Why is it that ...

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Peptobismol9

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Why is it that most semi auto shotguns in 12 gauge, despite their long bulky size, have alot less weight than a typical pump shotgun. Eveytime Ive made the comparrison It puzzled me. Any ideas?
This does disregard the franchis and the saigas'. Those have a little weight on them.
 
My uncle's Browning A-5 is heavier than my mossie 500. I've always felt that auto's were heavier. I've also used a benelli M4, and I thought that was heavier than my 500. Maybe it's just how I perceived it. I never did a comparison or anything though.
 
Not sure which guns you are comparing. The Benelli and Stoeger autos are lighter than the typical pump. Most others are heavier by a few ounces. The 870 uses a steel receiver while most newer designs, both auto and pump, are using aluminum. The 870 is still lighter than, or equal in weight to most autos. The Mossberg and most other pumps now use aluminum receivers and are lighter than most autos. The Browning BPS is also all steel and is a little on the heavy side.
 
The only gun that was semi and seemed lighter than a pump gun to me was an

older Ithaca model 300 recoil operated semi that sounded like an old cash

register closing when it cycled and the recoil would hurt your feelings with

low brass shells!:eek:

All the other makes are heavier to me.
 
For a very close match between a pump and auto loader: The Remington catalog shows the semi-auto Model 1100 Classic Trap (25333) at 8.25 pounds and the slide action Wingmaster Classic Trap (24857) at 8.0 pounds. This doesn't support the OP's: ...most semi auto shotguns in 12 gauge, despite their long bulky size, have a lot less weight than a typical pump shotgun.

These two R-guns guns look like twin sisters. The longer piece of wood in the 1100's forend accounts for some of the weight difference. Typically, auto-loaders have more wood up front that pumps -- it's inherent with the basic design.
 
The weight difference mentioned between the 1100 and 870 has more to do with the gas system located at the forward end of the forend than the wood.

Most autos run heavier than most pumps, IME.

And Franchi's delightful little 11-48 is a feather, but kicks emphatically.

Tradeoffs....
 
hmm. I guess Im comparing the wrong guns. Im not much of a shotgun shooter. I do own some older shotguns though, but I cant figure out what the model or make is. They dont have anything on them, and the one Im thinking of in particular, Is really old from the looks of it. It has a 4 round capacity, and Only weighs half of my 12. gauge pump.
 
Dave McC said:
The weight difference mentioned between the 1100 and 870 has more to do with the gas system located at the forward end of the forend than the wood.
Click to expand...
Let's not forget the action spring, and related parts, in the 1100's butt stock. Dave, are you aware of anyone doing a side-by-side comparison of "matching" Wingmasters and 1100s balance points?
 
It has a 4 round capacity, and Only weighs half of my 12. gauge pump.
Click to expand...
Half? That is quite the claim to make.
A pic posted in this section will get that old gun ID'd in a hurry. No markings? Autoloader? That is pushing the believability envelope a bit.
Brent
 
My 20 gauge semi-auto weighs significantly more than my 12 gauge pump action. Probably a combination of things, older 1100 heavy frame 20 gauge with wood vs. synthetic and shorter barrel on the pump action. So obviously no universal rule on which action weighs more. IMLE anyway.
 
In general, I think the newer field grade semi-autos - Browning, Beretta, Benelli, etc are about the same weight, or maybe a little lighter, than their pump gun counterparts.

Remember a lighter gun, means significantly more recoil ... - but a gas operated semi-auto or an inertia operating system in the semi-autos help absorb recoil too - so they can get away with making the semi-autos a little lighter ( easier to carry all day ) than some of the pump guns without beating the shooter up.

Just as a comparison:
Browning's new semi auto Maxus is a hair under 7 lbs ( overall length 49 1/4" 28" barrel ). Browning BPS 28" is 7 lbs 9oz 48 3/4" overall length ( call it 1/2 lb heavier )...

Benelli Super sport semi auto is 49.6" long, 28" barrel, weighs 7.3 lbs in 12ga.
Benelli super nova is just below 8 lbs ( or a little over 1/2 lb heavier )...

so semi-autos are about 10 - 15% lighter / in the same configuration ....
 
BigJim, my friend, it's good to see you back on-line. Your examples are 180-out-of-phase with mine. I guess it shows there are no rules of thumb about comparative weights. The answer to the OP's initial question is, "There is no typical answer."
 
Zippy - thanks - good to be around again ( still working as a leftie only ) but managing, thanks.

You happenend to mention some guns that were a little heavier -- but I guess what is important for this person to recognize is that most typical guns, pumps or semi-autos, are set up with about the same overall lengths, roughly the same weights ( + - 1/2 lb isn't really much / and wood or synthetic don't seem to matter much ).

I do see some significantly heavier guns in terms of Trap guns / yours and mine are good examples where especially mine get up around 10 lbs ( O/U, 32" barrels) / but even the Benelli M-4 Tactical semi-auto with an 18 1/2" barrel, 40" overall length, comes in around 7.8 lbs - so its still under 8 lbs....

Like I think you said - the weight issue will vary from today's generations of semi-autos / vs Auto 5's, vs 1100's ... new materials, thinner materilas, etc ...
 
Glad you're back, Jim.

Zippie I know of no such study. The 1100 that was a guest here is now back with its owner. It also had a 28" barrel and no such barrel exists here for the 870, so I can;t help you right now.

I do know that with the 30" LC barrel, Number Six balances at the forward lip of the loading port.
 
Thanks Dave - as it turns out, shoulders have been bad for many years - but last week on right side - they repaired a major rotator cuff tear, a torn bicep tendon, and took off a couple bone spurs....

I'm probably 6 weeks from doing any shotgunning / but I'll start slow with a nice .410 O/U and work my way back up with the big dogs ...
 
Thanks Dave - as it turns out, shoulders have been bad for many years - but last week on right side - they repaired a major rotator cuff tear, a torn bicep tendon, and took off a couple bone spurs....

I'm probably 6 weeks from doing any shotgunning / but I'll start slow with a nice .410 O/U and work my way back up with the big dogs .
Click to expand...

Glad to hear it went well - I may in for some of the same in the not-so-distant future.

In a few weeks, you'll be buying a 28gauge 1100 and smacking targets, not your shoulder!... ;)
 
Thanks,

I have a nice pair of Browning O/U's 30" barrels ( XS Skeet models ) one in .410 / one in a 28ga - and they're both easy on the shoulder ( and I have a Benelli super sport semi-auto in 12 and 20ga - which are soft shooting too )...

I miss not being able to go out and shoot some Skeet - but its only been a week ( and Betty just caught me without my sling on typing, so my late morning nap is about here ...)
 
It will go by fast, Jim.

WhenI had my cataract surgery a few years back, I had a two month layoff, and another when they gave me a titanium hip.

Back to it now and going well.
 
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