Ultimate home defence pistol?

Old boss of mine, an ex- deputy had his theories about home defense weapons. First 2 in the nightstand revolver were birdshot the rest were .38 specials. The .38s were a special concoction he loaded just for that purpose, cast hollow base wad cutters loaded upside down so that massive hollow base was the business end of things and at lower velocities so it didn't damage things 2 rooms away. Another was using an all brass 12 ga load in a pump shotgun. He said the sound of that brass cartridge getting jacked into the chamber was so un-nerving it got the attention of the intruder long before things escalated.