Best Home-Defense Shotguns for Smaller Shooters (Short Length of Pull)

Why length of pull matters more than gauge

Length of pull is the distance from the trigger to the end of the buttstock. Many standard shotgun stocks are built for an average-to-tall adult man. Mossberg's standard 500 uses a 14-inch length of pull, according to Wikipedia's entry on the 500 family, and many of its 590 models list 13.87 inches. That's fine for many people and too long for a lot of others.

When a stock is too long, a shooter compensates in ways that make everything worse. They lean back to reach the forend. Their head lifts off the stock. The gun ends up on the bicep instead of in the shoulder pocket. Recoil hits harder because the gun isn't seated well, and the shooter blames the gauge.

That's why this list sorts by fit first. A well-fitted 12 gauge often feels better than a poorly fitted 20 gauge. Our 20-gauge post covers the gauge question; this one covers the stock.

These picks are an editorial reference built from manufacturer and published specifications, not hands-on fitting sessions.

How to check your fit

1. Verify the gun is unloaded and point it in a safe direction. Do this with an empty gun only, ideally at a gun counter with staff watching.
2. Mount it the way you would at home: square to the target, gun in the pocket of your shoulder, head down on the stock.
3. Check your trigger hand. The pad of your finger should reach the trigger comfortably with a firm grip, without stretching.
4. Check your support arm. You should be able to work the pump through its full stroke with a slight bend in the elbow, not a fully locked arm.
5. Check your nose and thumb. On a stock that's too short, the firing-hand thumb can come back toward your nose under recoil. You want some space there.

A rough first check many people use is to rest the butt in the crook of your elbow and see where your trigger finger falls, but an actual mount in a squared stance is the better test.

The picks at a glance

Best semi-auto: Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod.2

Shooting Illustrated's first look at the 1301 Tactical Mod.2 lists a 13-inch length of pull, an 18.5-inch barrel, a seven-shell magazine, an overall length of 37.8 inches and an unloaded weight of 6 pounds, 11 ounces. It comes in two stock styles, with and without a pistol grip.

That combination is about as friendly as fighting shotguns get for smaller adults. The shorter stock lets you stand square and keep your head down, and a gas-operated semi-auto spreads recoil over a longer time than a pump, which many shooters feel as a softer push. You also don't have to run a pump under stress, which some smaller shooters find hard to do quickly.

The trade-off is cost and complexity compared to a pump, plus the need to confirm your chosen ammunition cycles reliably. Our 1301 vs Benelli M4 comparison goes deeper.

Best adjustable pump: Mossberg 590A1 with six-position stock

If more than one adult in your home might pick up the shotgun, an adjustable stock solves the fit problem for everyone. Mossberg lists the 590A1 9-Shot #50769 with a six-position adjustable stock and a length of pull from 10.5 to 14.25 inches, a 20-inch heavy-walled barrel, 8+1 capacity, a ghost ring sight, an M-LOK forend and a Parkerized finish.

The 590A1 is the heaviest version of the 590, which helps with recoil but makes it more work to hold up. Our 590 Tactical 6 vs 9-shot post covers barrel length, and a shorter 18.5-inch gun with an aftermarket adjustable stock is a lighter alternative.

Best tool-free adjustment: Mossberg FLEX-system models

Mossberg's description of its FLEX-system 500 and 590 models highlights a quick-change connector for swapping between an adjustable stock and pistol grip without tools, nearly four inches of length-of-pull adjustment by lever, interchangeable recoil pads and, on some models, a removable side saddle. FLEX models have come and gone from Mossberg's lineup, so check current availability and the exact stock that comes on any gun you're looking at.

Best for: owners who want one gun to fit several people and like the idea of changing setups. Skip if: you'd rather have the simplest fixed stock possible.

Best budget fit: Mossberg 500 Bantam stocks

Mossberg's Bantam models are its answer for smaller shooters. Wikipedia's 500 entry says Bantam models use a 13-inch stock and a forend set further back, which shortens the reach to the pump as well as to the trigger. Super Bantam stocks include two recoil pads and a stock spacer, giving a length of pull of 12 or 13 inches.

Ammunition Depot lists a Mossberg 500 Bantam Youth 20 gauge with a 22-inch barrel and walnut stock. That's a field configuration, but a 22-inch barrel is still manageable indoors, and the shorter stock and forend are the point. For a dedicated defensive setup, some owners fit a Bantam-length stock to a shorter-barreled 500.

Best for: smaller adults who want a light, simple pump. Skip if: you need high capacity or an accessory rail out of the box.

Best low-recoil standard stock: Mossberg 590 in 20 gauge

If the stock fits you but recoil bothers you, the gauge is the next lever to pull. Mossberg lists the 590 7-Shot in 20 gauge (#50698) with an 18.5-inch barrel, 6+1 capacity, a bead sight and a fixed 13.87-inch length of pull. Ammunition Depot carries the Mossberg 590 Persuader 20 gauge 18.5-inch 6+1.

Be clear-eyed about what this does and doesn't fix. A 20 gauge kicks less, but a 13.87-inch stock is still long for many smaller shooters. Combine a 20 gauge with a shorter or adjustable stock and you've addressed both problems. Stage defensive 20-gauge loads from the 20-gauge ammo section, and pattern them in your gun.

Fixing fit on a gun you already own

You may not need a new shotgun at all.

• Replacement stocks. Many popular pumps have aftermarket stocks in shorter or adjustable lengths. Browse the stocks and forends section and confirm the exact model fit.
• Recoil pads. A thinner pad can trim length, and a softer pad helps with recoil. See recoil pads.
• Have a gunsmith do anything permanent. Shortening a wooden stock is a gunsmith job.
• Try before you buy. Shoulder several unloaded guns at a shop. Ten minutes of mounting guns in a squared stance tells you more than any spec sheet.

The bottom line

Start with fit. The Beretta 1301 Tactical Mod.2 is the standout semi-auto with its 13-inch stock. A Mossberg 590A1 or FLEX model with an adjustable stock fits almost anyone in the household. A Mossberg 500 Bantam is the budget route. A 20-gauge 590 helps with recoil but needs a shorter stock to fix fit. Whichever you choose, add a light and secure storage. Our shotgun setup guide covers the rest.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings and published sources. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and the law where you live.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.