steal) whatever you are interested in and give it (literally) a shot first.

BTW - as for the poll, I'd probably choose pump. However, I'd also be pretty comfortable with nearly anything else. As long as it's smoothbore and at least 20ga, I'm set.

[PJR]

Now, which O/U?
That's an easy one. Perazzi. They are very expensive but worth the money. It was a breathtaking expenditure for me at the time but one I have never regretted. You can pay more but you won't get a better gun.

If the price tag is too much then the choice is the Beretta 682E. As close as you can get to Perazzi for about half the price. The ones that I've tried are very, very good guns.

Next in line is the Browning 525. A close match to the Beretta and every bit as good a gun IMHO.

The next runner up is the Rizzini particularly in the subgauges. Or a Winchester 101 if you can find one.

Paul

[Pinned&Recessed]

I gotta just go against the grain and say: Select-Fire.

Ideally, it would be belt-fed and also be able to accept detachable mags, (like a M249 SAW). It would fire from a Browning open-bolt, and could use cloth belts. The gas system would be adjsustable like a FAL, so any type of load would cycle. It could use mags when on semi, or when belts run out. Also, If you wanted to hunt with it, it would have adjustable choke tubes.

Semi for 90% of shooting, but should the need arise to break an ambush or lay suppressive fire/fire for effect, you got the full-auto option there.

Actually, it's mostly because the .gov doesn't want the peasants to own Full-Auto, and therefore I wish ever single gun I owned was F/A, just out of spite.

:neener:

[stevelyn]

I prefer O/Us and SxSs for hunting, and pumps for fighting, but given the choice of only one that would have to fill multi-roles, I would have to go with the pump. For capacity, reliability, spare parts/barrels and versatility, the pump fullfils a multi-task role best.

[JeepDriver]

Pump = Reliable

I'm not a fan of the semi auto shot gun, and I like the ability of 5 to 9 rounds of 12ga. I've been very well served by my Mossy 500's and couldn't ask for a better reliability record

[Schuey2002]

Pump. [For all the reasons that are already listed.] ;)

[OEF_VET]

Make mine another vote for a pump. In fact, all three of my shotguns are pumps (Mossberg 500's to be exact.).

Frank

[Dave R]

Pump for an only. But my SXS is my favorite to shoot.