An 18 1/2 " long gun is too long IMHO for more'n safe room duty IMHO. I'll "check things out" with a handgun. They're short and that's what they do well. I have 6 shotguns, hunt with all of 'em, have the little Spartan 20 gauge coach gun for safe room duties when it's not knockin' down doves or teal. I could just as easily use my 28" Winchester 1400 or Mossberg camo M500 for that, I reckon. If I have to leave the safe room (bedroom), I grab the .38. Of course, if I put my pants on, there's always a 9mm in the pocket loaded with 10+1 rounds of 115 grain +P. I carry that gun 24/7 when I ain't giving it a break for a .38 snubby. It's all in your tactics.