Looking for a Defensive SEMI-AUTOMATIC Shotgun

[Officers'Wife]

We have a SAIGA 20 gauge in the bedroom closet for a "break glass" situation. But our "plan" is should someone get in the house we will be upstairs with the light in the agressors' eyes and they will have to climb the stairs which is in our "field of fire" to get to us or the kids.

The SAIGA is easy to operate, is dependable and is equipped with a rifle sight rather than a bead which makes aiming more accurate (for me anyway.) First three rounds is #1 buckshot and the next two are rifled slug.

 

[Virginian]

Don't go hanging stuff on an M2. Inertia actions don't like additional weight. That's why they make M4 - gas operated.
For a defensive situation, should I ever need it, I will probably use my Model 1100. If I thought I needed anything exotic I think I would move.

 

[browningguy]

Just get a Benelli M2 and be done with it.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I didn't see that you indicated a ballpark budget. That's an important consideration where semiauto shotguns are concerned.

I have a number of semiautos (but I still depend on and train with 870s) ... and as far as reliability goes, a good quality well maintained semi with good ammo is as reliable on average as a pump. So reliability isn't really likely to be an issue, given the above qualifications are met.

If a shorter or an adjustable stock is really important to you, your choices among semiauto shotguns are going to be limited. Most designs have a bolt return spring and tube hidden in the buttstock, and getting around that can be an issue. The newer Benelli M4 is made with the kind of stock you seem to want however, but not many others that I know of can handle that requirement. Admittedly defensive semiauto shotguns are not my thing, and I don't much keep up with developments there.

As has been mentioned, the inertia guns tend not to like a bunch of accessories hung on them - it chokes their function.

Hope all this helps, sorry I don't have more to offer...

 

[RustyShackelford]

Benelli M4; H2O, cruiser ready....

If I were right handed & wanted a good semi auto 12ga, Id look at the M4 H20 12ga. It's compact, easy to clean, won't rust or have corrosion issues & can be wielded in a home defense event.

Rusty