There are many good HD weapons. Nothing wrong with an M1 carbine - GREAT ONE! My preference is a 12 Ga. Pump and #4 Buckshot. The KEY is to bring them to the Range once in a while and fire them. It is all too easy to go out and buy a HD weapon, fire it a few times, clean it, load it and forget about it. You need familiarity with ANY HD gun ESPECIALLY when you are being invaded and the adrenaline in flowing. That is NOT the time to have to think how your weapon functions. PRACTICE!