If I was in the market for a reduced-size, 20-gauge, autoloading shotgun, where might I look? The tube should hold at least four rounds. I can cut the barrel back to 18" as needed. It should be light weight and comparatively low recoiling.  Most shotguns come with a 14" length of pull stock, which is too much for me, much less a person of smaller stature.  I need a shorter LOP, 12" preferably (finding an autolaoding shotgun with a short LOP is almost impossible).

Does such a beast exist? The short length of pull is the biggest challenge.  14" is too long for my intended role.  13" is too long.  I needs to be youth-sized.

I think the Tristars are Benelli clones.

Hmm.

What you want is something like this Remington 1100 20 gauge Youth Model:

http://www.armslist.com/posts/1766747/chicago-illinois-shotguns-for-sale--remington-1100-lt-20g-shotgun-

With a synthetic Speedfeed  Youth Model stock (13 inches, IIRC), and a mag extension tube, you would have a superb home defense weapon.   

http://www.speedfeedinc.com/productsmain.html

I don't know of anyone that makes an off-the-shelf 12 inch stock.   If you cut the Speedfeed stock down, the recoil pad will be too big.  You'd have to have a gunsmith make you a custom pad, but that'd not be too difficult.

At close range for HD purposes, there is little loss of performance compared to a 12 gauge, and, with a shortened barrel, it would be lighter, more maneuverable and a 20 would have less recoil.

Most youth guns are 13, some are even 13.5.   12 is SHORT.

http://www.weatherby.com/product/shotguns/sa_08/sa08_sytheticyouth

12.5 LOP

Mossy has their SA-20. LOP is still 13" though.
http://www.mossberg.com/products/shotguns/mossberg-international-sa-20/sa-20-tactical


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