[MacD37]

Whether the 357 mag is too much for home defense depends on how your house is built, and with frame&drywall, or more substantual walls, and if there are many in the family in other rooms in the house! A 357mag will shoot through several walls covered with drywall. One must think about the kids in the other room.

IMO the best home defense weapon is a 3" 20 ga pump shotgun with an 18" barrel and an extended magazine. I don't like the buckshot for the same reason I don't like the 357mag for home defense, it penetrates too well. I load with 7 1/2 birdshot. At the longest distance in most houses,the pattern will be no more thah 10" down a hall, and in most rooms, it will hit like a solid 3" chunk of lead, and will penetrate the first layer of drywall, but will not penetrate the drywall into the next room with enough velocity to do damage. the pistol can be used as a back-up if you need it, but the primary in my home is the shotgun!