Cha-Chunk! Perhaps the most American sound you’ll you’ve heard repeatedly in your lifetime watching action movies. Hollywood’s obsession with that racking sound is not just a farrago. That’s the sound of the mighty “pump action shotgun”, which is deeply engraved into the mind of all Americans. It is the only handheld firearm that hasn’t changed a bit in the past 100 years and is still used by the military.
Today we’ll be discussing the in’s and out’s of a pump action shotgun while answering some common queries. We will also review the best pump action shotguns on the market in different categories to help you with your buying decision. So ‘cha-chunk’ your eyes and keep reading!
Comparison of the Best Pump Action Shotguns
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What is a Pump Action Shotgun and What is it Used For?
A pump action shotgun is a slide-action firearm in which the forend is moved to and fro to operate the action. The forward motion of the forend chambers a new shotshell in the chamber, whereas the rearward motion of the forend ejects the spent shell case. The action is exactly the same as in a semi-auto or automatic firearm but is performed manually by the shooter.
These shotguns are extensively used for hunting and home defense. They have been successfully used in many wars and are still used for tactical operations by special forces.
Can You Really Find a Quality Pump Action Shotgun That’s Affordable?
Yes. Pump actions are popular because they are powerful, reliable and affordable. In fact most very good pump action shotguns can be had for a price of less than $500. Pump actions have been the common man’s gun from their very invention. Plus their ubiquitous ownership and huge demand keep the supply and demand curve stable and hence their affordability.
While pump actions with a basic and simple design tend to be quite affordable. More tactical and advanced designs may be priced close to a thousand bucks and rarely more than that. So overall, you’ll always find a pump action affordable compared to other long guns.
Why Did These Pump Action Shotguns Make Our List?
Popularity
Almost every shotgun included on our list is extensively popular among civilians(and some with the military). These shotguns are renowned for their reliable operation and prompt customer support from their manufacturers. Plus a plethora of positive customer feedback to back up our claim.
Affordability
While affordability is generally not a matter of concern with these shotguns, all the models included in our list are aptly priced and make sure not to burn a hole through your wallet and deliver the best value for money. Some guns on our list will even let you get some favorable discounts and expedited shipping times.
Masters of Their Trade
All the shotguns included in our list are the epitome of performance in their respective sub-categories. For example, the best pump action for defense offers maneuverability, whereas the youth model offers compactness, and so on. Additionally, all these shotguns are the most trusted, appreciated and widely owned models.
Review of the Best Pump Action Shotguns
Let's take a look at this year's top picks.
Best Overall:
Remington 870 Express Super Magnum
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Users report this shotgun to be an amazing turkey and waterfowl hunting weapon. The gun is very reliable and justifies its cost really well. The gun seldom jams or misfired and is an exceptionally reliable weapon. Some users did report some ejection issues, but that seemed to be a minor manufacturing flaw with some pieces and was easily resolved.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Remington 870’s reputation precedes itself. This is an exceptionally reliable weapon suitable for all purposes a shotgun can serve. The shotgun stock doesn’t require care as a wooden stock. Plus the gun is built to handle magnum shells, automatically making it compatible with shorter sizes.
Who Will Use This Most
The Remington 870 is a versatile shotgun. However, this specific super magnum variant is perfect for hunting turkey and waterfowl. Along with shooting sports. The gun delivers amazing pointability and accuracy. Plus the vent rib barrel adds to the overall handling.
Bottom Line
This is a reliable all-purpose shotgun with an appropriate price tag. The gun handles magnum 12 gauge loads so you’d better be prepared for the recoil. This gun is dead-on accurate and requires little care on the field due to its synthetic stock and durable construction. Overall, it’s an affordable shotgun that will last a lifetime.
