question for those who use a semi-auto for home defense

[Lives_In_Fresno]

I am new to shotguns, but know the basics.

Those that have pumps can keep the mag full and a round is easily available by pumping it once, thus putting a round in the chamber and cocking the gun, making it ready to fire (assuming the safety is off).

For a semi, I presume that if you don't leave the gun with a round inside the chamber, but you leave the mag full, you have to handload a round into the chamber when you need to make the gun ready.

Is that the general scenario? Leave the gun full, nothing in the chamber, and keep a round near the gun in case you need to use it for HD?

Is there a better scenario you'd recommend?

[Harrison_Bergeron]

With shells in the tube and the ejection port closed all I have to do on my Beretta 3901 is pull the charging handle back and chamber a round. Of course my gun is strictly for clays(maybe hunting) as it only holds 3 shells, but it could work how you want.

AFAIK, it is the same as any magazine fed long gun.

[Lives_In_Fresno]

With shells in the tube and the ejection port closed all I have to do on my Beretta 3901 is pull the charging handle back and chamber a round. Of course my gun is strictly for clays(maybe hunting) as it only holds 3 shells, but it could work how you want.

AFAIK, it is the same as any magazine fed long gun.

Makes sense. Thanks!

I'll have mine on the 30th, and will try it out.

[hayaku]

yep, you can load the tube with the chamber empty on any shotgun (semi or pump). police calls this "cruiser safe". grab the gun, chamber a round, run the safety off and fire. gives you the option of swapping in slugs early if needed.

"cruiser ready" is one in the chamber. grab the gun, run the safety off and fire.

[Lives_In_Fresno]

yep, you can load the tube with the chamber empty on any shotgun (semi or pump). police calls this "cruiser safe". grab the gun, chamber a round, run the safety off and fire. gives you the option of swapping in slugs early if needed.

"cruiser ready" is one in the chamber. grab the gun, run the safety off and fire.

I thought that I must be missing something, and I was...heh

It is just like a semi-auto rifle operates, of course.

thanks!

[epilepticninja]

"cruiser ready" is one in the chamber. grab the gun, run the safety off and fire.

This is how I run my semi and pump. I don't like to give away my position or advantage by making a bunch of noise racking rounds.