RE: shotgun balance....?
You'll want to look for a gun that is balanced more towards the rear, back near the receiver or wrist. Guns such as benellis, franchis and some of the new browning fusions and ultralight weight guns are balanced this way.
Guns such as 1100s, 1187s are balanced more towards the fore-end. This allows shooters the feel of being able to keep the gun moving. Its more like a baseball bat or a golf club, weighted at the end to promote gun movement. However they are not as quick to the target.
Personal preferences the whole lot of it.