Pump shotguns…. Useless?

[dlbleak]

Blasphemer.

I know, I know. What’s up with that?!

 

[Hangfire]

My first shotgun bought back in about 75' was a new semi auto vent rib 2 3/4" 12 ga. Remington 1100 with a fixed modified choke.

I killed a boxcar load of pheasants with the 1100 up in Kansas while I was living in Wichita and working on McConnell AFB and lost it in Marion Resivoir when a boat over turned during my first failed attempt at duck hunting.

I replaced the 1100 a couple of weeks later with a brand new semi auto vent rib Browning Humpback A5 2 3/4" 12 ga. that I still have and use to this day......I was able to take a few ducks with it last season.

Not a thing wrong with either one but I guess there are pump guys and there are semi auto guys....I'm a semi auto guy.

Winter 2021 duck season pic with my made in 1978 Browning A5.

 

[RickN]

I just don't understand how pumps are more "versatile" than autos. They shoot the same shells. I can swap the barrel on my dad's Remington 1100 just as fast as anyone with their 870.

I can port load my Browning with a full mag just like with any pump. Benelli Novas and Super Novas are even easier yet but are pumps so slower to shoot.

A good auto with good ammo will do everything a pump will do and do it easier and faster.

Can you shoot 2-3/4 low brass field loads and 3" mag 00 buck from the same gun?

 

[SPDguns]

Can you shoot 2-3/4 low brass field loads and 3" mag 00 buck from the same gun?

Yes with the VersaMax

 

[GlockPride]

Would I sell the pump guns? No. Would I buy a 1301 for different applications? Yes, absolutely!

 

[bigred1]

Can you shoot 2-3/4 low brass field loads and 3" mag 00 buck from the same gun?

Yes with the VersaMax

Yes with my Benelli M4...

 

[jhb33rd]

It might also get you killed. Sound is a classic target indicator and alerts your adversary to your position.

It sounds tough and cool when you say that but in the real world it's a stupid tactic.

Agree to disagree. There's been more than once, while working as a county deputy, when the bad guy heard the racking sound,, he changed his intentions rather quickly.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

Well... When you come up against a determined opponent I wouldn't count on that. So it worked for you on occasion. That doesn't change what I said. It simply means you're employing bad and/or outdated tactics and you were fortunate.

I've inadvertently ran a stop sign or stop light on occasion and didn't have an accident. That hardly means it isn't unsafe.

Anyone who advocates for that as a sound defensive use of a shotgun is foolish.

 

[Firpo]

Maybe as a deputy there could be situations where that would work but I’m going to agree with @OK Corgi Rancher on this one. I’m also going to assume someone who’s broken into my home is there to do my wife any myself harm and I’m not willing to surrender the element of surprise on a gamble that they will hear the noise from me racking the action of a pump shotgun and immediately surrender because no one can guarantee they will. That’s also why I like my Win 1897 for home protection. I keep one in the chamber so all I have to do is thumb back the hammer and I’m ready to dance. My goal is to eliminate the threat before they even realize I’m there.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

Exactly. I want the bad guys first indication that something has gone terribly wrong for him to be a muzzle flash. If my pump gun is loaded it doesn't mean I have to shoot. But I'm one step ahead of the game. I'm not gonna take a chance the bad guy is well trained and understands modern tactics by giving him a chance to shoot me first because I saw something in a movie that looked cool.