hello, i am currently getting back into the market for a good duck hunting shotgun. i have always believed in pumps and bolts. today i shot a buddy's browning gold 12 ga. semi auto and the recoil difference is absolutely amazing. i just don't trust the gas loss. if it vents gases, it has to lose some velocity and distance. am i just stupid and set in my ways, or do i have a valid point? please help me in the problem.

The issue for me, when I decided on a 12 ga., was the simplicity of the pump, and thus the ability to strip, clean, and reassemble in the field. I'm sure plenty of people will say they've never had a problem with a semi-auto. But, you never know what's going to happen in the field. I know semis work just fine, and do lessen recoil. But I like the idea of dummy-proofing this dummy's guns.

Same with a bolt gun. Kinda hard to mess those up. But, your question regarding the physics is a good one, I'm interested to hear the answer too.

jonas

Welcome to the forum matthew1219. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

As to your question, no there is no measurable velocity difference. The shot charge has left the bore before any of the gases that operate the action begin working the action.

Either will work well and with proper maintenance both will function flawlessly. As you noted gas operated semi-autos do have less felt recoil and well as a very speedy follow-up shot. I shoot both a Remington 1100 and a H&K 121. (the 121 is a short recoil operated shotgun) I use both for competition and have never had a malfunction with either. The 1100 is check periodically in regards to the gas seals and rings and replace them as needed. The 121 is merely kept clean. I have seen more operator induced malfunction with a pump in competitions that gun induced malfunction with the semi's, short stroking being the most common.

Obviously either will work well, if you like the lower recoil impulse buy a semi, if it doesn't bother you stick with a pump and it's slower second shot.

matthew1219
If your worried about power loss get a Inertia system instead of gas operated! I love my A5 Browning and its just as reliable as a pump gun!
Recoil is alot less then my old Mossberg 500 pump!

I have hunted ducks for over 40 years, all around the world and with every type of gun you can imagine. Duck hunting can be very tough on a gun. It's going to get muddy, wet and generally trashed if you hunt enough. The weather can get VERY cold and a wet gun will FREEZE. Day in and day out, I WANT A PUMP; 12 ga, 3" with a good pad and pro-ported barrel. I can MAKE it function when others won't.