So I go to my LGS to buy a shotgun

[Jerry N.]

I pretty much know what I want. A basic tactical 12ga, pump action. Everything you need and nothing more. However, just out of curiosity, I ask the guy - "can you think of any reason I should consider a semi-auto shot gun?" And just like I've read here a number of times the man begins to instruct me on why I would never consider a semi-auto because:

When you rack the slide on a pump action, the robber will hear that and leave the house.

I guess I should have just bought a pump action ring tone for my phone and I would have been all set.

Instead, I ended up with a Mossberg 500 that will hold 8 rounds. I plan on matching it up with a mechanical ShotLoc so that I can leave it loaded but locked up.

500 Tactical - 8 Shot | O.F. Mossberg & Sons

https://www.shotlock.com/ShotLock_Shotgun.php

I might put a flash light on it, but my plan is simple as possible. For one, I want as little on the gun that could go wrong as possible if I were to need it and second, I don't want to put a ton of money into something that I hope I'll never use.

Let me know what you think.

 

[Arik]

When it comes to semi auto shotguns it's Saiga/Vepr 12 or nothing!

Nothing like a mag fed 12G

 

[Rick_A]

I got an old Remington 1100 and changed a few things. An 870 was sold to get it. The auto is more reliable than my ability to run a pump in a hurry. The action just can't be left fouled up after a high volume of shooting. The mag spring requires replacing every few years as well.

I personally find the notion of "nothing scarier than racking a pump" a bunch of garbage.

 

[USAF385]

I went with the Flex. I don't care for the foregrip, and will likely swap in the standard one, but I love the adjustable stock.

Personally, I've never bought into hoping to scare them with the racking sound. The only sound I plan on making is the slight click of the safety.

 

[Mainsail]

I had a pump 590A1 and I loved everything about it except all that pesky pumping. You see, no other defense firearm I own requires pumping. Once my handguns are loaded, I need only pull the trigger until it's empty. Same with the AR15- pull trigger gun goes bang, repeat as necessary.

I go out with my 590A1 for practice (with some artificial stress for realism), pump a round in and fire at target 1. Turn to target 2 and pull the trigger, nuttin. D'oh, forgot to pump! It happened too often for comfort. I'm not proud.

Sold the pump and bought the FNH SLP 18" auto loader. Sure, with enough training and range time I'm sure I could significantly reduce the dead trigger events but I have many other interests, pursuits, and hobbies. The SLP has been 100% reliable and I know that I'll get seven loud reports from the business end for the seven trigger pulls- no pumping required.

 

[hdfinder47]

I pretty much know what I want. A basic tactical 12ga, pump action. Everything you need and nothing more. However, just out of curiosity, I ask the guy - "can you think of any reason I should consider a semi-auto shot gun?" And just like I've read here a number of times the man begins to instruct me on why I would never consider a semi-auto because:

When you rack the slide on a pump action, the robber will hear that and leave the house.

I guess I should have just bought a pump action ring tone for my phone and I would have been all set.

Instead, I ended up with a Mossberg 500 that will hold 8 rounds. I plan on matching it up with a mechanical ShotLoc so that I can leave it loaded but locked up.

500 Tactical - 8 Shot | O.F. Mossberg & Sons

https://www.shotlock.com/ShotLock_Shotgun.php

I might put a flash light on it, but my plan is simple as possible. For one, I want as little on the gun that could go wrong as possible if I were to need it and second, I don't want to put a ton of money into something that I hope I'll never use.

Let me know what you think.

I think that is a reasonable choice. Might consider upgrading to a 590.

 

[loc n load]

Jerry N.

You have a good shotgun for your intended purpose....I have shot & trained with Mossberg pumps since the mid 70's, I have a 30 year background instructing Rem 870's and Mossberg pumps for LE, I also have 20 years of experience instructing the 1100, 11-87, Benelli Super 90's & some others for LE .Mossberg pumps have a proven track record in the sporting world, law enforcement and the military...you don't need a lot of gadgets on a HD pump gun.....train with it, become competent with it, and it will serve you well. I have a Mossberg pump gun available in a couple of old truck gun rack hooks attached to my bed frame for any nocturnal encounters.

