Is there a reduced/managed/low recoil 20 gauge shell for personal defense?

None that I know of.

Fiocchi makes a low-recoil 20 ga shell, but it is loaded with 7 1/2 shot.
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=89224

Your wife could practice with that and get real good, and then load with buckshoot for HD.

She will never in a million years notice the recoil if she has to use it for real.

rc

Strap on shoulder pad for practice.

What Rcmodel said.

Get her started with low power rounds so she can get used to the weapon and the recoil. These are usually #6, #7 1/2 or #8 pellet sizes. Then try the "low recoil" or standard loads in 2 1/2" shells. Unless she has a physical problem she should get used to it.

Note: a pump or automatic shotgun should do fine. There are also a few bolt action models out there.
Some of the lightweight 20 ga. single shots can kick like the dickens.

Just let her progress at her own rate and things should be fine.

Wal-Mart has white box low recoil shells for about $20 - $25 for a box of 100.

Yes, you want the "Wad Wizard" Power 20

It has 18 pellets of #4 buckshot, which is a 7/8 th oz load and is very mild. Velocity is 1200 ft/sec. Call 1-877-278- 3131 and you will be glad you did. Within the confines of a home it will do fine. I keep them in my 2 twenty ga guns and in my 3 12 ga guns I use Winchester LE Ranger 00 buckshot reduced recoil. Both are low recoil and at age 71 I like them. I have used both to kill many animals around my farm and would not hesitate to use them for home defense too. Snoop

For practice try the "Poly Wad" short 2.5" shells

that come in various shot sizes 6, 7.5, 8, 9 etc. Also Rio makes very good reduced recoil 20 ga shells too that I use for quail and dove. In my light weight Ithaca 20 ga bird guns they are ideal and the recoil is mild in those 6 pound guns. Fiocchi also makes some very good light recoil loads that I have used with good effect with the 20 ga. You can get a 3/4 oz load too. Hope this helps, Snoop

The "Poly Wad" number is 1-800-998-0669

Their 2.5" shell works fine in my pump guns and at only 3/4 oz are a real pleasure to hunt with, and with quick follow-up shots it makes a big difference.