Best Pump Action Shotgun for Home Defence:
Mossberg Model 500 Classic
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The Mossberg 500 has been a reliable weapon for decades and it still holds the same reputation. The users of this shotgun seemed extremely impressed by the ergonomics, action, and performance. The shotgun is easy to aim and is widely used by users for hunting and defense.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Mossberg 500 is an amazing shotgun with absolutely no disadvantages. This pick has a wooden stock & forend, a good rubber recoil pad, anti-jam mechanism and twin bead sights for perfect aiming. The receiver is sturdy and drilled to accept scope mounts. The six-round capacity is just perfect for self-defense.
Who Will Use This Most
The shotgun is ideal for home defense. The Mossberg 500 has been used for tactical and defense applications by both civilians and the military for decades now. The barrel length is optimal for the shotgun to be used for both defense and hunting purposes.
Bottom Line
The Mossberg 500 is a shotgun suitable for both beginners and pros. The recoil of this gun is quite manageable and the capacity is optimal to be used for home defense purposes. The shotgun is ready to accept scope mounts and is a viable all-purpose weapon.
Best 20 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun:
Winchester SXP Waterfowl Hunter 26"
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Users testify to the claims of the company about the SXP being the fastest pump action on the market. The inertia backed pump is quite appreciated but requires adherence. The gun cycles reliably and the fiber optic helps with quick acquisition. The gun was reported to have an amazing feel and fit the budget very well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The SXP features an impressive follow-up shot speed for a pump action. Plus the fiber-optic sight and lightweight but durable design are very admirable features. The gun has a full camo finish and an amazing recoil pad to make shooting comfortable even with the thinnest clothing.
Who Will Use This Most
As the design itself suggests, this shotgun is perfect for waterfowl hunting. The camo finish keeps the hunter prepared for brush and woods. While the optic sight offers reliable acquisition in both dawn and dusk. The shotgun is also suitable for competitions to some extent. However, home defense is an instinctive use.
Bottom Line
The Winchester SXP waterfowl is a great bird hunting shotgun. It has a super clean and soft pump action. Plus it has been designed to be utterly comfortable and reliable on the field. The gun shoots 3” shells and the recoil is very manageable.
Best 410 Pump Action Shotgun:
Mossberg 510 Youth Mini Super Bantam
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The shotgun was reported to have a very light and controllable recoil. Especially when young shooters were concerned. It makes an ultimate survival gun due to its size and weight. The gun was reported to cycle perfectly, and the overall design to be very fine and comfortable.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Mossberg 510 is the best you can expect from a 410 shotgun. It has good pointability, adjustable stock, camo finish, and is compact enough to be maneuvered with ease. Being from the Mossberg 500 product line, this shotgun needs no formal introductions any further.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a perfect starter shotgun for kids and teenagers. Or for hunters who intend to hunt vermin and small game. It is also a great gun to teach newbies the basics of shotgun hunting and let them get accustomed to the use of pump action shotguns. It is also a suitable gun for survivalists.
Bottom Line
The 510 mini super bantam was designed for young shooters who have just started to learn the basics of shotgun hunting. Although it has a very limited capacity, it is quite suitable. Since games suitable for a .410 won’t need multiple shots very often.
5. H&R Pardner Compact
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The H&R Pardner seems to be lacking negative reviews from users for the most part. Especially because the gun is the best you can get for its price. This is a reliable, maneuverable shotgun and people like the interchangeability of parts with the 870. The recoil is very manageable and it fires smoothly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Pardner compact is a good mix of affordability, reliability, and accuracy. The shotgun mimics the Remington 870 and functions exceptionally well for a shotgun of such a price tag. The gun is ready to accept optics and is a solid firearm to stand the test of time.
Who Will Use This Most
The shotgun is perfect for range use and home defense. Although it can be carried to the woods for hunting small game and birds suitable to be shot with the 20 gauge. The size and caliber of this shotgun also make it suitable for young shooters, women, and people with a short physique.
Bottom Line
The H&R Pardner is a close clone of the 870. To the extent that some parts between these are interchangeable with slight modifications. The gun is half the price of an 870 and is a reliable defense weapon. The gun accepts 3” shells and the 20-gauge caliber makes the recoil very manageable.
