Note the "once".
The 12 is just a wee bit too strong if you plan on shooting it a lot and you aren't very big, which I am not.
I shoot my dad's from time to time just to make sure I could still handle it if need be but I hurt like the blazes the next day.
One shot ok. Maybe two but much over that and I couldn't hit a thing
12ga is ok depending on the load, # 7 shot isnt so ruff even with a pistol grip, and I prefer a pistolgrip in close confines, but Holy Jesus 3" 00 buck shells will rock yer world in that configuration L0L
Im new to shotguns and the biggest thing I have learned is know your loads.