[eartick]

if I had any firearms, I think I would prefer first, a shotgun, 2nd handgun, only 3rd a long gun.

Yep. Mossberg 590 next to bed using 0000 Buck. 00 Buck is too much and will punch through most walls and could cause family injuries.

I keep my 40 S&W loaded with collapsible bullets. They will not punch through a wall. Expands on impact to 1.5x. Perfect for home defense but you just have to remember that these bullets have there limits. If you ever tested a hollow point on denim or cotton you would see that it never expands. The most hollow points will plug and basically become a jacketed bullet. Drywall/paneling also plugs them up.

Now if all else fails, the long gun I keep at my bed side is a 45-70 loaded with 400 grain. Whenever it comes to time to use this there will be nothing that would stop it from one end of my house to the other while my wife drags out the ARs from the safe and the box of 600 rounds loaded into mags ready to go.

[Crolis]

Federal used to make a expanding full metal jacket cartridge. Looks like they still do but under the "Guard Dog" brand. I've always thought this was a neat way to handle a expanding bullet.

Federal Guard Dog

[Elderberry]

Yep. Mossberg 590 next to bed using 0000 Buck.

I think you mean #4 Buck.

0000 Buck is 0.380 inches in diameter.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Super-Buck-Lead-0000-8-lb_jar-380/productinfo/SBK40/