Tactical Shotgun Dilema

[u/Various_Piano_8053]

Hi folks!

I'm trying to decide what shotgun would fit my needs. I'm out on a target shooting trip, and as part of the group fun I'm asleep in my camp and get woken up (during daylight of course) by a clay pigeon breaking into my tent or have a timed competition to see who can get rounds off quickest. I need to access from locked storage, load, and chamber shells ASAP. Which would you choose?

1) Mossberg 590RM

+ quick to load (mag stored loaded, rounds cycled out periodically to prevent deformation)

+ AR-type safety is quick (I'm a lefty)

+ more capacity (10 rather than the 20)

+ If I'm in an awkward position or not fully shouldered I won't "limp-wrist" vs a semi-auto

- Slower to get shells off

- potential short-stroke

- Potentially less reliable

2) Reliable Semi-auto like a Beretta 1301

+ quicker to get rounds off

+ don't have to think about/do anything to chamber next shell

- less capacity (5+1 of longest shell)

- potential "limp-wrist" stoppages

- reloading tube mag is much slower

- usually less recoil

I've ruled out the Turkish mag-fed pumps as I don't want to risk a malfunction, even though they do have some very short barrel options. I know most people aren't fans of mag-fed shotguns, but with the right ammo the 590RM seems to be solid from what I've seen. My big sticking point is getting rounds off. Alternatives for reloading the semi are things like a 4-5 shot syringe which if done well is incredibly fast (but may be challenging under duress), or a side saddle. Still not as fast as an external box mag though. If you guys have any thoughts I'd love to hear.

[u/DougMacRay617]

590rm is gimmicky get the 590s or the 1301. Which would you rather? A pump or a semi. Personally i have both and neither are a bad choice

[u/Hell-Let-Loose00 → u/DougMacRay617]

Hard disagree. I have the 590RM, I’ve never felt so comfortable using a shotgun. This is compared to 1301 and M4.

Zero issues loading the mag, zero feeding issues. 590RM is overlooked because people just assume mag = problems.

[u/DougMacRay617 → u/Hell-Let-Loose00]

I understand that its a reliable mag fed, no denying that. Its just my opinion (and pretty much the majority of anyone who shoots shotgun competitively outside of clays) that the traditional design & forum factor of pump guns and semi's alike is pretty much peak. Again its all about what ur doing with it. Personally the mag not only looks ridiculous but its too bulky and all for what? So it can hold 2 more rounds then a regular 590? It doesn't entice me in the slightest. Not to mention the AR style controls lend themselves well to a PG but as i just stated shotguns for most of their use cases are best utilized without a pg in my experience

[u/Various_Piano_8053 → u/DougMacRay617]

I guess I should specify it's more for how quick can I get out of bed and get full magazine and rounds chambered rather than competition. We just obviously have to be careful wording what our use case is in Canada. 

[u/DougMacRay617 → u/Various_Piano_8053]

Yeah if im sleeping in the back country and have a shotgun for pred defense then its in condition 3 until im back to a determined "safe zone"