Is your home defense shotgun pump or semi-auto?

Pump or Semi-auto home defense shotgun?

  • Semi-auto

    Votes: 80 18.1%

  • Pump

    Votes: 361 81.9%
  • Total voters
    441
Pump

Hawk-Ultracell pump shotgun. This gun (for the majority who are not familiar with it) is basically a chinese production of an 870. I found one at a gun show for $200 and bought it. I have since replaced the barrel with an 18" barrel, added a heat shield, upgrades sights, replaced forend with a Tacstar pistol fore-grip, Tacstar WLS2000 flashlight with pressure switch mounted on forgrip, KNoxx Cop-Stock folding buttstock, and Outdoor connection quick-adjust slung (not pictured). for a project total of right around $500.
 
Last edited:
Home SD Shotgun

I got a Maverick 88 12 gauge pump. I got it NIB for about $139. I replaced the 26" barrel with a 18-1/2" cylinder bore and put a pistol grip with a top folding stock and added a 5 shell carrier to the stock. Unfortunately, I haven't even fired it, even at the range. I want to try it out, get the feel for firing it and check out what kind of patterns it shoots. The range I go to has a specific area for SD shotgun practice with a silhouete target. I've been too busy testing out my other weapons, such as my 9MM Glock, S&W 357Mag, Taurus PT22, Ruger 10/22, and Yugo SKS. My priority should be the SD shotgun but actually I just got the new bbl and didn't want to use the old one because I want to resell it.
 
tactical1100.jpg



1100 Remington with 18.5" barrel/ trijicon bead.

8 shot with speed loading gate and a extended bolt handle that can be operated with the off hand. Speed Feed stock. I tuned the gas ports to work with standard 2 3/4" loads. I use #4 shot for home defense.

I also installed the Side Saddle so I can grab it and go. Trigger group has been tuned and polished with the Remington factory comp trigger kit. I also use the newer teflon o ring and one piece piston kit.

There is nothing in the world wrong with a pump gun. But this auto has been 100% rock solid, and with practice... clearing any malfunction is super easy and fast.
 
I'm a noob with no shotgun. I'm thinking about getting one for home defense. I don't hunt. I see I can get a basic, functional 12 gauge pump gun at Walmart for less than $150, or an NIB pump riot gun for under $350, or maybe find a good used pump gun for a couple hundred. Catalog prices for semi-auto 12 gauge shotguns start around $800 and run up to twice that or more. I think there's a pump gun in my future.
 
Semi-Auto here

Browning A-5 light 12 guage

Loaded with 3 00 Buckshot and 3 slugs in a butt stock holster. Backed up by my .22 revolver and Beretta 21a 22. cal pistol.

The pistols are way undersized so I put my trust in the shotgun. Can't wait until I can get my .45 and retire the other two pistols to destroying tin cans.
 
I favor a 870 Wingmaster pump, with 2 shot mag extension and a 20 inch riflesighted barrel. This is as foolproof as it gets. I have it stuffed wtih 00 Buck, and carry 5 slugs in a butt cuff.
Yeah, I know that there is a school of thought that favors birdshot, but golly, what ya gonna do when conditions are not optimal for that? Recently, a guard in Miami was shot at close range with a 12Ga and #6's. He is alive and well today.
 
I'd say that though I myself prefer a pump action shotgun. ( my 590-a1 :) ). I still find that some people find the length of the shotgun in combination with the need to pump it, a bit intimidating. In this I see a need for the use of semi autos for self defense roles. If you find the right ammo to gun combo, then this would be a wise alternative. I prefer pumps, do to the reliability of shooting various ammo. This can easily be a moot point for others who prefer not to have to pump( may seem a bit unweildly to small statured person's, perhap some women) but still want the powerful multi shot repeating 12 gauge, especially in a short barrel. They would just need to find good self defense ammunition that fires reliably (and practice shooting) and they would be set.
 
Pump, for the simplicity. Just less to go wrong. Nothing wrong with either. I just like to eliminate as many negative outcomes as possible. I have rails on mine, but haven't added any tacticool stuff to it. Another thing to get in the way. Toyed with the idea of a tacticool light, but all I need is for the wire from the pressure switch to come off and snag me up when it counts.
 
Remington 870 Police / 8 round choat mag. Still need to put a Surefire on it, though.

The comment about "What could be scarier to a bad guy than the sound of a shotgun pump being racked in the dark?" reminded me of an instance, as a young LEO in the mid-70s. I was partnered up with a TO and we happened upon an open back door at a motorcycle shop. Walked around the bldg and saw the BG stuffing tools into his pockets. Partner kicked the door and racked one into the chamber of his issue 870. Even before he could bellow "Freeze", we saw the leg of the BG's jeans go from faded blue back to indigo. Hindsight made me think about the things my trainer could have done better (e.g., wait for backup, split up front/rear, etc.) but I'll never forget how proud I was to keep my game face and not fall into hysterics at the sight of the instant color change of the dude's jeans.
 
OO Buck

Would anyone know the effective range of OO buck from a 12 gauge, 18" barrel would be? Never mind found something close.

Winchester Marine 12 gauge Pump
 
Last edited:
Remington 870 Express Magnum 21"

Turkey or Bad Guy... It doesn't make much difference to 3" 00 X 15 buckshot...

50 yards... 20" spray....
 
My home defense shotgun is my only shotgun for now. The Remington 870.... heard nothing but positive things about it, plus they're pretty inexpensive. The awesome sound of the action being racked is music to my ears, but bad news for the person who had the nerve to force their way into my home. :p
 
I keep an 870 express with the stock 28" vent rib and an elastic shell holder on the buttstock. I'd like a shorter barrel, maybe a tactical light and a mag extension. However, I fear that if I ended up having to use it in a defense situation, no matter how legitamate, there would be a lot more legal BS to deal with if I were the gun nut with a tactical shotgun just waiting for some young punk to break into my house rather than some guy lucky enough to grab the 'ol huntin gun. Maybe this is just my dystopian paranoia.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top