Caveat: semi-auto.
I'm wondering if the old standard of "buy one shotgun to do everything and just change out the barrel" is true in the semi-auto world these days, or not? or, if true, how true? Meaning, how much do you give up in any one category to be able to own just one gun? My thoughts are it should be able to do clays (and live birds?), self-defense, and 3-gun with the same stock and receiver but allow one to do any of the three simply by changing the barrel and mag tube.
Also, if true, to whatever degree, how much extra effort does it take?
is there an issue of stock length being too different between the three applications? Controls or bolt handles, etc.?
Finally, if deemed valid a concept, which make/model of shotgun best provides for this?