Beniamino, the semi-auto will serve best in home defense. Both work well with training but the semi-auto allows you to keep on target for faster follow up shots if needed and takes less fine motor skill coordination in a stressful self defense scenario. Cheers and stay safe!

Beniamino, I always suggest a pump action to people for home defense. One in non free restricted states the restrictions are on semi auto shotguns. Second is dependability. With the semi auto shotgun, no matter how good or expensive you have a better chance of a feed, magazine or ejection issue. I have several semi auto shotguns, but have a pump action set up for home defense. Your level of training would have to be expert level to see a huge difference in speed and efficient operation of semi auto over a pump action.

Semi-auto shotgun is BEST for home defense in my opinion. HOWEVER, you have to be MINDFUL of AMMO you use as some semi-auto shotgun is sensitive to ammo. I recommend you trying out a different brand of 12GA shell to see what work best for you. Emperor Firearms Cobra 12 is a decent budget shotgun that will fit your application. I hope this helps!