this post was submitted on 24 Jan 2026
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It's hard to beat a Mossberg 500. If you're on a budget, a Maverick 88 is another good option. I'd recommend sticking with reduced recoil ammunition if you go this route. They're just as effective ballistically, but allow for quicker follow up shots and less potential hearing damage in an enclosed space.
Alternatively, if price is no object, you'd like some recoil reduction, and want to eliminate the chance of short-shucking, a semi-auto Beretta 1301 would fit the bill.
What is short-shucking? Also, how does reduced recoil ammo work? Doesn't that mean there's less oomf behind the shot to propel it?
Short-shucking is when someone doesn't fully pull back the pump on a pump-action shotgun before pushing it forward again, which can result in the already fired shell not ejecting and instead being pushed back into the barrel, or the shell does successfully eject, but the pump wasn't brought back far enough to cause a new shell to be released into the action, so the barrel is empty when they push the pump forward, and they only get a click when they try to fire again.
Without training, it can be easy to short-shuck a shotgun in a high-stress situation or when trying to fire quickly.
Reduced recoil ammunition does indeed mean there's less gun powder in the shell, which gives less oomph. However since 12ga buckshot can take down a full sized deer, a lower powered shell is more than adequate for a two legged person. You can see a practical comparison in this Paul Harrell video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlTzpmoKnGE