Pump action shotgun
Encyclopedia
Pump-action shotguns, also called 'slide action repeating shotguns' or 'slide action shotguns' are a class of shotgun
s that are distinguished in the way in which spent shells are extracted and fresh ones are chambered. The weapon has a single barrel above a tube magazine into which shells are inserted. New shells are chambered by pulling a pump handle (often called the fore-end) attached to the tube magazine toward the user, then pushing it back into place to chamber the cartridge (in a few cases this action is reversed). Fore-ends are replaceable, and modern ones may include a pistol grip
for a more secure hold, picatinny rails, or a tactical light
.
Modern pump-action designs are a little slower than a semi-automatic shotgun
, but the pump-action offers greater flexibility in selection of shotshells, allowing the shooter to mix different types of loads and for using low-power or specialty loads. Semi-automatic shotguns must use some of the energy of each round fired to cycle their actions, meaning that they must be loaded with shells powerful enough to reliably cycle. The pump-action avoids this limitation. In addition, like all manual action guns, pump-action guns are inherently more reliable than semi-automatic guns under adverse conditions, such as exposure to dirt, sand, or climactic extremes. Thus, until recently, military combat shotguns were almost exclusively pump-action designs.
Older pump-action shotguns are often faster than modern semi-automatic shotguns, as they often did not have a trigger disconnector
, and were capable of firing a new round as fast as the pump action was cycled, with the trigger held down continuously. This technique is called a slamfire
, and was often used in conjunction with the M1897
in the First World War's trench warfare.
It is popularly believed that the distinctive sound of a pump action being cycled carries an inherent deterrent effect.
The first successful pump-action shotgun was designed by Christopher Miner Spencer
, also designer of the Spencer Repeating Rifle
, in 1882. The 1893 and 1897 Winchester pump-action
shotguns are other early examples, the 1897 saw use in the Great War, where the Germans accused Americans of war crimes for its effectiveness.
Shotgun
A shotgun is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid projectile called a slug...
s that are distinguished in the way in which spent shells are extracted and fresh ones are chambered. The weapon has a single barrel above a tube magazine into which shells are inserted. New shells are chambered by pulling a pump handle (often called the fore-end) attached to the tube magazine toward the user, then pushing it back into place to chamber the cartridge (in a few cases this action is reversed). Fore-ends are replaceable, and modern ones may include a pistol grip
Pistol grip
On a firearm or other tool, the pistol grip is that portion of the mechanism that is held by the hand and orients the hand in a forward, vertical orientation, similar to the position one would take with a conventional pistol such as the M1911....
for a more secure hold, picatinny rails, or a tactical light
Tactical light
A tactical light is a flashlight used in conjunction with a firearm to aid low light target identification, allowing the marksman to simultaneously aim and illuminate the target. Tactical lights can be handheld or mounted to the weapon with the light beam parallel to the bore...
.
Modern pump-action designs are a little slower than a semi-automatic shotgun
Semi-automatic shotgun
A semi-automatic shotgun is a form of shotgun that is able to fire a cartridge after every trigger squeeze, without any manual chambering of another round being required...
, but the pump-action offers greater flexibility in selection of shotshells, allowing the shooter to mix different types of loads and for using low-power or specialty loads. Semi-automatic shotguns must use some of the energy of each round fired to cycle their actions, meaning that they must be loaded with shells powerful enough to reliably cycle. The pump-action avoids this limitation. In addition, like all manual action guns, pump-action guns are inherently more reliable than semi-automatic guns under adverse conditions, such as exposure to dirt, sand, or climactic extremes. Thus, until recently, military combat shotguns were almost exclusively pump-action designs.
Older pump-action shotguns are often faster than modern semi-automatic shotguns, as they often did not have a trigger disconnector
Trigger disconnector
A trigger disconnector is a type of safety in a firearm, which prevents the trigger from being held down after a shot has been fired. This disallows either automatic fire or deliberate "slam fire", depending upon the particular firearm's action. Notable firearms that lack this feature include...
, and were capable of firing a new round as fast as the pump action was cycled, with the trigger held down continuously. This technique is called a slamfire
Slamfire
A slamfire is a premature, unintended discharge of a firearm that occurs as a round is being loaded into the chamber. Slamfires are most common in military firearms that have a free-floating firing pin, as opposed to a spring-loaded one...
, and was often used in conjunction with the M1897
Winchester Model 1897
The Winchester Model 1897, also known as the Model 97, M97, or Trench Gun, was a pump-action shotgunwith an external hammer and tube magazine manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The Model 1897 was an evolution of the Winchester Model 1893 designed by John Browning. From 1897...
in the First World War's trench warfare.
It is popularly believed that the distinctive sound of a pump action being cycled carries an inherent deterrent effect.
The first successful pump-action shotgun was designed by Christopher Miner Spencer
Christopher Miner Spencer
Christopher Miner Spencer was an American inventor, from Manchester, Connecticut, who invented the Spencer repeating rifle, one of the earliest models of lever-action rifle, a steam powered "horseless carriage", and several other inventions...
