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Why is it that that pump shotguns seem to be the standard for home defense and law enforcement? Why wouldn't a semi-auto be preferable?

Semi-auto shotguns are known to be finicky about ammo and as a general rule don't like getting dirty. Modern semi-autos are better, but there's years of inertia to overcome.

semi autos cost way more. i prefer aemi autos

Go to any 3-gun or shotty match. You'll see that pumps can be just as finicky. This is part of the reason that skeet shooters use O/U or SxS shotties (well, weight is another one). The KISS principle prevails.

Shotguns aren't "Magic Bad Guy Eliminators", and I fear for the homeowner that hasn't trained for both the good and bad when it comes to handling their own shotgun, although the same can be said of any firearm.

steve817 wrote:Why is it that that pump shotguns seem to be the standard for home defense and law enforcement? Why wouldn't a semi-auto be preferable?

For me it's the sound a pump makes.
...music to my ears....unless I'm on the wrong end of it.

For me, it's the capacity to so seamlessly switch between ammo types. The ability to use a 3" magnum slug, ordinary buckshot, and a 2.5" reduced recoil birdshot in the same gun without needing to worry about the action cycling incorrectly is very nice. It's also generally a little easier to find different barrels to swap out with pump guns without needing to order them online, but that's not a huge issue.

Edit - I know SxS does this as well. I have a SxS for bird hunting and a pump for home defense. I amend my statement to include increased magazine capacity!

Beiruty wrote:semi autos cost way more. i prefer aemi autos

and if I ever have the spare change I'll have me a Benelli M4 or M1014.

denwego wrote:For me, it's the capacity to so seamlessly switch between ammo types. The ability to use a 3" magnum slug, ordinary buckshot, and a 2.5" reduced recoil birdshot in the same gun without needing to worry about the action cycling incorrectly is very nice.

I thought about that just about three seconds after I asked the question.

C-dub wrote:

Beiruty wrote:semi autos cost way more. i prefer aemi autos

and if I ever have the spare change I'll have me a Benelli M4 or M1014.

Visual aid:

I think a lot of people also buy into the thought, "All you have to do if someone breaks in is rack your pump shotgun, and the BG will run off.". (I heard that one tossed around just last week.)

I have a pump; for me it's because I would theoretically use the same gun for skeet/trap/sporting clays/upland game/turkey/potentially squirrel/potentially deer/HD/tactical competition. While a semi, O/U or SxS could also do all of the above, I like the aforementioned chamber flexibility...and it's what I used for much of my youth.

Ropin wrote:I think a lot of people also buy into the thought, "All you have to do if someone breaks in is rack your pump shotgun, and the BG will run off.". (I heard that one tossed around just last week.)

My grandma said that same thing for many years... she said that it was her "burglar alarm" and that no sane person should ever pay a company to monitor it

A pump shotgun is so scary it will propel a burglar through a brick wall






Sorry, I made the mistake of going to a gunshow last weekend and the things I heard was entertaining to say the least.

Grog wrote:A pump shotgun is so scary it will propel a burglar through a brick wall






Sorry, I made the mistake of going to a gunshow last weekend and the things I heard was entertaining to say the least.

We make fun of it here. . . and I hope nobody is relying on that sound to protect them. But in most burglary cases, it might be true. I'll put it this way: anybody still in your house AFTER hearing the pump deserves whatever happens next. . .

I bought a pump because it was cheaper (especially for a 20" high capacity tactical shotgun) and because I like them. I'm definitely not counting on the sound to scare anybody away, but if it does, well, I wouldn't complain. It's probably close to a universally recognizable sound.

fickman wrote:

Grog wrote:A pump shotgun is so scary it will propel a burglar through a brick wall






Sorry, I made the mistake of going to a gunshow last weekend and the things I heard was entertaining to say the least.

We make fun of it here. . . and I hope nobody is relying on that sound to protect them. But in most burglary cases, it might be true. I'll put it this way: anybody still in your house AFTER hearing the pump deserves whatever happens next. . .

I bought a pump because it was cheaper (especially for a 20" high capacity tactical shotgun) and because I like them. I'm definitely not counting on the sound to scare anybody away, but if it does, well, I wouldn't complain. It's probably close to a universally recognizable sound.

True story: When I was a LEO we got a burglary in progress call to a fairly large warehouse. Four cars all arrived about the same time to the location. One officer and I went in the open door while two other officers covered the back door.

As the one officer and I entered the warehouse I couldn't remember for sure I had a round chambered in the Mossberg, so I quickly racked the slide. About one second later we hear a loud voice yelling 'I am back here. I give up, don't shoot me!' We flipped the lights on and all we can see is two hands sticking up from behind a row of shelving.

After getting the guy subdued and cuffed, he said 'Man, when you pumped that shotgun it echoed in here and it sent chills through me!' I said 'Lucky for you, you gave up quickly and I didn't have to send a load of 00 buck through you.'

...that sound like no other has both locked 'em up and kicked 'em into high gear in my experience catchin' BGs...it's burned the soles outa many a pair of Converse AllStars!!! I've read 6-page threads ridiculing the power of the noise of a shotgun shuckin'...and, NO, I wouldn't count on the results...but I've seen it work like Keith B says many a dark night...