Short stock shotguns controllable if...

[Darto]

... if it's a .410.

[SandHill]

Short stock shotguns controllable if...

...and if not in Kaliforniastan. That's a short barrel shotgun here.

Laws aside, I think lever action would be my last choice for this class of firearm. It looks cool, but I don't think you can stay on target while working the action without a shoulder stock.

I would go with a pump action if for home defense, like the Mossberg Shockwave, or a semi auto like the Remington V-Tac 13 if it was just for fun.