Which Shotgun for Class?

[quig]

I am taking a Tactical shotgun class this upcoming weekend and I keep going back and forth to which shotgun to use for the class.

The purpose of the class (for me) is to challenge my skills and learn how to tactically use the shotgun for home defense.

My options are:

Benelli M2- Slightly modified for 3-gun, tactical class. 8rd tube, fiber optic ghost rings. Pistol grip.

I am thinking of keeping this one home, I think.

Remington 11-87- my old 3-gun shotgun that now is used as my "truck" gun.

Winchester 1300- This I have set up as my home defense shotgun. It is locked in the safe and not immediately accessible like the handgun. I have a Surefire light attached to it. I tend to think that a pump is more reliable than a semi-auto in a defense situation. Is this wrong to think?

So I was thinking the cheapo 1300 for the class, as this is how I am set up, but was considering bringing out the 11-87. Maybe both?

Anybody taken this type of course that may have some insight?

Thanks.

[bjl333]

My vote is your 11-87. Since you've competed with it, you should be most comfortable with it also. If you are already comfortable with your equipment, your brain can spend more time absorbing info...

[sanjosebmx]

use the one you are most likely to grab in a home defense situation. If it's an all day class, take them all..

[zfields]

use the one you are most likely to grab in a home defense situation. If it's an all day class, take them all..

thats my pic

[gatesbox]

Who are you taking thhe course from? Ask them.... The class I took was a full day tactical/HD class and was almost exclusively oriented towards the use of a pump action like rem 870 or Moss 500....ask your instructors..... Im still going to guess pump action preference, as they will likely cover reloading drills oriented towards pump...

[Brass Pile]

For HD I say go pump action, but if you have 100s of hours of 3-gun time logged in with the semis, that could be the deciding factor for what to use in your home, for you.

[mnh327]

Come on, really? A pump ahead of an M2?

I've seen many opinions saying they've seen more jams due to short-stroking a pump than a semi.

[twotap]

I have taken several tactical shotgun classes and I have seen most of the semi-autos jam by the end of the day. Depending on how rigorous the training , having to throw down or use for a door opener , along with dirt and weather I have had the best luck with a pump. I even went out and bought one of those Big 5 Hawks for my beating pleasure and never regretted it .You will have fun either way you go . If you have 2 shotguns bring them both.You don't want to sit on the sidelines due to a breakdown.

[DRM6000]

which are you least proficient with? use that one. you can always take other classes with other weapon systems. bring another as a back up.

[r870noob]

Go with the pump, hone in those skills.

[r870noob]

I took a tactical shotgun class before, we all were asked to use pumps, learned a lot. Have fun!

[Bert Gamble]

I spent 4 days in the Nevada dessert a couple of months ago and in my experience, the semi-auto's had less problems.

I would be doing a tactical reload and look down the line at someone on a pump that was having trouble.

Not one of the semi's had an issue. I was using an M-4

Before the haters start in, I am not against pumps. I am only saying what I saw in my class.

[scootle]

Most important for a "tactical" class is what you'd use in an actual "situation". Train how you plan to fight.

That said, I own a pump shotgun myself (590A1), but the class I took recently had both pump and semi running. Both systems have specific manipulations that require practice. Train how you plan to fight.

Both platforms can have malfunctions... learn to clear the ones applicable to your system.

[Super Spy]

Bring the double barrel.....and if you don't want to go buy another shotgun, bring the M2 because it's one I'd enjoy shooting all day the most.

[quig]

Well,

Thanks for all the input. A lot to think about. I ended up emailing the instructor and he said the same as most, and that a pump would be preferential because it is what I have set up for use and there are a few more steps and drills set up for the pump. He said the semi-auto tends to be easier to drill with.

So, since I am already fairly comfortable with the semi-auto, I think the pump will be a better challenge.

However, I am still going to bring the 11-87, just in case.