On AR reliability, parts aren't parts, buy quality (NOT Bushy/DPMS/Double Star/Oly/RRA/etc.), lubricate, good ammo and mags, preventative maintenance, every system will eventually fail. AK's jam too, no matter what whomever says.
The carbine is GTG, the optic, eh...It'll do the job, and probably do it just fine. But I'd say cough up the extra $300 for their same model rifle with a genuine Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO). It's a far nicer optic. From there, add a sling, flashlight, 30 round Pmag's, and a BCM chest rig. It will hold out against burglars, including the border-hopping, body-armor-wearing, drug-dealing kind, quite adequately if you do your part.
The PSA guns are very well-made, don't let some gun show/gun shop hack at a counter push a DPMS/Oly/Bushmaster/RRA rifle on you. You'll just be betting your family's life on a Ford Pinto of sorts. Go for a real, well-built, reliable vehicle (rifle, if you catch my meaning).
I'd personally advocate you get a BCM mid-length with MOE handguards, the aforementioned sling, a light, good mags, and a BCM chest rig, but that's based entirely on my personal experience with them (I guarantee you're getting a good gun from the folks at BCM, and by good I mean excellent).
If you can't, a PSA will perform in the outlined roles.
One thing I didn't say in there, GET TRAINING. If you want this to be a defensive rifle, youtube and the Magpul Dynamics videos (as good as they are) just don't compare to hands on time with the guys at Magpul, Vickers, etc.
Also, on another note, to those of you scoffing at the concept of anything this serious when "it's just gonna be kids breaking in, a shotgun/1911/M1 is all you need, just point and shoot, there's nothing more to it", wake up. Read this (warning, language is very graphic):
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=94447
Now, tell me again how that shotgun without training will perform.
This is why I advocate training and preparation for a situation like that. Think about what three or four people coming through that door would have done, or how the situation would have changed had the poster there been armed and mentally ready for it, those pukes wouldn't have had a chance.
There are many instances of the untrained attempting to handle a home invasion situation with inadequate armaments and no mental/physical preparation for the invasion and then dying, often leaving an armed criminal on the loose. If you're gonna arm yourself for home defense, be ready to use the weapon. Have it accessible to you at ALL times.
Sorry for the off-topic, back to your regularly scheduled broadcasting.
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