I remember reading in an issue of American Rifleman somewhere (I forget which issue) that 90% of crime prevented with a gun did not involve the perp getting shot. Just brandishing and/or a missed shot was enough to send the perp running away to find easier pickings elsewhere. If that's true, then any gun would work 90% of the time. You only really need to count on stopping power 10% of the time. So, even if you have a crappy .380 Hi Point that you can expect to stop a perp 60% of the time you pull the trigger and shoot someone, you can still expect to stop the threat 96% of the time.
That said, most people would opt to own something better than a Hi Point .380. Why? Because America is the land of excess. Why drive a Ford Escort when you can drive a Hummer? Why own a Hi Point when you can own a really tricked out gun with all the bells and whistles? If you can afford it, then go for it. If you can't, then just buy what cops in rural underfunded police agencies use. Why? Because that's what's adequate for use against perps.
So, in answering your question, if you have a shotgun for hunting, that'll do for home defense, too. You may want to paint some glow in the dark paint on the gun sights and barrel mount a flashlight to it for better utility at night. You may always remove the flashlight during hunting season. If your nightstand gun is a handgun that is in any of the common military and/or police calibers (9mm/38/357/45/40), than you may use that as your home defense gun, too. Just make sure you have easily visible sights and a flashlight. My local hardware store (Harbor Freight) sells a nice LED flashlight with a momentary on button for only $4. It is almost as bright as my $100 SureFire. So, $8 later, you've got an adequate setup for most home defense situations ($4 flashlight + $4 glow in the dark paint).
GrayHawk wrote:why I would need a short barelled HD shotgun with ghost ring or halo sights, pistol grip stock, mounted laser and flashlight, heat shroud, sling, saddle with 6 extra rounds, with mag extension bringing my in gun round count to eight when I have an effective nightstand gun?