6. Browning BPS Field
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Users appreciate the smooth recoil of the BPS as well as the design and smooth function. The tang safety is a very appreciated feature and the gun points very well. The gun is much better than semi-auto shotguns and requires far less maintenance. Although some customers did seem concerned with the customer service provided.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Browning BPS is a very smooth cycling pump action with a classy design. The bottom ejector and top tang safety make the weapon completely ambidextrous and suitable for left-handed shooters. The aesthetics are impressive and the gun presents good accuracy at 100 yards.
Who Will Use This Most
The BPS is perfect for upland bird hunting and shotgun shooting sports. It is also quite suitable for hunting medium-sized game and is quite able in handling slugs. The bottom ejector is good for left-handed shooters. However, the long 28” barrel somewhat limits its use as a home defense weapon. But the 12 ga caliber somehow limits that.
Bottom Line
The Browning BPS Field is an ergonomic, classy and smooth-cycling weapon that is great for shooting sports and hunting. The shotgun has a unique design and is preferred over an 870 by many users. It is a very natural pointing shotgun and showcases exceptional accuracy.
Best 12 Gauge Pump Action Shotgun:
Weatherby PA-08
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most users regard it as one of the nicest shotguns for the money on the market. Especially when budget shotguns are concerned. The shotguns cycle flawlessly and feature an exceptional finish. It offers impeccable weight balance and comfort while shooting and is no less than its more popular counterparts.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Weatherby 12 gauge shotgun features an amazing finish, durable design and smooth cycling action. The gun has a camo finish to it which helps extensively for the purpose it was designed for. The gun has an optimal ammo capacity and includes a limiter as well.
Who Will Use This Most
As the gun visually declares, it is an amazing shotgun for bird hunting and clay shooting sports. The gun is ergonomic and has a very balanced feel to it. The barrel is quite compact, making it suitable for home defense as well.
Bottom Line
The Weatherby PA-08 is a very viable and useful shotgun for hunters. It has a smooth cycling action and a good weight balance. The gun shoots the powerful 12 gauge shells and has suitable ergonomics and design to counter the recoil. An amazing weapon for hunting as well as home defense.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Pump Action Shotgun
Let's cover the basic ups and downs of pump action shotguns here so we're all on the same page and you don't forget to consider something in your purchase.
Advantages
The following are some pros of this kind of pump action shotgun:
Reliability
Pump action shotguns are utterly reliable since the action is manually operated and jamming issues are negligent. Since you don’t have to rely upon the cartridge’s gas pressure to cycle the action. Plus, these guns work with all kinds of shotgun ammunition including non-lethal rounds.
Ammo Conservation
The pump action of these shotguns allows you to conserve ammunition defying those ‘’quick trigger pounding’ instincts of some people. That’s because you have to rack the forend after every shot, giving you ample gap to position, acquire and aim accurately on your target.
Powerful, inexpensive and common parts
These shotguns are very powerful and effective at close range, compared to any other firearm. Which makes them a devastating weapon. Additionally, these guns are appropriately inexpensive and easy to find parts and customize due to their common ownership.
Easy to Maintain
Pump action shotguns are extremely easy to service and maintain.
There are people who have been shooting their pump actions for years without any proper cleaning or maintenance (however, that’s not recommended) and the gun works just fine.
Disadvantages
However, it comes with some drawbacks, including:
Noisy Operation
While that chik-chik sound of these guns may seem exciting. It can be a giveaway in home defense situations where you desire to remain silent and discreet. Although on the contrary, this sound has been known to scare-off prospective intruders. So this one is a 50-50.
Handling Limitations and Recoil
A pump action cannot be used properly in a prone position (or anywhere you cannot rack the forend) and it has to be operated using both hands. Additionally, the recoil of a pump action is notorious and requires practice to get accustomed.
Reloading Rimes, Limited Range and Capacity
Reloading a pump action can be clumsy business in some situations (unless you have a shotgun speed loader). Plus, these shotguns have limited capacity and a short effective range, making them suitable for close encounters only.
