I have been in the market for a decent semi-auto thats not only fun for the range but good for HD. I've been giving the Weatherby SA-459 a hard look because it fits what I want in a shotgun pretty well...
-Reliable Semi Auto under $1000
-Short barrel but not SBS territory
-Threaded to accept different chokes
-Pistol grip with pushbutton safety (compared to Mossberg having the safety up top)
-AR style sights with option to mount a reflex optic
-Mounting point for a weapon light (thinking TLR-3)
-Lightweight/ergonomic for my wife
My main question is Should I go 20 GA or 12 GA? They both cost the same ($600 tax included with my military discount out the door). The 12 is 6 1/2 lbs and the 20 is half a pound lighter at 6 lbs. With a semi auto weighing this much how much of a difference in recoil is there going to be between 12 and 20 gauge shooting HD type ammo? My wife really likes the feel of the 20 and frankly I do too, it just feels so agile. I guess my main worry is the 12 being too much recoil for my wife VS how much harder/more expensive is it to find 20 GA ammo? Any insight would be GREATLY appriciated. Realistically this will mostly be used having fun shooting slugs and stuff at the range but will also be depended on to save my live (replacing my AR for HD purposes) in either my own or my wife's hands.