I forgot to add in there i already have a pump gun....wanting to pick up a semi auto is most definatly a requirement.
savage has a 12 gauge w/pistol grip stock and 20" barrel for 170. looks to me like a winchester 1200. imo cant go wrong with the standard 870 leos have carried them for years.
I prefer a good pump gun as well, but he's only looking for semi's.
For sub $700 id just get a 870 500 or 590 and ammo.
As for a semi auto shotgun I'd say a Benelli, they're not cheap but they are of great quality. I know you already have a pump but you mentioned you want a tactical shotgun. I don't know if you've ever heard of or looked at Nighthawk Tactical, but they make an awesome custom Remington 870. I think it might be either the same price or possibly a tad cheaper for a custom Nighthawk Tactical 870 then for something like a Benelli M2. I haven't really seen a shotgun as "tactical" as Nighthawk's Custom 870's. Plus you can tell them what you want and don't want on it (a receiver mounted rail, a forearm mounted light, any kind of stock you could want, several sling mounting locations, a receiver mounted shell carrier). A Remington 1100 would be my 2nd choice for an auto loader shotgun but I'd definitely rather save my money and get a Benelli if I were to get an auto loader. I think it's become obvious at this point but I'd definitely go with a Nighthawk 870 if I was going to go with a tactical shotgun that could also be used as a home defense/self defense weapon.
Less is NOT always better. Get the 930spx. It's a great gun.
M1 super 90 with 9 rounds of 00 buckthen remington 1100BENELLI M1 SUPER 90
BERETTA 1201 FP
And again, not really meeting the requirements laid out by the OP.
Hey, I know, let's tell him why he really shouldn't even be considering a shotgun in the first place, because (insert YOUR favorite platform here) are better.
It doesn't really get any more "Tactical" than a Blunderbuss.
Again?
Considering he left his budget and the auto-loader requirement out of the OP. My comment is still valid. Sub $700 he shouldn't be looking at auto-loaders.
The "tactical shotgun" would imply to me that it would be something he would be willing to stake his life on. To me $700 in that regard is whats the saying "caviar tastes but bologna budget"
We tell people all the time not to buy substandard handguns and save up for a glock or M&P all the time. Shotguns are no different. Hes a couple hundred away from a Benelli if he wants a semi find good deal on a used M1.
And in your OP you said tactical so you want to mess around with a basic tac shotgun. Get something so cheap it never matters if you only use it as a door stop and 4th of July OR get something mainstream so you can easily trade or sell it if you never play with it much and you decide it is a waste of your money. AKA buy used.Honestly its just going to be a play gun.
Just like dogs, there are no Bad Benelli's, just bad Benelli owners.Im not saying the Benelli is a bad gun at all ....
Honestly its just going to be a play gun.
Semi, used Benelli M1 as close to $500 as possible but not over $650.