All of these weapons can be effective....but only if the owner is properly trained mentally and physically (memory movement).
Most buy a weapon and shoot it just enough to be dangerous to themselves and everyone around them (and the people next door).
How can you angle your defensive shot so as to preclude accidental deep penetration and injuring someone in the vicinity? Etc, etc.
Read up and train yourself or get some training....then practice until you can act instinctively.

Another thing about a shotgun, if it is plugged for hunting you are limited to just a few shells.

Disassemble and remove the plug.

Three. Two if you insist on "racking" the goddamn thing to "scare" the intruder(s)...

You are smart to turn to a car forum for answers on this so I will give you the best advice. When it comes to guns you're really going to want to make your own.
This is one area where a novice designing and fabricating their own custom gun design and ammunition always makes sense.

Nothing buys credibility at the range like showing up with one of these. . .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446730213.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446730228.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446730244.jpg


I can also advise you on financial matters, women and the paranormal, all of which are closely related. SmileWavy

If you really think a typical home invader is looking for a confrontation (armed or not) and that you will be involved in some Matrix style running gun battle, you'd best stop selling illicit substances and/or move out of the 'hood.

I can't speak the mental status of "the typical" home invader, however if someone break into my house, they will be met with all the force I can muster.
Someone who is bold/brazen/high enough to even consider entering someone else's house is a threat to be taken seriously.

Just my opinion: start with a revolver. I'd go with a .38 with a 4" barrel. You mentioned your wife will also use it so you don't want a heavy pistol or one with a lot of recoil. But you do want one with a long enough barrel to be accurate.

I personally carry a semi-auto, but it is one that I have used for years and I am absolutely confident it will fire every time and the rounds will go where I aim. If you do decide to buy a semi-auto, fire it enough times (several hundred at least) to be sure it likes the ammo you are putting through it. Some semi's are a bit finicky about the ammo that is fed to them. They may be flawless with range ammo, but jam when using hollow points.

So you put the plug back in to hunt or own two? One for home defense and one to hunt with?

The typical pump action shot gun like a Rem 870 allows the plug to be removed/re-installed in a minute. Remembering to do so is another question. Good luck when the warden pulls you over and checks. :)

G

That was my concern. Remembering to do it. The 870 has to be one of the easiest shotguns for changing stuff around.

It only takes a minute to swap out a .22 conversion on a 1911 as well.

I'd be willing to bet 95% of the home invasions that result in home owner/criminal showdowns are because the criminal thought the home was unoccupied and is surprised by the homeowner mid-crime. These aren't killers typically, but are low down sneaky thieves and cowards. The other 5% are likely honest-to-goodness "hits" or revenge induced showdowns.

I personally don't give a flying f*)k if you steal my crap. That is why I have homeowners insurance. I am certainly not going to head downstairs and look for a confrontation over a 60" TV. Take it. But I am blocking the bedroom door, calling 911 on my cell phone and pointing a 12 gauge at the door. If the punk start pressing on the door, then I am firing.

My "crap" is not worth my life,nor is it worth anyones who lives with me.
If some low down dirty sneaky thieves break into my house while I am gone, they are welcome to it all.
If they break in while my FAMILY is home, then I will defend my Family to the best of my abilities.

I really do not care what someone who breaks into a house thinks. btw, I would never fire a weapon through a closed door.

Let's just say that I don't worry about having 5 rounds for self defense as much as I worry about forgetting to put a plug in. When I travel with my shotgun, it always is plugged. Shhhh - don't tell the bad guys!

G

I don't worry too much either. The shotguns aren't easily accessible but I do keep a revolver in the bedroom and since we don't have room in the case, the 30-30, .270, and 30-06 are there as well. They aren't very good for home defense unless the whole family is in the bedroom with me.

Different circumstances here. No kids, just the wifey and me upstairs. If you have loved ones both up and downstairs then you have a tougher scenario to manage.