Depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a balanced, all rounded one, then the USAS-12 is a good candidate. Looking for a shotgun with high power up close, then the KSG-12 is the way to go. Looking for something similar the KSG-12 but with a higher rate of fire, then go for the SPAS-12 with Grip (it increases Rate of Fire, kinda like it did on the Stakeout in Black Ops). A shotgun with deadly rate of fire over all of the shotguns, the AA-12 with range would be a good idea (don't use anything for third perk unless it's Steady Aim). A shotgun with a big magazine, go for the Striker (use it with Recon, Hardline, and Flashbangs for a good Room Cleaning class, even better with Range). A shotgun with a high minimum damage at range would be the Model 1887. I don't have any recommendations as it can work with about anything (just remember to put Damage on it). You can use any Shotgun and be succesful with it, just matters how you play.

First and foremost - once you get the grip attachment, you do not need the kick proficiency on the shotgun. Range, focus and damage are your best bets.

If I'm playing with my heart, I go with the AA-12 because I just love the thing; at 400 rounds per minute, that's a whoooole lot of buckshot you're putting out there. That being said, the range isn't as good as the other scatter guns, so I put range & grip on it.

If I'm playing with my head, it's USAS-12, hands down. The damage is very good "right out of the box"; for my taste, I use it with focus & a grip.

The KSG also has a great damage rating, but I won't use it on small/tight maps like Seatown because opponenets are usually coming so closely packed together, there's no time to cycle the pump action between 'em. Get one, get killed. Died a ton the first - and only - time I used it on that map. I do like to use it on more open maps  like Interchange though because opponents are usually more spread out. Again, focus & a grip.

I've tried the Striker, but I find it takes too many shots for a kill. Watched the game winning kill cam when our squad won at team deathmatch, and from fairly close range, it still took three shots for my teammate to get the kill.

I haven't tried either the Spas or the 1886 but that's just because the AA-12, USAS, and KSG suit me just fine.

Hope the info helps.

Keep your powder dry,

Wolf

If I was to rate the shotguns:

1) Striker

2) USAS-12

3) Spas-12

4) KSG-1

5) Model 1887

6) AA-12

3-6 are the most annoying shotguns to rank up in my opinion.

Striker & the USAS-12 are the easiest shotguns to rank up.