Pump Action vs Semi-Auto

I can shoot and get on target faster with a pump then a semi. My hands know how to work the pump and move the gun without thought. And I use my left hand on the pump to keep the barrel down and swinging with the target. I have 2x 1100s a browning auto 5 (can't shoot worth a #### due to the reciever design) and a baikal mp153. For pumps I sold off my 870 wingmasters I grew up with and currently use ithaca 37 mossberg 400g mossberg 500 mossberg 535ats 1 wood and blued and the other camo and a model 12 with a 32" full choke. I've come to love sxs's but still take a pump hunting. Simple cheaper less to go wrong and I'm better with a pump. Altho lately I've had my 1100 out on the skeet field with a 30" full choke and its been fun. If I were in the market today for a semi since the baikal doesn't come in 3" only I'd opt for a beretta 391. For a pump gun new not sure probably a new ithaca but in 28ga. PS. If you want to shoot or feel the need to have to shoot 3.5" shells. Buy a 10ga. 3" 12ga shell will do all you will ever need if loaded with the right shot size
 
Another thing to keep in mind is that you need to spend more for a semi. The traditional advantage of a pump was it's increased reliability. The more expensive modern semi's challenge this but you need to pay for them. If you only have 500 to spend, buy a pump. If you have 1-2k, there are some really nice semi's out there.
 
I was in your position except I had my trusty wingmaster for 30 years. I went with a mossberg 935. 3.5" for geese.

The semi is Great for waterfowling. For upland I'd prefer a pump as it's lighter.

My advice: Keep your pump for upland, buy a semi for waterfowling. Then you'll have the right tool for each job. ;)
 
I bought my A400 Xplor unico K.O. because I was told that semi's will give you faster follow ups. I have used it for both waterfowl and clay for over a year now.

It is my observation (and I could be wrong) that even with the light target loads, still there is enough muzzle jump to requier a pause and target re-aqusition between the shots. This is probably more pronounced with the new generation light semis. I also don't like the bolt travel motion. So, there goes 80% of the advantage I was promised.

Prior to buying my semi, I was a "one shotgun man". I had learned to cycle my 870 express fast enough (and shot accurate enough) to be almost comparable with my semi. There goes the remaining 20% advantage over pumps! So basically buy what pleases you and works for you. You are not missing much if you shot a pump properly.

p.s. I have never had the privilege of shooting any high end and dedicated trap/skeet/sporting gun, so I do not extend my muzzle jump issue to them.
 
xXBreminXx said:
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.
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You said you have never fired a semi. If I was trying to figure which way to go I would be borrowing a semi from someone to see what I thought of it. Then you could see for yourself what the hype is or is not about. Pretty tough to make a decision if you don't even know what a semi is like for shooting. Asking opinions is just going to get you answers both ways so it doesn't really solve anything. Unless price is the driving factor . But you can get some pretty decent semi's for under $1000.00. And don't dismiss low recoil as not enough incentive to buy a semi. I think it's a great incentive, especially if you have or develop heath/shoulder/chest problems. Like I said, borrow a semi capable of shooting 3 1/2" shells and a pump that will shoot 3 1/2" shells (or even 3") and find out for yourself which one you would rather shoot 3 or 4 or 5 or whatever boxes of shells through in an outing. On my opinion side of it, I would take a semi over a pump any day for waterfowl.
 
:)
Home3 said:
I bought my A400 Xplor unico K.O. because I was told that semi's will give you faster follow ups. I have used it for both waterfowl and clay for over a year now.

Prior to buying my semi, I was a "one shotgun man". I had learned to cycle my 870 express fast enough (and shot accurate enough) to be almost comparable with my semi. There goes the remaining 20% advantage over pumps! So basically buy what pleases you and works for you. You are not missing much if you shot a pump properly.
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Exactly, I am a one shotgun man and was just wondering if the semi would be worth buying. Everyone's opinion is appreciated and thank you all for the responses. This, however, made up my mind. For myself I am goin g to buy another Pump for waterfowling in a nice camo finish. But I do need to buy a semi for the wife someday lol
 
I took my VersaMax and my 870 to the range today and it was the first time I ever shot a shotgun. That being said, I put 75 rounds of 2 3/4 target load through each gun and I just could not believe how much less recoil the semi had, it was night and day. Then I put three rounds of 3 1/2 magnum turkey loads in the semi and it neary put me on my ass, lol. I actually didnt have the balls to put the 3 1/2 loads in the 870 pump, not today anyway, lol. Im REALLY glad I did spend the money for a semi. It made putting in some probation time at the range today alot more enjoyable :)
 
Buy the Baikal mp153 interammo has them for $500. They work great and are very reliable. I also own and 870 which I like.
 
