Pump or semi-auto for 3-gun comp?

This vary subject came up the other day talking shotguns with one of my local gunstore buddies. He said that he could cycle his pump faster than many of the shotguns in competition, including the 1100. He did say that the 11-87, Benelli's and many of the other european brands (can't remember which ones now) WERE faster than he was.

Hopefully some real compeditors can shed some more light on the subject.

The first time you encounter a stage that requires prone slug shots, or any prone shots, you will appreciate the 1100....There's no reason your 1100 can't be as reliable as your 870. Yeah , there are guys around that can flat amaze you with a pump gun but you probably won't run into them at a 3gun match. The autos are quicker, you've got less to think about while you're running the stage, and you'll be less beat up at the end of the day (unless you're shooting a Benelli).

We recently ran a shotgun side match where you knocked down 5 plates which were 11 to 18 yds down range. The winner of the Pump class shot the array in 2.77 seconds. The same shooter was second in Auto and shot the array in 2.00 seconds. The Auto winner shot it in 1.60 sec. Most 3-Gunners use autos.

I'm one of those rare pumpgunners, but I'll be the very first to admit I'm an anomaly. For most 3 gunners I'm going to recommend an auto. They are faster, but you will probably need to play around with various loads until you find one that is 100% reliable with your gun. From what I've seen most auto malfunctions are usually ammo related, once you find one that runs with your gun you will be fine.

But if you are very fast/comfortable with a pump gun then you are not at that much of an overall disadvantage. I usually win most of the shotgun stages in our local matches. I've done the 5 plates at 10 yards (usually called the Dozier drill) in 2.11 with an 870. The fastest I've ever heard of anybody doing it with a pump is around 1.8. The fastest auto I've ever heard of is 1.5.

The real killer with the shotgun is loading/manipulation, not split times. If you learn to load fast you will do well, regardless of what gun you are shooting.

You can shoot prone with a pump, but I recommend you play around and figure out your technique before hand. It is pretty funny to watch guys try to figure it out during the stage.

Not at all. The problem comes in when you need to engage multiple targets from a prone position. You just need to figure out how to go prone and shoot without planting your pump hand elbow into the ground. When I do it I just kind of roll a little bit onto my side.

For my reloading tips, check out this thread: www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22025&highlight=reload

To a certain point (that most folks don't reach anyway), it is the shooter and not the gun, IMO.

We have a local guy who runs IPSC Open with a freaky tricked out Model 12 (Tasco Optima, Cutts compensator, 10-round tube, nicely figured walnut skeet stock and checkered forend), and generally finishes toward the top of the heap. Said heap using 1100, JP, Benelli, SX2, Browning Gold...

As already said by smarter folks than I, reloading is the key. Fast reloads will win more often than fast shooting

An IPSC GM (and noted 3-Gun competitor and gunsmith) told me that pistols are won with speed, rifles are won with accuracy, and shotguns are won with reloads.





Alex

A "sorted"* semi-auto will have a lower failure rate than the human operating the pump.

Time in a shotgun stage is spent reloading, reloading, reloading. You got 0.15 or 0.30 splits? Great! That won't matter if it takes you 2 seconds to load one shell.

* by "sorted", I mean any M1S90 or a breathed-on Remington.

-z

Futo, I think he means that it has been gone over and checked for reliability. An auto that has been thuroughly tested and is using ammunition it likes will be pretty darn reliable.

If you are starting from a blank slate then you will be faster with an auto. I have been using a pump because I have been an avid shotgunner and shooting an 870 since I was 12 years old. Over the long term you will probably will be faster with the auto.

Now if you really like the pump, and you are already good with it, by all means stick with the pump.

The only reason that you would be faster loading an 870 compared to an 1100 is the little release button on the 1100's loading gate. Replace it with an easy loader (I think that is what they are called) loading gate and the problem is solved.



Scott