[Tarpon]

The self defense trainers that I know, warn that a long gun is easily defeated by a close quarter attacker, and is awkward to deploy effectively, within the confines of a home. The instructors I know are dead set against any long arm as defense weapons inside the home. They much prefer the high capacity point and shoot automatics, like the Glock 19.

They switch positions when you go out in the open, saying a long gun is much better, and there they prefer the shotgun for most people. Remember the old trench fighters of Vietnam, a 45 and extra ammo ... I think if I were doing entry attacks like SWAT does, then a shotgun would be my preferred weapon, with low intensity rounds.

The best way to figure this out is firing different weapons in enclosed ranges. Or even shooting a CQB course. What ever works for you.

[Armedanddangerous]

this is not for searching rooms with. The use of the long gun is when you have secured all the loved ones in a safe area that you have to defend until the cops arrive.

If one is searching rooms looking for a child, for instance, a handgun is the best weapon for that task.