, also designer of the Spencer Repeating Rifle
Spencer repeating rifle
The Spencer repeating rifle was a manually operated lever-action, repeating rifle fed from a tube magazine with cartridges. It was adopted by the Union Army, especially by the cavalry, during the American Civil War, but did not replace the standard issue muzzle-loading rifled muskets in use at the...
, in 1882. The 1893 and 1897 Winchester pump-action
Winchester Model 1897
The Winchester Model 1897, also known as the Model 97, M97, or Trench Gun, was a pump-action shotgunwith an external hammer and tube magazine manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The Model 1897 was an evolution of the Winchester Model 1893 designed by John Browning. From 1897...
shotguns are other early examples, the 1897 saw use in the Great War, where the Germans accused Americans of war crimes for its effectiveness.
See also
- Pump-actionPump-actionA pump-action rifle or shotgun is one in which the handgrip can be pumped back and forth in order to eject a spent round of ammunition and to chamber a fresh one. It is much faster than a bolt-action and somewhat faster than a lever-action, as it does not require the trigger hand to be removed from...
- Franchi SPAS-12Franchi SPAS-12The SPAS-12 is a combat shotgun that was manufactured by the Italian firearms company Franchi S.p.A. from 1979 to 2000. The SPAS-12 is a dual-mode shotgun, meaning it can be calibrated to cycle either semi-automatically or through pump-action. The SPAS-12 has sold well to military and police users...
- Ithaca Model 37
- Winchester Model 1897Winchester Model 1897The Winchester Model 1897, also known as the Model 97, M97, or Trench Gun, was a pump-action shotgunwith an external hammer and tube magazine manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The Model 1897 was an evolution of the Winchester Model 1893 designed by John Browning. From 1897...
- Winchester Model 1912Winchester Model 1912The Winchester Model 1912 is a hammerless slide-action, i.e., pump-action, shotgun with an external tube magazine. Popularly-named the Perfect Repeater at its introduction, it largely set the standard for pump action shotguns over its 51 year high-rate production life...
- NeoStead 2000NeoStead 2000The NeoStead 2000 is a combat shotgun developed by Truvelo Armoury of South Africa.The NS2000 has been used in trial runs for a few years by special forces like the British SAS and there are hopes at NeoStead that larger weapons manufacturers will license the production rights...
- Remington 870Remington 870The Remington Model 870 is a U.S.-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, Inc. It is widely used by the public for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense. It is also commonly used by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.-Development:The Remington 870 was...
- Mossberg 500Mossberg 500Mossberg 500 is a series of shotguns manufactured by O.F. Mossberg & Sons. The 500 series comprises widely varying models of hammerless, pump action repeaters, all of which share the same basic receiver and action, but differ in bore size, barrel length, choke options, magazine capacity, and...
- Winchester 1200Winchester 1200The Model 1200 and Model 1300 were two American pump-action shotguns that were manufactured by the Winchester-Western Division of Olin Corporation. It was produced in 12-, 16- and 20-gauge. The 1200 has the ability to have a bayonet fixed on the end of the barrel to be used in close quarter combat...
- New Haven 600New Haven 600New Haven 600 is a series of shotguns manufactured by O.F. Mossberg & Sons on behalf of department stores, most notably the Montgomery Ward Company, Western Auto, and other retail stores. New Haven is one of O.F. Mossberg & Sons' private, promotional brands. The New Haven 600 is identical to the...
- Remington 887 Nitro MagRemington 887 Nitro MagThe Remington Model 887 Nitro Mag is a U.S.-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, Inc. It is noted for using a polymer finish called ArmorLokt, which is designed to survive any type of weather condition and leaves no exterior surfaces to rust...
- Norinco HP9-1Norinco HP9-1The Norinco HP9-1, also known as the Norinco N870-14.00, is a short pump action shotgun made by Norinco of China. This 12 gauge smoothbore firearm has a 14 inch barrel and has a rust-resistant parkerized finish. It is a close copy of the Remington 870, a widely-distributed design no longer under...
- Benelli NovaBenelli NovaThe Benelli Nova is a standard pump action shotgun, popular among hunters and defense enthusiasts. Its most innovative and distinguishing feature is a one-piece receiver and buttstock, made of steel-reinforced polymer.- Hunting :...
- Benelli SupernovaBenelli SupernovaThe Benelli Supernova is a standard pump action shotgun, popular among hunters and defense enthusiasts. Its most innovative and distinguishing feature is a one-piece receiver and changeable stock with shim kit...
- Ciener Ultimate Over/UnderCiener Ultimate Over/UnderThe Ciener Ultimate Over/Under system is a modification of the Remington 870 by Johnathan Arthur Ciener. It is identical in purpose to the Knight's Armament Company Masterkey or the accessory weapon configuration of the Remington 870 MPS....
- Specialized types of shotgun which are often pump-action:
- Riot shotgunRiot shotgunA riot shotgun is a shotgun designed or modified for use as a primarily defensive weapon, primarily by the use of a short barrel. The riot shotgun is used by military personnel for guard duty and was at one time used for riot control, and is commonly used as a patrol weapon by law enforcement...
- Combat shotgunCombat shotgunA combat shotgun is a shotgun that is intended for use in an offensive role, typically by a military force. The earliest shotguns specifically designed for combat were the trench guns or trench shotguns issued in World War I...
- Riot shotgun