The GPS tracks how much distanced I walked as I meander through the woods. It marks potential spots to set up a stand. It makes getting back to those places faster. I never had that stuff as I learned how to hunt. Do I really need it? Nope, but I like it.

The point about lasers on guns is that they do fail. They can be hard to turn on. Instead of becoming reliant on them when you practice with your firearm, or as sense of false security, you can simply react faster in a self defense situation.

Screwing around with a laser sight could cost you precious time. Going with just the iron sights for defensive purposes means you are focusing on the threat, instead of the gun, at all times. That is what I'm getting at.

In what will most likely be a fast and hectic situation going the KISS route only makes sense to me. Keeping it simple for myself means I'm reacting faster to a threat that is already wide awake and moving in on my property.

For most people having a shotgun works best for them. You point and pull the trigger at anyone coming in. There is nothing simpler than that. Waiting to ambush any threat is the most tactical and sound decision you can make. Hopefully you can call the police and wait armed and prepared for the worst.

Best is too subjective. It's based upon the skills of the person, and nothing anyone says or does will ever change that. That's why I don't believe there is a best option out there. If there was, then there would be no crime because everyone would have the best and would stop crime from happening.

The OP needs to get over the thought of having a round chambered, or needs to get a gunsmith to work on his shotgun so it feeds properly. Either that, or he needs to work the action properly the first time like he does every time after that.