As to your thinking out loud, I think the point of this thread is to test assumptions, and refine our own thinking. (Before going further, TGS, I wasn't trying to insult you by asking if you were an easterner, although I see how it could be construed that way. Sorry.)
I don't have experience pointing weapons at people, and hope to keep it that way. However, I agree that the objective is to stop the threat, without injury to you or anyone else. If the situation allowed for it, it seems muzzling would certainly be preferential to shooting the person. Along those lines, I have stopped one moose charge and two bear charges by firing a warning shot in the dirt in front of the animal at close range. In each instance, I was legally able and morally willing to use lethal force, but I chose to try one last thing prior to using lethal force.
It does seem that muzzling someone would be the rare exception as opposed to SOP, although I may hang out in different places and with different type folks than some that may be forced to be in places on account of their profession.