Darwin has a place for folks who CHOOSE TO go to gun fights with handguns. When you know or believe your going to be in a fight and you have a choice, you had better be toting a long arm.
In your home environment, you should know the difference between someone in the house and a "bump" in the night. If you don't, the weapon with you isn't your primary problem. KNOW YOUR GROUND!
"I can excuse an officer being defeated in combat, I cannot excuse an officer being surprised in combat." IIRC it was Lewis (Chesty) B. Puller LtGen. USMC
I couldn't agree more, particularly when you are on your home Ground. Taking a pistol to check a "Bump" in the night is fine. "Clearing" your house, Tactically unsound as it is, should be done with a weapon that can bring maximum fire power to bear. That means a long arm.
If after a "bump" in the night you believe you must "clear" the dwelling, you need to call the cavalry. Retreat to your strong point, and dig in.
The poster recommending the dog has it right. Frankly any half way properly trained dog would do. But the concept of the strong point still applies. The deeper and more active the defenses, the better.
I am armed virtually all the time at home for convenience. Read that sidearm. In another forum a thread asked, if sitting at your computer right now can you literally reach and grab a weapon? They made a very solid and valid point. Any increase in threat will get a long arm deployed.
I have always enjoyed the rationalization of taking a handgun to a gun fight. A "bump" in the night isn't a potential gun fight. The door or window etc, being kicked in is. There are varying degrees of this, but if a bad guy can get inside your dwelling without you knowing it, your primary problem isn't about weapons selection.
You have GOT TO know and own, your own ground.
Go figure.
Fred