Semi-auto vs pump for a do-all shotgun....

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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I am having a bit of trouble deciding whether I want a semi-auto Mossberg 930 combo, or a Mossberg 500 pump combo. I have done as much research on the net as my brain and eyes can possibly stand.

Thought maybe you guys could offer your thoughts. So far the only advantages of the pump I can come up with are price ($420 vs $700)and 'theoretically', reliability... thought I have not heard of many people complaining that their semi's are jamming more than once everything couple hundred rounds when they are really dirty.

I really like the idea of having a semi for clays, which is what I will be using it for most fo the time, but I do intend to take the gun hunting so it will be braving the elements (rain, mud, hopefully I won't drop it in the water, but who knows lol, etc).

Any pros or cons you can think of for either?

I should mention, this will be my ONLY shotgun.

Thanks!
 
500 Pump Pro: The satisfaction you feel when you load another shell into the chamber with every pull 'n push (Chsh'k Ch'k). That is a beautiful shotgun.
 
I've owned a 500 but don't have much experience with the 930. Generally speaking the advantages of a gas-operated semi like the 930 are less recoil and a smoother follow up shot because you don't need to pump the gun. For clay shooting the semi is a better choice for anything other than single trap.

The semi requires more attention to maintenance than a pump and may not always reliable function with lighter loads. The pump is less expensive, simpler, but depends more on the operators ability be reliable.

If limited to one shotgun my choice would be a semi-automatic.
 
The new inertia operated semi-autos can handle a broader range of loads than their gas or recoil operated counterparts. If I was going to restrict myself to an auto-loader for my shotgun choice it would be an inertia operated action. Under most conditions the auto will do anything the pump can do, but most conditions are not all conditions and there are some things a manual action is just better at. If when afield you ever have a need to use low powered ammunition such as bear bangers or rubber bullets, the pump will cycle these without a problem the semi auto will not. In addition the bear bangers are dirty and corrosive which is not the best for even a simple semi auto action like the inertia operated ones.

My suggestion to you would be to get your fancy Beretta or Benelli for the trap club and the duck blind, but if you want a gun for hard use in the back country pick up a short barrelled, inexpensive pump at a later date.
 
I just got into semi's and now have three of them. They are fun and definitely make things easier. But I still like my pumps. The ease of takedown and cleaning is a huge plus. With my Mossberg 500's I can throw three clays up by myself and hit all three of them.

I think it's kind of like your first rimfire. You get one with iron sights and learn on that before you get a scope. It makes you a better shooter. At least that's the way my dad brought me up.....
 
For those prices, you could forget the combo packages and buy an 870 or 11-87, or even a Benelli Nova. The Mossberg's offer excellent features and value, but having owned and returned a 535 combo, you may regret your purchase down the road.
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Side effects of depakote
 
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Boomer said:
The new inertia operated semi-autos can handle a broader range of loads than their gas or recoil operated counterparts
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My experience is the opposite. I've yet to encounter a shotgun handling a broader range then my Beretta 391. It has fired 3" magnums down to the Winchester Low Recoil-Low Noise, a round not recommended for semi-autos and one that is so light I've had it occasionally not reset the inertia trigger in an o/u.

Boomer said:
If I was going to restrict myself to an auto-loader for my shotgun choice it would be an inertia operated action. Under most conditions the auto will do anything the pump can do, but most conditions are not all conditions and there are some things a manual action is just better at. If when afield you ever have a need to use low powered ammunition such as bear bangers or rubber bullets, the pump will cycle these without a problem the semi auto will not.
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Different guns for different applications. For clay shooting or high volume waterfowling the reduced recoil of a gas gun is a welcome benefit. Although the inertia guns are simpler and easier to clean but have more felt recoil.

Boomer said:
My suggestion to you would be to get your fancy Beretta or Benelli for the trap club and the duck blind, but if you want a gun for hard use in the back country pick up a short barrelled, inexpensive pump at a later date.
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Agreed and I've got both. The only consideration with a pump gun is that to be proficient you need to practice. If a pump fails it's generally because the operator has short stroked the gun.
 
