Your Opinion-Home Defense-Semi Or Pump? Why?

T

TPAW

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Looking for a .12 guage for home defense. Choice between a semi-auto or pump. Which one and why? Can you recommend a high capacity tube or magazine .12 guage. Thank you. :confused:
 
I would choose a pump in a remy 870 it is proven and tube ext's are available most places, the pump has less things that would go wrong with them and for dirt,sludge,ect have been used in the military for years. And is easy to break down and clean.
 
Either one would work well. Semi-auto will shoot faster with less recoil. If you are going to get an 870 I would get a Police grade model. A regular Mossberg 500 seems to work well but the 590 A1 is nice. A good semi-auto is the Mossberg 930 SPX.
 
Both would work just fine, any 12 gauge and you really cant go wrong. I would prefer a pump, generally cheaper, equally as effective, and if something goes awry a pump is much easier and generally quicker to fix and be ready to fire. Honestly though with either well maintained and in your house and if you EVER needed to fire a shot, it will most likely be only one and your chances of having a problem at that exact point in time are slim to none if you take care of it and know propper cleaning, maintenance, and how to clear a jam or fix a problem, you will be fine with either. Pick what you like. My personal choice is my Remington 870 tactical. Ext. magazine tube, ghost sights, recoil reducing pistol grip stock with a side saddle with any choice of shells on it. Best for me, but not everyone.
 
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I have a Mossberg 930 SPX and FN Police Tactical pump. I am faster with the SPX and it's reliable. The sights are great on it. It's my favorite shotgun.
 
"I would prefer a pump, generally cheaper, equally as effective...",
The semi-auto will be "more" effective" - again, softer recoil and a much faster rate of fire. If you are willing to devote many hours of practice to master a pump action you would be more "efective" but still never close to a semi-auto. You can get a 930 for around $550.00 and a Police grade 870 will cost about the same or more.
 
Looking at a pump action myself.

Easy to use
Cheap (Can find some very good guns for $400 or LESS)
About as reliable as they come

I have nothing against semi-auto, but if you're not an experienced shotgunner then a pump is the way to go. Hell, just racking the slide would be enough to get most people to flee your home.
 
jmortimer, I completely agree the semi is better as in follow up shots for quickness, effectiveness. In this situation, as in HD, I would assume equally as effective, hopefully you wont need to fully utilize the semi.:D If your talking hunting, skeet, trap, 3gun; The semi is better. Either "work" for HD. A Semi is better in every way. For the price factor, most are more expensive, but as stated a small amount are reasonably priced. The only thing a pump has over a semi is "reliability". Now saying that I dont mean less problems or jams or anything like that, I have never had a jam in my Ithica and have had only one in my 870, which was actually my fault, but it is quicker to clear in a pump in my opinion.
 
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For home defense a quality semi-auto will prove to be more relible. A pump should be, but when you factor in human error the semi will win. Most pump problems are from short stroking the action. It happens a lot more than many folks want to admit when users are under stress. As long as quality ammo is used there is very, very little difference in reliability between the 2 even if you don't factor in human error. For this use the only advantage pump has is price. And that is a consideration.

As a survival gun that would be used outdoors and in harsh conditions and might have to function with sub standard ammo or after being abused and neglected I'd select a quality pump.
 
I think JMR is right about reliability of semi autos vs. pumps under stress. I put in pretty much practice time with my 870 and would not go to a semi at this point, but that is after a lot of time on the range. Were I to start over and buy an HD gun, I might go with the Mossberg 930 SPX.
 
is short stroking a pump mean the next shell did not come out of the mag? thats what i did the other day shooting slugs. simple fix is to pump again. i would think a semi auto malfunction would be much worse.
 
These wide-open, "what should I get" threads are soooo entertaining. Opinions, and the logic to accompany them... abounding.

I get that you have X dollars, and you want a gun for a semi-specific application (with the likelihood of it ever actually being used in that application being slim to none)... but the number of unspoken variables virtually eliminate the possibility of anyone being able to provide an objective response.

Just a few of the Semi VS. Pump questions I'd have, completely disregarding the price differences:

  1. Do you live alone... will you be the only one using the gun? Who will have access to the gun?
  2. Will you train... devote some, at least monthly, time to practice and learning the guns idiosyncrasies? Is there a "place to shoot" for you that's convenient, and can you afford to go there on a fairly regular basis?
  3. What is your physical size/condition... can you operate a pump gun properly?
  4. What firearms experience do you have... how are you with recoil?
  5. Are you wanting a shotgun so you can farkalize it into some tacti-cool, 15lb monstrosity?
  6. Do you buy into the fantasy that just cycling a pump gun will cause your attacker to run away in terror?

Yes, I know, the last 2 are sort of silly and highly subjective, but you'd be surprised what motivates people when it comes to gun choices.

All of the folks that have answered your question are well meaning and sincere, some have substantial experience and knowledge, but they are them and you are you... and no one really knows you and your requirements, experience and motives.

Cheers,
C
 
My first thought is to forget about the 12 gauge all together. It will blow huge holes in walls, people, pets, and many other things you might not want destroyed with only a mild target load.

-7-
 
930 with rifled barrel.
I have a 500 SPX I used for a bit, but in the end I decided the recoil out of the semi was so much easier to handle on defensive loads all the other arguments against a semi were silliness.
 
I enjoy my 870 Express Tactical. That said, were I buying now, I'd go

1.) Remington 870 Marine Magnum or 870 Police (just for the better finish than the Express)

2.) Mossberg 590A1

Those two shotguns are arguably the most proven, battle tested shotguns on the market. They're tough as a junkyard dog, reliable as heck, and will fit your needs.
 
I want to thank all of you for your great input. I have decided that I will go for the semi auto. I like the Mossberg 930 SPX so far, but are there other shot guns out their that are similiar in design that you can recommend that will not run me out of house and home?
 
TPAW said:
I want to thank all of you for your great input. I have decided that I will go for the semi auto. I like the Mossberg 930 SPX so far, but are there other shot guns out their that are similiar in design that you can recommend that will not run me out of house and home?
Click to expand...

Benelli and Beretta make Semiautos but for much more money.

The advantage that I have with the SPX is the shorter barrel for maneuverability (it may not apply to you, if you live in a mansion - I do not).
 
Interesting thread,
All great advise for sure! I would suggest going down to your local shop and handling both, work the actions etc...
After that I think youll have a good idea of whats better for you.
Good luck!

Mark
 
TPAW said:
I want to thank all of you for your great input. I have decided that I will go for the semi auto. I like the Mossberg 930 SPX so far, but are there other shot guns out their that are similiar in design that you can recommend that will not run me out of house and home?
Click to expand...

Look at the Beretta TX4 and the Benelli M2 or M4. Expensive, but nice.
 
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