Not a total newbie to shotguns, but I am to the tactical side. I recently realized that if I needed to use my 12 guage (more of a bird gun) for HD, that I would have a hard time manuvering it because of the size, and I am very familiar with it, much less my wife who is not.

My question is mainly if there is anything I need to know or consider about the shorter barrel, etc. that is usually associated with a tactical shotgun, and if it has any other practical use such as hunting or skeet or if what makes them good for SD makes them more unfit for the traditional uses. Thanks for the education.