A pump-action shotgun requires that before firing, the user must “pump” the sliding grip-handle which is located under the barrel (see chapter on “Basic Terminology Explained). As the handle is slid rearward, the action releases a shotgun shell from the tubular magazine which is under the barrel, and drops it onto an internal rack. When the handle is moved forward again, the rack moves upward and inserts the shell into the chamber of the shotgun. This manual process is often called “racking,” and many consider it an added safety feature.
If you are interested in purchasing a tactical shotgun, the standard police workhorse is the Remington 870 Tactical, which is a pump-action shotgun. For more than 30-years this has been the tactical shotgun used by most police departments. It is still standard equipment in probably 85% of today’s police cruisers.
Even within the pump-action category, tactical shotguns come in many configurations. However, the most common “police” model is one with this configuration: Remington model 870 Tactical, with an 18-1/2 or 20-inch barrel, and a magazine extension tube. (The extension tube is a “magazine” which expands the gun’s capacity to 6-9 shotgun shells). Specifications often list the capacity in the format of 5+1, 6+1, etc. The larger number indicates the capacity of the magazine, and the “+1” refers to the one shell that can be held in the chamber of the gun, so that it is ready to fire.
Another feature of most police shotguns (sometimes referred to as riot guns), is that they have a synthetic stock and a non-glare protective coating on the metal parts. This makes the shotgun more durable than a gun with a wood stock, and the metal parts more rust-resistant. When selecting a gun for personal protection, these are features worth considering.
Another advantage of popular guns such as the Remington 870 Tactical and the Mossberg 500 series, is that there are many after-market products available for them. This includes pistol grips, collapsible stocks, flashlight mounts, lasers, rails, sidesaddle shell holders, swivels and slings, etc.
Tactical shotguns made by Remington, Winchester, Benelli, and Mossberg, are routinely available in a number of different tactical configurations. These are also the manufacturers of the tactical shotguns commonly used by police departments.
For those who will store or use their shotgun in adverse weather conditions, or in damp environments such as on a boat, Remington and Mossberg made a tactical shotgun with a marine-grade finish. These models were designed for boaters who want protection from pirates, as well as a shotgun that can be used against sharks, and to launch various types of illumination and distress flares. Today, these models have also gained popularity with those who live in locations of high humidity, for those on horseback or who regularly ride in an ATV, or for storage in a cabin without HVAC. Some also favor these nickel-colored guns because they look less military.
If you live close to saltwater, or plan to routinely take your tactical shotgun out into the rain or with you on a boat, or you live in an area which has high humidity, whether you purchase one of these “boater” models or not, it is important to select a gun that has an anti-corrosion coating. Today there are many anti-corrosive coatings available for firearms, but some still use “bluing,” so it’s a question worth asking before you make your purchase. Some of these coatings are better than others, but all of them are far superior to a traditional “bluing” finish which must be treated with oil to protect the metal. You can expect to pay a little more for a shotgun which has a factory-applied protective coating, but it is well worth the expense if you want the benefit of reduced maintenance.
A newer entry into the police tactical-shotgun market is the Benelli Nova Tactical. As with the Remington 870 Tactical, it comes with an anti-corrosion finish, plus it’s lighter in weight than the Remington 870. It’s also a great choice, as are the police-grade and military-grade Mossberg models.
The reduced-weight lower cost models, such as the Benelli Nova and the Mossberg 500, is an indicator that they will not be as durable as an all-steel Remington 870 or Mossberg 590, but they are nevertheless fine weapons and reasonably priced. As with the Remington Tactical shotguns, you can order the Benelli Nova (and SuperNova) and Mossberg tactical shotguns with the magazine extension-tube already installed -- which is what I strongly recommend. It’s less expensive to order the gun with the magazine extension already included. However, it is also an option that can be purchased later. The installation of this as an aftermarket accessory is quick and easy.