i don't own a lot of semis so i don't know if they all will but my Beretta 391 will shoot low brass and 3" shells. At the range some semis have trouble with low recoil loads.
Yes the last semi I had, 30 some years ago would not handle low brass loads, or 3 in mags. It was an old Win 1400 and would only shoot 2-3/4 fairly hot loads reliably.
Probably cost less is the key phrase.
Semi's for duty are typically kept clean. If not it's on the officer if it has issues from being dirty.
I didn’t read the entire thread so forgive me if this was already mentioned. I was duck hunting in ice and rain once with two buddies. I had my 870 Wingmaster pump and they had semi-autos. They had problems with cycling and I joked about their frozen actions. My pump worked flawlessly. Just saying pumps are mighty reliable.
If one wants to shoot trap, with low brass loads, you buy a trap gun. If you want a home defense gun that handles 3" shells, you buy a firearm designed for that purpose.
BTW to the amazement of many, the high brass/low brass is only a factory thing to designate high/low power shells. The extra little bit of brass means nothing to contain pressure.
It's a marketing tool.
I can also say that I've pheasant/quail hunted for many years in the rain and in freezing temps with zero issues with a semi auto. I've never owned a pump until recently and it's inherited, never fired by me.
There are a lot of issues with shotguns involving different loads and how they will cycle the action in a semi.
No doubt. The cycling action of a semi-auto is more sensitive to the shot shell used. Anything that goes boom and clears the wad can be worked through a pump. A Semi-auto needs pressures near factory standards. Something to consider for handloaders.
Exactly the same with the semi rifles we all love.
SOME of the problem with a semi-auto NOT cycling lower pressure shells is the shooter soft shouldering the gun.
Amount of gas and pressure is what works the action. Excess is vented. It is a fine balance.
I had a 3" 1100. To cycle light loads, i really had to lean into it. I shot a lot of skeet. Good training and helped with recoil control on heavy loads.
I have a 3 1/2" semi-auto. It cycles 3" and all but the lightest "dove loads". Learning to "lean in" is part of why so many loads work so well. I didn't buy it to shoot light loads, but it is nice to know what I can.
Amount of gas and pressure is what works the action. Excess is vented. It is a fine balance.
I had a 3" 1100. To cycle light loads, i really had to lean into it. I shot a lot of skeet. Good training and helped with recoil control on heavy loads.
I have a 3 1/2" semi-auto. It cycles 3" and all but the lightest "dove loads". Learning to "lean in" is part of why so many loads work so well. I didn't buy it to shoot light loads, but it is nice to know what I can.
All I can say is I am really wishing I stil had a good 20ga pump OR semi. Sadly I got rid of the 20 mossy I had bought for the wife since she never fired it and I had a couple of 12ga. Now that I can no longer shoot a 12 I wish I had a 20. 
Similar threads
