I just posted in your poll a minute ago. I would much rather have a 40 then a 45 or 9mm to carry around but others will have other things to say. Now since its going to stay home most of the time i would go with a shotgun with some good turkey loads. They do alot more damage at close range and you dont have to worry as much about it going through the wall which is a major issue with kids or anyone elsein the house. OK now back to your original question. I have2 Springfield XD pistols. One is a Sub-Compact in 40 and the other is a Compact in 45. I carry the 40 alot and they are both great guns. The 40 was $480 and the 45 was $500. For the 40 i have a 9 round mag thats always in the gun, 2 12 round mags in the truck just incase and a 10 round mag in the work truck just incase. The 45 has 1 10 round mag and 1 13 round mag.