 

[Glashaus]

Hard to go wrong with a Mossberg 500 or 590, just keep it simple.



my Mossberg 500 SPX with a Mesa Tactical LEO grip adapter, M4 buffer tube, Magpul stock and grip, the ATI stock that comes with these is junk.



my ex police Mossberg 500 Marinecoat



my Mossberg 590 in wood and another 500 also in wood

 

[Rastoff]

However, just out of curiosity, I ask the guy - "can you think of any reason I should consider a semi-auto shot gun?"

This is an excellent question. I'm sorry you got very poor (albeit not unexpected) advice from the minimum wage troglodyte. What always confuses me about his answer is, if the pump sound is so frightening, why does he believe the sound of a slamming bolt on an auto isn't? Of course, wiser minds don't rely on frightening the bad guy, we want him stopped. If they're observant, they only sound they'll hear is the click of the sear being released a millisecond or two before a really loud bang.


I just went through this process myself. I wanted to get a shotgun for home defense. After considering many, I settled on a Mossberg 930 SPX.

I'm a shotgun aficionado. I have over 100,000 rounds through shotguns. I've owned pumps, semi-autos, over unders, side by sides and some weird shotguns very few have even heard of. I know shotguns.

The most concerning thing of using any tool for defense is being able to use it effectively. The first thing about the tool itself is that it must work; the first time, every time. This is a concern for any semi-auto. They are more likely to malfunction than a manually operated gun like a revolver or pump.

However, there are many extremely reliable semi-autos. I only have about 200 through my SPX, but not a single failure. In a week or so I'm headed to a self-defense shotgun class. I will put this gun through its paces in the dirt, wind and heat. I will fire at least 500 rounds; hopefully more. If it has no malfunctions, I will declare it fit for duty.

The pump you bought has a great reputation, but I still suggest you test it. Shoot it a bunch. The pump action must become second nature. It must happen automatically. This is the only way to be sure you'll use it effectively in a tense situation.

 

[rwsmith]

A pump is more reliable....

But as you mention, you have to be good at using it for it to be of real help.

I wouldn't want to hear the sound of a shotgun rack if I were in somebody elses house, but I've read not to count on that. It may not be as much of a psychological advantage as you think and may actually warn the attacker.

 

[KSDeputy]

I have an 1100 which I modified with a Choate synthetic pistol grip stock, and a larger magazine tube which holds 8 rounds. I also put a barrel with rifle sights on it, and a sling. I love the shotgun, but it is getting too heavy for me. I recently bought an 870 tactical shotgun, which is light, but I do prefer a semi-auto shotgun. I found an 18" barrel 1100 with a pistol grip stock, I am thinking about buying it. The newest Remington catalog lists a 22" barrel 1100. Also in my mind. I had two Mossbergs, nothing wrong with them but the position of the safety. Having shot Remington long guns all my life, rifles and shotguns, I instinctively reach behind the trigger guard. So I sold the Mossbergs. I will most likely sell my customized 1100 and buy a shorter, lighter one more suited to my abilities now with some shoulder and arm problems. Mossberg makes fine guns, but I have been a Remington guy since I was 10 yrs. old. I will always reach behind the trigger guard for that safety. So it will have to be another, lighter Remington semi-auto for me.

 

[Arik]

[emoji48] [emoji48] [emoji48] [emoji48] [emoji48] [emoji48] [emoji48]

I used to own one like this but now I own 2 Remington 870s Police magnums. Both cost me $200ea. Since I don't shoot shotgun that much the value of that semi auto allowed me to buy one Remington 870, a handgun and a case of ammo!

 

[JayAychOh]

It sounds like you found exactly what you were looking for. I have two Mossbergs, one of which I used extensively in my LEO career. I think you made a good choice.

I have chosen to mount lights on my "bedroom guns". I think you're on the right track by considering that.

