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The Mossberg 500 is a good platform. One of my sons has one. Forgive me if you already know this, but be nice to your wife and teach her to use it with LOW BRASS ammo. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just ask for 7 1/2 shot or smaller. The higher numbers are smaller. Low brass ammo will be a lot easier on her shoulder. :-)

Also... I've noticed that females don't seem to get much out of just punching holes in paper. I've taught quite a few women to shoot over the past several years and I've noticed that when they shoot something, they like to see something happen. If you're on a structured range, you might be stuck with paper, or clay pigeons. But if you're in a friend's field, set up something that MOVES when shot. Even if you just hang cans from a string.

Also... and this is IMPORTANT... put sights on the thing that you can see in the DARK, along with a light that's a minimum of 60 lumens. If this is going to be your primary home defense weapon, it should have a light, and a sight that functions in the dark. If you have to pick one or the other (because of budget), pick the sight. "Ghost Ring" tritiums are nice. This is speaking from experience where I was caught in the dark with a suitable weapon on which I couldn't see the sights... in a potentially dangerous situation...very stressful and nerve wracking for several minutes!

So remember... "low brass" ammo for the wife, and "lights-n-sights". :-) Send us a "range report" afterward. I'd love to hear about it! :-)