rs97, good answers
(finaly, something I can comment on instead of my endless dumb questions)
I love sxs shotguns in any ga. or configuration, and I don't care for pumps or autos, probably just personal choice and as much based on style and looks as much as the performance I can get out of them in the field.
I have 2 stoegers, a 12 ga uplander with screw in chokes and a 20 ga coach gun.
I love reading the debates as to action and ga/cal of a given firearm for a given use.
Opening day dove season this year I used the 20 ga coach gun and the action was fast and furious, birds everywhere in large numbers, a great day!
My friends had expensive autos (benelli I think, they all make more money than me).
With the better quality guns and the extra shell capacity and the time and money to shoot skeet and trap regularly, they should have out performed me 2-1.
With my cheap little sxs I was able to do as good as most and better than a few of them.
I limited out in less than 2 hours and less than 2 boxes of shells.(yes I'm bragging)
None of them did any better than I did.
Yes I know dove hunting is not a self defence situation, but it is a good test of fast targeting and fast reloading and fast safety operation.
the points I am making is:
1) The Best firearm for self defence or any other job is the one you handle, operate, and shoot the best.
2) If you do your part, without flaw, the first shot is the only one that counts.(30 round mags don't help once you get hit in the chest)
3) The gun you will practice/shoot the most is the one you like/enjoy the most, and it will be the one you will become most efficient with and operating it will become second nature.
4) I do not remember ever operating the automatic safety on my shotgun, its second nature and not a factor.
5) I can outperform some of my friends with a single shot shotgun
6) the best home defence setup is a fence, gate, 2 dogs, and a firearm that you are competent with.
My advice is to get what you like the best and what is affordable at the moment so you can afford to buy shells and go have fun.
I think the sxs double is the quickest handleing, smoothest to swing, fastest to load, and it's safety is never in question. and I never leave a gun loaded anywhere.
Autos and pumps feel like 5 foot long heavy broom handles to me
They feel clumsy to load
pumps feel odd and noisy to operate
autos feel inherently unsafe, I never seem to know if they are loaded or not, or where to stuff the shells in.
But, in truth, I plan to get a pump and an auto, probable something vintage, when cash flow permits. ( i like guns)
But when my dogs sound a warning late in the night, there is no doubt that I will reach for the Stoeger sxs 12 ga, it's what I am best with.
oh, and never underestimate an old man with a rusty gun