Now that's some good, solid, sound advice.. I really appreciate you all taking the time to type that out for me.. yeas, renting guns at the range sounds like a fantastic idea.. and I love your enthusiasm about the AR-15.. I get the light debate.. am wondering if I can find an underwater light that would also serve as a light in the way you mention.. that way I could not only identify thugs, but dive caves with it, as well.. I'll definitely look into that.. and I've always loved the laser thingy - seems to make things much easier..
MY only concern with the shotgun going 00 buck is possibility of it going through walls - even if I hit the target could have some strays go through walls and nail a neighbor on our zero lot line house.. Of Course, I'm not tight with them, so maybe not a big deal.. I know there's a site that shows the different gauges of shells and how many walls they can go through..
Lot of food for thought - thank you, gentlemen..!
Friendship is like peeing your pants.. Everybody can see it, but only you can feel the warmth..