Our house is a one-story bungalow in what was a small city, that became surrounded by a sprawling big city. Several dogs are the early warning/deterrent. The utility/HD long gun is an 870P, loaded with 00 buck, equipped with a Surefire Weaponlight forend and a Vang-comp barrel. The reason is simple: My employer is a police agency, and it behooves me to use one of my "approved" weapons in a defensive shooting, whether I am on or off the clock. My approved ammo choices are 00 or 4 buck. While I prefer carbines for HD, the fact is that the 870 is a darn good weapon. I can back up the 870 with my SIG P229R or one of several Ruger .357 revolving pistols.