Which short barreld semi-auto shotgun for defence?

Para Bellum · February 19, 2005, 09:54 AM

Title says all, I hope.
Still having almost no clue about shotguns, I have decided to buy a short barreld semi-auto shotgun in 12ga. But which one. Who makes good ones? What do you need?
I am a Glock-carrier, if that helps you in assesing my type of gun-head.

OBIWAN · February 19, 2005, 10:02 AM

By short barreled ...do you mean less than 18"

Para Bellum · February 19, 2005, 01:11 PM

...everything shorter would be illegal in my country (Austria).

WillBrayjr · February 19, 2005, 01:33 PM

If you can afford it, the Benelli should be your top choice. The Remington 1100 will work just fine as well!

Boilermaker · February 21, 2005, 07:12 PM

Benelli M4 sounds like exactly what your looking for. They make really reliable semi-auto's

Para Bellum · August 7, 2005, 05:00 AM

I have a TOZ-34 already. I like it. It's 30 years old, and was hardly ever shot (until I got my hands on it lately). Very nice. Simple. working. Pic below

Are there also reliable russian semi-auto shotguns with 18" barrels?

my TOZ-34EP

Joshua Hutchison · August 7, 2005, 11:11 AM

Ive heard of 19 inch barreled Saiga 12's, I dont know of what legality problems that would cause though.

Kivaari · August 7, 2005, 08:58 PM

You should not overlook the pump shotgun.

As far as absolute ruggedness and quality, the Remington 870 would be hard to be without. Their fitment and quality ranges from the "Express" to the better "Wingmaster" to the best "Law Enforcement". The 870 is an absolute irony as other firearms manufacturers cut corners in quality to keep the price low; Remington made improvements over the years in this particular weapon. There are also a plethora of extras available.

The ubiquitous Winchester Model 12 is a marvel of machining and sought after by those who know. This is an example of a fine weapon being discontinued due to the cost of manufacturing. Up to and through the '60s, every cop car in America, well almost, had the Winchester pump inside.

Last but not least in the Ithaca M37, John Browning's last repeating shotgun design. Great shotgun and light in weight due to Browning's continued work with every repeating shotgun design to reduce the number of parts. Well made...

The new pump shotguns are no comparison , imho.

Nnobby45 · August 8, 2005, 09:26 PM

Be advised that a gas operated semi-auto, like the 11-87 might work fine with a standard barrel, but not be reliable with a shorter barrel. I believe it has something to do with the pressure curve --especially with low recoil ammo.

Problems can also develop with a recoil operated gun, like the Benelli, if you start adding more weight, like side saddles and mag extensions--that may dampen enough recoil to cause problems with some ammunition. The 1187 is the lightest recoiling semi-auto--you can use full power ammo. The Benelli is the hardest recoiling semi-auto. Both are fine shotguns.

Para Bellum · August 21, 2005, 02:04 PM

...thanks for that information. It was truly valuable.

Stay safe.

aspen1964 · August 21, 2005, 06:38 PM

..but I bought a nearly unfired 1959 win model 12 riot....sleek, slick, and deadly...pumps just require some practice in sliding the action once trigger has been pulled...

Gun Ranch · August 21, 2005, 08:52 PM

Hi Para Bellum Gut guekommen!
I am Gabriel,gunsmith from Buenos Aires,please do not be faflujt! Do not use
a semiauto for selfdefence.Please look for good European pump action,could be a Benelli,also the achived Ithaca model 37,that you can find cheap in Austria,because the flatened dollar in the ECO,also there is a good Huglus(Turkey) or the Sarsilmaz made in Turkey too,there is very affordable shotguns.
Allways triple 000 buckshot for selfdefense(Bornaghi from Italy,or excellent buckshots made in Spain that you can find in Austria.
Take care and Hasta La Vista
Gabe

February 19, 2005, 09:54 AM	#1
Para Bellum Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: right there Posts: 1,882	Which short barreld semi-auto shotgun for defence? Title says all, I hope. Still having almost no clue about shotguns, I have decided to buy a short barreld semi-auto shotgun in 12ga. But which one. Who makes good ones? What do you need? I am a Glock-carrier, if that helps you in assesing my type of gun-head. __________________ Si vis pacem - para bellum If you want peace - prepare for war

February 19, 2005, 01:11 PM	#3
Para Bellum Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: right there Posts: 1,882	I mean at least 17,7" (45cm) barrel length and at least 35,5" (90cm) overall length ...everything shorter would be illegal in my country (Austria). __________________ Si vis pacem - para bellum If you want peace - prepare for war

February 21, 2005, 07:12 PM	#5
Boilermaker Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 30	Benelli M4 sounds like exactly what your looking for. They make really reliable semi-auto's __________________ The desire for peace and the simplistic and misplaced guilt many people have, create a tendency to make everyone who demands a standard of behavior into some kind of Neanderthal.