I should have mentioned that I can't justify spending the kind of money that a Beretta AL391 or Benelli semi-auto sells for..... not now anyways. Maybe if I got into clay shooting/hunting a lot more I would consider it.

thinblueline.... mind if I ask why you returned your Mossberg535 combo? Was it function, or the cosmetics/build quality that you didn't like?

I am pretty damn picky myself, which is why I am leery of the Mossberg being so cheap. I have been finding, moreso lately, that you get what you pay for. I thought it was maybe the aluminum receiver that made the 930 so cheap, but then I found out that the Benelli SBEII and Beretta AL391 have aluminum receivers as well. So.... that extra $1000 you pay for a Beretta.... where does it go? I'm not being sarcastic, I am asking because I have no clue. I mean, is the fit/finish/craftsmanship on the Beretta or Benelli worth the extra $1000?

How does the Remington 11-87 hold up against the Berettas and Benellis?
 
As mentioned, the pump has reliability while the semi has convenience.

I've shot skeet and trap and sporting clays with a pump without problems but the semi does make it a bit easier.

Jamming with light loads is a possibility with the semi.

Whatever you do... make sure it fits you properly and swings nice. If not, its useless.
 
casterpollox.... I seem to like a 13" LOP best for a shotgun, the 930 only comes in 14" and I don't think there is anyway to shorten the synthetic model that I am looking at. I don't think that extra inch will make too big a difference though, and I don't have much choice anyways because I can't seem to find anyone who makes a SG with a LOP of 13" unless it is a youth gun :p
 
If you're not wedded to the Mossberg you might give the Baikal semi-auto a look. Not expensive and getting some pretty good reviews.
 
CanuckShooter said:
I should mention, this will be my ONLY shotgun.
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LIAR! LIIIIIIIAAAAAAARRRRR! That was your first Newbie mistake. Everybody says that, but nobody ever sticks to it. You mean this will be your only shotgun...until you can afford another!

Just accept that this will happen, no matter what, and accept that our advice of getting both is really the only answer to your question.

A more appropriate question for this would be, which should I get first? I'm partial to pumps, but you won't be disapointed with either.
 
My overall group favourites are Rem 870 Wingmaster, BPS Hunter or a Benelli Supernova. I'd pass on the semi for now as one WILL enter your life soon enough.

My overall pick is the Benelli Supernova (28" camo) because of the light recoil, different possible configurations, stock adjustments, stock type and barrel options as well as unquestionable reliability. The Camo model adds another level of protection against rust issues and this model has a high resale value. Cleaning and removal of the trigger mechanism is extremely easy.

While I also love the Wingmaster, there is no adjustment for drop or cast. On the positive there are oodles of accessories in the marketplace, which are not easily obtained for Benelli. Removal and cleaning of the trigger mechanism is easy.

BPS is another favourite but the trigger mechanism is not easily cleaned internally and it is not recommended by Browning. The ejected shells drop down (positive) rather than sideways in the face of adjacent shooters. Different barrels are available.

That's my offering and I have owned all these models.
 
LOL

I will correct myself. What I MEANT to say, was that this will be my only shotgun for the next while. I probably will get a pump in the future, but not too soon.

About the LOP issue. I was thinking it might be a better idea to go with a shotgun with a wood stock. That way I can at least cut it down to my desired LOP. AFAIK with the synthetic there is no way to chop it down. Unless I got the Knoxx NRS adjustable stock.... but I don't know if the pistol grip style butt would be any good for clays.

edit: Nevermind.... Knoxx doesn't list a stock for the 930, and I am reading that because of the gas piston or whatever it is in the stock, the LOP can't be shortened. Guh.... that really sucks.


drvrage said:
LIAR! LIIIIIIIAAAAAAARRRRR! That was your first Newbie mistake. Everybody says that, but nobody ever sticks to it. You mean this will be your only shotgun...until you can afford another!

Just accept that this will happen, no matter what, and accept that our advice of getting both is really the only answer to your question.

A more appropriate question for this would be, which should I get first? I'm partial to pumps, but you won't be disapointed with either.
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i to was one time on the hunt for a shot gun .i have owned hundereds of them over the years for the price i would stay away from the 500 and get the 535 mosberg the 500 seems to have a bad rattel thy just canopt get rid of the 535 is a great alroung shotgun for the mo ney .you just canot kill them my 2 cents DUTCH
 
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