Point taken re: rifle over penetration. I should have been specific. I use a .45 ACP carbine for home defense. Probability of hit is much higher with a long gun. At least for me.
I like th AR-15 platform in .223 with hollowpoint ammunition. It does not overpenetrate, it is extremely destructive, and very accurate. It is very nice to have 30 rounds of highly reliable ammunition at hand. As a bonus, it has high recognition and deterrent value. The major negatives are muzzleblast and flash. I am seriously considering a legal suppressor to address those issues. If we lived in a sane society, we would be able to buy those at the local hardware store for $75, like they can in Finland.
Hubby has a Win 73 in .45 long Colt, which would pack a little more punch but is longer and heavier.
I like the idea of a carbine with a pistol round. Not only is your accuracy better, you get more velocity out of the longer barrel.