[Michigan Bowhunter]

Home defense only.......try the 12 GA 870
The 12 Guage makes one hell of a noise that cannot be mistaken for anything else but trouble......probably right up there with the noise of a rattlesnake.

If you need a handgun.....how about a light caliber revolver with a short barrel. They are ready to go out of the box and all you have to do is pull the trigger and they are ready to rock with no extra messing around.

[behzinlea]

My home defense shotgun is a 75-year old Winchester Model 97 in perfect condition that I inherited. It's heavier and has more moving parts (including an exposed trigger that you have to watch out for) than a Remington 870, but it too makes a formidable and oh-so-satisfying sound when cycled. John Browning designed some fine machines.

I've resisted revolvers. No good reason. Just have. A good friend my mine conceal-carries a Taurus snubby revolver in .38 special for the reasons you outlined. He may persuade me yet.