my thoughts on the subject: rifles are primarily for taking the fight to the enemy at some distance. why get close to your enemy if you don't have to? Also, rifles (and especially the semi auto type) are best suited for WTSHTF (when the shit hits the fan) because if the shit does hit, you will be fighting lots of people at various ranges in various types of engagements and the semi-auto is what you need. That said, you don't choose a rifle for "home defense" because you are always close to walls and the rounds go through walls like they were fucking jello. Don't think you won't ever miss a target. When the adrenaline is pumpng and you are scared and don't know if you are going to get killed yourself, you will take a wild shot or two. you endanger persons in the other rooms and even your neighbors. (of course, any gun is better than no gun, but since you are planning your defense, think it through and you will realize the rifle should not be your first choice) Learn how to use the right weapon, a shotgun. that is the only "home defense" gun you need (although a .45 is almost as good.) remember, when you are in your home, everthing is close and up close is where where shotguns are devastating. between 5-20 feet, they kill the target every time. how many times do you hear about people surving being shot at close range (10-20 feet) with handguns or .223 rounds and surviving. Now, how may close range shotgun blast survivors? very very few. and they are really fucked up after they get hit. If I haven't convinced you, and if you really "must" have your M-4 for home defense, then consider this: most home situations occur at night. take that removable A3 handle off and mount a dot or holographic scope with night vision capability. If that is what you have in the picture there, put it on, cowitness the front sight, and leave it on. And get some practice with it at the range. some other observations about your equimpment. you don't need a web sling on a "home defense" rifle because you will not carry it more than a few rooms away. it just gets in the way. you don't put rounds in a plastic tub (or plastic bag or whatever the hell that is). they go into your magazines, then, into stripper clips and then into cans. and wolf ammo is garbage. stop buying it. bottom line, you need to use your smarts before, during, and after you use your weapon.