I like my AR-15 and have fired M-16's. If you care about quick mag changes and accuracy you might want to review your thinking. I don't think that I would have any trouble taking anyone down with either.
For home protection I prefer my .40s&w backing up my Winchester 1300 pump gun belting out 00 buck.
I agree. I own an HK-91 and and AR-15 and if I had to carry one very far with accompanying ammo I would definately carry the AR. For home protection I have a .45 Kimber and a 12 guage Mossberg with 3 inch 000 buck.
Plus there's one law in physics that I always liked;
f=ma (force = mass x acceleration)
For example, take a 45 grain .223 at 3550fps (muzzle) or a 170 grain 8mm Mauser bullet going at 2360fps. Remington test data states that at 200 yards the .223 has 590 ft-lbs of energy compared to 993 ft-lbs for my 8mm. Plus over 200 yards the .233 data is blank - except for "short range bullet drop". To me, that sort of says it all. An AR is fine for certain uses but not as a main-line rifle.
As pistols and the .40 S&W, I can't say much. I tend to shy away from new 'designer' type calibers. I mean, wasn't the 10mm the 'hot' caliber a few years back?
Anyway, I like the 9mm for one basic reason, standardization and ammo availability. As when the U.N. Blue helmets come here, and they will, they'll be packing 9mm guns and extra ammo - for me :-)
But you know, this is another great things about guns, we all have our favorites and it's all a matter of personal choice.
God bless America and the 2nd Amendment.
I'm still not done with my 'collection'.
A shotgun is on the list along with a 1911 .45ACP, a 7.62x39 SKS (interchangeable 20 round mags are available), and a .45LC 'Peacemaker' - or good clone by Barreta or US Arms. The Ruger Vaquero isn't bad either.
Oh and in my 1st post I mentioned the 9x18 Makarov, well I actually bought that for the wife.
Good shooting :-)