I have a good friend who has shoulder problems and he can no longer rack a pump shotgun. He’s looking at Benellis, Berettas, Tavors, and a few others semi autos. He asked me about what I thought would be the most reliable. I have a Mossberg 500 pump that is my go to gun, so I’m not as familiar with the semi autos. What’s y’all’s opinions on the best out there in the semi auto home defense shotgun world. Thanks in advance for any help.

Beretta A300 Patrol is what I’ve got, it reliably cycles Hornady TAP low recoil buckshot

If he’s got deep pockets, the Beretta 1301

What AU7MM08 said. I really like my A300 Patrol.

Hit the pawn shops find a older stevens , savage , mossberg , winchester . With a vented rib and cut off part of the barrel and add some tru_glow vent sites on it . Wont cost a arm and leg . If it's just for inside he won't be shooting over 15 feet

M4 is the gold standard but like what has already been said, the beretta A300 is a fine gun too and less$$$

I would go with a gas gun like a beretta for home defense instead of an inertia gun. Less chance of it inadvertently coming out of battery in my opinion.

He can no longer rack a pump but can consistently reload the low capacity tube ?

Maybe time to switch to a carbine

Sauer SL5 3G is what I replaced my Mossberg 930 with. They've come way down in price because it isn't a known/popular brand over here. There's a few new ones on gunbroker for $550-$600 which is a steal. Theyre manufactured by Breda. Might have your research the SL5, it's a lot of gun for the money.

Thanks all. He told me a little bit ago that he got a Beretta 1301 Tactical.

What i done with my sister she's small framed . She handles my m1 pretty good so she has it now .

Have him track down some low recoil 00 buck, Hornady TAP or Federal Flight Control

I’m a shotgun guy myself for quick work

What about a double?

Seems like a terrible option for self defense in 2024, only because of the silly low capacity
Criminals often move in quantities of 1-4.

I have a single that I keep loaded. And a few others, but if I am rolling out of bed that is the one within reach. I dont want to shoot any person. But, when I was younger I shot quail with a single shot and kept the extra shell in my mouth or fingers. #2 can be in the tube quick.

Truth is my keys are in my truck outside. Nobody is breaking in while we are here. At least not a group of people.

They better not mess up breaking in or me drive up and they breaking in . I even lay a pistol and extra mags on the sink when I take a shower


Good thing about no young kids around you can put stuff out ever where .lol

FYI…..#4 TSS buckshot is some real bad medicine out of a scattergun! TSS #4 buck has the energy of 00 lead buckshot but a whole lot more of them per shell!!

i wonder what 500 rounds would cost .

About what a new car cost!

Big Bore i was joking . but i did go look ,,,,, daaamn !!!!!!

TSS is real good but real damn expensive!

I can’t think of a better defense round for inside the home distances than #9 tss. I would be very concerned about the larger tss shots like #4 over penetrating. I can tell you that tss T shot will pass through a 2x6 at 80 yds.

I don't see me spending $40 to $50 for 5 shells .

Short of actual warfare, #4 TSS BUCK will have more penetration than most homes could handle. It might not stop until it’s in the neighbor’s house. Straight #4 birdshot TSS (or #2-#6) is likely more than enough penetration at house ranges. #5s will do complete pass through on coyotes at WAY out there.

I am sure you are right. I shot a coyote with #9 TSS last year at 45 yards and it absolutely destroyed that dog!