I had combination gun with this feature. You load the gun take safety off and keep fingers out of the trigger guard. If one falls hopefully intercepting safety mechaism works and one does not shoot body part off, kill or worse yet wound someone else. I didn't have any problems with that setup, but tang safety is best on both rifles and shotguns.
If you are looking for glass half full nice Greener with side safety usually costs significantly less than something with tang safety. If you like something from famous "pot and pan maker" of Birmingham I suggest finding one with tang safety. They do exist. It could be worse you could end up with one of them modern German wonders with sliding cocker next or near top lever. By sliding the thingy you're basically cocking the system to fire.
