I shoot some 20ga 6shot at 10 yds about a 10" spread with some heavy impact in the center 2" area. So pretty good HD load seems like to me.

For a female shooter thinking two quick shots would be a good hd item with out having to much worry about working any kind of action or having a semi auto malfunction problem.
recoil is not a major concern either. Thoughts and recommendations on one. Thanks guys and gals.

could do worse, but make sure she understands the safety, particular if it turns itself on every time you open the action.

20 gauge defensive loads out of a lightweight double gun can thump, particularly if there's no recoil pad. Make sure she trains with it a bit.

I do have a single shot. But if one would miss then its the 38 spl.

Birdshot is for birds, buckshot is for larger game.

I use a shotgun for HD and the smallest I’d use would be #4buck

With practice a double can also be reloaded pretty fast - take a look at some of the cowboy action shooters!
I would also advise larger size shot.
At household ranges, based on very limited spread of the shot, it should be managed like a large bore rifle.
A butt cuff for spare ammo, and a good amount of practice reloading drills and it can certainly be viable

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I do have a single shot. But if one would miss then its the 38 spl.

Ol' Clint runs his single-shot pretty well here starting 1:40
https://youtu.be/FhgwHQCJwWw?si=0vwlGypVqyRyqi8N

Thanks guys. How about a 20 ga. shell holder for a single shot?

My wife is not into guns, I have a Stoeger 12ga coach gun loaded with mini shells. 2 shots of 44mag comparable ballistics is decent.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Thanks guys. How about a 20 ga. shell holder for a single shot?

I know you can buy an elastic shellholder for the buttstock from a company like Allen for less than $10, but there are better options in my opinion. I’d look into a peel-off panel like those from Esstac, and I’d stick the Velcro directly to the side of the stock.

A big advantage of a double-barrel is that given the same barrel length, it is ~4 inches shorter, and also lighter, therefore quicker handling, than a pump or auto. The downsides are the obvious one that you only have two shots, and the lighter weight may be made up for in greater recoil. Those 1¾" mini-shells might be worth a look.

I would not pick a shotgun with only two shots for a home defense gun to be used by an inexperienced shotgun shooter.
A revolver would be a better choice in a caliber that she can handle and shoot accurately.

A inexperienced shotgun shooter with a shotgun holding only two shots would probably waste the first shot then freeze or hesitate after experiencing the recoil from a light weight shotgun. Training and getting comfortable with the shotgun would help solve that problem. At that point a more conventional shotgun that holds more rounds would be better for home defense.

I would not want a gun that only has two rounds available for home defense. Around here home invaders seem to run in packs.