Until proved differently I will stick with the 0.45 caliber for handguns and 000 buck for shotguns.
That's my homeland defense plan
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Actually, the 9mm with the right load does just as much damage as the .45 ACP. And for a home defense load in your 12 gauge #1 or #4 buckshot it better than 00 buck.
Here are a couple of good sources:
9mm Vs 45 and others.
http://greent.com/40Page/ammo/9/9mm-advoc.htm
12 Gauge rounds
http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm
Actually, according to one of the world's most expert big game authorities, for man-sized and somewhat larger game (he chose leopards as his example), No. 1 buckshot was better (this from an article read in an NRA magazine some years ago--and no, I don't have reference and link---just memory).
I WANNA 50BMG!!!!
45acp handguns and 3" magnum slugs in 12ga shotguns. That's the ticket.