What Auto Shotgun would you suggest?

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I've always loved the Remmies, but when it came time to actually lay the money on the counter, I wound up with a Mossberg 930, and haven't regretted the choice.
 
The OP hasn't actually posted a budget for this gun. We should probably figure that out first as the best pick at $400 is WAY different than the pick at $1k.
 
Duke, I wish I could afford a RDS for one of my shotguns right now. As it is, I gotta scrounge up. I mounted a light and added a sling to mine, those combined were cheaper, and more important IMO.
 
I sure understand the Trijicon set me back a bit, but it's an awesome sight. I have the stream light...I prefer it hand held rather than constant on. Just whatever you think is better for you.
 
I think if I'm using a 2-handed gun, I want a mounted light. Where I have it mounted I can easily reach with my thumb from my firing position, so it's not like it's hard to turn off and on. Even with a 1-handed gun, it's convenient, but since I carry my pistol I don't make a habit of keeping the light on it.

I was looking at the Burris FastFire 3 over the Trijicon RMR, but that's still two-thirds the price.
 
Cosmi autoloader

If I could afford it it would be a Cosmi. But at starting prices of $8500. I'll stick to a Browning or Beretta.

Cosmi Autoloader
Meticulously hand-fitted parts and a complex design set the Cosmi apart from mass produced semi-automatic, making it by far the most expensive repeating shotgun in the world.

The Cosmi's ingenious self-loading mechanism dates to 1925 and requires over 100 hand-fitted internal parts; it's the Swiss watch of fine shotguns. Cosmis hold up to eight shells in a tubular magazine in the buttstock. Famous -- or perhaps infamous -- Cosmi owners include Leonid Brezhnev and Benito Mussolini.
 
I have an FN SLP that is what you want other than price. I got it before the Mossy 930 was available, and for a nice price as well, and have been very happy with it. Were I to replace it the Mossy 930 would be at the top of my list.
 
a complex design set the Cosmi apart
Click to expand...

The Cosmi's ingenious self-loading mechanism dates to 1925 and requires over 100 hand-fitted internal parts;
Click to expand...

Sounds just like what anyone would want on a defensive weapon (sarcasm).
 
Based on my own limited knowledge of shotguns, i will mention the safety design as being a consideration when you are talking home defense. I am not familiar with many of the semi autos mentioned in this thread but when my wife and i started getting into three gun we bought an SLP which we anticipated sharing. I'm a lefty and the wife is a righty and i found the safety problematic, and switching it over throughout a match was not really an option. I set out to get a pump for myself for three gun and to have loaded for HD. Initially i was looking at 870s since they were the only ones i was really familiar with based on my military service, but again, the safety system (essentially identical to the SLP) was an issue. I ended up changing my mind and picking up a used Mossberg 500 because its safety is ambi, making it suitable for HD by both my wife and myself.

Possibly a consideration if you are looking for a semi-auto for home defense.
 
Girodin said:
I think one gains the following with an auto:

More practical reliability: Autos are less prone to user error. People who shoot much three gun will tell you they see many more user induced malfunctions with pump guns than they do with auto loaders. And these are shooters that probably shoot more than the average Joe. I know, I know, you never would short stroke your pump or anything like that.

Good autos are very reliable, particularly with loads suited for defensive use. My 930 SPX has never had a failure in several hundred rounds. My main S12 (others I haven't shot much) has also proven its self highly reliable as well. Both are much less prone to user error than my pump guns.

Followups: Shot timers don't lie and I am faster with my autos than I am with a pump. This is particularly true shooting slugs and buck.

Recoil: Every auto loader I own is softer shooting than any of my pump guns.

Firing/operation from improvised/unconventional firing positions: When one starts moving and shooting from different positions an auto loader is simply easier to use. This is its own point but also relates back to my first one as well.
Click to expand...
I really enjoyed this post, Girodin.
You make some great points that are often overlooked by the preachers of the "HD shotguns must be pumps" mantra.
 
My experience leads me to NOT trust any Remington auto shotgun. For the economical gun requested by the OP, I'd look at a Mossberg or Stoeger.
 
My top choice would be a Benelli M4. Next would be the Benelli M2. Then the Remington 11-87 Police. The Benelli M4 is the Cadillac of defensive semi auto 12 gauges, but you'll pay a pretty penny.

Regarding the 11-87 and the cycling of light loads, it will reliably cycle light loads, probably not as reliably as slugs and buckshot, but it will cycle them as well as just about all the other semi auto shotguns out there.
 
What little parts in the action broke on your 1187?

I have a plain jane 12 gauge 1187 I use for trap and for Home defense, I just change the 28" barrel for a 20" barrel. I can't even recall a malfunction with the 3 dram #8 2 3/4" shells I shoot. I also own a 1974 1100 with thousands of shells fired. Both guns are very reliable. Do not over oil them they love to run dry, wipe down with a slightly oily cloth after cleaning, do not oil the piston or o ring.

The Boy Scout camp where I help out from time to time, has a shotgun merit badge program. In summer camp they fire over 50,000 shotgun shells through 7 1187 shotguns they have. I have yet to see one break a part. Malfunctions are extrely rare, these guns are about 7 or 8 years old now.

Dicks will run a special on an 1187 sportsman model 28" rem choke barrel soon as hunting season approaches, you can get one for $550 with a coupon. Look for a short barrel online should run you about $100 for a 20" remchoke barrel.
 
I use a Maverick 88 for home defense. I mix 2 3/4" slugs and 3" buckshot to increase the weapons capacity by one shot. Mixing ammo alone will cause most semi-auto's to hang up. I don't think you can get off aimed shots any faster with a semi-auto than a good shooter can with a pump. I can't do it on command but quite often when I shoot a double the group thinks I only fired one shot.

I can fire a pump in awkward positions just as well as I can a semi-auto. I killed a deer while sliding down a snow covered hill with a pump. I hope that qualifies as awkward.

I am sure many of you have seen the episode of American Guns where the gunsmith with a machine gun races a trick shooter shooting a lever action. The machine gun won by thousands of a second. A pump is much easier to master than a lever action.

One poster mentioned family members don't need any experience to shoot a semi-auto. Anyone who plans on using a gun to defend themselves needs enough training to operate the weapon effectively. If a shooter can't rack a pump there is doubt they can find the safety.

If a semi-auto malfunctions there is little chance of clearing the jam without dismounting the gun. The pump, well you just pump it and pull the trigger again.

I can go on and on. I am sure the semi-auto fans can too. Both weapons are an excellent choice for home defense. I choose a pump.
 
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