Totally agree, but I like the 1100 a little better. Although the sound of racking the shotgun has been known to run off many toughs, I do not know if I want someone a little better trained to hear it and begin firing in that direction. And one pull on the trigger and hold can send a lot of pellets downrange.
Have another one on hand so your partner can be reloading the first.
What about an old Greener?
The sound of racking a shell into the 1100 by pushing the button is quite invigorating too.
Way back when I would travel across this once great nation, I would pull over in the rest area and take a little snooze. I always had my 870 across my lap, and as a precaution the chamber was open to prevent accidental discharge, but if needed I could come up, rack the shell into the barrel and go to town.
All those times no one ever bothered me during my naps...Go figure