YourAreInOilCountry said:
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.
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I would have to wonder what autoloaders they were talking about.

I have a Browning B2000 (which I would be happy to argue is the nicest looking semiauto shotgun ever built) and my brother has an old pogo stick (i.e. Browning Auto 5). We got those back in the early 70's, and believe me, with what we made back then we bought the cheapest 12 gauge loads we could find before we got smart enough to buy a PW and start reloading.

I've never had problems with reliably feeding anything in my B2000 - and I often used the 3" barrel in that gun instead of the 2 3/4", because it was modified while the non-magnum was full. My brother has never had any problems either with the 'ol humpback. In fact, he's mumbling about buying one of Browning's new versions that will be compatible with steel shot.

Those two old autoloaders have nowhere near the technology built into them as the autoloaders of today, I'm pretty certain of that. The autoloaders of today are way more advanced than ours. So it is hard for me to believe that autoloaders have suddenly become unreliable, on or off the trap and skeet fields.

It is a pretty valid concern that auto's throw your empties on the ground, and at many clubs, what hits the ground belongs to the club. The partial answer to that is a shell catcher, which I used on my B2000. Didn't help with doubles and skeet, of course...

Speaking only for myself, I would put most of my attention into finding a shotgun that fit me well, rather than agonizing over the differences between operation. And how much I liked the feel of the gun as you mounted and swung on a target. That's what's going to make the difference in your hits versus misses, not whether you have to cycle it by hand or it cycles itself.

And then of course, there's the issue of looks. Life is simply far too short for ugly shotguns. My life, anyways. And so I've become a victim of the urge to own and shoot classy looking (to me) over and unders and old side by sides. My B2000 gets a bit of use and it really does soak up recoil - but there isn't much recoil with even the heaviest of pheasant loads anyways. Dad's old Model 12 gets almost no use as pumps just don't stir my heart strings. But the old N.R. Davis side by side that's close to a hundred years old and the new Citori Satin Lightening that's arriving any day... now those kinds of guns get my attention.

The OP knows what appeals to him better than me or anyone else. I'd go to the local trap/skeet/sporting club as earlier suggested, see if people will let me try the models I'm interested, and then choose the one which whispered in my head "Buy me..."
 
I have both. I can shoot about the same with either one. If you are looking for less recoi;l then get the semi. Otherwise there isn't a lot of difference.

Econo priced pumps usually work out (fairly) OK. But if you're going to buy a semi then definitely spend a bit more $ and go with a browning, a beretta, or a beneli and you won't be disappointed.
 
I grew up shooting ducks and geese with a cooey single shot 20 gauge and I could get 3 shots at a passing duck by holding two shells in between my fingers by the palm in my forend hand...when I finally got a pump for my 16th birthday it became so instinctive working the action that it seemed like it worked its self...I called it (mossberg 500) my self loading pump gun. Later i bought a winchester semi (cheaper model) cant remember the model number but it seemed to jam on a regular bases so many years ago (early 80's)I traded it on a berreta A-M 300 MAG. 12 gauge, which I'm still enjoying today. So again, pump or semi, its really what you feel comfortable with and again one or more of each is best.
P.S....I've still got that orginal cooey single shot and mossberg L500ab, they are both well used and working fine. No reason to sell a gun to buy a new one!
cheers
 
If you are waterfowl hunting from a blind and going to use 3.5" shells I would definitely go with the gas operated semi. If you are going to be doing a lot of walking I would go with a 3" chambered pump because it is noticeably lighter than a semi. Personally I have fired a few 3.5" buckshot loads through a Mossberg 535 pump and I found it to be more than my recoil tolerance could take, so why bother with the extra weight and pump stroke length when your not going to be using 3.5" shells. The other issue to look into is price and availability in your location of 3.5" shells. That may turn you off as well. Personally I like pump guns. I have had an 1100 and a Baikal MP153 but both came and went. My first shotgun was a Browning Auto5 and I will have one again someday but it just isn't pracical for me as my one and only shotgun right now.
 
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