Home defense

Question
Hello Mr.Zukowski
I am looking to purchase a couple of weapons for home protection. A friend recommended a Mossberg 500 bolt action shotgun with a pistol grip as a descent piece for the money.
I would also like to purchase a handgun. Any suggestions Would be appreciated.
Thanks

Answer
As this came to me, I will be glad to answer to the best of my ability, but I am not Mr. Zukowski.

Your friend is a bit confused.  The Mossberg 500 is a pump-action shotgun, not a bolt-action.  Pistol grips on shotguns are good for Hollywood, not for real life.  You need to shoulder mount the weapon to be able to hit with it. I've witnessed police qualification courses where officers were encouraged to shoot from the hip from six feet, at which distance most of them could not hit a torso-sized target, which was the point of the exercise.  Most police officers today unfortunately have never fired a gun before joining their agency, and get their firearms "training" from Hollywood.

If you get a 500 with an 18" barrel that would be a formidable home-protection tool.

Re:handguns. I don't now what caliber or type (revolver or auto) that you are considering.  Assuming an auto, Glocks, Berettas, HKs, and Springfield XDs are all good choices for guns that are accurate and reliable enough to be confident they will feed and fire every time.