Pump vs Semi Auto vs Double for Defense

dalegribble · July 1, 2009, 10:12 AM

I guess there is no wrong answer here but what is your favorite format for home defense? I have had a mossy pump with an 18" barrel for years as my favorite. Since then I have also added a SXS coach gun with exposed hammers and most recently a Tristar semi auto defense shotgun.

Since the tristar is my newest toy it is getting the most use. Other than 3 failures to feed on my first magazine it had been flawless. It has a plus 1 capacity over the mossberg and is faster and easier to keep on target than a pump, I think.

Mossberg pump, what can I say? It is an old friend, has never failed to fire, love that sound when you rack the slide. That sound alone has probably brought more bad guys to their knees, at least the smart ones.

Side by side coach gun. Easy to opertate, I prefer the exposed hammers to the hammerless design just for my safety. If it was my only choice I would feel totally happy but since I have 2 other choices I rank it 3rd.

I'm not sure the tristar semi auto will end up in first place but I am giving it a shot for now. It is fast, easy to keep on target, better recoil pad than the mossy. It also seems very well made, I don't see any shortcuts, all parts seem to be quality. I'll know more afer a year and a thousand rounds or so.

What is your favorite?

hogdogs · July 1, 2009, 10:18 AM

I prefer the "pump 'em up carry-o-bine" platform... But the twice barrel shoot gun is good too.

Brent

greyson97 · July 1, 2009, 10:19 AM

How many homes are you defending!?!?!?
I have a Benelli M4. Semi Auto. 8 rounds. will cycle almost anything. Used by the USMC.

Since I got that, I literally mothballed my pump remington 870. nothing like trying to fire a pump action shotgun in semi auto mode, or pulling the fore grip back on by m4 wondering why it wont pump. So I stick to one type of shotgun, and i think i have a winner.

In the heat of the situation, I guess the double barrel would be the easiest, shoot kill. but you only have 2 rounds. but whatever works for you.

as for that clack clack of a pump. it may scare the burgular away, but what it will do for certain is give your position away and let the burgular know you are armed with a pump shotgun

johnwilliamson062 · July 1, 2009, 10:24 AM

From a purely defensive standpoint Pump is my choice.

THinking about legal, Grandads double looks pretty good in court.

I currently have a pump(Moss 500) for HD, but a double coach is on the long list.

sholling · July 1, 2009, 10:42 AM

My choice is a Benelli M1 S90 semiauto. Nothing will ruin a charging badguy's day like a 12ga double tap.

publius · July 1, 2009, 10:57 AM

my take on it is different than most others. I think it largely depends on the individual from a safety standpoint. The common opinion, which I share, is that the pump is the most reliable. It's what I use but I don't think it's the best choice for everyone. I have been shooting primarily 870's since I was 10 so pumping is instinctive for me. I think that if you don't have LOTS of time behind a pump that a good reliable auto is a better choice.

BigJimP · July 1, 2009, 11:35 AM

All 3 are reliable - if you keep them clean and well lubed - are good options..

Personally, for defense .. I rely on a 1911 5" in .45acp ( and 2 mags of 8 rounds 230grain Hydra Shok ) ...just makes me feel warm and fuzzy ...( and I practice tactical drills weekly with a 1911 ).

I'm a big shotgun fan / just not for tacticil issues .....and if I really had an issue / fighting my way to my safe - and grabbing something it would probably be a semi-auto shotgun if I wanted a shotgun...

Big Ugly Tall Texan · July 1, 2009, 12:18 PM

It's dark.

You have entered someone else's home without permission with the intent of committing further criminal acts.

As you try to fumble your way around in the dark, you hear a sound that is as distinctive as a rattlesnake rattle and just as bone-chilling.

It's the KLACK CHACK of a pump shotgun being placed into battery.

I'll take the pump.

New_Pollution1086 · July 1, 2009, 12:20 PM

I like my pump, mossy500 18.5in barrel

T

Brigadier · July 1, 2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

It's dark.

You have entered someone else's home without permission with the intent of committing further criminal acts.

As you try to fumble your way around in the dark, you hear a sound that is as distinctive as a rattlesnake rattle and just as bone-chilling.

It's the KLACK CHACK of a pump shotgun being placed into battery.

And then handgun bullets start impacting all around you becasue you gave away your position. No thanks.

I'll take a semi auto - 930 HD. All my other guns except 1 are pull trigger, gun goes bang. Keep the manual of arms as consistent as possible.

Shawn Thompson · July 1, 2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

It's the KLACK CHACK of a pump shotgun being placed into battery.

Agreed, this distinct sound does have an associated psychological deterent that is worth mentioning.

