I've been thinking about saving-up for the next few months, and buying a pump shotgun for myself for next summer. So, I'm in the same boat. I just haven't found what I want yet, but then again, all I've done is read about them and I've never even touched one. What I think a home shotgun needs:
1. Steel receiver. I've read about way too many people that had problems feeding after putting a sidesaddle on their Mossberg 590's. Also, I talked to an instructor at the state police academy, and he said they stopped using Mossbergs because the officers were overtightening the side saddles. I don't know anything about the 870 and the 1300, but do they have a stronger receiver?
2. The ability to easily top off the mag. I know nothing about feeding a pump, but are their any that you can add rounds to without unscrewing the mag cap on the end? After almost loosing my finger while feeding a rifle with a tube magazine (had either a hang-fire or a problem with the hammer), I don't like the idea of (only in a tactical situation, obviously) putting my hand near the end of the barrel on a loaded gun to add rounds.
3. A mag that holds lots of rounds. I live out in the middle of nowhere, and from the bad experience of a few neighbors, I'm 20+ minutes away from police help. I want as many rounds as I can get.
4. Parkerized finish. I love the finish, that I've seen from afar, on the Mossberg 590, and I like the idea of having a tougher finish than just blueing.
5. Reliable feed short shells. According to an officer I talked to last week, the local police have started carrying S&B 2.5" 00. We cut one a round of their old Federal load to compare it. The S&B had just as much shot. The difference was that the S&B round had less wasted space in it. So, it didn't look like there was a difference in the performace. They carry it, because they can get another round in the tube, but the officer did say that several of their shotguns wouldn't feed the shorter rounds reliably.
6. Bottom ejecting. I've been hit in the head too many times at a local range with cases bouncing off walls. I don't like the idea of larger spent shotgun shells bouncing off of walls and hitting me in the dark if I had to use it in self-defense. If I get-up in the dark, I'm probably not going to be wearing safety glasses, and my glasses have several nicks in them from only a few trips to the range. From what I remember when I was little, all of the pump shotguns were bottom ejecting. Now, all of the ones I've seen pictures of appear to be side ejecting. Heavy, hot 12 gauge brass bouncing off of a wall could seriously hurt your eye.
7. Short stock. This would be nice for work indoors, and my wife has short arms.
I've seen a Norinco pump shotgun for $80-$95 at several shows. The receiver on it is steel, and the dealer said all of the parts were interchangable with a Remington 870. I know that's not true, because they were bottom ejecting. I'm thinking that is my best choise so far, because I might be able to buy it by Christmas rather than waiting until next summer.