Which do yoy prefer for a general purpose firearm? This is the standard "one-gun" theory. You get to choose a shotgun, what do you pick?

Well, the Submit wasn't working for me...
So for me the answer is pump. Simple, trouble free. Almost maintenance free.

I have a Win 1300 Defender. I load progressively. 2 rounds of bird shot, 2 rounds of triple ought, 2 rounds of double ought, and 2 slugs. If they are still standing after that, they better have red eyes and machine parts.

R

Yup, the survey thingy doesn't seem to be working.

As for which type of shotgun, definitely a pump. Mainly because I have little experience with auto-loading shotguns, though I hear they're getting better in terms of reliability. But, it's hard to beat the reliability of a good pump shotgun.

I have a Mossberg 500, which I've beaten the heck out of and it still performs flawlessly. Like Ryan, I escalate my loads (preferring *not* to use the word, "progressive," I think we have too much of that already). First shot is bird shot, then 2 buckshot, then 2 magnum slugs. I usually take the shotgun camping and the birdshot is for snakes. Buckshot for targets at a medium distance, and it the threat is still active, finally the magnum slugs. Magnum because, well, if you're going to shoot a slug at a threat, it might as well be a whopper. And, I'm pretty sure there's nothing in AZ that could survive a mag slug (bears are too small here).

I also have a 5-shell carrier on the stock for reloading.

I know that some proponents of auto-loading shotguns will say that it's too easy to short stroke a pump under stress. To which I say, TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING!

Hmm, my vote,....12G pump.

I too load bird shot first in line, then 00 Buckshot, then Slugs, if the target is still coming, and not down, run away, ha.

I try to live in KISS mode (Keep it simple stupid), less complexity works for me.

I'm not sure why the poll wasn't working so I deleted it.

Thanks for your veiwpoints.

I'd go with a pump action myself. I had a Remington 870 that I just sold because I didn't like the camo pattern and the barrel was too long. I plan on getting a new one with the standard "wood" stocks and a blued 16 inch barrel.