I've been considering swapping my decked out 870 police for a tactical auto-loader.  I'm sure the whole pump versus auto thing has been fought here several times, but lets hear it.  What do you guys think?  

I'd keep the Police AND get the tact autoloader.

I agree with CC, keep it! Buy the auto and see oif you like it. My iron sighted 870 IS my goto gun %90 of the time.
CH

Keep it.  More versatility in ammo, and with rare exceptions, more reliable under adverse conditions.

Everyone is right, you NEED both. The 870 is the gun when it is necessary to go bang every time. Auto loaders are for fun. Last time I am going to say this, you NEED several shotguns! They are like golf clubs, you need several. Or ay least that is the story I am sticking to with my wife. MIKE.

A couple of things to consider:

-You can load almost any pump gun one handed while keeping it on the threat; that's pretty much impossible with almost all self loaders
-True you can fire a self loader one handed until it's dry while you can only fire a pump gun  once...every try and fire any shotgun one handed? This much praised so called advantage of the self loader isn't much of an advantage once you try it a few times.
-less to go wrong on a pump gun; less to remember on a pump gun when your are using it to correct someone else's wrong behavior

just stick with the pump.

Remington autos are load picky. My 11/87 police wouldn't cycle anything but the high brass stuff.

Thanks for the advice.  I wish I had the funds to get both, or maybe an M3.  I'd like to hear more from some auto-loader owners who've had reliability problems.  Also, MHPDblue mentioned that it's harder to load an auto-loader while holding on the target.  Why is that?  I thought the loading procedure was the same as with a pump.  Thanks!

I never had any reliability problems with my Benellis as  long as they were fed full power high base loads.

I don't like shotguns for defensive use. Yes, they have a purpose in LEO/military circles for things like breaching and non-lethal stuff but carbines are the answer! That being said I've had several 1100s and an 11/87 police that I used for three gun stuff. Remington autos are reliable with loads matched to the gun. The 1100 has a better gas system than the 11/87. KISS! The Benelli crowd will say that the Remingtons are too slow but I had splits in the low .20s with my 1100 at several matches.