My training in semiautomatics was to take out the clip and then check the chamber to make sure it was unloaded. Many people forget the second step and end up in trouble.
Home defense is not just for the person, but often also the wife and family. Anyone can easily be shown how a Revolver works and one good lesson will serve you well for decades. A semi is a more precision instrument, much more complex.
And the last thing you need is your wife attempting to use your semi for home defense in a panic and forgetting from her lesson three years ago that there is a SAFETY that must be taken off before the thing will fire.
REVOLVER for home defense. REVOLVER.
When I pick up a gun I remove the magazine, or rounds, check to insure there’s none in the chamber then point the gun up or down and pull the trigger. I feel safer when I hear the “click”. Did this one time and shot a hole in the wall. Scared the crap outta’ me. Guess I forgot to eject the round from the chamber.