Shotguns are some of the most iconic and versatile firearms around, renowned for their reliability and overall effectiveness in hunting, competitions, and defense. Given their popularity, there are several manufacturers producing a wide range of quality shotguns, which often comes down to making a choice between the two most common types: semi-auto and pump-action shotguns.
Both shotgun variants have withstood the test of time, and they each have their pros and cons that make them better suited for different preferences and shooting disciplines. If you aren’t already familiar with shotguns or the unique advantages that each one brings, you may be asking yourself, which is best? Follow along as we unpack the unique features and benefits of each one.
Understanding Shotguns
Before we dive deeper into the intricacies of semi-auto and pump-action shotguns, it’s crucial to know what sets shotguns apart from other firearm types. Shotguns are a long-gun characterized by their smooth bore and ability to fire multiple projectiles within the same shot. Instead of cartridges, shotguns fire shotshells; they’re available in multiple sizes and can hold either one or multiple projectiles, with slugs and buckshot being some of the best shotgun ammo choices. Commonly, shotguns come chambered to take 12-, 20-, or 410- gauge shells.
History of Shotguns
The smoothbore firearm concept can be traced back to around the year 1000, with smoothbore long-guns designed to fire multiple projectiles first popping up during the 16th century. These ‘proto-shotguns’ were primarily used for bird hunting and were often referred to as “fowling pieces.”
Though the design of shotguns would change over the years, the first pump-action shotguns wouldn’t be designed until 1892 by Christopher Miner Spencer, effectively setting the standard for what was to come. As their name suggests, pump-actions require you to ‘pump’ the forend to eject and load shells into the chamber. This manual operation makes them incredibly reliable and simple, making them popular for hunting and defense.
Not long after their introduction, the now iconic Browning Auto-5 semi-auto shotgun was designed by John Moses Browning in 1898. Instead of using a pump, semi-auto shotguns use either a gas or inertia system to cycle action after firing, giving them a faster firing rate. As their success and popularity grew, other manufacturers capitalized on it and began producing their own semi-auto shotguns.
Despite their differences, both shotgun options are still in use today. While you can’t necessarily go wrong with either option, it’s important to understand the differences between them if you’re in the market for one.
Semi-Automatic Shotguns
Today, semi-automatic shotguns are among the most popular firearms available, with them being widely used for hunting, competitions, and even duty and home-defense purposes.
Benefits of Using Semi-Auto Shotguns
Semi-automatic shotguns offer a lot of advantages, with the primary one being speed. Since there isn’t a need to manually pump the action, semi-auto shotguns offer much faster firing rates. This makes them particularly well-suited for more dynamic scenarios where you’re more likely to see multiple or moving targets, like bird hunting or competitive shooting like 3-gun matches.
Recoil mitigation is another advantage, as many of the popular semi-auto shotgun models come with enhanced recoil systems. To dampen recoil, these shotguns use recoil springs to soften the rearward impact of the bolt and push it forward back into battery. Essentially, the recoil is spread over a longer period, softening their overall recoil impulse. Still, bear in mind that the recoil impulse of shotguns varies from model to model.
Popular Semi-Auto Shotguns
Mossberg 940: The 940 series is one of the most popular Mossberg semi-auto shotguns available. It shares a lot in common feature-wise to the Mossberg 500 but has the distinct benefit of being semi-automatic.
Currently, the Mossberg 940 is available in many different configurations. For home-defense and duty, the 940 Pro Tactical is a solid pick, as its 18.5-inch barrel and 7-shell capacity provide exceptional maneuverability and round count. If you’re focused on more on hunting, models like the like 940 Pro Sporting offer a much longer 30-inch barrel and a smaller 4-shell capacity. Lastly, you can opt for a competitive model such as the 940 JM Pro, which has a 24-inch barrel, 9-shell capacity, upgraded internal components, and is endorsed by Jerry Miculek, renowned competition shooter.
No matter what your purpose is, there’s a Mossberg 940 model that will work for you. Depending on which one you look at, these shotguns can vary in price, usually ranging anywhere from around $800 to $1,100.
Beretta A300: As far as Beretta semi-auto shotguns go, the A300 series is tough to pass up on. The A300 has been in production since the late 1960s and has been refined with each new iteration.
Each A300 shotgun is capable of chambering both 2 ¾- and 3-inch shells, and they come standard with Beretta’s Kick-Off® recoil system for better control. The A300 Ultima Sporting Shotgun is great for hunting, coming with a 30-inch barrel and 3-shell capacity. For duty and home-defense, the A300 Ultima Patrol is packed with features such as an extended bolt handle, upper picatinny rail for mounting one of the many red dot sights for shotguns, adjustable sights, and a greater 7-shell capacity.
The A300 from Beretta is a solid contender if you’re looking for a high-quality semi-auto platform for hunting or defense. Compared to other options in this list, the A300 is a little more expensive, usually ranging from $900 to $1,200, depending on the option.
CZ USA 712: CZ USA is another incredibly popular firearm manufacturer with a solid shotgun lineup. In particular, the CZ 712 is one of the most popular shotgun options they offer.
The 712 comes in a few distinct styles, with the more popular ones being the 712 G3 Target and the 712 Utility. The G3 Target is a great shotgun that’s set up for either hunting for sport shooting. Coming standard with a 30-inch barrel and 4-shell capacity, it offers a long sight radius, as well as an adjustable stock for a proper cheek weld. The 712 Utility has many of the same features, albeit with a shorter 20-inch barrel and an ergonomic stock for better utility and comfort.
