[Mr. Mojo]

The 870 is your best choice for 'just in case', think buckshot or slugs. Buckshot is like emptying a magazine of 9mm all at once.

Probably alot more than that. One 20 ga. buckshot shell is roughly the equivalent in energy of two .44 mag rounds. 12 ga. is much more poweful yet -- probably the equivalent of at least 6 shots from a .44 mag, which is of course considerbly more powerful than any full magazine of 9mm.

[TC Rider]

Heck, I guess it would just hurt more then.

Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of number of pellets. While I would prefer to be shot by neither, I agree, I'd rather take my chances with being shot at by a 9mm handgun than a twelve guage shotgun.