I had to harken back to the original post to remember what the question was (basically, if legal in your state, would you utilize a machine pistol or semi-auto for nightstand duty?) ... I can't keep a full-auto gun in my house (I live in one of the approximately 15 states that don't allow Class III firearms). I originally responded that I'm an aimed-fire, semi-auto kind of guy. Nothing said in this thread would make me re-think my first answer; I've plenty of experience with full-auto from 9mm to 7.62 mm to .50 caliber (I've used but not been regularly assigned as a gunner for) the M240, M249, the M60, the M2 and been issued an MP5 for duty) -- so, all that noted, I'm still firmly in the camp of aimed fire with a more compact weapons system if something goes bump in the night. Now, if it were like the scene in the original Dawn of the Dead movie (not the 2005 re-make) where the biker gang descended on the shopping mall where our survivors were holed up, I might re-consider. But, like I noted before, I'd be way more confident (especially if just awakened out of a sound sleep) with a platform I carry daily, and shoot weekly.
I don't disagree with AK-103K about how effective FA can be in the hands of someone experienced, but the way I read the OP, it seemed he was talking about a basic MP with no arm-brace/shoulder stock (OP, if you're still following, feel free to check in), so I submit that 99% of good Americans would be better served by a semi-auto pistol that they regularly practice with at their local range. IMO, there's a big difference between a hand-held MP and something with a stock one can put to the shoulder and get a good, firm sight picture with.
(Disclaimer: the sheriff's office I briefly worked for prior to going into the military in 1979 still had a couple Thompsons in the armory -- now, if I could own one of those, and regularly practice with it -- my answer might be totally different.) It's a .45 ACP, for gosh' sakes ...
