Home defense - pump or semi-auto?

[Min]

I just bought a Remington 11-87 Police today with rifle sights.

I already have a 870 Police with wood furniture.




Which one would you use for bump in the night?

 

[Gunsnrovers]

The one that has never failed me and the one I practice most with.

 

[Arc-Lite]

set them both up... much easier, when grabbing in the dark...to be happy with what ever you find. BUT only after you have taken the 11-87 out....and know it well. Arc-Lite

 

[greg531mi]

I like the second most recognizeable sound in the world. The racking of a pump shotgun.
The first, a baby crying.....

 

[Remington788]

The racking of a pump gun does have a certain intimidation value, but with the 11-87 you get almost the same sound. With the chamber empty and a round in the tube, just pull the bolt back and let it fly. You get about the same "cha-chink" sound which gives you that intimidation factor.

Break the 11-87 in and it will be just as reliable as the 870.

 

[Justang]

My mossy is my home protection. I don't care what kinda badguy you are, you hear that pump rack and your testes shrivel.

 

[charby]

For what its worth I have done a ton of hunting in all weather conditions with a pump and a semi auto shotgun. I have had jams and fail to battery with the auto too many times, with a pump never had one problem except for when my pump took a swim in the swamp duck hunting and the trigger assembly got filled with duck weed and other nasties, of course when this goop dried the trigger was frozen in place, a little detailed cleaning and some oil fixed this problem.

I would use the pump for the primary, less failure rates when needed.

Charby

 

[R.H. Lee]

Either one. Just practice with it enough to be able to use it in the dark and to make sure it functions flawlessly.

 

[fecmech]

I know pumps sound intimidating and all that but imo unless you use one alot there is a very good chance you will screw up with one under pressure. I shoot sporting clays every week and over the years many new shooters have come out and a lot with pump guns. Unless the person has hunted a lot with one they will not make it through a round of sporting without a half or double shuck with a pump. That is only with the pressure of a new game and some people watching! I shot skeet years ago with an 870 410 pump so I'm very comfortable with pumps but given the choice would use an auto in a SHTF situation. A good auto with factory ammo is way more reliable than someone who shoots a few boxes of ammo per year with a pump. My 2 cents

 

[Black Snowman]

If my 11-87 had a shorter barrel I'd got for it 1st. I just got a Mossberg Persuader for bedside duty and I keep a round in the chamber. They won't hear a rack until after they hear a bang. I need to practice with it a lot more. Good thing it's fun to shoot

 

[Justang]

If my 11-87 had a shorter barrel I'd got for it 1st. I just got a Mossberg Persuader for bedside duty and I keep a round in the chamber. They won't hear a rack until after they hear a bang. I need to practice with it a lot more. Good thing it's fun to shoot

I just got one. I haven't got to shoot it yet though. Might go the day after Christmas.

 

[Black Snowman]

I got a good deal so the pursuader set me back less than a short barrel for the 11-87 would have. I couldn't even find a used 11-87 barrel for under $200

I find the Persuader is easier to load and unload than the 11-87 which is handy when I have company over and want to secure all the weapons and ammo.

 

[Justang]

I got my Persuader for $270.

I really only got it because it came with the pistol grip. I'd rather have a pistol grip for home protection.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Pump. I bet nobody's surprised. However, YMMV......

If you have an auto that you regard as reliable and effective, that you worked with until the twain have become one, go ahead. It IS your butt on the line, and I shan't preach....

 

[Arc-Lite]

the auto's are nice, just load it...and shoot....USUALLY...and if they do not work,they become a high priced club... this is about home defense, reliably, and simplicity are the key words. most people know little of the workings of any auto... they require maintenance, and upkeep. the 11-87 or the 1100 are nice, for hunting, but if your life, or your loved ones life...is on the line... go with the proven 870 !!! and if needed the 11-87, as back up. Arc-Lite

 

[esldude]

Semi-auto if of good quality, more reliable when used under stressful conditions.

 

[Arc-Lite]

stressful conditions??...like a stovepipe on an auto??... home defense and war...is not stressful...it moves right along..like a lightning bolt... the stress comes after....for those alive. Arc-Lite

 

[Brass Balls]

I'll take a semi-auto with factory ammo. In fact I'll take two. One to shoot the crap out of and one to function test and keep specifically for home defense.

A couple of things I like better about semis:

• Faster follow up shots
• Better from positions like prone or laid across a table or bed
• Similar manual of arms as my defense rifles and pistols

My choice:

clic pic

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

I'm an auto user, so with your choices I'd go with the 11-87.

If it were my choice, it'll be a Benelli.

 

[Al Thompson]

The closest one?

I sold my Benelli and purchased two 870 Police (used). Ones at one end of the house, the other is at the other end. One is set up for possible shots where my backstop is thin and there are neighbors down range. The other is my bedroom gun and the most probable engagement zone would allow slugs if I wish.

 

[Denny Hansen]

I have an 11-87 that I used to swear by; never a failure in thousands of rounds and saw me through many classes and competitions. During a Yavapai Firearms course that I hosted last year the sheet metal forend support broke in two and I finished the course with one of Louis' 870s.

I replaced the part and I've kept a log on that shotgun since that time. I now have slightly over 1,500 rounds of buck and slugs through it with no problem. Is it reliable again? More than likely, but if I ever have to defend hearth and home it'll be an 870 I pick up. YMMV

Denny

 

[sm]

870

 

[308win]

I started hunting with a shotgun when I was 10. Hunted something nearly year around. Shot trap recreationally for a few years. All with an auto; never a failure to feed, fire, or function. Bought my first pump when I was in my late 30's. Didn't practice with it much, just took it to the blind and started using it. The second time I had it out my partner and I had one of the largest flocks of ducks I have ever seen in my life drop on our set out of nowhere - it was light enough to see the ducks but not light enough to make out the color to tell drake from hen - I know, probably not quite legal shooting time so I am guilty as charged your honor.

Five shots were fired and when we went to pick up the ducks we had five drakes laying on the water and would have had six ducks except yours truely in the excitement stood there and pulled the trigger on a fired round not once but twice before I remembered I was shooting a brand new SKS pump and by then the ducks were gone.

I think I have proven both sides of the argument here, so just not sure what I really accomplished. Anyway, I would feel comfortable with my Sportsman 58, my SKS auto, my dads humpback, my SKS pump, or my 870HD - the 870 is what I keep loaded and condition 2 bedside.

 

[rdbrowning]

In 40+ years of hunting and shooting I have only had a couple of failure to feed issues. One in an auto due to a relading error on my part (it really does make a difference if you forget the powder ) and two in a pump. Both of the pump's failures were short stroking the slide. One of those was because I hit my elbow, the other was pure excitement. If I had to pick between the two I would definately opt for the auto. It also has the advantage of being able to cycle it with one handed shooting if your weak arm is hurt.

As for the sound of the slide scaring someone, I doubt that they will hear it. The concussion of a shotgun blast in an enclosed space will prety much remove your hearing for a while. Surely no one would be keeping a gun for home defence with an empty chamber and then give away any element of surprise by racking the action would they? Why not just give a warning shot, didn't they teach that in the shooting schools? The big boom had better be the first thing they hear.

 

[mjb]

For me it is a Winchester model 120 12 guage pump with a 19 inch barrel. My second choice is a Browning Auto 5 16 guage with a 20 inch barrel. I think the only thing that matters is what you are comfortable with, and what you can operate well in the middle of the night when you are half asleep.