Auto, Pump, Single Shot or Side-by-Side

[buckshot roberts]

Which do you have or choose, it can be any gauge, model or brand.

[Daryl (deceased)]

I actually prefer a good single shot.  Mine's an old (50+ years old) Winchester mod 37 in 20 gauge.
 
I do a lot of walking when I hunt, and I like the light weight of the single shot.  Besides, this one shoots where I look, so who needs another shot?
 
Daryl

[Gmoney]

I prefer a single shot or a pump personally.....I have just grown up with a pump and it has treated me well...
 
 I believe for first time shotgun owners or beginners a pump or single is the only way to go.......it forces you to aim each shot....I've seen way too many people with autos that just shoot 3 times as fast as they can with no regard for aiming......bad habits can be formed from autos IMHO......

[buckshot roberts]

I myself grew up on a savage model 24, but when I took to bird hunt'n ,I went to the auto,( because when you hunt to eat) I was just get'n 2 grouse at a time, with a single, but with a model 50 winchester auto, man I was bring'n home 5-6, shot 3, put in 3, The last bird hunt I was on I used a winchester model super-x model 1 with a 4 shot mag, out of 30 shot's I got 24 birds, I did use a model 37 in 2 3/4 30 inch bbl that someone had put a ex-full ck in to turkey hunt with until 96, I than went to the super-x model 2 3 1/2 inch, in 2002, But I still get one shot to kill, ( were not for the single shot when i was a kid)?.

[Daryl (deceased)]

I still remember years ago when I went quail hunting with a couple of co-workers/friends from a gunshop I was working at. They both "borrowed" 12 gauge pumps from the used gun rack (one of them was part owner of the store), and I took my 20 gauge single shot. On the way out, they kept giving me a hard time about my single shot. They were saying they'd be done hunting by 10:00, and then they'd have to wait all day for me to get my limit.
 
Well, we hunted all day all right, but when we came home, Steve had 4, Van had 3, and I had my limit of 15. Oh, and they'd also each shot up 3-4 boxes of shells...while I shot up a couple of shells less than 1 box.
 
I've owned and shot 1 pump and a couple of semi-autos, but I always end up back using the single shot. It's just what I like to use.
 
Daryl

[Jay Edward (deceased)]

Which do you have or choose, it can be any gauge, model or brand.

[/color]

Old Ansley Fox side-by-sides Buckshot... reckon I can't vote in your poll.

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[LLANOJOHN (deceased)]

Hmmmmmm!

I started out as a mere lad of 10 years with a Sears bolt action in .410.  Moved to a Win Model 12, 20 gauge, when I was 12.  Have owned/shot several autos like the Win Mdl 50, Remington 1100 and Browning Auto 5.  First SxS was a Richland Mdl 202, 12 gauge 3" mag with 2 sets of barrels, 30" F&F, 26" IC & M.
 
I feel comfortable shooting most any shotgun but really prefer the SxS's.  I currently have a Win Model 37 single barrel, Win Mod 1200-20 gauge and my new pride and joy......a Stoeger Uplander SxS in 20gauge 3"mag, 26" IC & M.
 
The Stoeger Uplander would be my preference for duck/goose over decoys but it is the lead shot only model.  Oh well:( !
 
Some day perhaps I will have the opportunity to hunt Chukar & Pheasant...I do believe the Uplander would accomplish with aplomb!:D
 
Ol' John....

[Widlcat]

Seems the side by sides may lead a little easier, you know, right to left and backwards from that, but there's something about an O/U, that's what I like.
On the other hand, if you like a pump, single shot, autoloader, side by side or O/U, and you get what you go after with it, stick with it!

[WHITETAIL HUNTER]

I have used bolt action, single shot, and pump. But the one I love is my semi, seems that every time I flush a partige them seem to come up in pairs, and with the semi I have been able do it only a couple of times (double bird), but like posted before, I rather someone take care aim, use whats comfortable, and stick with it. One shot=one animal.

[Jay Edward (deceased)]

[/color][/size] Old Ansley Fox side-by-sides Buckshot... reckon I can't vote in your poll.

Alright... I added side-by-side to the 'poll' and voted.  After all, we wouldn't want to leave out the really worthwhile shotgun type, would we?
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[buckshot roberts]

Good go'n, like they say, each vote counts.

[Rohann]

Pump (or maybe auto) for me, depending on the situation.
 
-Rohann

[gitano]

Which do you have or choose.

What... no OUs? Don't care for them myself. :)
 
I like best - by a wide margin - SxSs.
 
Paul

[Twizzler]

I carry an over and under ( cant vote ) so I would have to go with the side by side. old LC Smith

[Hunterbug]

I have an auto loader. I would love a good side-by but since I never shoot the shotgun I have and don't really hunt birds I can't come up with a reason to justify the expense. And they are expensive!

[buckshot roberts]

gitano, Sorry about that, when I started the poll, it was just semi-or-pump, but we added more, You know we just doin't post a lot about shotguns here, that is a nice look'n SXS you got, what model is it.

[gitano]

It's the 28 ga. part of a Huglu "boxed set" - one receiver two bbl sets. The other set of bbls is in .410. Both are fine for ptarmigan, but I prefer the 28 for grouse. Ruffs seem to bust a little farther out, and while I understand that gauge doesn't buy you range/power, it does buy you pattern density at range.
 
Metaphorically speaking, I 'stole' the set. I bought it sight-unseen based on a recommendation of the web-friend that pointed to the dealer. When I opened the package at the store that provided the transferring FFL, a fellow there offered me twice what I paid, right on the spot. (Good thing my wife wasn't there at the time. ) The seller was a Huglu distributor getting out of the business, and we both had smiles on our faces with the deal. Here are a couple more of pictures of the gun.
 
