Semi-auto home defense 12ga?

[Tri750]

In a perfect world, I would have a Benelli.
With the other expensive hobby I have, my budget won't allow it so what is a dependable "home defense" style semi auto to check out for the budget challenged?
I've had pumps all my life but really want a semi next.
Thanks

[billped]

I may be old-fashioned, wrong, misguided, whatever, but I feel the right shotgun for HD is a pump. I have had too many jams while hunting with a semi-auto and can't get over the risk. The only pump failure I've had is with a gun that hadn't been cleaned in four years - served me right.

Plus I can use reduced power rounds in the pump without fear of malfunction.

[Citadelgrad87]

Benelli first, then Remington 1100. Fn makes/made a police model. None of these are much cheaper than the bennelli.

Bargain wise, get a Remington 870 tax model on sale, put a sure fire on it, and take some classes to get used to it.

Good luck.

[AreWeFree]

Versamax tactical. I'm very happy with mine, no failures through the 1.5 cases I've shot.

-Recoil is soft, no problems shooting one handed
-Loading is easy but the lifter can catch your thumb if you don't keep your thumb bent
-Large ejection port makes single loading fast/easy (no failures yet)
-Replaceable chokes and good capacity
-Nice nordic components charging handle and barrel clamp with removable pic rail
-Fiber optic front sight and a receiver pic rail
-Enlarged safety

The only thing I want to change is replacing the lifter with the Taran Tactical part for $80.

[golfish]

I own an 1100 made in the 80's and a 20ga 11-48 made in the 50's. I've never had a single problem with either.

This might be a good one at 150.00

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=533961229

[snowdog650]

Beretta 1301

[Tri750]

Well, maybe 1000-1300 is considered budget minded by the ones who made some suggestions, but it's still out of my league .

[AreWeFree]

Well, maybe 1000-1300 is considered budget minded by the ones who made some suggestions, but it's still out of my league .

Best to stick with a pump shotgun then. The sub $1000 semi autos either have spotty reliability or would need some upgrades to have feature parity with say a versa max tactical.

For example, the Stoeger 3500 is inexpensive and based on the benelli intertia drive system, but the shortest barrel is 24", it wont be as reliable as a gas operated system, and looks to hold 3 or 4 shells. A fine range or hunting gun but not HD.

[beetle]

Weatherby SA08 -- essentially a clone of the Beretta 390 (one of the most reliable shotguns out there). Backed by the great warranty/customer service of Weatherby. $500-$600

[bootstrap]

Vepr 12, $799 + $45 bullet button at Atlantic and comes with 100 rounds of Wolf slugs or 00.

[rromeo]

I'm confident with my Remington 11.

[hardcore4sure]

Beretta 1301

Yep x2

[softmentor]

remy 1100. should be under $900
But I would recommend the pump 870 several models under $350
or Mossberg 500 on average about $50 more than the remy
I have owned all 3. like them all, prefer the pumps
Also worth a look is the KelTec KSG. it has 2 feed tubes. For self defense, you can be loaded with buck in one tube and slugs ready in the second tube. and of course you will have more rounds loaded and ready if needed.
go with the pump and spend the savings on training which will serve you well

[smanuta]

vepr 12
saiga 12
mka 1919
utas 15

[200Apples]

.
Pump shotguns are simple. Folks seem to favor simplicity for home defense. What inexperienced shooters cannot realize, however, is that under stress or even time stress a pump gun can be accidentally short-stroked, resulting in a misfeed. That's a "no bueno" in a fight! Remember that target practice is necessary to increase and maintain proficiency with any firearm. We all started somewhere. Practice and training give us the necessary skill.





One of the most reliable semi auto shotguns of all time is the Remington 1100. You may find one little-used at some of the better gun stores that have a large, previously-pwned firearms selection. I found this one at M.B. Retting in Culver City last year for something around $600 then hung a 2-shot mag extension on it, a Dave's Metal Works Easy-Loader and a Brownell's combat bolt handle. With this 22" rifle-sights smoothbore slug barrel, the gun likes only full-house loads of either buck or slug. I've tested it extensively. I know how 00 buckshot patterns at various distances through 25 yds. I know where the slugs will land (bullseye!).

I won't hesitate to use this 1100 "Texas Tactical" for HD. In fact, it serves in that very role from time to time in a rotation along with an 18" barreled 870 and a 16" barreled 1892 in .357 magnum. Whatever you choose, practice with it! As ol' Dave McCracken used to say, "Buy ammo. Use up. Repeat.".