Road Dog,
>>M-1 Carbine or a Ruger mini 14. My biggest concern is about the wall penetration of my home<<
You're right to be concerned..., with either weapon.
I once owned a 6" barrelled Ruger Security-Six in .357 Mag. Loaded it with 140 gr. CCI/Speer Lawman ammo.
My ex-wife..., after swearing she'd *NEVER* touch my guns again (after shooting a couple and being terrified by the blast and recoil)..., she heard "a sound" one afternoon, grabbed my .357, and accidently fired a round. That 140 grains went though a closet wall, through the closet, through two bathroom walls (and would've drilled, dead center, anyone sitting on the potty
), through the dining room and dining room wall, through a kitchen cabinet..., finally lodging in a cabinet door on the far side of the kitchen. I found the separated jacket from the slug.., I think.., in the dining room.
I hate to think what a rifle might've done...