It has been almost 20 years, I for one don't know why this even comes up anymore. During the transition, the Wildlife organization had a list, shotguns that were capable of shooting steel, those that needed forcing cone modifications and so on.
Anyone of us can do as we wish, it's a free country, sort off.
If I were to give the quick answer, it would be:
Is it 12 ga. 3 inch or bigger? If yes it may be suitable for waterfowl (up to and including Canada Geese) hunting. Most waterfowl hunting is done with 12 ga 3 inch minimum. Hunters in our area usually have a 12 ga 3 1/2 shotgun, but mostly just buy 3". Same as during the pre non-toxic era, most hunters bought a 3" 12 ga, but shot mostly 2 3/4.
Does the shotgun have screw in chokes? if it does not, it probably is not an ideal or a desired waterfowl shotgun, and it may not be safe to shoot steel.
If it does have screw in chokes, continue, if not you need a new shotgun.
Does the screw in choke say Steel on it? All chokes made to shoot steel will have STEEL etched on them.
Now all the old school shotgunning criteria come into play, the main being does it fit you.
Lots of shooters choose a semi, to reduce the felt recoil. shooting 1 1/4 plus oz. of shot @ 1500+ fps does recoil.
But, I sold a sawed off single shot this spring, ran into the buyer in fall. He shot a bunch of geese and ducks with it, used whatever ammo was lying around, may have been toxic, and said it was one of the better shotguns he had ever owned !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He shot a slug out of it and the fore end fell off, said he just duct taped it back on with camo duct tape and it was good to go. So from that experience I think your sawed off Cooey may be the most perfect goose gun out there. That fellow that bought mine thought so, and I think his best shot was 5 birds with one shot.
I'm not a big time waterfowl hunter, I go out once or twice a year and shoot a couple of geese. I didn't think a new shotgun was too expensive, bought a Remington Express on sale and was good to go. Over the years I did a few upgrades, a new barrel, Wingmaster trigger group and bolt, to make it a bit smoother shucking. I also purchased a couple of high end choke tubes, for better patterning.
The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 would be my recommendation, or the Super Vinci if you are on a budget.
If you go cheap pump, you may want to stick with a 3", I find the stoke of the 3 1/2 a bit long to shuck-shuck.