As far as comparing semi-autos with pumps, we have seen an equal number of each run through classes. While there have been a few semi-autos go down (albeit a rare occasion), we have yet to see a pump fail. For what it's worth.

Ian0351 · July 1, 2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Other than 3 failures to feed on my first magazine it had been flawless

ummm... +1 for the pump gun?

Evyl Robot · July 1, 2009, 01:37 PM

My wife and I each have pumps, but I could see having a safe full of scatterguns in various formats. I just love the silly things!

dalegribble · July 1, 2009, 03:48 PM

"Other than 3 failures to feed on my first magazine it had been flawless

ummm... +1 for the pump gun? "

lol, i hear what you are saying but i am willing to give the semi auto a chance, after all it has been flawless since that 1st magazine....but my pumps have always been 100%. even if the semi never has another failure it will never be 100%. all i can compare it to are 1911 pistols, they often have failures when new and need to be "broken in". the break in period doesn't seem to cause people to lose confidence in 1911's. i guess time will tell.

wnycollector · July 1, 2009, 04:12 PM

I have 2 shotguns loaded for HD duty, a 7+1 maverick 88 and a 16ga SxS I chopped down to 18.5". My wife LOVES the SxS. She calls it "idiot proof"! I prefer the Maverick. If I heard a bump in the night, I would grab the pump. If she heard one, she would grab the SxS. To each their own I guess!

vranasaurus · July 1, 2009, 04:48 PM

The sound of a pump shotgun might be distinctive to all of us because we have been around it and heard it. But many criminals probably don't know that sound from any other.

ninjatoth · July 1, 2009, 06:07 PM

pump vs semi was a part of the show "deadliest warrior" on spike tv.It was green berrets with a pump action vs the russian spetznaz with their saiga semi.The semi did so much better than the pump did.Just as you would imagine,the semi hit multiple targets alot faster

dalegribble · July 1, 2009, 07:00 PM

i have 2 of the saiga 223's, great guns. I've never tried a saiga shotgun but would like to try one. how much are they selling for? i like the traditional shotgun look more but for a pure defensive shotgun i wouldnt mind a saiga. so many choices, so little money

i'll have to watch for the show on tv.

shortwave · July 1, 2009, 09:52 PM

If things go bump in the night, IMO, silence is golden. The 1st gun I`ll grab will be the closest-a handgun. Hopefully I`ll make it to my nearby,well worn old trusty Rem. 1100. After some 25yrs. and many,many rds, its yet to fail me.

only1najeep · July 1, 2009, 11:03 PM

I'll take the pump, It will feed most anything and you get that unmistakable sound that will send an intruder running.

mathman · July 2, 2009, 12:40 AM

In a real situation a pump probably has a higher chance of being 'short stroked' than a semi auto jamming (assuming a Benelli).

But either can fail...so, make your first shot count.

greyson97 · July 2, 2009, 01:25 AM

yeah, in the heat of the situation, shortstroking your pump would be fatal, and giving away your position is bad, esp if the perp doesnt poo their pants when he hears you chamber a round. and heaven forbid you need a second shot, pumping the shotgun could also be fatal if they had a pistol and you missed your first shot.

Maser · July 2, 2009, 01:52 AM

Well, I think we can all agree here to use what you are most comfortable with in a defense scenario. I myself have shot all types of actions in shotguns and I find I'm more comfortable with a pump and I have my Mossberg 500 with the 18.5" bbl as my defense gun.

As for the intimidation factor I must say the sound of a shotgun being pumped is a rather distinctive sound. However I think a BG would be more intimidated by having a SxS shotgun pointed at them. Something about looking down two 12 gauge barrels is just very unsettling.

IDAHOMIKE · July 2, 2009, 02:28 AM

Just my 2 cents here. A few months back I'm sure my roomie and I were on the verge of a home invasion. The meth heads do stupid stuff which is odd because EVERYone is armed around here. Anywho, main go to gun for HD is a 4 inch 629. In addition I always keep a KelTec 32 in my pocket. As for the scatterguns, the livin room contains a SxS 10 gauge with the barrels lopped to 21 inches. The hole up in the bedroom shotgun is a remington SP-10 with a 22 inch tube. Got a BPS in 10 on the way and not sure where that will fit in. My reasoning is that with limited capacity, I like the most potent round I can muster. Both 10's are full of Federal 3.5 inch 00 buck.

darkgael · July 2, 2009, 05:52 AM

Quote:

The common opinion, which I share, is that the pump is the most reliable.

A pump gun (or a semi) more reliable than a SXS? I think not. More shots, yes -if you don't short stroke in the heat of action. More reliable? No.

