Any suggestions for a home defense gun for a medium build lady in her mid 60`s? She doesn't hunt, but has shot a bit. I'm wonder

[4everAutumn]

Any suggestions for a home defense gun for a medium build lady in her mid 60`s? She doesn't hunt, but has shot a bit. I'm wondering about a coach style double or an 870 youth model in 20 gauge. She could practice with target loads to get used to the gun, but I was thinking #2 buckshot for when it counts. Thank you for any thoughts!

[huntfishtrap]

I'm no home-defense expert, but those sound good to me. Of the two, the double might require less thinking to use in stressful situation like a burglary, but as long as she practices some the 870 should be okay too. You could use #4 buckshot too, instead of #2, but again, either should work.
If she doesn't like the recoil of a shotgun, another option would be one of the many compact 9mm semi-auto carbines on the market. My brother has one (can't remember the brand right now), and it's very light and compact, doesn't kick at all, and is pretty reliable with quality loads.

[officerdom1987]

For the price and options, I'd go with the Rossi Circuit Judge. If she's comfortable with a .45LC that'd be a great gun you could cycle 6 quick shots through. With the advancements in .410 self-defense shells, you can't go wrong with it and at a low price, it's very versatile.

[jhjimbo]

Like officerdoom said the Judge is a great home defense gun. The 410 is available with three shot in it, about .38 caliber - excellent stopping power at short range.

[DSMbirddog]

I think a 20 gauge 870 with a slug barrel would do the trick. Put the Improved Cylinder choke tube in and use buckshot. It would be a short easy handling defense weapon.

[huntfishtrap]

Forgot to mention in my previous post, if you do go with one of the shotguns, be sure to use a Cylinder or Improved Cylinder choke. Anything tighter than IC would produce such a small pattern at typical self-defense distances that it would defeat the purpose of using a shotgun.
Also, the brand of my brother's 9mm carbine is Hi-Point, in case that option interested you.

[30-CAL]

If she can handle the 20 gauge great. My misses has a mossburg 410 home defence shotgun loaded with buck shot and two slugs.

[4everAutumn]

Thanks for the great ideas, guys. There is a gun show in Des Moines this weekend. I'm going over today to see what I can pick up for her. She lives alone in the country and two houses have recently been burglarized along her road. The thieves are so brazen that they are breaking in while the residents are asleep. I just can't have her out there at the mercy of this type of human filth.