Recoil difference between a pump & a semi auto?? Need Recommendations

[kevin2]

I've only owned pumps. For some odd reason, I liked my first one, a Ithaca, and I've purchased nothing but pumps in the last 30 years. My shoulder doesn't like the 3" magnums OR 3.5" shells ANYMORE & a fella told me to consider a semi auto that would reduce the recoil. So, is that true? I'm reading it is, but, how much recoil reduction is there? And, what type of semi auto is the best for reducing recoil?

Thanks!

[chatterbox]

I've only owned pumps. For some odd reason, I liked my first one, a Ithaca, and I've purchased nothing but pumps in the last 30 years. My shoulder doesn't like the 3" magnums OR 3.5" shells ANYMORE & a fella told me to consider a semi auto that would reduce the recoil. So, is that true? I'm reading it is, but, how much recoil reduction is there? And, what type of semi auto is the best for reducing recoil?

Thanks!

Kevin,

If it were me, I would find a 20 ga, and shoot 3-1.5-7, Heviweight Federals.
My son has a 20 ga Mossberg 510, and I run those shells through it. Minimum recoil, and plenty of reach out to 40 if choked properly.
Great alternative to the big 12 ga magnums. 

[ohiostrutter]

I've only owned pumps. For some odd reason, I liked my first one, a Ithaca, and I've purchased nothing but pumps in the last 30 years. My shoulder doesn't like the 3" magnums OR 3.5" shells ANYMORE & a fella told me to consider a semi auto that would reduce the recoil. So, is that true? I'm reading it is, but, how much recoil reduction is there? And, what type of semi auto is the best for reducing recoil?

Thanks!


This is my exact same plan buy a 870 20 and turn it into a dedicated turkey gun less recoil lighter and with right shell And choke still put up good patterns

[owlhoot]

The 835 will bust your cheekbone every time.      The 870SM can cycle its own round out, case on the ground and your wondering did i pump the gun? . R3 and simms pads , especially the new ones help tremendously. Now the SBE calms it down a bit, i cant talk about the comforttech which should be even better, i have no time behind one.
My SuperX2'S were my first Auto 3 1/2", that changed it all , was like shooting a 3" or less in the pumps.
The Beretta extrema was next,same thing. 935 Mossburg same deal. All big difference. The new pads can make a huge difference , even for your pump, the Newer R3 is great . My newest 870 supermag is quite softer feeling than when they first come out. I mainly shoot the 3" stuff now , more than enough pellets in the ten and in most cases same velocity as the long shells.
Now if you really want to reduce , Take the advice from the above posters, go to the 20 with Fed. hfw 7, get 140 and up in the ten and smile every time you shoot

[FL-Boss]

as said above... get a semi or pump 20ga.. just use those good FED #7 HW and you will be shooting better than half of the 12ga out there anyway...
Once I got my 20ga turkey gun.. i sold all my 12ga turkey guns soon after as I knew I would never use them again. 20ga is just so much better to carry and shoot.

In fact, I don't use a 12ga for anything now. But I still have a few in case I ever go goose hunting or something like that. 

[kevin2]

Not sure a 20 gauge while duck/goose hunting will do. I don't know though. The gas operated system seems like the way to go in a 3" 12g.

[Skeeterbait]

All else being equal, gun weight, gun balance, gun fit, recoil pad, a pump will recoil more than an auto.  A gas auto will recoil less than an inertia auto.  Of these the gas will require more attention to maintenance, the inertia somewhat less and the pump the least.  That is the tradeoff.

There is actual recoil and percieved recoil.  A gun that has more muzzle rise will be perceived as recoiling more than one that recoils directly into the shoulder because it slaps the cheek more.  This has to do with gun balance and fit.  Gun fit has to do mostly with length of pull and drop at comb.  Some higher end guns come with wedged spacers to adjust the drop at comb.  Gun balance is mostly effected by barrel length.  A longer barrel has more weight and overhange holding the muzzel down and resulting in less perceived recoil.  However the longer the barrel is it effects fatigue in use and effects swing and follow thru.

Point is, there is a lot more to saying this gun will seem to recoil less than this one just because of a different action.

[kevin2]

A gas gun would be the answer I think IF it wasn't for maintanance issues & worse yet, water issues while duck hunting in the WANTED rain. Hard decision.

Not ruling out the 20 g with the Heviweight loads.

[CrustyRusty]

I have a new Maxus, and it's simple to break down.and clean.  It's very soft recoil to me and the gun fits me perfectly.  It weighs less than my 20 gauge BPS and is the best patterning gun I have ever owned.  And that includes Beretta, SBE2's and an M2.   Go feel some guns up and pick what feels best for you, and don't worry too much about the gas guns.

[BandedSpur]

Gas powered autoloader has markedly less felt recoil compared to a pump, O/U, etc of similar weight.. Can't speak to the inertia guns.

[bigbird]

I've got an extrema 2 and a SBE II both are better than my 870's on recoil. As far as maintenance goes on my beretta, it works great and I'm the worst about cleaning it, once in 4 years I think, never missed a beat great shotgun!