August 7, 2005, 05:00 AM	#6
Para Bellum Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: right there Posts: 1,882	Any reliable russian semi-auto shotguns with 18" barrels? I have a TOZ-34 already. I like it. It's 30 years old, and was hardly ever shot (until I got my hands on it lately). Very nice. Simple. working. Pic below Are there also reliable russian semi-auto shotguns with 18" barrels? my TOZ-34EP __________________ Si vis pacem - para bellum If you want peace - prepare for war

August 7, 2005, 08:58 PM	#8
Kivaari Member Join Date: August 7, 2005 Location: McKinney Texas Posts: 34	shotgun... You should not overlook the pump shotgun. As far as absolute ruggedness and quality, the Remington 870 would be hard to be without. Their fitment and quality ranges from the "Express" to the better "Wingmaster" to the best "Law Enforcement". The 870 is an absolute irony as other firearms manufacturers cut corners in quality to keep the price low; Remington made improvements over the years in this particular weapon. There are also a plethora of extras available. The ubiquitous Winchester Model 12 is a marvel of machining and sought after by those who know. This is an example of a fine weapon being discontinued due to the cost of manufacturing. Up to and through the '60s, every cop car in America, well almost, had the Winchester pump inside. Last but not least in the Ithaca M37, John Browning's last repeating shotgun design. Great shotgun and light in weight due to Browning's continued work with every repeating shotgun design to reduce the number of parts. Well made... The new pump shotguns are no comparison , imho. __________________ Kivaari quality SKS trigger tuning / repair www.kivaari.com

February 19, 2005, 10:02 AM	#2
OBIWAN Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,340	By short barreled ...do you mean less than 18"

February 19, 2005, 01:33 PM	#4
WillBrayjr Junior member Join Date: September 26, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 1,881	If you can afford it, the Benelli should be your top choice. The Remington 1100 will work just fine as well!

August 7, 2005, 11:11 AM	#7
Joshua Hutchison Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 21	Ive heard of 19 inch barreled Saiga 12's, I dont know of what legality problems that would cause though.

August 8, 2005, 09:26 PM	#9
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	Be advised that a gas operated semi-auto, like the 11-87 might work fine with a standard barrel, but not be reliable with a shorter barrel. I believe it has something to do with the pressure curve --especially with low recoil ammo. Problems can also develop with a recoil operated gun, like the Benelli, if you start adding more weight, like side saddles and mag extensions--that may dampen enough recoil to cause problems with some ammunition. The 1187 is the lightest recoiling semi-auto--you can use full power ammo. The Benelli is the hardest recoiling semi-auto. Both are fine shotguns.

August 21, 2005, 02:04 PM	#10
Para Bellum Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: right there Posts: 1,882	Nnobby45 ...thanks for that information. It was truly valuable. Stay safe. __________________ Si vis pacem - para bellum If you want peace - prepare for war

August 21, 2005, 06:38 PM	#11
aspen1964 Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Posts: 1,030	you did mention auto... ..but I bought a nearly unfired 1959 win model 12 riot....sleek, slick, and deadly...pumps just require some practice in sliding the action once trigger has been pulled...

August 21, 2005, 08:52 PM	#12
Gun Ranch Junior Member Join Date: August 21, 2005 Location: Buenos Aires Posts: 3	Which short barreled.....? Hi Para Bellum Gut guekommen! I am Gabriel,gunsmith from Buenos Aires,please do not be faflujt! Do not use a semiauto for selfdefence.Please look for good European pump action,could be a Benelli,also the achived Ithaca model 37,that you can find cheap in Austria,because the flatened dollar in the ECO,also there is a good Huglus(Turkey) or the Sarsilmaz made in Turkey too,there is very affordable shotguns. Allways triple 000 buckshot for selfdefense(Bornaghi from Italy,or excellent buckshots made in Spain that you can find in Austria. Take care and Hasta La Vista Gabe

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