Get Shorty: Chiappa Expands Honcho Pump Series Home Defense Shotguns

Doug Howlett

Years ago when we were all much younger, my brother made an impulse purchase of a shotgun that at the time, my friends and I wrongly thought was illegal because it had such a short barrel. But the gun was perfectly legal. He hadn’t bought it from some guy in the classifieds. He had marched right into a gun shop and purchased it as any other legal gun owner should be able to do. The shotgun was a matte-black, short pump gun with a pistol grip. He named it “Shorty.” The pistol grip was the key to avoiding NFA concerns, and besides looking pretty darn cool, the gun was actually kinda fun to shoot. Truth is, as our practical appreciation for firearms matured beyond blasting water-filled milk jugs, Coke cans and the occassional small game we were hunting, we realized, it made a pretty solid truck gun and near-ideal home defense firearm as well. To fans of these utilitarian guns, Chiappa USA has expanded its Honcho Pump Series with a lineup of American-made pump action shotguns built just for that: home defense, vehicle storage and utility use.

Chiappa USA Honcho Tactical Pump Synthetic

The series is manufactured at the company’s facility in Dayton, Ohio, and includes models in both hard-punching 12 gauge and easier-handling 20 gauge.

The Honcho Pump features a compact configuration with a bird’s head grip and a short overall profile intended for maneuverability in confined spaces. Aluminum receivers and steel barrels are used across the lineup, with fixed-blade front sights and manual safeties. Capacity is listed at five plus one and 12-gauge models accept 2.75-inch and 3-inch shells.

Chiappa USA Honcho Tactical Pump Walnut

Three primary models are offered: the Honcho Tactical Pump Synthetic employs a black synthetic forearm and bird’s head grip and is available in both gauges with a 14-inch barrel. The Honcho Tactical Pump Walnut pairs the same configuration with walnut furniture while retaining the 14-inch barrel length. A California-compliant model (there always has to be one for that state right?) features a black synthetic forearm, bird’s head grip and an extended 18.5-inch barrel.

All of the models tip the scales at approximately 5.1 pounds, depending on the configuration. The shotguns are designed as compact defensive options while maintaining the operation and durability associated with traditional pump-action platforms.

Additional information on the Honcho Pump Series is available at your local Chiappa dealer and at chiappausa.com.