Remember that compared to rifles, handguns are little more than pathetic pop guns.
at point blank range against an unarmed person they have all the pop they need to get the job done.
.224 Bullets that fail to expand for lack of speed make tiny holes, so the most commonly purchased ammunition would perform poorly at lower velocities through short barrels. In most self-defense situations, a light weapon can also be important. The Ruger AR-556 weighs 6.5 pounds as differentiated from some 9mm pistols that weigh 15 ounces.
That said, AR pistols can be pretty good for home defense with some kinds of ammunition, but a shotgun could be more effective. Either could be cumbersome for someone who’s half asleep.