Why are Semi Auto Shotguns not used more often for HD?

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I read somewhere that the "clickety-clack" of a pump action can also be a deterrent. When a goblin hears that, he might just turn around and leave. Don't know if this is true, but it makes for a good anecdote.
 
What about something like a Siaga-12
You have a 20 round drum, full conversion with the 'self cleaning puck' and fully adjustable gas system...

And, white out or different colored nail polish is a great way to remember where to put the gas plug for what round...

For me it's the little things in an auto, like always having a few spare O-rings or what gas setting for what round, are you not cycling reduced recoil, or are you trying to blow the bolt carrier out the back of the receiver.

Even the Benelli has it's issues, the inertial system can be easily robbed of energy by failing to hold it securely, much like limpwristing in pistols.

So, my point is,
know your system,
and that a pump, for all it's shortcomings, tends to be a bit more forgiving.
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You don't need to worry about a gas system, its a HD shotgun we are talking about.

I prefer an 870 myself but are 18" barrels available for the autoloaders like the 1100?
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They are out there but my 1100 has a 21" barrel. 3" doesn't make a big difference what so ever.
 
I'd be willing to bet that it would be in close proportion to the actual ratio of pump shotguns sold v. semi-auto shotguns sold.

That brings us back to familiarity & costs as the main reasons.
 
Armchair Bronco said:
I read somewhere that the "clickety-clack" of a pump action can also be a deterrent. When a goblin hears that, he might just turn around and leave. Don't know if this is true, but it makes for a good anecdote.
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I say BS to that--Oldest wives-tail in our field.

-Cheers
 
They are out there but my 1100 has a 21" barrel. 3" doesn't make a big difference what so ever.
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It surely makes a difference to shotgun functioning - 1100's will not work reliably with a barrel shorter than 21" due to the loss of dwell.
 
I only have shot one round of doubles when I had my pump and I didn't like how when I pumped it, it ruined the smoothness of my swing. I know that was just me but it was that moment I decided I wanted a semi.
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Then you'd really like an O/U even better.............. ;)
 
rbernie said:
The Remington 1100 Tactical has a 22" barrel.
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Thank you and I stand corrected. I have the 1187P (great gun by the way IMHO) which has the 18" barrel and assumed its sister did as well (I never really looked at the tactical 1100 because I wanted to shoot 3'' shells periodically).

-Cheers
 
When it comes to protecting my family I don't care about costs, I want the gun I feel will do the best job. I have two shotguns I keep in the bedroom for HD/SD, an 1100 with a ten shot extension on one side for my ex to use when she stays over and a HK/Benelli 121M on my side. I have complete faith in my semi-autos and I would hate to be a bad guy coming through that bedroom door with 19 rounds of 00 Buck pointed at it.
 
I confess to not reading the whole thead so excuse me if it's been mentioned already.

The TOP reason why a pump shotgun is THE choice for home defense is that you can avoid blood stained carpets and lots of wall repairs by waiting to chamber a shell with the classic pump shotgun sound until within ear shot of the perps that broke in. If they don't soil themselves and run at the oh so recognizable sound of the pump being cycled then they truly are a lost cause and so low on the IQ chart that they don't deserve the chance to reproduce.... :D
 
I have both an 870 and a 1100 hunter versions. I initially wanted to convert the 1100 to HD but found that accessories for it were MUCH more expensive and less available than for the 870.
 
For the record, I believe the best shotgun for defense is one well known to the user. My HD shotguns are 870s, my hunting shotguns are 870s (mostly) and my competition shotguns were 870s. LOTS of experience with the platform.

Had I inherited that Model 11 a few decades earlier, I doubt much would have changed in my life.

As for speed, I found out long ago I could get off an effective second shot before a good friend could with his A5. Old Arthritic me can simulate full auto with a well broken in 870, and there's a few of those at home.

Auto vs pump, it's a wash. Pick one,learn it, and BA/UU/R.
 
I gotta say if I break into a house with nothing but a knife and I hear someone rack a shotgun, I would definitely turn and leave. Wives tail or not it seems pretty logical to me.
 
