How worse is the recoil of pump-action shotgun than that of a semi-auto shot gun?

OP asked if semis kick less than pumps. It's safe to say this is generally true and the reason for that is that the action on the semi is using some of the discharge energy to work the action, which can noticeably reduce felt recoil. Gun weight and fit also count heavily in felt recoil. There are many other factors that can be discussed ad nauseum but OP probably just looking to verify a generality.
 
Shooting more than say 10 3" buckshot shells out of my semiauto Beretta M4 makes me feel like not doing it the next day, and at any time it's not something I would do for pleasant recreation. Shoot low brass 2.75 inch shells unless the magnum stuff is really needed. In fact, for upland purposes I have a personal conviction that the extra power will actually blow a hole through the shot string, greatly reducing success on anything in the air.
 
Just swear it doesn't hurt, throw an icepack on your shoulder when you get home, you'll be right as rain.
 
And it also depends on the weight of the shot. Heavier shot gonna recoil more like others said.

Since I use trap loads as the base of my slugs, the Lyman 525grn recoil more than when I use the 380ish grn ?Lee 7/8oz slug.
 
Yes a pump shotgun will have more felt recoil than a semi auto, what makes a big difference is the type of loads you’re shooting alot of the time. How you shoulder the gun is a big factor, in recoil mitigation. A good gel recoil pad is also a big help in taming felt recoil. 870’s are heavy enough that they help to soak up some felt recoil, a light break action shotgun and a stout load can rattle your teeth. Where the same stout load in a heavier pump gun won’t be as punishing.

Regular 2 3/4” trap/field loads are pretty tame, start there and work your way up to some stouter loads and you’ll be fine. When I bought my wife a 12g she was a bit hesitant the first time she shot it, she was expecting the worst so I started her with #7.5 2 3/4” field loads. After a few of those she fired off some 2 3/4” 00buck and then some 1oz slugs without any problems.
 
With the inexpensive instruments being available ( how much did you pay for your electronic scale) guys have built jigs to measure recoil. The peak is 25% less but it is over a longer period with a gas gun. Interesting graph.
 
Comb height and shape vs your facial structure also play a role as does drop and cast. Yes semis will generally be lighter recoiling than pump guns if gun weight and projectile weights are similar
Recoil pads on the gun or worn over the shoulder can help as well as adding weight to the gun if you find recoil to be offensive
 
jethunter said:
OP asked if semis kick less than pumps. It's safe to say this is generally true and the reason for that is that the action on the semi is using some of the discharge energy to work the action, which can noticeably reduce felt recoil. Gun weight and fit also count heavily in felt recoil. There are many other factors that can be discussed ad nauseum but OP probably just looking to verify a generality.
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^i'd agree with this, and almost everything else said. I might also suggest that if a person can't manage the recoil of a pump, a self loading shotgun might not be enough of a reduction to make it comfortable to shoot. No getting around the physics of launching an ounce of lead +/-. A heavy semi like a Versamax does tame 'er down though. A 3-1/2" load from one of those feels like a 20ga. target load through a pump. (or thereabouts)

With that said, I've taken adults shooting who couldn't stomach the recoil of a 20ga target load, I've also taken 12 year old kid (family member) out who shot 12ga slugs (not reduced recoil) and barely blinked. When I ran out of slugs, she started into the 00 Buck.

For me, I think the nerves are mostly dead in my right shoulder...it's been pounded by shotguns for decades. lol Back when I think I felt more or wore a T-Shirt on hot days to the trap club...first half-dozen rounds stung...then the shoulder got numb.
 
Physics dictates that 2 guns of the same weight shooting identical loads will have the same recoil energy ( E=MV2). If those 2 guns have the same weight but different dimensions the recoil may feel different even though the same amount of energy is hitting the shoulder. Now if the pump and semi have identical weight and dimensions, the FELT recoil from the pump will feel like a sharp blow whereas the semi will feel more like a push. The recoil effect is instantaneous from the pump (or a double or over/under) whereas the recoil energy from the semi, because of its cycling sequence is spread out over a few thousands of a second so FEELS more like a push. With my 11-87 semi 12 ga, while wearing a light sissy shoulder pad, I have several times fired more than 1,000 rounds of target loads in a day with no issues except tired arms from lifting the gun to my shoulder.
 
ivyandsheila said:
I am interested in a Remington 870 pump action 12 gauge, but my friend told me that the recoil of a pump action is way stronger than a semi auto on the same gauge. Is that bad?
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I see women and youth trapshooting 870s and similar pumps repeatedly, along with the guys, having no problems, and I've never had any myself (6', 180, don't go to the gym). I don't think you have anything to worry about, unless there's some special reason why you'd be recoil sensitive. Mind you I don't like semi autos (or muzzle brakes on rifles) generally.
 
For target shooting with a padded vest or sissy pad you would not likely notice a difference between a pump and a semi. However, if you hunt waterfowl with 3" or 3.5" hi vel loads you will definitely feel the difference.
 
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