I read an article from Massad Ayoob where he suggested having the first 1 or 2 rounds in the shot gun be something similar to a dove load . His theory was it would give you a higher likely hood of a hit that would unsettle the bad guy and screw up their deadly intentions as well as make them retreat and then you would get down and dirty with the 2 shot being a heavier load . Hopefully our families are never in need of that kind of protection .

Look at the magazine fed Remington 870 DM. And #4 buck is said to be the most effective home defense round without over penetration.

mine don't need to be racked, you might hear the safety click off, maybe.

Just curious. Why a shotgun and not a handgun?

You can make the intruder more dead.