[TigersEye]

I agree with El Gato's revised recommendations. You should consider a 20 ga. shotgun. You can get shells with 00 buckshot (double ought) or #4 buck (slightly smaller shot so more pellets per shell) or slugs. (one solid lead projectile per shell) 20 ga. will kick much less than 12 ga. but it will still deliver a very potent punch on the bad guy's end.

I was thinking of an SKS as I read El Gato's post too. Reasonably priced semi-auto rifle, recoil is not that bad, ammo is relatively cheap and fairly accurate to 100 yards. It's main advantage for self-defense is the ability to fire rapidly.

[Armedanddangerous]

there are lots of low recoil buckshot loads for the 12 and 20 ga made for law enforcement that can be found in well-eqipped gun shops and police supply houses.

My 12 ga remington 870 is loaded with Hornady TAP shotgun shells.