You are correct Eaker !
My Benelli M1 is on safe w/ one in the chamber and the magazine tube full. It gets exercised once a week rain or shine.
Racking a slide may scare one but it'll let three know where ya are.....
If you're dumb enough to rack it standing still.
Hey, Squantos! I've been playing with my 870. I got a short tube w/iron sights and rem-choke. I have a rifled choke in it. I can smack a bowling pin at 80+/- yards and it pattens 00 buck ok at 25 yards. Any downside to shooting the shot through the rifled tube that you know of?
FReegards
Keep a S & W 686 for home defense plus 3 speed loaders.
Have a AR10A2 w/ 4 20rnd mags ready to go, but not a round under the pin. (Have a total of 8 20rnd mags and 2,000rnds if things really go sideways).
Travel with a Beretta 92 + 5x20rnd clips loaded w/ 124gr +P+ hyrdo-shoks.
Don't have one yet, but a Remington 870 would be my choice if I could only have one weapon.