I attended a lecture a number of years back regarding home defense. The speaker (I don't remember his name) mentioned that far and away the best gun for most every home defense situation was a pump shotgun. Easy to manage, not likely to jam and downright effective for a single shot. Your loads should be such that they will cause plenty of damage without passing easily from room to room. #4 shot works very well in that respect.

A easy to handle revolver is the next best thing (.357 mag) in something comprable in a medium frame. Enough power to be effective yet easy enough to manage for people of smaller stature, and ultra simple....no saftey, no slide, nothing......point and shoot.

Last on the list was the automatics. His comments were along the lines that unless everybody who might have to use that gun was unbeleieveably proficent with the auto, then you should avoid it.

A couple of other notable points he made.

The home defense gun should be 100% stock (no modifications at all) and shooting factory loaded ammunition. It has been argued in court that by modifying the gun (trigger work, magazine well, match barrel, light, etc....) or loading the ammunition yourself that you are in essence making the gun "deadlier" as it is now a more effective weapon (a totally stupid concept if you as me) but I am not a lawyer. It also shows premeditation in that you were preparing the gun as a offensive as opposed to a defensive weapon.

Keep it stock, keep it simple and don't stop shooting until you are out of ammunition. It is relatively easy to explain away that due to the adrenaline rush that you kept shooting and didn't realize you were out of ammunition than to defend yourself in court aganst an intruder who is suing you because of the injuries "he" susained while burglarizing "your" house. If they come in through the window head first, they leave through the door feet first.

If God forbid you find yourself in a situation where there is an intruder in your house, get to yourself and your family to a safe room, use a cell phone to call the police (tell them what room you are in AND that you are armed). Wait it out and be prepared to make a stand if someone tries to get into that room.

The gun is to protect your family, NOT your stuff.....that is what the insurance is for.