Who doesn’t love a shiny, new, beautiful semi-automatic shotgun that offers duck hunters the latest firearms technology? I admire them, but after using multiple semi-autos and pump shotguns, I’ve found that one type of shotgun is much better suited for waterfowl hunting. In this article, we’ll discuss why a pump shotgun is better for most hunters while a semi-auto is better for a few others. Let’s get started.
Pump Shotgun
A pump-action shotgun is the best option for waterfowl hunting, period. Although I’ve used different brands and gauges over the years, I still prefer duck hunting with a 12-gauge shotgun for several reasons.
Pros
- Less expensive
- More reliable
- More durable
The first thing I love about hunting with a pump-action shotgun is how much less expensive they are than semi-auto shotguns. I’m tough on my hunting gear. I don’t have a nice cushy place to hunt, so my gear gets wet, muddy, and bloody. However, I don’t have to worry about keeping my gear in pristine condition because I didn’t spend $3,000 on a new shotgun. Instead, I spent about $800.
Just because pump shotguns are less expensive doesn’t mean they’re less reliable; in fact, in my experience, they are more reliable. I’ve had fewer problems with pumps over the years than with semis. This also includes when they’re dirty. We all know how messy a duck hunt can get, including our guns, but pump-action shotguns are more reliable when dirty than semi-auto shotguns. So you’ll bag more birds when using a pump because it’s more likely to fire.
Lastly, I’ve used (unloaded) pump-action shotguns, like an old Remington 870, as a paddle when the boat motor failed to start or to bust ice. Yes, a semi-auto can also do that, but it’s more likely to break because of the extra moving parts.
I’m a big fan of keeping things simple, and it’s pretty apparent when you look at my gear selection, including my duck hunting shotgun, but that doesn’t mean I think pump-action shotguns are perfect. There are a few cons that you need to be aware of before buying a pump.
Cons
- Not quite as fast as a semi-auto
- Your buddies think you’re less cool
- People on social media think you’re poor
I can shoot and quickly cycle shells through my pump, but it’s still faster for me to use a semi-auto. That’s why I still use a semi-automatic shotgun on goose hunts, especially snow goose conservation hunts.
Another downside to using a pump is your buddies thinking less of you. You’ve built a solid reputation with them, and when you show to the blind with a pump-action, they’ll look at you a bit weird because “who hunts with a pump-action anymore?”
The last con is other hunters on social media will automatically assume you’re poor because you choose to hunt with a pump-action instead of a high-dollar semi-auto. This really isn’t a bad thing unless you’re obsessed with what other people think about you.
Semi-Automatic Shotgun
As I mentioned, I occasionally use a semi-auto shotgun for waterfowl hunting because this type of shotgun has some positive aspects.
Pros
- Latest shotgun technology
- Everyone thinks you’re a better hunter than you truly are
Now, I know I’ve been pretty critical of semi-autos, but one thing I love about them is how they utilize the latest shotgun technology. If you’re obsessed with staying up-to-date on the latest technologies, then a semi-auto is the only shotgun for you.
Another added benefit of using a semi-auto is how other hunters automatically assume you’re a good duck hunter because “only the best duck hunters shoot a semi-auto.” Okay, maybe that’s what the gun manufacturers want us to believe, but they’ve done a pretty good job of convincing most hunters of that statement.
Cons
- Expensive
- Less reliable
The biggest drawback to semi-automatic shotguns is their price. As I said, I’m tough on my gear, so I couldn’t imagine taking a costly shotgun to the blind and getting it muddy, bloody, and scratched. This is also why I only hunt with a cheap over/under, not a high-dollar one.
Maybe it’s because they use new technologies that haven’t had every wrinkle ironed out, but I’ve always found semi-automatic shotguns less reliable. I’ve had more problems in the field with them than with pump shotguns. If I’m spending that kind of money on a gun, I want it to work 100% of the time; when I pull the trigger, a duck better be falling out of the sky. I shouldn’t hear a dreaded click or experience a malfunction.
Parting Shots
For some, the pros of semi-auto shotguns outweigh the cons, and many will still choose to use them for waterfowl hunting, but that’s the beauty of this lifestyle. Neither way is wrong.
Now that you’ve read this article, you can decide which is better for your situation. I’m happy to share a blind with you, even if you choose incorrectly, as many of my buddies will vouch.
But for real, I’d much rather see people enjoying the great outdoors with a semi-auto than sitting at home, so go get after it!
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