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I just got here...and without reading all the other posts...your solution is very simple.

Simply purchase a .357 Revolver. You will know how to use it even out of a dead sleep, there is nothing to manipulate, reloading takes no strength, and is intuitive.

You can see if it's loaded from the outside, it is unshootable from a "thumb-break" holster...it is not sensitive to ammunition failure...and it will always "go off" every time you pull the trigger, hard.

The snub-nose ones are handy, 5-shot...easy to hide and carry...but remember...the longer barrels are a LOT more pleasant to use, are a lot less bright in the dark (why temporarily blind yourself when there's trouble), and longer barrels are much easier to be accurate with.

You can load revolvers with Glaser Safety Slugs, and not "overpenetrate" if you are concerned about going through sheetrock, etc.....and the longer barrel gets the full potential of the round out the barrel, into the target, without great muzzle-flip/recoil...and the common .357 is a well-known stopper from a longer (3-4") barrel....AND you can practice with or use .38 Special ammo if the magnum is too much. (but try, anyway. If you need it, you won't care how punchy it is...may not even hear it!)

Look at Smith & Wesson and Ruger. There are many other brands too, most very good...but copies of the S&W mostly. I personally like the originals...but they will all work...

Do NOT start learning how to shoot, under lethal threat, as you are...with an automatic. They are ammo and magazine sensitive...have switches and levers...and the ones that don't...in fact ALL of them, can fail from "Limp-Wristing," from holding it loosely, incompletely, improperly...and the attractively lightweight "Polymer" ones flex, and could make them even more sensitive. Buy a double-action revolver, load it, leave it there, grab it and punch it into whatever attacks you. You will know what to do, and how to do it.

Your best bet is a shotgun...but handguns are "handy !"

Forget rock salt. It will get you in absurd legal trouble, and this warning shot stuff is also absurd. When you need a gun...use it. What if you only have a chance to use your "warning shot" and they kill you anyway....or if they don't stop...then sue you for being Rambo...waiting for them with your poison bullets.

Don't fool around. Get a good revolver, load it, and be prepared to stop your murderer with it. A 12ga. is even better...a short double, if you can find one, is great...but if you really want to make a warning...pumping the slide is an international language, which even dogs seem to understand. Well, it worked for me...and only cost one loaded round
flying off on to the carpet, harmlessly..and was heard through the door...which, BTW, get shot-through all the time, by bad guys...so don't stand in the middle of one if someone is breaking in.