I'm new to this board but would like to contribute. I'm retired law enforcement, 29+ years and a vet. I have an assortment of home defense options including two German Shepherds. Two years ago we had an attempted home invasion however, when the thugs came to the front door, the dogs hit the door like a pack of wolves and the bad guys took off. Absolutely the best home defense weapon I could have. Having said that, I keep a loaded 9mm on the night stand beside my bed, along with a 400 lumen flashlight and a fully loaded RIA VR60 nearby. I just picked the VR60 up a few weeks ago and have run the heck out of it to make sure it's 100% reliable. After 350-400 rounds of everything from birdshot to buckshot, I am satisfied it is reliable. It will only run birdshot low brass with the low power gas piston, everything else used the high pressure piston. It came with one five round magazine and one nine round mag at my local Rural King. I purchased another four 9 round mags. from Tombstone tactical. I keep the mags loaded with #4 buchshot and the mags are all next to the shotgun. We live in the country, and with the dogs, there is no chance of anyone getting close to the house without us knowing about it. I can position myself so as to defend the doors from one area of the house and the shotgun is my best option. My wife is a accomplished shooter as well and she is a great backup. I love the VR60 and also have a second 12 ga. semi auto made in Turkey and it runs great. Call me paranoid if you wish but, I keep the second shotgun loaded with Ficcochi low recoil buckshot.