Paul

[buckshot roberts]

Hey, that is a very nice looking SXS shotgun you got their, thanks for the pic's, I've never used a 28ga.

[Widlcat]

That's a nice set, thanks for the photos.  I see your point regarding the 28 gauge, but I'm still more in the market for a 410 ... I know, I'm stubborn, I can't help it:rolleyes:!

[Fortunate Son]

I voted for the SxS but that is for hunting.  If it were defense/combat I want an auto....

[Alboy]

SxS is my choice. Shot all but autos to a great extent. Used to lean toward pumps for self defense and still recommend them to those that want to give bad guys on last chance to run when they hear the action cycle. Now for me the last chance to run is the "snick" of a safety coming off and the time is very short.

[bowshot]

i love the look of a side by side and man its fun to feel the power when you rip both triggers

[dgr416]

I have 18 double barrels mostly 20 ga for grouse.I grew up with doubles and have not stopped in 35 years.I want a Browning sxs 20.I just missed one for $925.I mostly hunt with Russian Bikals they are awesome tough guns and shoot them better than any other gun except my winchester 24 20 ga.I have more bolt actions than auto 4 and 3.I love sxs they are my favorite.

[Marlin917VS]

I like my baikal 12 guage over under.  It's not as pretty looking as some of the more expensive guns, but I like it!  Fits good, its tough, and it's worked so far.

[kombi1976]

I have no shot guns.
I don't hunt waterfowl and my small game hunting(rabbits and hares) are done with .22LR and .25-20 but I've used a SxS before and it was glorious!:D
A early BSA 12g from around the turn of the 20th century that kicked like a mule and left me bruised from the brass butt plate but all the same I could never buy anything else without a pang.
Ok, so most aren't as balanced as U/O and autos and pumps(heavily restricted here now) are faster with bigger mag capabilities and lower recoil but there is nothing like the look of a hunter returning from the field with his game in one hand & a SxS broken open over his shoulder.
I agree.
While U/Os look like something from Blade Runner, particularly with the action open and pumps and autos, especially the parkerised and synthetic models, look like a type of SWAT team weapon(cause they often are!), there is an ancient sort of power equated to SxS shotguns that doesn't translate to O/U and other breeds.
12g or 20g I'm happy with.

[PurcellSportingGoods.com]

I've always been a fan of the pump and always preferred it over others....I think this orginally started because I am left-handed and it doesn't really matter with a pump...where as a bolt action I'd have to specifically get into a "left-handed" model...I always like the quickness of reloading with a pump too.

[Adler249]

i like pumps...i like having three shots with the amount of birds we have and having to slide the action back gives me time to calm myself between shots...i hit more birds then if i have a semi-auto...used one once and hated it...i kept trying to pull the action back and then would forget i could shoot again...just didnt feel right...felt like there was something else i should have been doing between shots...i could fire all three rounds of my pump ALOT quicker then i could that semi-auto...

[davidlt89]

I'll vote for the O/U!!! I started with a single shot stevens in 20ga. Really liked it and boy was it light, but when I started hunting more after I got out of the navy I started running into more grouse and the single shot was not cutting the mustard!!! leaving with one out of a flock was not sitting right with me. I then graduated to the pump and I used it for years. Started with a mossberg 500 and went to an ulti-mag 835. it was a great shotgun!!! then one of my friends let me hold his ruger red label and I had to get an O/U. was fascinated by having 2 shots with two pulls of the trigger and I did not like auto's!!!! started with a cheap O/U that did not have a barrel select switch so the bottom barrel would always go off first!! I was "blowing" birds up by not remembering the bottom barrel shot first. then I got a mossberg silver reserve with a top tang safety/barrel selecter! it was a good gun but cheaply made and It got "beat up" in the woods. so I sold it and put some more money together and bought a browning cynergy. Hands down the best shotgun I have ever owned. Very durable and well made! I am hooked on O/U's. God Bless.

[KT29]

Really enjoy my old Savage-stevens 20ga. SXS for grouse and pheasants.

[crackalope]

I've shot a Lefever 20 guage nitro special side by side for upland game all my life. was grandpa's then Dad's, then me. wouldn't know what to do with an over under. Dad had a Browning auto light 12 but as a lefty it didn't work for me. Older brother got the Parker 12. Stinkin' older brothers!

[gitano]

Stinkin' older brothers!

:D :D :D

Paul

[bowhunter 51]

:grin:..As I'm the oldest of 5, there'by being the stink'n older brother of 4, all my
Dad's firearms went to the youngest...Can't believe I've not posted ner' voted
on this old thread...Anywho'...Give me any of them shotgun styles and I'd make
good use of 'em......but......I dunno....I got used to pumps and that's how I'm
vote'n......................................................................................................BH51...

[TackyDriver]

Can't believe I hadn't seen this poll,  either. I voted for pumpers as in what I would want if I could only  have one shotgun. Basically, I like any shotgun I can hit with.

Learned  to shoot with a Fox SxS 20 gauge. I first broke 15 clay birds at the  trap range with a Browning Auto5 in 12 gauge. The first shotgun that was  officially "mine" was an Ithaca 37 in 12 gauge and still have and shoot  it. I love my Dad's  Winchester/Miroku Model 101 O/U. That was the first gun that just seemed  to jump to my shoulder without thinking. Got a great deal on a semi-auto Beretta 3901 in 20 gauge because they stopped making them. Got it to teach my kids. For those concerned about learning to "spray and pray" with a semi, I just give them one round for each clay bird.

I guess I just like shotguns. So much so, in fact, that I've chosen my last 3 center fire rifles because they handle like shotguns. So many shotguns, so little time and money, but I'm not dead yet.