Pump vs Semi Auto Tactical Shotgun

Semi Auto or Pump

  • Semi

    Votes: 80 51.3%

  • Pump

    Votes: 76 48.7%
  • Total voters
    156
  • Poll closed .
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Goochman270

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Looking into getting a new shotgun around Christmas and want to do my homework before-hand. I can't decide between a semi-auto or pump. I have a pump now but wouldn't mind a little more speed. It would be used as a tactical shotgun for shooting 3-gun and defense (not just necessarily home defense). It will be carried in the woods some and be used for turkeys here and there.
 
The pump will be more reliable in theory, but the auto will be in practice. Most autos today are very, very reliable unless you feed them junk for ammo. The pumps are more likely to shoot crappy ammo, but rely on the shooter to work the action. You'll actually see more pumps malfunction because of operator error. Autos just keep working and don't rely on the operator to mess up under stress.

The real difference is cost. You can most likely buy 2 or more quality pumps for the price of 1 quality auto.
 
Doesn't matter. Train with whatever you get, though. I voted pump, since I prefer pump, but there's no real reason not to go the other way. All preference.
 
Doesn't matter. Train with whatever you get, though. I voted pump, since I prefer pump, but there's no real reason not to go the other way. All preference.
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Agreed, training is the key. I prefer a pump because that's what I've had for years.

Unless the shotgun resembles an AK47, I keep trying to pump a semi auto out of habit...
 
I shot Benellis for 15 years. I sold them all and bought 870s. I shoot the exact same number of clays, duck, dove, and quail. There is no practical difference in my performance.

Just buy the system you like best. I like the 870 platform because it is simple and easy to clean. I also trust the 870 slightly more than the Benelli M1 / M2. To be fair, the Benelli is very, very reliable. In the end, I just like pump shotguns better. They are more fun to me.
 
If you plan to shoot 3 gun with it, the only division where pump shotguns rule is Heavy Metal.

In all of the other divisions, people run semi-autos mostly Benellis, but the FN SLP is becoming a popular choice.
 
keep it simple,rem 870.other than an occaisonal cleaning,nothing to wear out.semi's have gas rings and other parts that wear out.if they discontinue it,parts can be a problem.rem 870 has been around for decades,and will be around for decades more.besides,pump is lighter to carry.
 
If you intend to be competitive in 3-gun shooting, save yourself some pain and get a high-quality semi-auto. Many new 3-gunners start out with a pump gun, but after a few matches they either show up with a semi-auto, or they sink to the bottom of the score list.

I don't know if a shotgun built up for 3-gun will work real well as a field or turkey gun. On the other hand, 3-gun shotguns often have fiber-optic sights and interchangeable choke tubes. Anything else you would need?

-C
 
I have both and practice with both. I run an 870 and a Stoeger 2000 tactical. Both are great guns and have been 100% reliable. Just get whatever you feel comfortable with and the most important thing, what fits you best.
 
I voted semi because you mentioned 3-gun and that is what the 3-gunners seem to be running. I haven't shot any 3-gun myself.

I narrowly prefer the semi, because there is one thing less to do. You line up your shots, press the trigger and push in shells to top up. Not having to cycle the action manually speeds things up a little, by simplifying how many directions you are moving in.

For many uses I think pump and semi are equally useful. The slight difference in speed is often inconsequential.

Something I have found: You must condition yourself to SLAM the pump gun open and SLAM it shut to assure reliability under all circumstances. You will not break it, and trying to baby it along invites a short stroke jam.
 
I would start with a pump. There seems to be little difference in scores among the guys I do three gun with when it comes to pump versus semi-auto. Most of us shoot cheap ammo though and I'm pretty sure that has a lot to do with it. A lot of the semis seem to have a hard time with cheap shells. It comes down to practice more than anything.
 
I'm wanting to stick Remington because that's what I shoot now; reliable and easier on the budget. I am wanting the interchangeable choke option and a short (18-22") barrel. Three gun for atleast the next couple of years will be more of a fun practice. I was hoping to get the gun with some extras around for $700. I'm wanting it to last a while.
 
The pump will be more reliable in theory, but the auto will be in practice. Most autos today are very, very reliable unless you feed them junk for ammo.
Click to expand...

From what I have seen, the issue isn't so much the quality of the ammo, but the loadings (payloads and pressures) of the ammo that cause problems. A quality manufactured light load may not be sufficient to cycle a given semi, for example. Find the makes and models that work well in your gun and you should be fine.
 
The Saiga is really only a good choice if your intention is to compete in Open Class.

For someone just starting out in 3 Gun, Open Class is a poor choice because it's easily the most expensive division to compete in, requiring a full-on race gun for the handgun, and an open-class rifle in order to be competitive.

At 99.99% of the 3 Gun matches held, the Saigas are only allowed to compete in Open, and on top of that, many Saigas need extensive after-market modification to be a good choice for 3 Gun.

The Tactical or Limited Divisions are better places to get a start in the sport, as most people already have the equipment needed to compete sitting in their safe.
 
Didn't we just do this in another thread?

The 1100 is the best choice as far as I am concerned. It will do just about everything well and even in open class it will compete equally with the Saiga. The speedloader tubes work very well with practice and the 1100 probably has the most winning record in 3 gun overall. Go With a 26 inch barrel and a 10+1 extension to start and it will be a great gun for hunting as well.
 
Justin said:
If you plan to shoot 3 gun with it, the only division where pump shotguns rule is Heavy Metal.

In all of the other divisions, people run semi-autos mostly Benellis, but the FN SLP is becoming a popular choice.
Click to expand...
This is true.

Check out "Impossible Shots", look for the exhibition shooter for Mossberg. That guy is amazing, and goes to show the shooter is more important than the shotgun. FWIW, when I get another shotgun, and it will be for 3gun, it will be a Benelli. It was good enough to be the Joint Services Shotgun too. All we used Mossbergs for when I was in was for unlocking doors.

BUT I've heard that gas operated shotguns are less reliable than inertia. Keep that in mind. I remember clearly a LOT of people having problems dove hunting as a kid. Those are pretty light loads, I guess they do better with heavier ones, and one guy was cussing his most sweet A5 like it was junk.
 
My experiences with the Remington 1100 have been... well, I'll just say I don't recommend them. I've seen too many 1100s hang up and break parts, in too many different matches.

As has been said before, a Saiga automatically puts you into Open division, thanks to the box magazine. Saigas also have a spotty reliability record in the practical games, although a lot of that might be blamed on incompetent home gun-plumbing.

The guys who win the big matches shoot Benellis and FN SLPs.

-C
 
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