Pete

July 1, 2009, 10:12 AM	#1
dalegribble Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2007 Posts: 861	Pump vs Semi Auto vs Double for Defense I guess there is no wrong answer here but what is your favorite format for home defense? I have had a mossy pump with an 18" barrel for years as my favorite. Since then I have also added a SXS coach gun with exposed hammers and most recently a Tristar semi auto defense shotgun. Since the tristar is my newest toy it is getting the most use. Other than 3 failures to feed on my first magazine it had been flawless. It has a plus 1 capacity over the mossberg and is faster and easier to keep on target than a pump, I think. Mossberg pump, what can I say? It is an old friend, has never failed to fire, love that sound when you rack the slide. That sound alone has probably brought more bad guys to their knees, at least the smart ones. Side by side coach gun. Easy to opertate, I prefer the exposed hammers to the hammerless design just for my safety. If it was my only choice I would feel totally happy but since I have 2 other choices I rank it 3rd. I'm not sure the tristar semi auto will end up in first place but I am giving it a shot for now. It is fast, easy to keep on target, better recoil pad than the mossy. It also seems very well made, I don't see any shortcuts, all parts seem to be quality. I'll know more afer a year and a thousand rounds or so. What is your favorite? __________________ Waltzes with woofs

July 1, 2009, 10:42 AM	#5
sholling Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 1999 Location: Hemet (middle of nowhere) California Posts: 4,261	My choice is a Benelli M1 S90 semiauto. Nothing will ruin a charging badguy's day like a 12ga double tap. __________________ Proud Life Member: National Rifle Association, California Rifle & Pistol Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation. Annual Member: Revolutionary War Veterans Association (Project Appleseed) and the Madison Society.

July 1, 2009, 10:57 AM	#6
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	my take on it is different than most others. I think it largely depends on the individual from a safety standpoint. The common opinion, which I share, is that the pump is the most reliable. It's what I use but I don't think it's the best choice for everyone. I have been shooting primarily 870's since I was 10 so pumping is instinctive for me. I think that if you don't have LOTS of time behind a pump that a good reliable auto is a better choice. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

July 1, 2009, 12:18 PM	#8
Big Ugly Tall Texan Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 174	Put your self in the place of the bad guy It's dark. You have entered someone else's home without permission with the intent of committing further criminal acts. As you try to fumble your way around in the dark, you hear a sound that is as distinctive as a rattlesnake rattle and just as bone-chilling. It's the KLACK CHACK of a pump shotgun being placed into battery. I'll take the pump. __________________ Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you! - Nikita Khrushchev Nikita K. made the prediction. Barry O. will make it come true. - Big Ugly Tall Texan "The 9mm Luger cartridge will simply not do for serious work." - Jeff Cooper "Do not throw rocks at people with guns." - Hastings' Third Law

July 1, 2009, 12:20 PM	#9
New_Pollution1086 Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2007 Location: WC - CA Posts: 680	I like my pump, mossy500 18.5in barrel T __________________ "I have ridden the mighty moon worm, and it was good" "Aim Big miss Big, Aim small Miss small" "Don't rush the monkey and you'll see a better show." - T. Boone Pickens

July 1, 2009, 10:18 AM	#2
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I prefer the "pump 'em up carry-o-bine" platform... But the twice barrel shoot gun is good too. Brent

July 1, 2009, 10:19 AM	#3
greyson97 Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,284	How many homes are you defending!?!?!? I have a Benelli M4. Semi Auto. 8 rounds. will cycle almost anything. Used by the USMC. Since I got that, I literally mothballed my pump remington 870. nothing like trying to fire a pump action shotgun in semi auto mode, or pulling the fore grip back on by m4 wondering why it wont pump. So I stick to one type of shotgun, and i think i have a winner. In the heat of the situation, I guess the double barrel would be the easiest, shoot kill. but you only have 2 rounds. but whatever works for you. as for that clack clack of a pump. it may scare the burgular away, but what it will do for certain is give your position away and let the burgular know you are armed with a pump shotgun

July 1, 2009, 10:24 AM	#4
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	From a purely defensive standpoint Pump is my choice. THinking about legal, Grandads double looks pretty good in court. I currently have a pump(Moss 500) for HD, but a double coach is on the long list.

July 1, 2009, 11:35 AM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	All 3 are reliable - if you keep them clean and well lubed - are good options.. Personally, for defense .. I rely on a 1911 5" in .45acp ( and 2 mags of 8 rounds 230grain Hydra Shok ) ...just makes me feel warm and fuzzy ...( and I practice tactical drills weekly with a 1911 ). I'm a big shotgun fan / just not for tacticil issues .....and if I really had an issue / fighting my way to my safe - and grabbing something it would probably be a semi-auto shotgun if I wanted a shotgun...

