Well, im not one to normally discuss weapons, or gun control. When i was younger, i was a gun nut. Was hard not to be, i grew up in the 80's, went shooting at makeshift outdoor shooting ranges. (the type where you drove out to the desert with lots of jugs from home filled with water or sand and shot the **** out of them with every assorted arm you could buy back then).
Fast foward to years later, my later end of my enlistment, i found myself the old salt with the faded uniform who HATED going out to the shooting range where as the young troops looked foward to it. Its funny to me now because years ago i would have bought every conceivable arm if i had the money to, and now that i can afford a few that ive wanted, the intrest simply isnt there. Point is, i can see both sides of the gun control argument, but i have no real vested intrest in it either way.
Now as for penetration, i think theres one major differing factor vs CONUS and Iraq. What buildings are made of. I think you'll find alot more houses made of stuco, wooden frames, and sheetrock over here then there (masonry or mud), and rounds travel through that material alot easier to my understanding. Your going to get penetration no matter what round you fire, (err not sure about a 22 though it will still go through, but probably wont travel as far)
6 guys entering your house? Well, chances are, their either a bunch of punks that will run at the first shot, or your ****ed. Won't really matter too much what your packing . Granted a nice big box magazine will help, but i think the reality is, your outnumbered, and they have 6 guns to your 1. Hmm well i will degress one scenario, and thats some sort of standoff. A box magazine is much quickekr to reload, and if your 6 perps have any sort of clue, they'll wait for it.
Natural disasters, hmmm, i can't say much except i wish i bought that m-14 like i always wanted.
Home defense, i am a strong advocate for a good shotgun. Preferbly one designed for it that can hold 8/9 rounds. Less chance of wall penetration, the very sound of a shotgun being charged has pshycological advantages, and if the sound of one a 3" magnum 00 being chambered doesnt run them off, or the sight of one being pointed at you, the result after you pull the trigger most defintly will put them down. On top of that your odds of missing are alot less then a handgun or small carbine. In a situation like that your going to be stressed, and have to react fast, and in a darkened house at night, your aiming might be a little off. Of course, you don't really aim a shotgun, you point one at the center of mass
