Pump action shotgun
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Pump action shotguns, also called slide action repeating shotguns or slide action shotguns, are a subclass of shotguns 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 in which between 3 and 8 shells are inserted, depending on the model. New shells are loaded by pulling a pump handle attached to the cartridge tube toward the user, then pushing it back into place to insert the cartridge into the chamber (in a very few cases this action is reversed). This action simultaneously projects the most recently fired shell out the side ejection port. These shotguns are approximately 24 to 34 inches in length.
The pump-action design on modern pump shotguns is a little slower than on 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 speciality loads.
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 pumped, with the trigger held down continuously, up to the 5 or 6 rounds that were stored in the shotgun. This was of particular benefit in trench guns intended for use in combat (e.g., Winchester Model 1897 and Model 1912.)
It is popularly believed that the distinctive "Ka-Chak" sound of a pump-action being cycled carries an inherent deterrent effect. [1] [2]
The pump action shotgun was invented by John Browning, who favored it over the earlier lever-action shotgun that he had also designed.
