Very few people practice enough with a handgun to be effective in a high stress environment. For that reason a pump or semi-auto 12 ga is a better choice for home defense. A 3 inch magnum shell loaded with 2 shells of #4 or #2 shot followed by 3 shells loaded with buckshot is more effective. And before anyone decries the use of #4 or #2 shot, get some and shoot them into a sheet of plywood at about 20 feet and look at the damage they do. No man can survive a chest hit at that distance with those shells and you could easily knock the legs out from under someone if you don't want a kill shot.
I base the above on more than 25 years on active duty. Even for military people that shoot a fair amount, few of them are really good. They use a pistol to fight their way to a long gun. When the lives of your family are on the line go straight to the long gun in the first place. As always, feel free to disagree.
You get out of life what you are willing to accept. If you ain't happy, do something about it!
