I'll defend my premise of the pump being faster than an auto. In my hands, those of a police firearms instructor, and those hands of my students who practised what they were taught; we can clean 6 silouettes in 2 to 2 1/2 seconds at 25 yards. I'd like to see the auto shooter who can do that. When one works the slide of the pump, one brings it back to 'point' when racking it foreward, chambering the next round. It takes practise, due to the timing necessary, but then when possibly faced with life threatening situations, a prudent person practises.
; A hardened round ball of 14 bore (.69 cal.), driven at 1,400fps, will exit an Indian Elephant's head on a broadside shot. It worked in the 1850's and it will work today. While I have never had to use a gun to defend against a charging bear, I am confident that the properly loaded 12 bore will suffice and be amongst the fastest shooting smackers there are. The pump is faster than a double and faster than an auto. One automatically brings the gun to bear with the action of the forend, not having to 'pull' the gun down with 'extra' muscle movements.
: It is quite possible that a lay-zee peason might be able to shoot an auto faster than a pump, but practise with a pump is all that's necessary to cut one's times in half. A slow auto or double can get you killed.
: 3 empties in the air at the same time - piece of cake, and all well aimed shots.