I used the first Model 10A I had on security details for a couple of years, ran it a great deal in practice, and never had a single malfunction with it. The current one is a replacement, I sold the original to my main client and always regretted letting it go, so I bought another one recently. I used the 1100 as my 3-gun shotgun, and likewise shot it a lot in practice and in matches, and never had it malfunction at all. I used the Benelli some in 3-gun as well, and likewise never had any problems with it. The 11-87 is a hunting shotgun, but I got a smoothbore rifle sighted 'deer' barrel for it too. It's only been fired as a field gun hunting doves, or in practice, but it's never malfunctioned.
The other semiautos are either antiques used for demonstration/experimentation/study, or are relatively new additions to the 'family' and are still being tested and evaluated.
lets be realistic here, there is no denying the fact that you can fire MUCH more rapid successive shot with an auto loader than a pump
You must not have ever seen anyone good with a pumpgun at work, then. There's no practical difference in how fast a good shot with a pumpgun can hit, and in how fast a good shot with a semiauto can hit. We're talking HITTING here, not just converting ammo to noise. And only hits count. Remember- "You can't miss fast enough to win a gunfight."
With a gas-operated semi, there may be an appreciable advantage in felt recoil reduction, but that's about it. With good maintenance and good ammo, reliability in any repeating shotgun either semi or pump these days is so close to equal not to be an issue. Pumps have an advantage in that they can fire loads that will not cycle a semiauto, pumps are usually a bit simpler in operation than a semi. And good pumps are almost always much more affordable than good semiautos.
Most malfunctions with a pump are caused by short stroking the action, which is an operator error and not the fault of the gun. Operator errors are repairable by proper training and practice.
If you WANT a semiauto, BUY a semiauto, but GET A GOOD ONE. Don't try to go cheap- it will most likely be money wasted.
Why do we (my wife and I) use pumps? Because we prefer them, we both use the same 'house guns' which are set up to fit her (she's 5'4 and I'm 6'3"). We're both trained and experienced with pumpguns. If we ever do have to use one of the house guns for real, chances are it'll spend a few months in an evidence locker and we won't miss a $150 used 870 with another $150-200 of factory short barrel (18-20"), premium recoil pad, light/mount and Sidesaddle on it. There are a couple more just like it in the safe if needed.
hth,
lpl