July 1, 2009, 01:37 PM	#13
Evyl Robot Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: OOOOOOOOOOO-Klahoma! Posts: 403	My wife and I each have pumps, but I could see having a safe full of scatterguns in various formats. I just love the silly things! __________________ The New and Improved Place Where I Rant: Michael's Soapbox My full-custom holster website: TheHolsterSite.com

July 1, 2009, 03:48 PM	#14
dalegribble Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2007 Posts: 861	"Other than 3 failures to feed on my first magazine it had been flawless ummm... +1 for the pump gun? " lol, i hear what you are saying but i am willing to give the semi auto a chance, after all it has been flawless since that 1st magazine....but my pumps have always been 100%. even if the semi never has another failure it will never be 100%. all i can compare it to are 1911 pistols, they often have failures when new and need to be "broken in". the break in period doesn't seem to cause people to lose confidence in 1911's. i guess time will tell. __________________ Waltzes with woofs

July 1, 2009, 04:12 PM	#15
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	I have 2 shotguns loaded for HD duty, a 7+1 maverick 88 and a 16ga SxS I chopped down to 18.5". My wife LOVES the SxS. She calls it "idiot proof"! I prefer the Maverick. If I heard a bump in the night, I would grab the pump. If she heard one, she would grab the SxS. To each their own I guess!

July 1, 2009, 04:48 PM	#16
vranasaurus Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Posts: 1,184	The sound of a pump shotgun might be distinctive to all of us because we have been around it and heard it. But many criminals probably don't know that sound from any other.

July 1, 2009, 06:07 PM	#17
ninjatoth Junior member Join Date: March 21, 2009 Location: sanford,mi Posts: 590	pump vs semi was a part of the show "deadliest warrior" on spike tv.It was green berrets with a pump action vs the russian spetznaz with their saiga semi.The semi did so much better than the pump did.Just as you would imagine,the semi hit multiple targets alot faster

July 1, 2009, 07:00 PM	#18
dalegribble Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2007 Posts: 861	i have 2 of the saiga 223's, great guns. I've never tried a saiga shotgun but would like to try one. how much are they selling for? i like the traditional shotgun look more but for a pure defensive shotgun i wouldnt mind a saiga. so many choices, so little money i'll have to watch for the show on tv. __________________ Waltzes with woofs

July 1, 2009, 09:52 PM	#19
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	If things go bump in the night, IMO, silence is golden. The 1st gun I`ll grab will be the closest-a handgun. Hopefully I`ll make it to my nearby,well worn old trusty Rem. 1100. After some 25yrs. and many,many rds, its yet to fail me.

July 1, 2009, 11:03 PM	#20
only1najeep Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: MS Posts: 157	I'll take the pump, It will feed most anything and you get that unmistakable sound that will send an intruder running. __________________ Better to be tried by 12, than carried by 6. NRA basic rifle instructor NRA basic shotgun instructor NRA range safety officer

July 2, 2009, 12:40 AM	#21
mathman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,531	In a real situation a pump probably has a higher chance of being 'short stroked' than a semi auto jamming (assuming a Benelli). But either can fail...so, make your first shot count. __________________ Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak.

July 2, 2009, 01:25 AM	#22
greyson97 Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,284	yeah, in the heat of the situation, shortstroking your pump would be fatal, and giving away your position is bad, esp if the perp doesnt poo their pants when he hears you chamber a round. and heaven forbid you need a second shot, pumping the shotgun could also be fatal if they had a pistol and you missed your first shot.

July 2, 2009, 01:52 AM	#23
Maser Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2006 Location: Mysterious Cities of Gold Posts: 920	Well, I think we can all agree here to use what you are most comfortable with in a defense scenario. I myself have shot all types of actions in shotguns and I find I'm more comfortable with a pump and I have my Mossberg 500 with the 18.5" bbl as my defense gun. As for the intimidation factor I must say the sound of a shotgun being pumped is a rather distinctive sound. However I think a BG would be more intimidated by having a SxS shotgun pointed at them. Something about looking down two 12 gauge barrels is just very unsettling.

July 2, 2009, 02:28 AM	#24
IDAHOMIKE Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2007 Location: Gooding, ID Posts: 348	Just my 2 cents here. A few months back I'm sure my roomie and I were on the verge of a home invasion. The meth heads do stupid stuff which is odd because EVERYone is armed around here. Anywho, main go to gun for HD is a 4 inch 629. In addition I always keep a KelTec 32 in my pocket. As for the scatterguns, the livin room contains a SxS 10 gauge with the barrels lopped to 21 inches. The hole up in the bedroom shotgun is a remington SP-10 with a 22 inch tube. Got a BPS in 10 on the way and not sure where that will fit in. My reasoning is that with limited capacity, I like the most potent round I can muster. Both 10's are full of Federal 3.5 inch 00 buck.