Ask around and most folks will tell you a pump shotgun has no place in 3-Gun. “Too slow,” they’ll say. “You’ll be outgunned.” And if you’re brand new to the sport, odds are someone has already told you to ditch that old Remington 870 collecting dust in your safe.

But I’m not here to echo the crowd, I’m here to challenge that advice.

Because if you’ve already got a pump gun, there’s no reason you can’t hit your first few matches running it. In fact, it might teach you more than any tricked-out semi-auto ever will.

The Pump Gun’s Real Superpower: Simplicity

The beauty of a pump shotgun is that it just works. No gas system to clean. No cycling issues with light loads. No wondering if your gear is going to quit on you halfway through a stage. If you work it right, it works every time.

It’s a mechanical system that puts you fully in charge. You’re running the bolt. You’re setting the rhythm. And when you’re starting out, that kind of reliability matters more than another 0.2 seconds on the clock.

Speed vs Skill: The Pump Shotgun Advantage

Sure, a pump gun isn’t going to outrun a tuned M2. But what it lacks in speed, it can make up for in control. Every shot requires a deliberate action. You have to run the pump, find your next target, and reengage. That forced reset can actually tighten up your shooting and keep you from slapping the trigger like you’re playing Whack-a-Mole.

Rushed shots are missed shots. A pump won’t let you rush. That’s a feature, not a setback, when you’re learning.

Loading Speed: The Underrated Competency in 3 Gun

Everyone talks about splits and transitions. But you know what actually wins stages with shotguns? Loading.

It doesn’t matter what kind of gun you have if you can’t keep it fed. The quad load doesn’t care if you’re shooting a $400 pawn shop special or a $3,000 race gun, it only cares if you practiced it.

Start slow. Load smooth. Focus on efficiency. You’ll be surprised how many folks with nicer shotguns fumble their loads while you’re already back on target.

Budget-Friendly Strategy: Enhancing Your Pump Shotgun

Look, we all want cool gear. But buying a high-end shotgun before you’ve even shot your first match is like buying a race car before you learn how to drive stick.

If you’ve got a pump shotgun, throw a mag tube extension on it. Polish the load port. Learn how to keep it running under pressure. All of that will serve you way better than dumping cash into something you don’t even know how to use yet.

A tuned-up 870 with a Nordic tube can get you through your first season – and you’ll come out of it with skills that actually translate when you do upgrade.

Don’t Have One Yet? Here’s What to Look For

If you’re starting from scratch and want to try the pump route, look for a mid-range option in the $500–$700 range. Remington 870. Mossberg 500/590. Winchester SXP. There’s a reason these guns have been around forever: they work.

And when it’s time to move on, you’ll still get most of your money back if you sell it or hand it off to a buddy just getting into the sport.

Bottom Line: Your Gear Isn’t Holding You Back—Your Mindset Is

Don’t let the gear snobs get in your head. Run what you’ve got. Show up with that pump gun. Learn the stages. Train your loads. Earn the calluses.

Because here’s the truth: 3-Gun is about solving problems with the tools in your hands. And if you can learn to do that with a pump shotgun, everything else gets easier from there.

You don’t need a $3K scattergun to start competing. You need grit, reps, and a good attitude. Master the fundamentals with what you’ve already got, and when it’s time to upgrade, you’ll know exactly what to look for—and why.

Until then, rack that slide and go to work.