the above quote gives me trouble.  first, a "good shooter" can make anything work.  I see the double as defense as not necessarily being for the good shooter or accomplished shooter.  I have known a number of non-shotgun folks who for one reason or another struggled with a pump gun and were either unwilling or unable to practice enough to make one run well in the middle of the night when the glass breaks.  for them a double is a viable option.

"with better technology available"  I have problems with this one as well.  The pump shotgun is anything but cutting edge technology.  i would assume cutting edge would be some clip fed semi auto.  the technology conundrum is always present in gunning, there is always something that someone says is better, faster, stronger.  but that doesnt mean it is best, and it certainly doesnt mean it is best for everyone.

the double is about as old as firearm technology can get, and it has been used in a short barrel format for almost as long as it has been around, and for self defense.  I find it arrogant to think that the most vetted form of self defense in the firearm world, that has successfully been used by solider, sailor, farmer, wife for hundreds of years, can somehow now be dismissed as no longer relevant.

it is relevant.  what mossberg and a couple of others have attempted to do is tweak it a bit.  now I am not certain they succeeded.  but i understand the temptation to modify something that has performed admirably for centuries.

i own pumps,a semi and a double.  My choice for middle of the night glass breaking is a double.  I can deploy it faster, fire off 2 rounds faster, not have to worry about pumping or slide release but can concentrate on target acquisition and whether or not to shoot.  If a HORDE of evil comes into my house, i will quickly determine the double is outclassed, true.  I might attempt to reload or merely drop the firearm.  But in numerous scenarios and conditions, I , who have been a shotgunner since I was 12, feel a double works better in that situation.  I also think a beginner or one who is willing to commit to a minimum of practice might find that a better solution as well.  Perhaps not in the format offered, (not sure on nonextactor o/u for defense) but the double should not be dismissed.  until the revival of the cowboy shooters there really havent been affordable doubles out there that could serve in that duty, without some hunting and some smithing.