BOLT vs. SINGLE vs. PUMP

TheCoachZed

TheCoachZed

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So while I wait on the Feds for my paperwork, I'm looking at the local used shotgun market. I've decided I want a 12 gauge, since you can buy the "discount" shells at Canadian Tire, and I want to shoot it a lot at first to get used to it. I'd consider a 20 gauge if I found one that felt just right, but there aren't many cheaper-than-dirt 20's, AND I haven't seen the same variety in shells, AND I want a gun that will take waterfowl, upland game, and also handle slugs easily. (Although this gun will most likely be mostly used on crows until next fall, when I will hopefully be picking up a shiny new shotgun. I figure crows are decent shooting practice, and they are also free and don't require a shooting partner, unlike clays).


There's the odd cheapo single available, but the cheapest repeaters are bolts. There's the odd pump gun around too, but I've not been impressed with the pumps I've handled - the hunting pumps seem pretty forward-heavy compared to the doubles and bolt gun I've handled.

Anybody got any recommendations as to which action for a beginner? I like the "make every shot count" ideas that a single shot drills into you, and it's also pretty safe to shoot - break the action and it's safe. They are also pretty light. A bolt shotgun is likely more versatile, though...or so I'd think. Plus, it's a cheap way to get a clip-fed home security shotgun. Obviously a pump gun shoots far quicker than either, but as I said earlier, I'm not enamoured with pumps....
 
Pumps are a lot of fun to actually get out and shoot, Everyone should have a pump Shotgun. but for you I would recommend getting a break action. Great way to start, and great way to not break the bank.
 
Depending on your budget, I would highly recomend a pump. For its price, it is much more useful than a single shot or bolt. There isnt much you can't do with a pump. You can hunt big game, waterfowl and game birds, shoot skeet and trap and get a different barrel for any application. For a starter shotgun, I would highly reccomend a Mossberg 535 12ga. For 310$,from SIR, you get a well made, reliable pump action shotgun with a 3.5 inch chamber , a 28'' smoothbore barrel, a 24'' rifled slug barrel and 3 chokes. I got the Mossberg 500, which is the same thing with a 3'' chamber and only one barrel and I am very happy with it. I wish I would have gone for the 535 in retrospect, but I am still very happy with my shotgun.
 
I'm not a big fan of the Mossberg 500. I had my friend's out for a while the other day, and just didn't like the way it handled....But, I'm likely to end up with a pump in the future. I just don't want one right now. I want a cheap-a$$ gun that I can not worry about taking to some very abusive areas (like the Bay of Fundy). My wife is still in university and that means I need to save money on whatever I buy right now, so it will be used, I think....and every used pump gun I have seen has turned me off.
 
you can buy wnchester pumps on this site dirt cheap and thy will trully last a life time and shot great .for sombody on a tight budget this is the way to go .thy are a truly great shooting tool and have been around long enoffe to prove it DUTCH
 
If you absolutely dont want a pump, but arent interested in a semi or double at the moment, then bolt action is a good choice ( atleast better than a single). Singles are hindered in thier usablilty by the fact that they are single shot only and have fixed chokes 99% of the time. Pumps and bolts can be had with fixed, removable or ajustable chokes.

I also suggest getting access to the Equipment exchange forums on this site. You can usually find older pumps and bolts for around 150 bucks.
 
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Buy a pump. Take your time and find a good deal.

The little extra up front cash will be well worth it. If you buy the single and want to do lots and lots of shooting as you put it, you will only be disappointed.
 
i would say go with a pump if you can find one in good shape for the right price there the most versatile of the shotguns you mentioned and the most fun to shoot....
 
A single will beat you up if you shoot a lot since they are usually pretty light. I would reccomend a pump as well since they are suited to all the activities you mentioned.

