re: Best pistol for home protection

For a long gun - AR15 with a red dot all day long. Low recoil, easy to aim, and more than 5 shot capacity of most shotguns.
Only problem, it's way outside the $300 budget.
You might be able to pick up a 9mm High Point Carbine in the $300 range. Throw a cheap Bursa red dot on top, and you'd have a budget firearm.