You can find a good Mossberg M500 for a couple hundred bucks. The Mossberg Maverick 88 models are the same gun as a M500 with a few (mostly cosmetic) differences, and I prefer the safety location on the Mav88 over the M500 safety. A good used Maverick 88 by Mossberg is well under $150 for a good used example. Don't screw around with pistol grip stocks or forends; a good polymer buttstock and standard forend with an 18.5" barrel is ideal. Most SD shotgun use will be 6' distance and under so don't worry about laser sights or anything fancy. Just point and pop. The Mav88 mossberg is actually a no frills M500; the forend is slightly different mechanically but functionally more or less identical. You can't go wrong with a Mossberg.
By the same token Remington 870s, Winchester Speedpumps/1300s, etc are all good choices. There are those who will say, only buy an 870 because that's what the cops use, or only buy a Mossberg because the Marines use them... Well, a lot of people buy Fords, and a lot buy Chevys, but they both haul the mail adequately. Buy what you can find the best deal on and like the most. Check out safety location, feel of the stocks, etc. and get what you want. Buy a box or two of tactical 00 buckshot, and a half-a-dozen boxes of cheap birdshot (I like #6) and practice with it.
A good quality bright flashlight should be kept near the shotgun. Check the batteries often and don't let the wife/kids "borrow" the light, treat it like a fire extinguisher, need to know where it is at all times.
I'm looking to getting a shotgun for home protection next year. Especially since I'm getting out of the Army and will be moving off post. I've used the pumps before during anti-terrorist training. The local gun shop has a "Terminator II" lever action, but heard they jam. It looks cool
by saying a Mossberg 500. It will do everything the 870 will for about $100 less. I've seen lightly used ones for $150 and less at gun shows. Plus barrels can be found for less money if you decide to do some sport shooting with it. If you can, shoot one of each and see which one fits you best. Try out a Win 1300 and Ithaca 37 too if you can get your hands on one. And you might want to think about a youth model in 20ga if there is a chance your wife/SO might need to use it for HD. Much easier for a smaller person to handle with almost no loss in stopping power at true HD ranges. You'd find it much easier to handle a smaller set up then they would handle an over sized one. Just a couple ideas.
