Aha, I see. I was/am doing something similar for my wife too. I customized her gun to fit her (smaller frame shooter). I removed 1 1/2" from the stock and added a LimbSaver pad. This is a 12gauge.
I've got around 150 rounds of different reduced recoil buckshot and slug loads.
I've also got a 20gauge I customized, but for myself.
That 20gauge is lighter and handles much better. I'm going to let her shoot both of them. I have a sneaking suspicion that she will like that 20gauge more. In the long run that will be good because the 20gauge only has full-powered ammo available. That gun also has screw-in chokes so it serves many purposes.
I can sell off the 12gauge and buy myself a new 20gauge; again, this is a good thing.
If I had it to do over, I'd start by buying her an 1100 or 870 youth 20gauge to begin with.
I don't know how much shooting your wife does, what she's shot, and so on.
The one thing I do know is that you really have to listen to women. When it comes to guns and guy stuff, we think we know everything, including what's best for them. But, if we can stop instructing and listen, women will tell us exactly what they want and what they like.
The other thing that affects the guns in our house is physical differences. I'm 6"1' and 165lbs, and my wife is 5'3" and 1??lbs. A gun that fits me properly is completely wrong for her. Any gun that fits her is going to be too small and proportioned all goofy for me. So, there are "her" guns, and "my" guns.
The closest I've come to a shotgun that's fits both of us is that 20gauge. It has a youth stock that fits her perfectly, and all I have to do is put on the slip-on pad to add the length I need. The problem arises with the forend slide tube. The slide tube in the pic is for a regular gun. That doesn't work for her. For her I'll have to put the original youth length slide tube back on.
I'm certainly not telling you what to do here. I'm just recapping some of my experiences in hopes that it will help you with your decision. Since you asked for input and comments originally, I'd say buy the 1100 Tactical for yourself; I'm sure it's a fine gun like all the other Remington products. For her or for recreational shooting for both of you, get a nice 870 20gauge with a 26" barrel (give or take). At the end of a day of shooting informal clays, or milk jugs, or whatever, you'll both be disappointed that you ran out of ammo or things to shoot at. You'll both have had so much you'll swear that you'll do it again soon... And the best part is you got to buy
2 guns!
Thanks for the tip on Impact guns. A couple weeks ago I couldn't find the Tactical 1100's anywhere. $650?! That's a lot less than I expected they'd be. I'll look into that. Thanks again for the tip!