 

[hangnoose]

SOME SOUND ADVICE

Many points of view from varied aspects. Not sure how name calling or someone's income apply though, pick & choose what works for you. I've gone different routes at times. for the $ a M.B. with a ton of aftermarket options (extended mag, pistol grip, light, heat shield etc) certainly would work. Is it the best shotgun made, NO & I'd rather have the 590 or 870 wingmaster for a pump. Now with shoulder & other issues I use a beneli sbe with extended mag & short bbl semi seeing that I could use it one handed if the other is otherwise engaged or injured, + it happens to be the one I already have that best fills the bill . MY 1st choice is still a semi pistol in 9mm or 45 for maneuverability. A second point is light or no light & at present IF IN MY HOME, I know the layout & can get around in the dark better than an invader, know where some cover might be and where the light switches are should I need some light. If the intruder is armed & shoots towards the light shone on him I'd rather not be standing directly behind it. I DO have an old school mag/kill light flashlight that gets held at shoulder height off to my left ready for a clubbing blow, should I want to use a light. If you learn to use what you have well, it should work well for you. I certainly would not want to come creeping into your home. Sorry for the lengthy post.

 

[redlevel]

I wouldn't count on the sound of racking the slide to be a deterrent, but I wouldn't totally discount it either.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/214036-rack-slide-deterrent-true-story.html

 

[RSanch111]

I got an old Remington 1100 and changed a few things. An 870 was sold to get it. The auto is more reliable than my ability to run a pump in a hurry. The action just can't be left fouled up after a high volume of shooting. The mag spring requires replacing every few years as well.

I personally find the notion of "nothing scarier than racking a pump" a bunch of garbage.

Context is everything I guess....I was clearing a warehouse/paint factory that had been burglarized and some other cops had come in through the point of exit while we had come in through the point of entry. I had my radio off so as to be sneaky-like and had taken up a position to wait and listen for a while and did not know they were in there. One of them cycled the action on his 870 as soon as he got in the building and my heart shot right up into my throat and my partner and I looked at each other with eyes like the railroad porter who spots the lion on the train in the Three Stooges episode. We went outside, called for backup and then were advised they were inside with their shotguns....Yeah, pitch black except for the light from the exit signs, big scary warehouse and you hear that sound.....Scary enough for me.

I have two 870 Police Magnums, an 870 Express and a Mossberg with a pistol grip. I like the 870 just because it's what I've trained with for 30 years. If you have any doubt about how important it is to be familiar with your particular shotgun, try to train someone with one. Took me a long time to get my wife familiar with the functions on her own shotgun. "Ok, now press the action release and cycle the action..." "I forgot where that was....". "Is the safety on or off?" "I don't know...." "Well check it..." "Which is which?" And she's pretty good with guns......Whatever you get, you need to know how to use it instinctively. I rarely shoot the Mossberg and I have to think about which position is "fire" on the top-mounted safety sometimes. Not so with the one I've been using for decades.

 

[shottist]

A Benelli M1 Super 90 that you have used in competition and know well. No Pistol Grips, no lights and a Side Saddle. Look out!

 

[Mainsail]

....One of them cycled the action on his 870 as soon as he got in the building and my heart shot right up into my throat ....Yeah, pitch black except for the light from the exit signs, big scary warehouse and you hear that sound.....Scary enough for me.

Question- If you had heard the bolt on a semi-auto shotgun being cycled, would you have been as scared, less scared, or more scared than after hearing the pump?

I think that's been everyone's point- they both make pretty much the same sound when you get it ready to rock.

EDIT to add: ....and that one shouldn't rely on a particular sound as a sure-fire deterrent.

 

[shotgun693]

In the '80s I carried an old Remington Model 11 at work. I picked it up at a gun show pretty cheap, the friction ring was in backwards and when I fixed that it worked fine. It never failed, never. The biggest advantage was that I did not need both hands to make it work. I figured that if wounded or in a tight place I might not be able to pump a slide. I can work my pistol with one hand, I can shoot my rifle with one hand, why handicap myself with a shotgun that MUST require both hands to work?

 

[getoff]

870 Police "tactical" with the fixed 6 round tube. got 3, at specific locals. prefer the dual bars on the pump. the 590 is a fine shotty. steel receiver, the 500 is aluminium. not sayin' that steel is better, but the added weight helps with the 3" shells. as far as the racking of a shotgun detering baddies? would rather they didn't know i was waiting for them to make a fatal mistake... my house, my layout.