Pumps and Semi autos - can you operate both?

[rc601962]

I have used a Benelli M1S90 for the last 15+ years for clays and hunting all types of birds. The other day, my buddy let me shoot his Remington 870.

It was funny. I would shoot the gun and wait for the 870 to cycle. Obviously, nothing happened and I would then figure out I needed to manually pump the gun.

I would like to buy one and was wondering if any of you can effectively learn to shoot both a pump and a semi auto without cycling problems mentioned above?

Does shooting the semi auto mess you up like me when you use the pump?

Or, should a person really just stick to one type only (Semi auto OR pump)?

 

[throdgrain]

Of course you can

 

[krimmie]

You might have to remind yourself to pump when you step to the station, but it becomes natural real quick. I bought an 870 in 20 gauge a few weeks back and have had a ball on the skeet field!

You might end up trying to pump your semi

 

[Texas Gun Person]

I only load 1 shell at at time while doing trap... unless doing doubles of course. So auto vs pump really does not matter to me. I prefer auto though.

 

[oneounceload]

Maybe you should consider an O/U or SxS - then , like a semi, you just pull the trigger

 

[Virginian]

I went from a bolt action, to a semi auto, to a SxS, to an O/U, to a semi auto and stayed with that, and then I got a pump, and have been using semis, pumps, and SxSs interchangably for 35 years now. Easiest transition, honestly seamless for me, was semi to pump. First time I ever shot a pump I killed 12 doves with 17 shots and had 2 doubles.

 

[wgp]

I used to be a pump shooter only, and was handed an O/U one day. I shot the first clay target and then stood there pulling as hard as I could on the stock trying to pump it. Now, when I'm shooting my tactical pump shotguns, I don't seem to have any issues remembering to work the slide. Go figure.

 

[Snarlingiron]

Well, I have learned to shoot both, and that should indicate that anyone can. I went the other way, and when I first began shooting my Beretta A390 I tried to pump it after every shot. Very disconcerting. However, after a bit, I can now shoot both well and make the shift naturally. Learning multiple platforms is a good thing. I love to shoot 'em all.

 

[arizona98tj]

Yes, you can certain shoot both and switch back and forth.

I know lots of folks (myself included) that routinely drive both manual and automatic tranny vehicles. I've never tried to clutch my auto and I always remember to shift my manual long before it hits redline.

 

[Gunfighter123]

Yes, you can certain shoot both and switch back and forth.

I know lots of folks (myself included) that routinely drive both manual and automatic tranny vehicles.

That is EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO POST --- great minds think alike !!!

I have almost every type of firearm action made --- single shots , bolt actions , pumps , dbl. barrels , revolvers , semi-autos rifle/pistols ---- I never have a problem with switching between them --- maybe it is all the years I have shot in different types of competitions ??

Ps ---- I can also chew gum and walk at the same time !!!

 

[Zak Smith]

I know maybe three or four 3-Gun competitors who can run a pump shotgun at exceptional speed- faster than "good" 3Gunner with a M1S90. It takes more practice than most people think to run a pump shotgun reliably and fast.

Here's one of them.

You can see the shell in the air while the plate is still falling. That's a Benelli Nova.

For everyone else who hasn't trained extensively that I have seen at matches, they are much slower with a pump and induce malfunctions on a regular basis.

 

[Youngster]

I found that it was working the bolt release that took getting used to when going from pump to semi, and not so much wanting to cycle a fixed forend.

Not a huge deal either way.