double barrel over pump action

[Spero]

Pros/cons of each. I looked and their was no thread. I ask as at the moment I have 2 pump actions and 2 double barrels (For hand outs) as well as a few single shots. I am keeping the single shots for several reasons but am looking to sell one of the shotguns. The reason I want to sell is that my neighbor wants a 12ga. of any kind (Only rules is no single shot otherwise I would sell one of my New England's and replace it later). He wants is for a fun shooter as he does not hunt. He said he would pay 175 for one. I know someone who has two Nagants rifles and one Nagant pistol for sale he would sell all three plus accessories for 200, including several boxes of new production ammo for the rifles. The Nagant Pistol is converted to shoot 32. I am leaning toward getting them for handouts for my neighbors. 3 guns for 1 is a good deal. So which should I sell? The double Barrell or one of the pumps?

[MustangGal]

The double barrel gets my vote, for the simple reason it only has two rounds as opposed to multiple rounds before reloading for your pump.

On the other hand, there is less to break on them. Still, I wouldn't trade my pump shotgun for a double barrel. Nope.

[rice paddy daddy]

I use SXS double barrel, double trigger shotguns as farm tools. You can keep birdshot in one pipe, buckshot in the other and have instant load selection by which trigger you choose.
If your whole tactical thinking is based on end of the world, zombie raider bands pillaging the countryside, circle the wagons type living, then a pump shotgun is probably best.
But i don't think that way. The most likely scenario around The Ol' Homestead is what already happens on a regular basis now:
it's late at night, the chickens start raising a ruckus, the horses are making nervous sounds, and The Wife "suggests" I go check things out. I jam a 38 revolver in my pocket and pick up my trusty 20 ga. It's got #6 birdshot in one tube in case I encounter a coon or possum, and #3 buck in the other tube in case it's something bigger.
Actually, if I could only have one shotgun it would be the type I started out on so many years ago - 12 ga single shot hammer gun. Way less parts to fail, and with the proper technique they can be fired just as fast as a pumpgun.

Anyway, that's just an old homesteader's take on the problem.

[Sharpshooter]

honetsly double barrels are out dated imo for the fact of matter with pump action you can fire mulitple rouds consistenly with out reload. you also have the capbility of adding extions to pumps which adds few more to the consitant fire. yes they have few more parts but also if you look at how well they perform and how many people have them for hunting and home defense. they versitlity of pump over a double barrel imo exceeds everytime imo.

[WiseOwl]

I have only shot a double barrel once and really didnt care for it that much.

I prefer the pump just because of the added shell factor and additions like sharpshooter said.

My buddy has one of those Benelli semi autos and thats the way to go

[rice paddy daddy]

I like lever action rifles, too. :cool:
And single action revolvers chambered in 45 Colt.:)

[Gus14]

Pump or double? Hmmmmmmmm.

I have pondered this for the past week since you posed the question.
Thing is, they both have a benefit. If you are talking about home defense then a double barrel would be fine. I cant think of too many home invaders would stick around after a shotgun starts going off. Also, if you are firing from a very safe spot a double barrel would work well. There is very little to go wrong with them and if something does and you are handy with hand tools, you can repair that double barrel far easier than a pump. Paired with a quality semi-auto pistol that you are handy with, folks would rather play tag with a porcupine than mess with you.

The benefits with a pump action shotgun are quite obvious. Defense and harvesting of game, a shotty can do it all and when you have multiple shot capability with the pump of the action, you are always ready. Change of barrel or choke tube and you can go from defending your home to harvesting the thanksgiving bird to killing venison to fill the freezer or smokehouse, or you could shoot a fine pheasant dinner or perhapse you want some duck. After getting your game you can simply change the rounds in the tube and be back to protecting what is yours.

Either way, it is a tough decision for me to give you advise on. I would have to see what is being put up and what is being obtained in the whole deal. Overall choosing a weapon is like choosin yer underbritches...only you better make the choice, you are the one who has to wear it.

[rice paddy daddy]

As a rural homeowner w/livestock, a double barrel for posible night time predators is better for me than a pump, besides being able to instantly choose between loads. I have a 2 D-cell Maglight set up with a Maglight brand zenon bulb that will send a bright tightly focused beam more than 250 feet, to illuminate any predator eyes in the pasture or woodline. If I see something that needs immediate "attention" I can easily grasp the fore end and the light at the same time and fire. I can not work a pump while holding the light, I've tried it.
A weapon mounted light means I'm scanning about with the muzzle, which I do not like to do.

[puternut]

I agree RPD. I picked up a Coach gun with hammers (Too much John Wayne influence I guess!)

The household women can use it with the 1in shells and carry enough for house situations and it
is way handier than my 870 even with the short deer barrel.

The double is very robust and simple, both to handle and for longevity.

[rice paddy daddy]

Who makes your coach gun, puternut?

[puternut]

I looked for years to find a Rossi but finally settled on the one built in China. Read some good reports about it, its so simple
even they make it good.

Mine is balanced well and has good lockup when the hammers are pulled back. Trigger release is good for a stock gun.
If I wanted to improve it, it is simple to take apart, polish, and put back together. Several YouTube video's on the gun.
Bought at the shop on Blanding across from the K-mart.

Model is JW-2000. Little heave but balanced real good. Fits the Molle scabbard right nicely.
If we ever meetup I'll bring it if you want to get a feel for how it is. or drop me a note off line
and come by for lunch sometime since I don't live far from your work if I remember right.(retirement is NICE!)

[Spero]

Who makes your coach gun, puternut?

neither are what i would consider coach guns both are Full length both by Springfield payed one hundred for one and 125 for the other both have cosmetic issues but function

[rice paddy daddy]

I looked for years to find a Rossi but finally settled on the one built in China. Read some good reports about it, its so simple
even they make it good.

Mine is balanced well and has good lockup when the hammers are pulled back. Trigger release is good for a stock gun.
If I wanted to improve it, it is simple to take apart, polish, and put back together. Several YouTube video's on the gun.
Bought at the shop on Blanding across from the K-mart.

Model is JW-2000. Little heave but balanced real good. Fits the Molle scabbard right nicely.
If we ever meetup I'll bring it if you want to get a feel for how it is. or drop me a note off line
and come by for lunch sometime since I don't live far from your work if I remember right.(retirement is NICE!)

The Russians make them as well, Baikal is the brand name. One of my favorite gun magazines is Guns Of The Old West, and it's full of old time guns like yours for the cowboy action crowd. I love the old stuff.
My SXS doubles are Stoeger Uplanders, made in Brazil, full length bird guns. I bought a .410 on sale out at Green Acres on Normandy for $199 and liked it so well I later bought a 20 ga at full price.
I work just off Commonwealth, a couple miles east of I-295. Not the safest neighborhood.

[Spero]

Sold the pump. Bought the surplus Russian guns. The reason is this summer the route thirty yard sale is going on earlier and I can most likely find a cheap pump to replace the one I sold.