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Pump or semi-auto shotgun?
Me | 10/2/2021 | Paul R

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?


TOPICS: Hobbies; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: banglist; defense; pump; semiauto; shotgun
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
I have one each and a bolt action I found at the flea market long ago. I had not known there was such a thing till I saw it on the seller's table. It takes 2+1 rounds so is a bit limited compared to my others. I also have a 20 ga single that is ancient enough to be a curio.

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.

81 posted on 10/03/2021 1:57:07 AM PDT by arthurus (ooo covfefe ooo)
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To: Paul R.

Gotta call it a night! Will check back tomorrow afternoon. Thanks, everyone, for the input!


82 posted on 10/03/2021 2:02:14 AM PDT by Paul R. (You know your pullets are dumb if they don't recognize a half Whopper as food!)
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To: kiryandil

An auto shotgun also makes “that noise” when you chamber a round.


83 posted on 10/03/2021 2:02:39 AM PDT by Hootowl99
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To: Panzerfaust

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.


84 posted on 10/03/2021 2:03:24 AM PDT by arthurus (ooo covfefe )
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To: MNJohnnie
1 hand a shotgun?

I’ve done it. Whacked a porcupine while restraining a very upset dog on a leash.

85 posted on 10/03/2021 2:05:35 AM PDT by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
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To: redcatcherb412

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.


86 posted on 10/03/2021 2:05:57 AM PDT by arthurus (covfefe )
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To: Paul R.

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.


87 posted on 10/03/2021 2:16:11 AM PDT by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
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To: Mat_Helm

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.


88 posted on 10/03/2021 2:16:32 AM PDT by arthurus (covfefe h)
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To: Paul R.

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.


89 posted on 10/03/2021 2:20:49 AM PDT by Jimmy Valentine (DemocRATS - when they speak, they lie; when they are silent, they are stealing the American Dreams)
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To: Mogger

Good point!!


90 posted on 10/03/2021 2:58:30 AM PDT by bantam
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To: Paul R.
Pump or semi-auto shotgun?


91 posted on 10/03/2021 3:00:24 AM PDT by Lazamataz (I feel like it is 1937 Germany, and my last name is Feinberg.)
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To: Paul R.
I own over a dozen combat shotguns. so I think I have experience. I prefer a pump. 12 ga. semi autos tend to have a very nasty kick, which is surprisingly much less if you have a pump model. Also 5 rds is not enough. I have been seeing some very good reviews on the Mossberg Maverick88. If you go on gun broker you can find the “88” with a 8 round tube for less than $235, plus shipping. Those extra 3 rounds in the tube are way worth the money. Plus just saw a listing for relatively less expensive 12 gage OO buck last Friday. 200 shells for $99 which is giant drop from just a few months ago.
92 posted on 10/03/2021 3:01:15 AM PDT by Lockbar (Vlad the Impailer had all the answers.)
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To: Paul R.

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.


93 posted on 10/03/2021 3:26:20 AM PDT by Semper Vigilantis (Si vis pacem, para bellum. )
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To: Paul R.

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


94 posted on 10/03/2021 3:31:09 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (Dementia Joe and the Whore, leaders of the Free world. ( F-you dementia Joe.))
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To: gundog

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.


95 posted on 10/03/2021 3:50:28 AM PDT by riverrunner
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To: Panzerfaust

DP-12, the only way to go unless you can find a Tavor TS-12


96 posted on 10/03/2021 3:59:15 AM PDT by oldasrocks
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To: Armscor38

97 posted on 10/03/2021 4:02:11 AM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: Paul R.

Pump. Mossberg 500.


98 posted on 10/03/2021 4:19:42 AM PDT by sauropod (Bidet was no prize before he put the “d” in “dementia.” - Schlichter)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Own Both Bump


99 posted on 10/03/2021 4:21:40 AM PDT by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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To: Paul R.

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!!


100 posted on 10/03/2021 4:32:05 AM PDT by maddog55 (The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
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