I bought a 40 S&W just for this reason, I can have it close at hand at all times, and no one knows its there. If you do buy a pistol for home protection a good thing to have on it is a tactical light and some nite sites. I am going to put together a tactical Benelli M1 Super 90 for the house as well once funds allow. The nice thing about a shotgun is its alot cheaper to go out an play with than any pistol caliber.