Semi auto shotgun question

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DustyGmt

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I was just thinking to myself and curious, is there a semi auto shotgun out there that has a bolt lock option, say for instance one wanted to shoot some 3-Gun and make full use of the semi auto or if one wanted to shoot a round of trap singles without ejecting a shell and pelting the guy next to you, the bolt would stay in place and you could just manually cycle the shell out.

I'm guessing no. I haven't carefully examined the different gas systems of semi auto shotguns but am thinking it probably wouldn't be as simple as have a lil mechanical push button bolt lock, would it?

I have heard some guys on here use the trick of wrapping a rubber band around the reciever behind the bolt handle so that the bolt can't travel very far rearward so as to eject a shell......

I was just considering the fact that it might be nice to have a versatile shotgun with that feature but maybe it's not a good idea, idk.

My LGS just posted a 940 JM PRO and I was thinking it would be a pretty cool shotgun.
 
I was just thinking to myself and curious, is there a semi auto shotgun out there that has a bolt lock option, say for instance one wanted to shoot some 3-Gun and make full use of the semi auto or if one wanted to shoot a round of trap singles without ejecting a shell and pelting the guy next to you, the bolt would stay in place and you could just manually cycle the shell out.

Shell catchers are made for the more popular semis for Trap, or you could just pull out some of the parts that make it cycle, like the O-ring and piston rings of an 1100, or the gas piston assembly and seal of that 940 JM.
 
Heavy postal type rubber bands work good on semi autos. It's not that they really affect the bolt as much as they prevent the shell from ejecting. If the shell doesn't eject then the bolt cannot complete it's cycle.
 
That's all very helpful. But on the other hand is that a sensible feature that any of you would consider a cool option to have on a semi or?
 
That's all very helpful. But on the other hand is that a sensible feature that any of you would consider a cool option to have on a semi or?


No, not really

The only reason I removed o-rings was the range we were on had signs posted everywhere
"No picking up hulls" the bird boys would scoop up hulls at the end of a round and try to sell to you or whoever wanted any.

We never shot there again.
 
I have a shell catcher to put my Beretta 391 for trap singles.
There are shell catchers for a variety of shotguns, but not all. I have a Beretta Eurika 1 and my son has a 390 Ducks Unlimited that use a similar shell catcher. But I know a lot of people that can't find a commercially made shell catchers so they use rubber bands.
 
A gunsmith can put in a knockdown pin to cause the empty shells to go towards the ground. Some Remington 1100 trap barrels came with a knockdown pin from the factory.
 
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My 70s era 1100 Trap had a little wire in a bow, in ejection port, to catch empties.

Just a little spring wire that fit in two tiny holes and bowed.

Removed easily, which rather upset a large number of doves over a decade or so LOL

I also ran a stamped clip on shell catcher, when I took field 1100s to the trap range.

Theres no " no pickup" rule at my local range, you can grab em after the round.
But it is kinda tacky.

And being old, bending over aint much fun.
Shell bag and a catcher...pretty inexpensive and worth way more than their cost ( cultural and physical effects ).

I give my AAs away at end of the night.
Used to be if you bought em at the club you turned em in for a buck off your next box.

Hardly shoot anymore, so just get a flat once in a while.

Hadnt shot for over 10 yrs and took the 1100 T out one hot summer night last yr. Shot a 23 and got clickd in cheekbone twice.

Sold the gun.

Will run my 1100 magnum instead ( aint as pretty but shoots same scores.
It cycles sporting clays or superhandicap fine.
 
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Benelli makes the gun you seek. It's called the M3 and it is a semi auto AND a pump action. All you have to do is activate the switch at the end of the magazine.

I will have to acquire a picture of mine when I find a free minute.
 
OP - What you are describing could be done mechanically but there is no demand. For a gas operated shotgun it would have to be designed with an adjustable gas block that can be set to prevent the gas from cycling the bolt. But buying a $20 Birchwood Casey shell catcher is a lot less expensive for the infrequent occasions when you are shooting with one of those guys who gets bent out of shape by ejected cases at a gun range.
 
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for the infrequent occasions when you are shooting with one of those guys who gets bent out of shape by ejected cases at a gun range.

You haven't been around a lot of trap shooters have you? Opinions range from banning semi's from the sport entirely to silent annoyance.
 
My 70s era 1100 Trap had a little wire in a bow, in ejection port, to catch empties.

Just a little spring wire that fit in two tiny holes and bowed.

Removed easily, which rather upset a large number of doves over a decade or so LOL

I also ran a stamped clip on shell catcher, when I took field 1100s to the trap range.

Theres no " no pickup" rule at my local range, you can grab em after the round.
But it is kinda tacky.

And being old, bending over aint much fun.
Shell bag and a catcher...pretty inexpensive and worth way more than their cost ( cultural and physical effects ).

I give my AAs away at end of the night.
Used to be if you bought em at the club you turned em in for a buck off your next box.

Hardly shoot anymore, so just get a flat once in a while.

Hadnt shot for over 10 yrs and took the 1100 T out one hot summer night last yr. Shot a 23 and got clickd in cheekbone twice.

Sold the gun.

Will run my 1100 magnum instead ( aint as pretty but shoots same scores.
It cycles sporting clays or superhandicap fine.
I carry a little telescoping magnet in the outer pocket of my shell pouch for that random empty that gets away. Most shells now have a plated steel head.
 
OP - What you are describing could be done mechanically but there is no demand. For a gas operated shotgun it would have to be designed with an adjustable gas block that can be set to prevent the gas from cycling the bolt. But buying a $20 Birchwood Casey shell catcher is a lot less expensive for the infrequent occasions when you are shooting with one of those guys who gets bent out of shape by ejected cases at a gun range.

Not necessarily. The SPAS had a button on the bottom of the forearm that locked the forearm in place, and to the slide mechanism for pump use, and disengaged it for semi auto.

When the wood on your shotgun is worth more than the semi that ejected case comes out of, you'd get a little testy too when it bounces off your gun. I actually carry a couple of the B/C catchers in my shell bag, and installed them for the uninformed auto shooters. Most clubs have a box full of the good thick rubber bands, I know some guys that carry them in their bags also.

I want to find one of the old 'pickle fork' shell catchers for the 1100-they work for doubles.
 
Well I seem to keep failing to get a picture of my M3, so here is a stock photo. Notice the lever just forward of the end of the handguard. That allows you to select semi auto or pump operation. When the gun is in semi auto the handguard stays locked in place.
images (1).png
 
I wrap a rubber band in front of the bolt handle around the receiver so the bolt comes back but the shell stays in
 
I get people being testy, but there's a very simple answer if you value the finish on your gun that much. Take a step back. There is nothing in the rules about time limits to get ready etc, so just step back when it's your turn to shoot and get settled. It's not a race. For those who feel it "ruins their concentration" the ISSF and Olympic bunker trap shooters rotate a firing point after each shot and they make it work.
 
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