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Shotguns aren't for the novice/inexperienced shooter. Practically speaking, the shotgun owner has two choices, the pump or the semiauto. The semiauto is unwise for the reasons I specified. It's too complicated for Harry Homeowner who likely won't even look at the gun after he buys it. It'll just be there, and if he needs it in a hurry/crisis he won't remember how to operate it.

It's the same for the pump. Both types have a safety, etc.

For a gun owner like the OP, someone who won't even look at the gun after he buys it and fires it, a revolver is the only choice.

As far as size, even a shotgun w/18 inch barrel (one of my bedside guns is a Remington 870 express HD) is still a big gun. Fine for someone who takes the time to get and stay proficient, but that's not going to be the OP. He'll buy it, shoot it, and store it.

"someone who won't even look at the gun after he buys it and fires it, a revolver is the only choice."

I wouldn't be quite so absolute about the handgun vs shotgun. Hitting the target is everything. If someone isn't going to put time into practice as you said, any shotgun is better than a handgun IMHO.

I learned shooting a firearm at 10 years old with a 12 ga. Then I moved to rifles. Both were easy to learn and use. To this day I can hip shoot better with a long gun than I can in my best modified Weaver stance with a handgun. Ok, I've got 30 years more experience with long guns. But still...