A heat shield or other tacticool knick knacks may not be fully needed for firing 1/2 12ga shells in a real critical event but I'd say a "mean, lean fighting machine" may scare the scat out of a violent criminal.
It's not a 100% absolute by any means but if it deters a thug or reduces the chance of a shooting then so be it.
The main goal is defense or protection not re-doing the Alamo or the Tet Offensive.
CF
ps; Dont think that a "combat" shotgun will impress every violent felon either.
As the late author Robert Boatman said; "A well aimed shot of intimidation never killed anyone."
www.Boatmanbooks.com