[hkeller]

Just a thought: Try to remember that, in the event you have to use a gun for self defense, you may be charged with a crime. In that event, you do not want the prosecution to display a combat type weapon to the jury. The more the gun looks like a hunting firearm, the better off you will be. If the jury sees a combat type weapon, they invariably will think, "This guy was just waiting for a chance to shoot someone."

Depending on your state, you may or may not have a free pass to use deadly force to repel intruders from your home. As sad as it is, in many states you have to have no reasonable escape option before you can use deadly force as self defense, even in your home at night. Hopefully, law enforcement will be understanding, but some prosecutors can be pretty liberal.