Well, my first pump gun was a Stevens 20GA with 3" chamber and I think a 26" barrel. Must have put well over 2000 shells through it from my freshman yr in H.S. to about 10 yrs out of school. Sold it to a friend that still uses it every hunting season and it has never had a problem yet, that I know of. About 30yrs old now.
I currently have a Mossberg 500 12GA, 28" barrel and so far it has not missed a beat. I'm thinking of getting a short barrel for it. But have also decided to pick up a youth model 20GA in the Mossberg 500.
For one thing, I shoot leftie and like the thumb safety. A 20 with #4 buck is pretty mean outside and with 3" #4 pheasant loads should be a good room sweeper. I think the Navy uses 20GA quite a bit. I did read on a site awhile back that the 20GA had half the kick and 3/4 the power of a 12GA with similar loads.
I stick to the hunting type guns because I think they would be easier to explain in court than a cruiser style. The sawed off with pg just looks to gangland to me. Just MO.
I don't think you'd go wrong with any name brand shottie. I do remember a certain instance back when I was a kid involving a watermelon patch. A pump gun racking in the dark is a scary sound.
Of course this maneuverability issue might be an excuse...I mean reason, to buy a Judge.