[Old Teufel Hunden]

"but am debating what to get for home protection at a higher caliber."

I'm surprised this thread only has 35 posts to it. If there's one thing that gets freepers posting, it's advice on firearms. I'll put my two cents in. For home protection, I think a shotgun works best. Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. They're both inexpensive pumps and will do the job.

[Recon Dad]

a shotgun works best. Remington 870

Amen brother! The sound of an 870 being racked makes the hairs on my arms stand up. If I were an intruder and heard that sound I’d drop a load.

[RaceBannon]

Hmmm, all the old Jarheads speak of the 870....

That’s only because it was the first we learned to clean well! :)