Shotgun choice

[Bushwack44]

Kinda bouncing off ya'll (would like input) on choosing a shotgun for self-defense. Currently using a CZ SP-01 with full mag and one in the chamber.

Now...I was leaning heavily towards the Mossberg 590A1. Bad guys know when they hear the sound of a shotgun loading, time to wet the pants. But a friend mentioned to me shouldn't the shotgun already be loaded - therefore if I see an intruder and I am threatened, not to waste time loading the shotgun and fire (then load and fire, load and fire,...). Which lead me to look at the Mossberg 930.

So the question I have is, for self-defense using a shotgun, why is pump action preferred? Especially if it is ideal to already have the chamber loaded? I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel (for the lack of a better term) or go against what seems to be commonplace for those using a pump action. But if those who use a semi-auto for self defense (have one in the chamber),...it seems like most who use a shotgun don't have one in the chamber. And if they do, wouldn't a 930 be the better option (and less prone to failure)?

[artb]

Remington 870 or Mossberg 930

[ErnstHatAngst]

I love my 590A1.

That being said, if I were going to buy a semi-auto shotgun tomorrow for home defense it'd be a Beretta 1301.

[LowThudd]

Pump actions almost never fail to function, assuming they were properly working to begin with. Semi autos can have issues. But todays semi autos run pretty dam good. Personally, I like the Mossberg 500/590. They are dam near indestructable. I really don't have experience with a 870s, but a "good" one wouldn't be a bad choice either.

I would go with the 590 myself. But I would also trust a 930 that is proven reliable.

[kuyawil]

Shotgun choice

Another +1 for the Beretta 1301 ^^^^^^

When shopping for my first shotgun for HD (late 90's), I was advised to go with a pump just for reliability when it came to loading a shell in the chamber. So I picked up a 12ga Winchester Defender 1300. Great shotgun, by the way! But my desire for a semi still lingered in the back of my head. So several years later, I also bought a Remington 11-87 semi-auto 12ga. for hunting. But, when I wasn't hunting, I swapped out the 26" barrel with an 18" for HD. Now I had two HD shotguns. [emoji4]

To add to my collection, I very recently picked up the Standard Manufacturing DP-12.

Even with shotguns, you can never have enough! [emoji6]

Good luck with your decision!


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[SoCalPI]

IB someone says A300.

['ol shooter]

870 for me, the sound of that action being racked says "Open for business".

[JagerDog]

Pumps can be short-stroked too. Don't ever think they can't jam. Or you forget to pump. Or...........

I don't believe in using a firearm to "scare someone". Either they're a threat or they aren't.

Me, I just use a recording of a pump shotgun hooked up to my alarm so I don't have to get up.

[BigPimping]

Maverick 88 is my choice.

[IVC]

Racking the pump action to scare an intruder is like racking the slide after drawing a handgun - waste of time in the time of need. If it's time to draw, it's time to shoot to stop the threat. Brandishing is for movies.

Pump action shotguns are simple and reliable. A counterpart of revolver. There is little that can go wrong. However, semi autos these days are extremely reliable too. Just like handguns. With that said, my HD is Benelli Supernova with 00 buck and extra shell carrier.

[bigbearbear]

Pumps can be short-stroked too. Don't ever think they can't jam. Or you forget to pump. Or...........

I don't believe in using a firearm to "scare someone". Either they're a threat or they aren't.

This. Today's semi-auto are very reliable and affordable. Wife and I both use semi-autos for trap shooting and we put over 20,000 rounds a year each through our Benelli semi-autos.

Also, never deploy your firearms to "scare someone" as JD mentioned. You pull out that shotgun, it means you believe that either yours or someone else's life is in danger and the use of deadly force is necessary to stop the threat. So don't mess around with the "tough guy" routine of pumping the action of your shotgun, bring it up, mount it properly and shoot that SOB in face!

[WartHog]

I'd trust my life to my JM Pro 930. It's been nearly flawless over close to 2000 rounds.

[claylakers]

I would like to hope racking my Mossberg 500 would make whatever POS is trying to come in my house reconsider his life choices and flee, but that said, when defending my family is involved, I'm going the most reliable heavy hitter I have available to me and stacking the shells in degrees of urgency. If the threat is still coming after a couple shells of sport shot and then still coming after some 00 buck, it's time to start with some slugs and sabot rounds.

[claylakers]

Sorry, got side tracked...would probably opt for my M4 if SHTF....like the idea of the SRM1216, but thus far she's been a little particular about ammo, which I obviously can't have if it's a self defense situation

[JagerDog]

I would like to hope racking my Mossberg 500 would make whatever POS is trying to come in my house reconsider his life choices and flee, but that said, when defending my family is involved, I'm going the most reliable heavy hitter I have available to me and stacking the shells in degrees of urgency. If the threat is still coming after a couple shells of sport shot and then still coming after some 00 buck, it's time to start with some slugs and sabot rounds.

And if he's already in your house or worse?

Putting yourself at a tactical disadvantage is silly.

And birdshot is for little birds. But I'm sure everyone here will get a head or CM shot on a non-complying BG. Slugs are pretty silly for HD distances/barriers too.

Personally, I leave one on the ramp with muzzle down. Easy to close the action while picking up the shotgun in one motion and no safety needs to be disengaged. #1 buck only.