If you are hell bent on a cheap gun, there are lots of used single shot with full choke that should suffice for crow.
 
there used to be a thing called a mossberg goose special 10/12 guage, 3 shots and bolt action- thing was heavy, slow to operate , and swung poorly- was marketed by cil- if this is the same gun as what you're looking at RUN AWAY- a pump, any pump. was a better choice- and in attempt to please everybody, usually had an adjustable choke on the end- the "generic " shotgun is typically a pump for a reason- it "points"betterer and handles smoothly- the 20 guage is hard to get shells for ,while it is lighter, and has shorter range with fewer pellets than the 12-
 
the 20 guage is hard to get shells for ,while it is lighter, and has shorter range with fewer pellets than the 12-
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Most sporting good stores have a variety of 20 gauge loads in stock.The pellets are driven at a similar velocity as in the 12 gauge,and they have the same energy at a given range.You can find 20 gauge loads up to 1-1/4 oz which is more than adequate for most bird hunting.The only place where the 20 gauge is more limited is for goose hunting where the pattern density suffers with the larger shot sizes.
 
.....dont forget there's also lever action's...

h*tp://www.marstar.ca/gf-norinco/YL-1887L.shtm (just one of several on the market).

they are quite fun to shoot, cycle fast, all around fun gun IMHO...

i know you said "make every shot count" but even if your banging clay's and you miss it's nice to be able to chamber another round quickly and take a second shot.
 
I'd pick a pump over anything. I've got at least one of each. A bolt shotgun is kinda neat cause it's different, but they are slow and slightly awkward. Singles are obviously very slow and they do beat your shoulder after a while. The only downside to a pump is the cost, but in the end you get what you pay for. Id try to pick up an old Winchester or Remington 870. Something older with"character" can usually be had rather cheaply.
 
and now we'll hear from the sxs camp- everybody join in-oh, my shotgun is bigger and better than your shotgun( done to the tune of my god is bigger than your god)
 
All the old-timers around here, including my father, at least started their shooting with a break-action single, and some of my friends still use them exclusively, despite availability of other guns. Apparently they kept a spare shell in their mouth, so when they fired, they wouldn't have to grope around in their pocket for a reload. Some of them were supposedly pretty good at it too.

I wanted a double originally, but after shooting my cousin's Savage 311 a bit, changed my mind. I just prefer the single sighting plane....

And as I said before, I just haven't been impressed by any pumps I've handled yet. They all seem forend heavy, while the bolt and break-actions I have shot have had the weight nicely placed between the two grips. However, that is obviously a broad generalization - not all pumps are fore-heavy and not all bolts are well-balanced. I've handled some pretty crappy bolt-action goose guns too.

(I also find used pumps feel cheap and rattly in the action, but, again, that might just be from handling well-knackered Winchesters and Mossbergs that need a tune-up).
 
There's always the new Grizzly for $300 shipped...

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You can switch choke tube depending on what you are shooting at... but if every body around you is using "older" break action... You better be ready to stick out a little bit ;)
 
Most of those old singles and bolts might be OK for Crow but will not handle steel loads that are required for water birds. Keeping a spare shell in your mouth sounds stupid. You're liable to swallow it when the big boomer goes off. Most of the old guys, that is the ones who were not part of make the one shot count crowd, kept at least one round between the fingers of their forestock hand. You seem to have made up your mind, Most of those guys that are preaching the pump probably know what they are talking about.
 
-Shrugs- Maybe, maybe not. Who's to say what will be for sale? I'm sure I'll sooner or later run across a pump I like, or is too cheap to pass up. Once the wife is graduated I can pretty much buy whatever I want, so I'm much more likely to spend on a shiny new pump that doesn't shake, rattle, and roll.

I'd rather have one of everything anyway. That's the end goal. :shotgun:
 
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If you are still considering a double have you looked at the trade ex site. They are sponsors of this board. I realized today that of the 6 shotguns in my safe all are doubles. Perhaps I need a pump. You may also wish to look at a semi auto. For versatility you want a gun with adjustable chokes. Most important with shotguns is fit. When you pick it up it should point right where you are looking. Singles are nice and as they are relatively inexpensive you can get one in every gauge. I have never felt undergunned hunting with a single. As mentioned above I would avoid the bolt guns for serious waterfowl work. good luck
 
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