I like handguns and I like carbines but for clearing out space, nothing does it like a shotgun.
If they would make one that accepted 1911 magazines, Id buy it.
Beside my bed right now is a PPK blue in.380. There is a round in the chamber and the safety is off. Although the double action pull is a bit heavy, I see it as a fast way to cock the pistol besides I probably will hit the perp anyway. Leaning against the doorframe is a Winchester Defender with 8, 23/4 inch OO buck. Right beside the front door is an asagi stabbing spear along with a home made sword. I would like to have an HK MP5 semi auto but they will not sell me one nor could I afford it.
In a bag under the table is a Browning HP loaded with a 15 round Mec-Gar mag and silvertips.
If money were no object I would have either an 870 or 1187 set up the same way. 18 inch bore barrel and 8 shot mag with some brands of 23/4 inch buck (yes some brands are shorter than others). The shotguns would be ready to fire except for the safety. If my grandkids were visiting I would leave the chamber empty. I would exchange the Walther for a Beretta model 84 which would be kept chambered with the safety off.
I would keep the Browning HP but put it in a drawer and put a Sig P226 under the table, fully loaded with one of the newer black talon type loads. If I did have time to go to the 9mm, either what I have now or would get, there would be around a dozen mags fully loaded with silvertips. If I could afford to I would change the silvertips to one of the newer hi performance rounds.
I would also go and get a used HK MP5 and hang it on the wall.
For many years I have contemplated what load in the shotgun and have eventually decided to just use the short 00buck load. Just about any thing else would also do.
I once had a Benelli M1 Super 90. If I could get one of those recoil reducing stocks they now have for their other models, I might just get it instead of the Remington. My Benelli was beautiful, worked perfectly, looked wicked, but kicked as hard as any gun I have ever fired. Ever!
I have arthritis in my hands and find the pistol grip stock on a shotgun allows me to hold it much easier. That also includes a butt stock. I once tried shooting one of those ultra short models with a pistol grip and no butt stock. I don’t ever intend to fire another one.
So here is what would happen. I would immediately grab the Walther .380 and a Browning black ice 5 watt LED flashlight.
After looking to make sure the perp was not in my vision, I would pick up the shotgun and take the safety off. I would place the Walther in my pocket (if I had one) and glance quickly around the door and if I didn’t see anyone would look further. If I still didn’t see anyone I would just stay put with the flashlight on but held away from me.