Semi-auto shotgun for everything?

[Wyndage]

In light of the current economic and political climate, I've decided it's imperative that I purchase a long gun with more versatility than my trusty Ruger 10-22. I used to have a decent "arsenal," but the arrival of my first child and a period of very tight finances (but I repeat myself) forced me to sell much of it.

I aspire to own a black rifle again, but the truth is that the guns I (think I) really want aren't available yet. I like the XCR in principle (and loved my now-sold Robinson VEPR-K), but want to see how the ACR and SCAR compare. So I probably won't be buying a black rifle until next year.

In the meantime, I'm thinking about purchasing a semi-auto shotgun. I shot a Remington 1100 a while back that I really enjoyed, and the 18" FN SLP has also caught my eye. I've never owned a shotgun bigger than a .410, and never a semi-auto shotgun. But my understanding is that the poor reliability of semi-auto shotguns is mostly a thing of the past. None of the semi-auto shotguns I've shot over the past couple of years had any failures, and I loved the speed with which I could put large amounts of lead on target.

The shotgun appeals to me because I see it largely as a defensive tool that can also be used to hunt a wide variety of game if necessary. (Yes, I'm kind of envisioning whatever I purchase as my SHTF go-to gun -- both "intruder in my house" SHTF and "the people are rioting" SHTF.) I'd really like to buy a black rifle now, but the more I think about it, the shotgun just seems more versatile.

What do you guys (and gals) think? If you could only own one long gun for everything, would you pick a semi-auto shotgun, or something else?

 

[Yo Mama]

A shotgun takes care of some hunting purposes, and will cover your home defense.

Only other area I see you would need is a pistol for carry out of the house, and maybe a rifle for big game if you have that need.

BOTTOM LINE IS GET THEM NOW FOR THAT KIDDO YOU HAVE COMING BECAUSE THEY WONT BE ABLE TO GET THEM WHEN THEY ARE OF AGE!

Sorry for yelling, but it's true.

 

[MCgunner]

A pump is a more versatile choice than an auto, but you'd better get an auto NOW if you want one. Lord knows, we might not even be able to get single shots in the very near future, not legally. Me, I'll go down shootin' with mine.

I like my auto because it's so sweet to shoot, soft on the shoulder. But, pumps allow for wider variety off ammo choice and reliable feeding with varying power levels. Then again, I like doubles.....

 

[stiletto raggio]

Benelli M1/M2. Get two barrels and you have a fantastic field and target gun as well as the best tube-fed semi on the market.

 

[throdgrain]

I agree. My M2 is one shotgun I use for everything, despite owning another, I would never get rid of it.

 

[rantingredneck]

If I had only one long gun for everything it'd be an 870 with 20" rifle sighted barrel and 28" bead sighted. Since I have that though and can have more than one, one of my others is an 11-87 with 21" rifle sighted barrel and 28" bead sighted.

Given the political climate the semiauto would be the one most likely to be banned first.

 

[Fleetwood_Captain]

The Benelli inertia recoil shotgus are great, but they kind of kick like mules though.

Most semi-autos have less felt recoil than a pump or a breech loader. To me, the inertia recoil system seems to have more felt recoil. If you notice, all the newer Benelli's have those comfort pads built in to compensate.

Personally, I get a kick out of shooting guns with a lot of recoil. But people that prefer softer shooting arms may want to consider another design.

 

[throdgrain]

Hmm, my ported Mossberg 500 kicks a lot more than my M2 ...

 

[Virginian]

My Remington 1100 was my only long gun for about 11 years, albeit a long while ago. I never felt deprived.
I have been reducing my assortment considerably over recent months, but I believe I am going to keep my 1100s (different gauges and chamberings) until the end.

 

[rcmodel]

But my understanding is that the poor reliability of semi-auto shotguns is mostly a thing of the past.

It was a thing of the past when John Browning designed the A-5 in the early 1900's.
As long as you feed an A-5 good ammo, they just always work.

Much of what you may have heard about semi-autos being Jam-O-Matics is pure BS!

Many being made today are as reliable as shotguns can get. Beretta, Browning, Benelli, Remington, and others have them pretty much perfected.

rcmodel

 

[357wheelgunner]

If I could only get one longarm, it would be a pump action shotgun. In fact, for the price of one Semiauto, you can get a nice pair of Remington 870s, a nice Police version and an Express shotgun "just in case" something happens to your main gun.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=512&type_id=252&cat=019C

This looks interesting, good price also.

If your going for semi auto, the gas operated ones are better on ya in recoil.

 

[Smitty in CT]

Mossberg 930 Field / Home Security combo:

R & R has this combo for $462.02

http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=G85325

Great autoloader, extremely reliable, do a search...

 

[chas08]

If I could only get one longarm, it would be a pump action shotgun.

I've owned several semi autos and still own a few. But if I were going to gamble my life on a shotgun, it would be a pump. Model 12, 870, 37, and soforth and so on.

 

[mr.trooper]

My Mossy 930 has been good.

Only time i had a problem was after about 100 rounds of light field loads. One of the gas ports became partially obstructed with some unburnt powder, and it started to have problems cycling. about once per magazine, the bolt wouldn't cycle back far enough to eject the spent hull, and it would re-chamber the empty hull.

Even with an obstructed port, it still cycled full power loads fine. All it took was a pin to clean out the gas port, and she was good as new. I haven't had it happen since then either. I'm very happy with my 930.

 

[Loosedhorse]

I shot a Remington 1100 a while back that I really enjoyed

Sounds like you answered your own question!

 

[bfhcards]

The only shotgun I own is an 11-87 sps . It came with a 28 inch barrel and I purchased a rifled cantilever barrel and leupold 2 x 7 scope. I know some people dont care for the 11-87 but I have loved it.

I have done skeet, trap and sporting clays as well as deer hunting with it.

I got it at cabelas used for about $400 with the box and all the chokes.

Just my 2 pence

 

[green country shooter]

I have a Remington 1100 Competition Master than is a pleasure to shoot. It's not made any more but it's just an 1100 with a longer magazine, plastic stocks and a larger bolt handle.

It is very soft shooting and accurate, but it is a pain to clean and becomes unreliable after about 60 rounds.

I bought a Benelli M2 (reluctantly) at the advice of a gunsmith. It has more recoil, but is completely reliable, easy to clean, and very ergonomic. I really think the Benelli M2 would do everything you could want a shotgun to do.

 

[NonConformist]

Oooh, a Mossy autoloader...WANT!

 

[peacemaker45]

Go to a gunshow, wailk around until you see a table full of of shotguns that look like a casting call for the Hunchback of Notre Dame. They're called Browning Auto-5s. There are three basic flavors to consider: Remington Model 11 (plain and cheap,) Belgian, (classic) and Japanese (really pretty.) Buy one. BA/UU/R.

You now have a great all purpose shotgun. Light, fast, reliable, and with the exception of a spring and ring set every 10k rounds or so, nearly indestructible.

~~~Jesse