Posted on 10/02/2021 9:37:51 PM PDT by Paul R.
For home defense at a very budget constrained price, what do FReepers (or their sources) think: Semi-auto or pump action 12 ga. shotgun? Semi-auto will deliver the most stopping power in a very short time, but might it be less reliable? Other considerations?
I spent the summer of '64 in Maine with my grandparents. Grandma liked to go to auctions which were the equivalent of the 70s yard sales in Florida. At a farm auction a pair of ancient long pin-fire shotguns came up. I had $25 and really wanted those shotguns. A bushel basket of reloadable shells came with it. I bid carefully and only one person, another young teenager was the only other bidder. It got to $20 and I stupidly bid $22. He bid $25 and got the guns. I talked to him after and found out he only had $25. If I had bid my whole wad of $25 I would have owned the pieces.
Gotta call it a night! Will check back tomorrow afternoon. Thanks, everyone, for the input!
An auto shotgun also makes “that noise” when you chamber a round.
My daughter who lives alone only puts birdshot in her 20 ga. She worries a bit because neighbors have been home-invaded. I tell her if she won’t use buckshot she has to aim for the face and at least blind an attacker. And never say, “Stop or I’ll shoot!” Shoot first then say what you will.
I’ve done it. Whacked a porcupine while restraining a very upset dog on a leash.
I did that once when I was a teenager and had never held a shotgun. It was a double barreled 12. I was so cool I raised it to my shoulder with one arm. I managed to hit both triggers. I didn’t pick up much of anything with my right arm for a few days.
Duck hunters get plenty fast with a pump. Muscle memory is important. That’s why I chose a Winchester 1300 Defender for home use. It happens that I learned to duck hunt with a Winchester pump, and the controls are second nature. And I much prefer the safety in front of the trigger to behind it, as in the 870.
Even in Florida. In the 70s I could carry my .22 anywhere. When traveling upstate on my first motorcycle I had a “Nairobi Hunt Club” rifle on my back that I had got at a flea market while passing through Pinellas. No one ever commented except to ask what that thing was. I still don’t know. I gave it to the woman who was caring for my wife’s grandmother. She was a collector. The caliber was probably smaller than a 22 and the chamber would hold a cartridge bigger than anything I ever saw for a rifle before I saw a .50 demonstrated years later.
Mossberg pump. 12gauge, 00 shot. Buy “police “ loads ( more pellets) add slugs every other round. Hang it in your bedroom closet for quick access.
I like the pump action because if you get a defective round, you can cycle to a fresh one quickly.
Good point!!
I have both. I used a 12g pump forever, but my wife is 5’2” and pumping that 12g was a bit much for her to do quickly so I bought a semi-auto 20g for her to have around the homestead. Point and click. As long as you keep it clean you’ll be fine.
too many times I have shot semi’s and unless they are very expensive I find the cheep ones jam.
My Remington 870, ole reliable has NEVER jammed.
Not as sexy or Kool but.
Just saying
One handed shotgun.
I regularly shoot flying clays one handed and over the years have shot a few game birds one handed.
I don’t recommend doing so with magnum loads they do sting a bit.
Practice is what it takes.
Over 55 years of using both I find semi’s a bit more picky about ammo and a bit less reliable.
On the inexpensive end of the scale I would go with a pump.
DP-12, the only way to go unless you can find a Tavor TS-12
Pump. Mossberg 500.
Own Both Bump
Both are good.. An AR-12 with a 10 round mag full of buckshot can take out a small crowd but window, door and wall repair gts expensive!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.