I can't seem to shoot a pump shotgun quickly without short stroking the darn thing.
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I can't remember where I read it, but I'm pretty sure Massad Ayoob has changed his stance on the pump vs. semi-auto debate. Seems like after a number of his classes, he noticed an unusually high number of folks under stress during training short stroked their pumps.
Iff'n I remember correctly, he now recommends a semi-auto mainly for this reason (and others covered in the article).

There may have been other qualifiers (experienced vs. newbies etc), but I don't recall.

Never taken the shotgun plunge myself, but if/when I do, I'm thinking I may go the semi-auto route.
 
I bought a used Mossberg 590 for $300. Its a military spec shotgun that will run to hell and back, and still keep firing.

Sure you might be able to buy a $400 semi auto, but you wont get anything as rugged and reliable as a 590/500/870.
 
I've always recommended the Remington Marine Magnum as the ideal HD shotgun. It'll handle all the different 12 gauge sizes and loads and requires almost no maintenance. It has a synthetic stock and a rugged nickel-plated finish designed to withstand marine salt.

In my view, pumps are the preferred choice for HD scenarios because of their reliability. Gas-operated shotguns can be finicky, and break action guns top out at 1 or 2 rounds.

It's hard to beat a Remington Marine Magnum for HD, especially if you mount a giant-sized "Light Up The Night" flashlight on top of it.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model-870/model-870-marine-magnum.aspx
 
I purchased the 870 Police Tactical in 12 gauge for simplicity sake. My BIL (former LEO) taught me to alternate loads of 00 buckshot and slugs. It would likely be difficult to find an autoload that would feed anything and everything as-reliably-as a pump-action will do. Maybe it is possible.

Since I've used single-shot and/or pump-action shotguns my whole life, I couldn't see changing course now. The dealer tried to sell me an autoloading, black import. It is billed as firing any load combination of ammunition, and firing 9 rounds in 1 second. Hades-on-high! I can't even point at new targets that fast, and I don't really believe in zombies. :neener:

Geno
 
We all know that a HD shotgun needs a PGO stock and an extended mag tube, that is pretty tough with semi!! Bad guys tend to laugh at wood stocks and 5rd mags... :D

I think a large part of it is marketing. When people think of an HD shotgun, they think of a "tactical" pistol gripped gun with a super short barrel. I don't think a semi would even run in that configuration. The gun makers give the consumer what they want.

Some of us just stick a police barrel on the 870 that we use to shoot birds with.

Either way, a pump fills the role better.
 
The kind of semiauto shotguns that most folks will come to trust are expensive, and many tactical type semiautos aren't well suited to other uses, so that's a lot of money tied up in specialized hardware.
 
It surely makes a difference to shotgun functioning - 1100's will not work reliably with a barrel shorter than 21" due to the loss of dwell.
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I was just reffering to length and not function, by the way heres a video of a 14" Remington 1100 in action, Note: No jams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_c5dwYSqwI
Also heres a 18" Remington 1100 Tactical, they come in both 22" and 18":
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/41868-55.html

Sure you might be able to buy a $400 semi auto, but you wont get anything as rugged and reliable as a 590/500/870.
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A guy that I shoot trap with uses an 1100, it broke its extractor after 70,000 rounds. I'd say thats almost as rugged and reliable. I know its not as rugged but its still just as reliable.

To those talking about cost, I got my 1100 for $325 in really good condition, looked like it was hardly used considering how rough the chamber was. If you're not a shooter I can understand someone wanting to get a used 500 for under $150 but those of us that shoot alot and have really expensive guns, why not get an autoloader? I understand if you're in Dave's position of being brought up on pumps and that is what you're used to. Nothing wrong with that.
 
The TOP reason why a pump shotgun is THE choice for home defense is that you can avoid blood stained carpets and lots of wall repairs by waiting to chamber a shell with the classic pump shotgun sound until within ear shot of the perps that broke in. If they don't soil themselves and run at the oh so recognizable sound of the pump being cycled then they truly are a lost cause and so low on the IQ chart that they don't deserve the chance to reproduce....
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A few might run...the rest will immediately unload a high capacity semi-auto in the direction of the noise ... just where is your family? Behind you somewhere?
 
Most pumps are just very reliable they chamber a round with minimal effort plus if they have a short barrel they still shoot heavy or light loads, granted your not going to be using light loads for home defense, but if you are just practicing atleast the pump will cycle ok and you have that option. and then theres the price difference.
 
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