Regardless of which one you choose, the CZ 712 shotgun is a solid pick for hunting, sport shooting, and defense. They’re also some of the more budget-friendly semi-auto models available, usually being priced around $550 to $800.
Pump Action Shotguns
Pump Action shotguns are much simpler than semi-automatic models. After firing, pulling back on the forend of the shotgun ejects the spent shell, while pushing it forward loads in a new one. This design has allowed pump-actions to garner a reputation for reliability, as even in tough conditions, they can be operated with relative ease.
Benefits of Pump Action Shotguns
The primary advantage of pump-actions is their reliability. They have fewer moving parts compared to semi-autos, making the chances of having an errant malfunction much less likely. This makes them particularly well-suited for use in rough conditions where dirt, debris, and extreme weather is more apparent. While pump-actions aren’t immune from malfunctions, the odds are in their favor.
Affordability is one of their other benefits. Though prices will vary from model to model, pump-actions are generally more budget-friendly than semi-autos, adding to their popularity and widespread use.
Popular Pump-Action Shotguns
Mossberg 500: Out of all Mossberg pump-action shotguns, the 500 is easily one of their most popular. It’s available in several different configurations, with their being dedicated models for home defense, sport shooting, and hunting.
Models like the 500 Field are excellent for hunting, coming equipped with longer 24- or -28-inch barrels and 3- to 4-shell tubes. For more of a home defense setup, models like the 500 Retrograde come standard with a shorter 18.5-inch barrel, a 6-shell capacity, walnut furniture, and a standard bead sight. Being so popular, there are a plethora of aftermarket upgrades available for these shotguns too. Brands like Magpul create an assortment of lightweight and ergonomic stocks and forends to make these shotguns as comfortable and utilitarian as possible.
Regardless of which model you look at, Mossberg 500 shotguns are incredibly cost-effective. Typically, their price ranges anywhere from $400 to upwards of $700. If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly option, the Maverick 88 is a great choice, for more of a premium option, we recommend looking at the Mossberg 590.
Winchester SXP: Winchester pump action shotguns are well-known for balancing quality and affordability. Model lines like their SXP are available in several configurations, much like the other shotguns mentioned thus far.
Each SXP shotgun comes standard with top-tier features like Winchester’s inflex recoil pad, inertia-assisted pump-action design, and a weather/corrosion resistant finish. Models like the SXP Marine Defender are set up for defense, coming with maneuverable 18.5-inch barrels, while boasting a 6-shell capacity. For hunting or sport shooting, models like the SXP Black Shadow and Hybrid Hunter are each equipped with longer 28-inch barrels and the same upgraded internal components as the Marine Defender.
Like we mentioned before, these shotguns are incredibly affordable. So, no matter what your budget is, there’s a Winchester shotgun for you. You can expect to find these shotguns ranging anywhere from around $280 to as much as $500+.
Savage Arms: If you’re on a budget but still want a quality shotgun, Savage Arms is the move. Their Stevens 320 pump-action shotgun line has multiple models fit for differing applications without compromising on features.
The Stevens 320 Security is an accurate and reliable shotgun platform, offering dual slide bars and a rotary bolt for smooth action, lightweight and ergonomic polymer furniture, upgraded ghost ring sights, and a 6-shell capacity. Other models, such as the Stevens 320 Field, have many of the same features, but come equipped with a longer barrel and a bead sight. Regardless of which one you look at, each Savage shotgun is equipped to handle a variety of different tasks, so there’s something for everyone.
Out of all the shoguns mentioned in this list, options from Savage Arms are by far the most budget friendly. You can find these shotguns from as low as $200 to as much as $300+, making them some of the most affordable shotguns around.
Should you buy a Pump-Action or Semi-Auto Shotgun?
Whenever you’re choosing between semi-auto and pump-action shotguns, it’s crucial to evaluate your needs and purpose for owning one. Semi-auto models offer faster firing rates, making them better for dynamic applications like bird hunting, competitions, and defense. For instance, in high-pressure scenarios like 3-gun matches or duty/defense, a semi-auto shotgun is the better choice, plus they’re some of the best shotguns for skeet shooting. That said, they can be a little finnicky when it comes to running different ammo types. The usual suspects, like bird shot and buck shot, shouldn’t have any problems, but when you move to fire lighter recoiling loads, there’s a good chance your shotgun won’t cycle.
This is where pump actions truly excel. Despite being slower to operate, they win out on reliability. Plus, they can still be a great option for every application semi-autos are good for, they just come with the caveat of not being able to cycle as fast. Since they’re cycled manually, they can more effectively handle different types of ammo that semi-autos may struggle with. At the end of the day, both can be a solid choice, but if you’re looking primarily for something that can shoot fast, semi-auto is the move. If you’re in the market for something that can more reliably handle specialty/lighter loads, a pump-action is hard to beat.
Conclusion
Shotguns have long been some of the most popular firearm variants around, but as time and firearms technology have progressed, the options for semi-auto and pump action shotguns have only grown.
While there isn’t a definitive ‘best’ shotgun option, it’s important to recognize that both cater to different needs and preferences. Semi-autos offer speed and agility, whereas pump-actions offer unrivalled reliability and simplicity. So, understanding the limitations of each is paramount to choosing the right one for you.
At the end of the day, the best shotgun is the one that fits your needs best. Once you’ve got the one for you, check out our guide “What is a Shotgun Choke?” to see how you can enhance your shotgun’s performance with the right choke.
