For home defense I'd recommend the shotgun, preferably a short pump action. It'll be legal down to an 18" barrel and I believe 26" overall. The shotgun pellets won't over penetrate reducing the risk of collateral damage. The shorter length will assure it's not unwieldy indoors. The sound of the pump action as you chamber a round may very well keep you from having to splatter some assholes guts all over your walls and floors to begin with.
True, which is why if I were in the market I'd be going with this. http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/ds-arms-sa58-rifle/
Dont forget the sharpening stone. Even the most prepared can be stricken with shortsightedness. That thing will get dull after you whack a dozen zombies in the grill you know!
Who knows what will happen in 6 months time, 3000-5000 rounds of ammo is probably not excessive in these times
Don't forget body armor, a large cistern (full), food for a year, alternative power, tools and materials to completely rebuild your shelter. Oh, and seeds and land (with water).
I posted a photo of the new toy (with it's older cousin) in the chit chat forum: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?threadid=244340 In retrospect, I should have just posted it in this thread.
"... Tsing, you've got to try an M-14 or one if its carbine gas variants. I think you might like the power...." I have fond remembrance of the M-14. Fired it only once... for qualification at Ft. Carson, CO., when I was 18. The recoil kept kicking the receiver up into my lip. I ended up swollen and a little bloody, but I wasn't going to let THAT stop me from earning and Expert Marksman ribbon... (Also later qualified with the M-16 in basic training... tiny recoil by comparison...)
Only birdshot won't overpenetrate, but it's not an effective man stopper. Waiting to charge your weapon in the presence of an intruder only gives your position away. The best weapon is one you can hit things with and operate easily under stress, the rest is academic.