I agree that a 'tactical' firearm I'd want for self/home protection would have to be better than one of the many other alternatives out there for me to want one:
The M-1A & Garand are far heavier, Mini-14's are light weight but not compact, and even the AR-15's in 'shorty' configuration aren't all that compact, and of course all are far more powerful.
The Marlin Camp Rifle is available in .45 ACP, and uses standard magazines, and the Ruger 9mm/40S&W Carbine is about the size of an M-1 Carbine and uses standard magazines, and if you want a truly high-capacity and compact 9mm, Calico 950 pistols are still available and hold either 50 or 100 rounds.
If I wanted a compact 9mm or .40 S&W though, rather than get any of the above, however, I'd go for the KelTecs several others on this forum have bought and reviewed.
For now, it's either the Rossi .45 Colt levergun, or the Marlin Camp Rifle in .45 ACP for me...
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