Pump action shotguns, also called 'slide action repeating shotguns' or 'slide action shotguns', are a class 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 magazine into which shells are inserted. New shells are chambered by pulling the pump handle attached to the tube magazine toward the user, then pushing it back into place to chamber the cartridge (in a few cases this action is reversed). This action simultaneously projects the most recently fired shell out of the ejection port. Modern pump action designs are a little slower than 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 cycled, with the trigger held down continuously. 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 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.
