Lately I have been doing alot more shooting with my AR (both rilfe 16" and 10.5" pistol. Currently I have a HD setup of a S&W MP pistol by my bedside with a light secured. However after watching some newer videos, and doing more shooting with the AR I am rethinking if I want to switch to the 10.5 as my primary HD bedside. I only want one option so as to not have to make a decision in the moment, below are the pros and cons I can think of for each, what do you guys use and whats your thoughts?
AR -
Pros: More stopping power / lethality
More Ammunition without reload
Red dot fast sit acquisition
Cons:
Much more noise and muzzleblast
Harder to use a free hand for tasks
S&W handgun-
Pros:
Many more rounds sent downrange and comp's ran
More maneuverability and free hand to direct children/wife
Cons:
Less power
Less capacity
To counter the "good points":
5.56 will over penetrate the target >maybe< but they have been shown less likely to penetrate multiple barriers so it is less likely to carry through multiple rooms and be a danger to others. The rounds disrupt and break apart quickly where slower pistol rounds can carry on through multiple barriers such as dry wall. At "house" distance the AR velocity is still usually above the 2,200 FPS threshold of tissue disruption, not just poking holes like a pistol does. So even with a pass through, you will get massive tissue damage which will drop bad guys faster.
Of course its heavier, its twice as many rounds, at least. When defending your family you will not say "gee, this gun sho is heavy". If anything, it turns into a heck of a club if the swinging commences. You are not marching for miles into combat where you have to carry it.
Red dots may blind you when there is no other light. But no one is going to be pulling the trigger in a zero light situation. You have to illuminate your target to know what you are shooting at. Unless someone is recommending just blasting away at movement or sound. That's not very responsible.
Noise and muzzle blast? 9mm has been rated at 160 decibles nad 5.56 is rated around 155. So sound wise, you will not know a difference. There may be more muzzle blast, but when you are shooting the bad guy, that is going to be the least of your concerns. Accuracy and follow up shots is what will matter.
Harder to use with one hand? This is slightly true, but an AR pistol can still be manipulated one handed, and even when pistol shooting, most of us train a two handed firing style in order to maximize control and follow up. You can still shoulder an AR pistol and manipulate things with the other hand.
Less power = Less power.
Less capacity = less capacity, it doesn't matter a lick what the "average confrontation" is. You are setting up to defend your family, we don't play to the lowest denominator.
There is a common saying that you use your pistol to fight your way to your rifle. There will be pro's and con's to every situation, and there is no perfect solution. But if I knew I was going into a fight for my family's life, I wouldn't settle on a pistol. I want to cheat, use an oppressive amount of firepower, and make the fight as unfair as possible.