Pump Action vs Semi-Auto

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I have been hunting waterfowl and upland birds for 15+ years as a young boy with my grandfather and dad. So I am not "new" to shotguns. What I am new to however, is Semi-Autos. Personally I have never fired one, andIve had ol' faithful for as long as I could lift er to my shoulder. A Winchester model 120 Ranger 12 Gauge 2 3/4 and 3"...

Dont get me wrong, I absolutely love my ranger. I just had always dreamed that the grass was always greener on the dark side with a semi 12 or 10 gauge.

My real question is, if I were to retire my Ranger and purchase a new shotgun to take its place, which would be more useful, a Pump or Semi in 3 - 3 1/2 capable? Whats all your thoughts on this... :canadaFlag:
 
A semi has absolutely no kick compared to a pump. 70% of the recoil gets used to cycle the action for the next round. I personally love the Browning Silver Hunter in 12 ga. If I had the $$$ I'd own one tomorrow.
 
If I was going with a 3 1/2" gun, I'd definitely go for a semi. I've shot a few 3 1/2" pumps and the stroke length seemed excessively long (but that might just be me). A semi (especially a gas fun) would also help with the recoil.

I've hunted with pumps for 10 years, but I bought a A-5 Magnum Twelve and it will be my main gun this year.

Cory
 
I keep going back and fort between my 870 and semi Bretta. can't make my mind. :D But if I had to chose one, it would be the 870. Personal preference only.
 
So far, a semi is "nicer" to shoot because of reduced recoil? Does not seem like its worth over double the price compared to a pump.
 
CoryTheCowboy said:
If I was going with a 3 1/2" gun, I'd definitely go for a semi. I've shot a few 3 1/2" pumps and the stroke length seemed excessively long (but that might just be me). A semi (especially a gas fun) would also help with the recoil.

I've hunted with pumps for 10 years, but I bought a A-5 Magnum Twelve and it will be my main gun this year.

Cory
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So the length of pull is longer for a 3 1/2. I kinda figured, but is it noticably longer then a 3", as in possibly take a person out fo a comfort zone?
 
I love my 870, Ithica 37, and Mav88's very very much, but an auto loader shotgun is calling to me... It all comes down to how you feel... Pump and autoloader's are great. I'm getting a Mossberg 930 to fill my desire for an autoloader.. :)
 
Semi's are just plain nice to shoot...pumps will cycle no matter what load you shoot.
No reason that I can see not to own both.
 
Well said hawk-i, I am just wanting to retire my Ranger from Waterfowl hunting and am really looking for inexpensive replacements 3" to 3 1/2". As nice a semi is too shoot, they are not in my immediate future I dont think. Quite pricey in comparison to their brethren of pump or slide action guns.
 
I've seen plenty of pumps blinds and sticks like everything else. If you are comfortable with a pump and don't want to fork out the cash that stay with a pump. I used a pump when I was a kid and hated every minute of it. So when I graduated university, the first thing I did was to buy a browning auto.
 
My Benelli Nova pump rattles my teeth with 3.5 inch #2's going 1550fps, LOVE IT!!!

My Baikal MP153 semi tames those 3.5 inch shells to a shoulder push... REALLY LOVE IT!!!

The Baikal is my go to waterfowl gun, the Benelli is backup...

Cheers
Jay
 
i prefer semi`s hands down over a pump anyday and yes i have owned several of each...just a much smoother action....less recoil and a much easier 2nd and 3rd shot...i currently own a beretta a400 xplor k.o.....a benelli vinci in realtree apg....and the latest is a beretta a400 xtreme in optifade camo....all extremely smooth shooters with minimal recoil
 
My suggestion would simply be to try different guns before you buy. If you are fortunate to have an active local gun club with trap and / or skeet shooting facilities, show up on club shoot day(s), meet other shooters, and most people won't mind letting you try their gun. My experience is most shooters are only too happy to help each other at the range, talk guns, and help each other.

The only anti-semi-auto bias you would get from serious trap / skeet shooters is that the semi auto's eject cartridges all over hells half acre, and it is annoying. But your purpose is hunting, and that is not a concern.

As you mentioned, you have been hunting for many, many years... and to that point, hunters have survived just fine without the technology in today's semi-auto shotguns. Less recoil is the major gain, like the others here posted.

Personally, I chose not to go with a semi-auto... Most of my shooting is clay shooting when I'm fortunate to have some time... and I shoot cheap trap loads. Owners of semi-auto's warned me that semi-auto shotguns tend not to shoot cheaper shotgun loads well at all. They explained that the cheaper metal at the base of the shell and plastic shell itself both expand more in cheap loads, which tend to cause semi-auto shotguns to jam. Thus, a semi-auto was not for me.

I have a Benelli SuperNova Pump which can handle Magnum shells, reliable, and affordable. I have a well made, and affordable 28" CZ Canvasback over/under 12 gauge on order... that will be a great field gun and though maybe 2 inches beyond ideal, a fine skeet shooting choice too.

Another shotgun that will take much longer to arrive is a rather pretty Browning BT-99 34" Golden Clays gun that will only be shot for trap shooting. It is expensive, sure, due to the grade 5/6 Walnut & some other cosmetic reasons... the adjustable comb and stock , sure, has utility too... but it was something special I wanted... a gun of my dreams I have worked hard for, will use the most...

But you know, no matter how well I end up shooting it (the pretty BT-99)... an old, well looked after Winchester Model 12 my father gave me... with none of the fancy choke tube technology... just a simple full choke barrel... I'll consider myself lucky if I shoot anything better than I shoot that lovely Model 12. ;)
 
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