[Unrepentant VN Vet]

As a fill-in while you’re waiting for handgun/ammunition delivery, you might check out one of the Home Defense pump shotguns.

Nothing fancy (or expensive), ammo’s still realitively available and the only thing I can imagine with more Morale Effect would be a deck gun off a light cruiser.

(Only issue is the kick, which takes some gettin’ used to...Grandma’s got a 12ga pump gun on the back porch that backs her up about three feet per shot.)

[American Quilter]

Now that you mention it, my instructor did mention that a shotgun is the best for home defense. It just sounds so big and scary (the idea, I mean), and your description confirms my initial impression!

[Finny]

Tip: Grandma needs to bend slightly at the waist while leaning into it, and to hold the stock snug just in the area inside her shoulder. I got those two tips from little gals -- 5'3" 115 lb type lil' gals -- who learned the art of mastering the Street Howitzer. :^)

Before these kind gals gave me a little one-on-one tutoring, the same thing that happens to Grandma was happening to me whenever I fired my beautiful Stoger 12 ga hammerless double-barreled coach gun, and my upper arms were black and blue. Now, even after firing 40 to 60 rounds over the course of a fine day at the range, I'm fine ... Featherweight loads also help, but aren't as much fun! I LIKE the kick!!

[Finny]

Incidentally, the same tips work if you're firing a pump or a lever-action shotgun. Ladies, lean into it bent slightly at the waist and snuggle that stock tight just cupped next to your shoulder.

I just love shotguns!