How to Assemble and Reassemble Pump Action Shotgun
While assembly and disassembly of the shotgun is not very difficult. You need to be careful at several stages since there are a few loose parts inside the action. Let’s lay it out in a step by step process.
Disassembly
- Get the gun clear of all ammo and conduct a safety check. Now screw-off the magazine tube plug while keeping the shotgun upside down. Slide the mag spring out, flip the gun over and pull out the barrel.
- Cock and lock the gun back into the safety position and push out the retaining screw under the trigger assembly. Make sure not to set the trigger off.
- The cartridge interrupt and stop will fall out so be careful here. Now pull the action three quarters back and pull out the slide plate followed by the action.
- Slide the bolt a bit forward and pinch out the elevator. After that, slide the bolt out of the front. Don’t try removing the ejector since it won’t be worthwhile. That’s the complete disassembly.
Assembly
- For assembly, flip the gun upside down, take the bolt with the firing pin facing forwards and play it into the grooves behind the ejector. Now push the elevator back and it will position the bolt properly into place.
- Slide the action back over the mag tube, matching it with the grooves. Put the slide plate back.
- Now put the cartridge stop and interrupter back. This is the hardest part so do it very carefully.
- Put the trigger assembly back and it shall snap into place. Put back the retaining screw.
- Slide the barrel back on, insert the spring and put on the mag tube cap.
Some steps in this procedure may seem a bit hard to perform. In that case, you can take the help of these detailed video instructions
Conclusion
Pump action shotguns are here to stay. Even more than a century after their invention, they still hold a special and important place in the firearms industry. They are reliable, inexpensive, low-maintenance and powerful weapons that have been bringing food on the table and keeping hostiles off for a long time now.
People Also Ask
These shotguns are fairly common, and there’s no sign of them going out of trends anytime soon. So it’s obvious that such a weapon will attract a ton of queries from prospective owners and curious nabbers. Let’s take a look at some of them:
How Many Rounds Are in a Pump Action Shotgun?
A pump action shotgun can hold anywhere from three to eight rounds. It depends upon the capacity of the magazine tube. This tube can also be extended to hold more shells at a time. There are a few more tactical shotguns that feature a higher capacity using box or specially designed magazines.
How Does a Pump Action Shotgun Work?
The principle of operation of a pump action shotgun is similar to other weapons. Except that the cycling and ejection are done manually. Racking the forend slide forward chambers a fresh round into the action. Whereas racking it backwards ejects the spent shell and extracts a new round from the mag tube. The to and fro motion of the forend slide completes the action cycle.
Are Pump Action Shotguns Legal?
Yes, these shotguns are legal in every US state. However, it is better to check with your local states laws before acquiring one. On the safer size, pump actions having 5+1 rounds capacity shouldn’t attract a legal problem in any state.
Are Pump Shotguns Obsolete?
Each individual can have their own opinion. But pump shotguns are still far from being obsolete. They are widely used for hunting and home defense across the states and many countries in the world. Leading police forces and militaries use them for their operations, and there isn’t even a dent in their popularity in the civilian firearms community.
What is the Pump on a Shotgun Called?
A pump on a shotgun is, well… called a pump in common terms. However, a more technical term for it is a ‘fore-end’. Since it looks and also acts like one. The forend is used to cycle the action and get a better grip on the gun.
What Happens When You Pump a Shotgun?
Pumping a shotgun means pulling the slide/forend backward and then pushing it forward. When pulled back, the spent shell in the chamber is extracted and ejected through the port and a new shell comes out of the mag tube. Upon racking the forend forward, the new shell is loaded into the chamber.
Who Made the First Pump Action Shotgun?
The first pump action shotgun was made by Christopher Spencer in 1882, known as the Spencer Model 1882. It was the first commercially successful repeating shotgun design. Later, John Moses Browning came up with the Winchester Model 1893 and then the more refined Model 1897. Which became more successful and widely recognized around the world. P.S: The first slide-action patent was issued to Alexander Bain of Britain in 1854.
