[theBuckwheat]

Does anyone have suggestions for a tactical shotgun that would also be usable by a wife who does not have a lot of upper body strength but who is not afraid to pull a trigger?

[SatinDoll]

Savage Arms Stevens Model 320.

I like mine, particularly the pistol grip combined with the pump action!

[muir_redwoods]

A 28 ga shotgun is pretty tame for a slightly built shooter and is also a .55 cal weapon. Almost no one sells 28ga slugs but I’ll bet you could work up a serviceable load with.54 cal ball.

28ga buckshot would be a pretty decent defensive round, IMHO

[Disambiguator]

20 gauge pump (Rem 870 or Mossberg 500)

[MtBaldy]

“Does anyone have suggestions for a tactical shotgun that would also be usable by a wife who does not have a lot of upper body strength but who is not afraid to pull a trigger?”

Mossberg 930 SPX, 8 shots of 00 buckshot mayhem as fast as you can pull the trigger.

[Kartographer]

One reason I went with my AK 74 a lot of bang and yet easy to handle.

[MHGinTN]

A good 20 gage in semi-auto. There are good ones being made inTurkey and imported for sale through sites like CheaperThanDirt. Have it delivered to a gun dealer neart you for registry & delivery. If you like, put a nice collapsible pistol grip stock on it and a shell sling. Let her practice with what you will keep in it for defense. Don’t skimp on ammo ... Akkar is a very good and yet inexpensive brand thsat is very reliable. Order an extra spring for the weapon and shoot the dickens out of it, then replace the spring at 500 to 1000 rounds through it. Close quarters, #2 shot or slugs, a true man stopper.

[packrat35]

Mossberg Chainsaw Shotgun with birdshot (less kick). Handle on top makes it easier to handle when shooting for women as you can control the kick easier. My wife is a diabetic and has same issues you describe. Its what we bought.

[PapaBear3625]

Does anyone have suggestions for a tactical shotgun that would also be usable by a wife who does not have a lot of upper body strength but who is not afraid to pull a trigger?

Go with a 20 gauge. Preferably semi-auto, as that eliminates the chances of short-stroking the pump under stress.

[PapaBear3625]

A friend got a Saiga 12-gauge. They also make 20 gauge. Box magazine makes it easier to reload under stress:

[Titan Magroyne]

What sprang to my mind is the Saiga semi-auto. Post 84 has one in a custom configuration, one of many you could go with. If unfamiliar but considering, hang out for a while here:
http://forum.saiga-12.com/
As the AK’s big brother, it has many fans.

I’m not sure if they’re still manufacturing .410 and 20 gauge versions, but they exist. Tilt-in magazines come in 10-round, 12-round sticks and 20-round drums. Also 5-round and 8-round. Choices are 19” or 24” barrel.

WRT modifications, most of the aftermarket add-ons and magazines are aimed at 12 gauge with 19” barrel. Two modifications I recommend for your purposes:
1. LRBHO (last-round-bolt-hold-open) for easier reloads with less fumbling due to grip changes; and
2. Pistol grip folding (not collapsing) stock, one that does not block firing while folded, for close quarters manueverability.

Lots of gun pr0n is in the link above, but IMHO shortening the gun for QCB is best accomplished via the folding stock, vice shortening the barrel.

That said, I’ve not made these changes to mine, tho I would if I could. Baby bangs all day long right out of the box.

[Ellendra]

Does anyone have suggestions for a tactical shotgun that would also be usable by a wife who does not have a lot of upper body strength but who is not afraid to pull a trigger?

This may fly in the face of the usual advice, but, ignore the stock, focus on the grip.

I'm a small woman, and I had a devil of a time finding a shotgun that I could use. Salespeople kept showing me guns with shorter and shorter stocks, but the stock was not the issue. I've shot guns with stocks that were too long, it's really not a problem. But, if the grip is too big, or if the trigger is set too far from the grip, it's hard to pull the trigger while still maintaining my grip on the gun. Look for one with the trigger set close to the grip. Make sure she can reach it easily. You can even measure her hand, from the web to the pad of her index finger, to get an idea of what size gun would fit her.

[kitchen]

Looking forward, I’m going to suggest a different course. The single most important issue in perceived shotgun recoil is stock design. A poorly fitting stock whacks your cheek and shoulder and makes followup shots slow and timid. If you have a bud that seriously shoots trap ask if he can hook you up with a competent smith to change drop at heel, drop at comb, length of pull, pitch, cast, and the myriad other seemingly insignificant measurements that produce proper fit. Otherwise, find a quality synthetic stock - fiberglass, not Tupperware - that flexes minutely and spreads the recoil pulse. Add a proper stance and you‘re almost there.

Piecing things together, keep the old Holland strategy in mind: half the weight between the hands. We’re not talking about a midpoint balance but rather the polar moment of inertia. You can’t add weight to one end or the other to get the desired result. Properly applied you’ll have a gun that comes alive in your hands and feels and handles as if it were much lighter than it actually is.

Of great importance is ammo compatibility in your group. There is no need to add 20 gauge when everyone else has 12. Stick with 2 ¾ shells. I’d pick a mix of Brenneke slugs and buckshot. Others may have different opinions. I note somebody is again producing beehive rounds. Go figure. Add a field barrel and a mixed case of 6 and 7 ½ shot field loads and you’ve also got a great small game piece.

Shotguns are pointed rather than aimed. Spend some time developing skill at what’s called instinct or point shooting. Take a look around the web for an army field manual from the ‘60s about “quick kill.” It was developed from input of shot gunners, and pistolieros like Atkins. See the target, know where your shot will impact, no sights, point, and bang. Take the sights off an old Red Rider, watch the trajectory of the BB in flight, and pretty soon you‘ll be knocking down aspirin tossed in the air.

Now to the original question. The most reliable fighting shotgun is also the first, the Winchester M97. The ejection port is cavernous and any shell tossed in pointing remotely in the right direction will feed. At one time, because of the exposed hammer, these were very desirable for SASS. Can’t say if they’re still legal, but the M12 is basically the same gun with an internal hammer. Moving forward, the Remington 870 was actually the first firearm that could properly function with interchangeable/standardized parts without gunsmithing. The Mossberg 500 series is their answer, and any of these are not only reliable but robust designs that can take abuse and continue to work. A couple springs, pins, a spare extractor and ejector and your grandkids will be using it for zombie patrol years down the road.