I own a SOCOM-16 (.308) and it would be my grab gun if I thought there was a spooky in my home or someone doing something nefarious on the land.
However — a person really needs to spend some serious time with a weapon like that to get accustomed to its muzzle rise, recoil, and - heck - it’s sound. I have a lot of experience with the gun, but even I think that I would be a little surprised by what it would sound like going off in the confines of a tight hallway.
...And while I’m already being a know-it-all: Especially important is to do as much night-time firing as you can to acclimate yourself to that reality.
A gun is very different in the dark and muzzle flash can play a big part in your ability to see your target.
So, with that being said, I would be happy as a clam at night with a 10/22. Low recoil, low noise, low flash..... it wouldn’t be so bad and you could probably get almost all of your shots in a 3-inch group; which would hurt pretty bad.
For home defense, I prefer a 20 guage “youth” pump.
Almost anyone in the home can use the weapon if trained with it.
allowed and appreciated due to your humility