Some of the old gun geeks AND hunters liked to bash stuff they never actually tried. Especially pump rifles. I wouldn't use them if they didn't do the job year after year.
Your right about the "especially pump rifles" part as well.
Here in Canada, the pump is quite popular in pockets. Ontario and Sask and to a lesser extent here in the east it sees a lot of use. In the rest of the country, hunters snub their nose at this style rifle usually never even tried one. OTOH they don't ever seem to recommend a bolt action shotgun over the 870.
