Didn't realize I could get the 870 with a synthetic stock, maybe I'll go with that. I need to visit a local store and see which gun fits me the best (though most here don't stock Benelli).

 

Got this one for home defense:


My wifey has a Benelli Ultralight for sporting clays, super light:

very easy to shoot.

But if you want to go bad a$$ you need the Vinci

Vinci

 

I do not think there's anything that will serve both purposes well. As far as durability, synthetic wings - that said, every shotgun I/we have (~15 or so) save for one is wood and they've held up to everything we've thrown at them. Duck hunting, quail, chukkar, grouse, high pheasant in England, etc.

When I competed shooting skeet, shoot clays, and hunt I prefer a long (30") barrel. For home defense I don't see that being practical. Also if you're going to do a 20ga, buy one that shoots 3" mag shells... Nice for long birds (S. Dakota pheasant and such). Personally I've never seen the need for 12 - I can shoot anything with a 20 that I can shoot with a 12. See the bird shoot the bird. A 12 is just heavier and kicks harder. However, if I was trying to blow someone's head off who had broken into my house, I'd prefer the 12.

On edit: be careful with magazine extensions, check your state law for sure