686 Shooter
Expert
After asking the question it seems the consensus seems to be an 870. I also included in my original scenario, what if you lost use of one of your arms, racking a shell into the chamber could be very difficult, therefore, for me, I think my S&W model 29 or M&P 45 would be the best choices. I can shoot a handgun using either hand and can usually hit what I’m aiming at. I have shot a pumpkin from 20’ with a shotgun using birdshot, it really isn’t that impressive. I guess birdshot will take a human target down, but it better be a very well placed shot. I personally think that an 870 with #4’s or 00 buck is probably one of the best defense weapons made, but I think a handgun as a backup, within arms reach makes it the (almost) perfect defense system if the person in control of both of them keeps their whit’s during the situation.