[Jeff Higgins]

Shotguns are great for home defense. No over-penetration, great "stopping power" and huge intimidation factor. No flash, the noise is well out in front of you; all good. The only downside is length. They can be a bit cumbersome in a house when trying to get through a doorway, around a corner, down a hall, or especially turning around in a hall. They are also easier to take away than a handgun. If innoperable for any reason, it does make a far better club than any handgun. They are useless if you have hurt either hand, like in trying to fend off a knife attack. They are equally useless if the bad guy is close enough to touch, and you have to hold him back with one hand and operate the weapon with the other. Many defensive shootings are at arm's length or less, so don't discount the possibility.

In the end, it's all a trade-off. Assess your own situation and decide. Understand the options and the pros and cons of each. If there is a secondary intent for the weapon, that will come into play. Realize that for the most part, these "secondary" uses will be the only use it ever sees anyway, so buy something you can have fun with, too. My personal home defense arms were never purchased with home defense as a criteria; they just kind of fall into that use if they are suitable. Any firearm can be used, really, even if there are better and worse ones for the purpose. The "best" home defense arm? The one that is loaded and at hand when something goes "bump" in the night...