I know a 45 makes a pretty good mess as well, but it would be relatively lessened with the single hunk of lead.
Up here I fully believe most homes have firearms at the ready for defense, and as a probable consequence we have a fairly low crime rate, especially home invasions (other than kids burgling when no one is home).
So the bad experience level is kinda rare.
The 45 is effective, but no handgun cartridge is a reliable one-shot stop. In my case it took 3, including a rather messy one.
Frankly, I would have preferred the 12ga with 7's in it for that one-shot zombie stopper.
Under stress it is much easier to get into action, and even though placement is still important, it is not as critical as a handgun.