Auto or pump shotgun for home defense?

[Harrydale]

I am looking to buy a home defense shotgun.

My perception is that most folks recommend/use pump shotguns. Is there a reason that auto loading shotguns aren't used?

So what do you all think pump or auto for home defense?

thanks for your thoughts.

Harrydale

 

[finesse_r]

I own both, but I have a couple of Mossberg pump 12 gage shotguns that I keep out for home defense. I just like them better than my automatic. I keep one with a pistol grip handy by my recliner. For home defense, it can't be beat.

 

[model70hunter]

Clearing the action is the main preference for a pump. That and the most recognizable sound in the world, a pump action shotgun being racked. Most autos are pretty pricey. I have a couple of Benelli's. Cheap they ain't.

I just bought, make that my wife just bought me a christmas present.

It is a Armscor/Rock Island M-5. It is a High Standard clone. I do owe some other folks an apology for repeating wives tales given to my by an LGS owner on the Hi Standard. I was wrong.

The gun is pretty awesome and was $230 OTD here.

Look at this link. Watch it all. You will like this shotguns performance. The Gunblast guy did, he bought 5. I really like it. There was a similar request by Gator farmer earlier if you want to read it.

Armscor/Rock Island Armory Matte Nickel M5 12 Gauge Fighting Shotgun

 

[Frank46]

I bought a couple police turn in 870 pumps. Cleaned them up,replaced the recoil pads as the old ones had ossified over the years. have about 4 870's and used to the pump action but's that's just me. Frank

 

[Snapping Twig]

I prefer a 45acp for home duties because they are smaller and have more capability in enclosed spaces - hallways, corners, etc.

That said, I'm a big fan of recoil operated semi autos for their reliability.

 

[quneur]

I think price would play a big part. When HD shotguns became popular, companies like Mossberg were big sellers because they were cheap. Of course, everyone else followed suit. There are HD semi-autos which holds 8 shell capacity but they generally cost more.

 

[jag312]

The two most ominous warning sounds are a pump action shotgun and a rattlesnake. Any sensible person, when he hears those sounds, knows that he needs to be somewhere else and fast.

 

[cowart]

My perception is that most folks recommend/use pump shotguns. Is there a reason that auto loading shotguns aren't used?

Yes - blind adherence to tradition.
Police departments use pumps because they are cheaper than autos.
People erroneously believe that police departments know best when it comes to firearms.

 

[cowart]

The two most ominous warning sounds are a pump action shotgun and a rattlesnake. Any sensible person, when he hears those sounds, knows that he needs to be somewhere else and fast.

If you really believe that, then you don't need *any* firearm. You just need an audio recording to scare away the bad guys.

 

[rwsmith]

A pump, but......

You need to practice more with a pump.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

Clearing the action is the main preference for a pump. That and the most recognizable sound in the world, a pump action shotgun being racked. Most autos are pretty pricey. I have a couple of Benelli's. Cheap they ain't.

I just bought, make that my wife just bought me a christmas present.

It is a Armscor/Rock Island M-5. It is a High Standard clone. I do owe some other folks an apology for repeating wives tales given to my by an LGS owner on the Hi Standard. I was wrong.

The gun is pretty awesome and was $230 OTD here.

Look at this link. Watch it all. You will like this shotguns performance. The Gunblast guy did, he bought 5. I really like it. There was a similar request by Gator farmer earlier if you want to read it.

Armscor/Rock Island Armory Matte Nickel M5 12 Gauge Fighting Shotgun

Nothing beats the sound of a ole Winchester 97 being racked.


WuzzFuzz

 

[JSR III]

The two most ominous warning sounds are a pump action shotgun and a rattlesnake. Any sensible person, when he hears those sounds, knows that he needs to be somewhere else and fast.

WOW, I could not have said it better myself!! Just imagine that you are a perp walking down a dark hallway at night approaching an open master bedroom door and you hear (raaacccck) (its hard to spell that sound). If you haven't defecated in your linens at this point then you are not human.....

 

[WuzzFuzz]

Seriously...One time when I was still working as a LEO, the call came..."Break in, in progress"...I got there, and went inside the house. I had the 870 with me, another officer was posted outside..Quick search upstairs, didn't see anything. In the back of the house, the stairs leading down to the basement, I heard movement..At the top of the stairs, I did rack the 870 and said "come up, with your hands up, or someone is going to get hurt".

The two of them did.

The sound does work.......


WuzzFuzz

 

[CCantu357]

I always figured that, at a lower price point, that pump shotguns are a bit more realible than auto-loaders. At least in my experience. Now of course the high-end auto loaders like the Super 90 and such are perfect. But I suppose for the price and simplicty it is hard to beat an Rem 870, Mossberg 500, or my favorite the Ithaca 37 riot gun. It makes for quite the intimidating sight.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a couple 10-15 year old Beretta Sporting Clays (3 round max!), 2 Mossberg, 2 Winchester 97's, and 1 870. For walking the property at night, I used the 870 (20") with a SureFire light under the barrel (great for both kinds of nighttime varmints!) Same job in the daytime was a job for my 18" 97. The Mossbergs and 870's are easier to get replacement parts or different barrels for.

I've been cornered, literally with my pants down, and racked the slide on the 1911 I had with me. When I got my pants up and went outside to see what I faced, about 20-25 people and completely disappeared. An audible reinforcement sometimes carries the message better than a verbal warning. BTW in that very situation, I was thinking, "I really wish I had my 97!"

Ivan

 

[steveno]

I think that some of the "low recoil" self defense loads that are being marketed may or may not work very well with a semi-auto shotgun. you would need to do some function testing before keeping them for real. I think the pump shotgun has proven itself over the years to work very well.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

Remington 870 12 gauge preferably with a short barrel and extended magazine. For some time I had a nice Special Purpose with rifle sights that worked great with rifled slugs or buckshot.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

Seriously...One time when I was still working as a LEO, the call came..."Break in, in progress"...I got there, and went inside the house. I had the 870 with me, another officer was posted outside..Quick search upstairs, didn't see anything. In the back of the house, the stairs leading down to the basement, I heard movement..At the top of the stairs, I did rack the 870 and said "come up, with your hands up, or someone is going to get hurt".

The two of them did.

The sound does work.......


WuzzFuzz

When I was working in law enforcement and about to enter a dangerous scene my shotgun got racked and placed on safe after exiting the patrol car. I guess we did it a little differently in my department but I never wanted to face a possibly armed suspect with an empty gun..

 

[Muss Muggins]

Those who use a pistol grip only (no shoulder stock) shotgun need to take those things to the range to work out how they're going to fire them. There are few manageable shooting stances with a pistol grip. They're certainly maneuverable and effective, but they require a little more practice than your basic 870 or 500 with a shoulder stock.

 

[Hapworth]

Buy quality and it makes no difference -- pick the platform you prefer. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Both will require learning and practice to run well in a self-defense situation.

Whether pump or semiauto is irrelevant -- you are the significant variable in the equation.