When it comes to home defense, you need a reliable gun. But what is the best gun for home defense? There are many different options, and each need will be unique.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question: what is the best gun for home defense. It depends on your individual needs and preferences. But, there are some factors to consider when making your decision.
Here are a few of the most important things to think about when choosing a home defense weapon.
- Your experience with firearms
- Your home's layout, how comfortable you feel using different types of guns.
Let's take a look at some of the most popular options for home defense guns and discuss the pros and cons of each one.
In this article:
- Best Type of Gun for Home Defense
- Best Gun for Self Defense at Home
- Best Home Defense Gun for Women
- What Is the Best Gun for Home Defense
Related: 10 Best Home Defense Guns For Protection
What Is the Best Gun for Home Defense
Best Type of Gun for Home Defense
When it comes to selecting the best type of gun for home defense, there are a lot of factors to consider. The best gun for home defense is easy-to-use and reliable, and powerful enough to stop an intruder.
Shotgun vs. Rifle vs. Pistol
As a civvy, defending your home is one rare possible situation where you'll need to use a firearm. When it comes to picking the best type of gun for home defense, there are three possible viewpoints:
- Home Defense Shotguns
- Home Defense Rifle
- Home Defense Pistols
Each of these types of guns has its own benefits and drawbacks. So, it's crucial to understand what each option offers before selecting. Read on to learn more about your options if a pistol, shotgun, or rifle interests you for home defense.
Home Defense Shotguns | Why a Shotgun for Home Defense
Shotguns are among the most popular and frequently recommended home defense weapons. A 12 gauge shotgun or 20 gauge shotgun home defense, perhaps? 12 gauge 00 buckshot bulk?
This gun shoots several pellets in all directions and increases your chances of hitting your target. A three-inch shell loaded with 00 buckshot is effectively equivalent to packing 12-15 tiny steel ball bearings, about 8 or 9 millimeters in diameter, into one shot. In other words, it's almost like shooting 10-15 bullets at once.
A shotgun blast to the torso at close range can sharply halve someone. It's part of why the government outlawed sawed-off shotguns during the gangster era. In addition, a shotgun barrel length of lesser than 18 inches is subject to the NFA.
The shorter the shotgun barrel, the swifter the shot – or the spread of the buckshot once it leaves it.
Shotgun spread is – the distance between the center of a bullet and where it strikes an object. The longer the shotgun barrel length, the broader the reach will be.
The best home defense shotguns – have a barrel length of 18-30 inches to help keep the spread tight. Unfortunately, shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches long often prove too short to shoot accurately and comfortably.
Shotguns for defense should have a barrel of at least 18″ and no more than 30″. A shorter length decreases accuracy and comfort when shooting. (Note: A shotgun with a barrel less than 18″ will likely serve best as a hunting gun rather than for self-defense.)
Pump Action vs. Semi-Auto Shotgun
When it comes to shotguns, there are two main types: pump-action and semi-automatic. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Pump-action shotguns are typically more reliable, while semi-automatic shotguns are faster to fire. However, semi-automatic shotguns are also more prone to jamming.
The best home defense shotguns are pump-action or semi-automatic – they are best known for their stopping power. In addition, their pellet size and number, more than other guns – make them very effective at close quarters against multiple attackers. Best used inside the home, where the recoil or kick won't be a factor.
The best type of shotgun to use in home defense is probably the pump-action, like the Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. These shotguns are available in 20 and 12 gauge versions and hold five or more rounds in the tube. So you can keep pumping 'til you run out of ammo, if necessary. Learn more about Pump Shotgun For Home Defense and Find out if it is the Right Choice For You!
Related: Top 10 Best Pump Action Shotguns in the World
Is the question answered? No, not yet. Keep in mind that there are drawbacks.
The biggest drawback of shotguns is the excessive recoil, making them difficult to fire. If you do not secure that buttstock properly on your shoulder, it will feel very excruciating.
Shooting this type of gun is not everyone's cup of tea. In particular, some elderlies, women, and those with small frames.
Finally, many individuals believe that because shotguns have a closer range and the pellets lose speed quickly, they do not penetrate structures – this isn't always true. For example, shotguns can pierce through sheets of plywood or walls!
Home Defense Rifle | Carbine for Home Defense
When you enter a gunfight with a weapon, the rifle or carbine to choose is the AR. They can carry more ammunition than shotguns or handguns. That's something that stands out right away. They are more uncomplicated to shoot accurately under pressure and have minor recoil. A rifle or carbine offers improved balance and accuracy over a shotgun or handgun.
Rifle vs. Shotgun
Is it true that they're superior to shotguns or handguns in every scenario? Unfortunately, no, and here's why:
Most rifles and carbines do not have a buttstock to absorb recoil as you might find on a shotgun, so if accuracy is your concern, these weapons may be too hard to handle under stress for some shooters. On the other hand, most people can shoot a handgun better than any rifle or carbine.
You should consider the best home-defense gun for you to be something that you can handle efficiently (both in accuracy and recoil). If this is your concern, then get yourself a shotgun.
Rifles and carbines have the best accuracy, but even a 12-gauge shotgun can be accurate at home defense ranges under 15 yards. And it has less recoil to manage. But again, if you aren't comfortable with a long gun or capable of hitting your target under stress, get yourself a handgun that you can handle without a problem.
Lately, veterans and influencers in the gun sector claim that the AR-15 is the best home defense firearm. With the growth of AR-15 alternatives, many seemed to agree with them.
These men have more practical real-world combat expertise. But I would have to disagree with them due to Bullet penetration.
A rifle bullet may penetrate the bad guy, the walls, and actually into your home. The force of rifle bullets has both advantages and drawbacks.
Aside from that, they are longer and more tough to use in confined places like inside a home with narrow hallways and doors. Those bullets will over-penetrate, and you won't be able to direct where they go depending on varied factors. Right away, it appears the benefits do not outweigh the drawbacks. The advantages may or may not always exceed the disadvantages.
Home Defense Pistols
A pistol is another choice for home defense. They are tiny, portable, and simple to fire than a shotgun.
Because there is less power pushing a pistol caliber bullet out of the gun, it has less energy and causes lesser damage than a rifle round. BUT: owing to the pistol's shorter barrels and smaller physical dimensions, they are simpler to manage inside a structure or home!
A gun with hollow-point ammo is least likely to over-penetrate the adversary. Hollow-point bullets intend to remain within the bad guy and cause more internal damage. Don't you agree that the concept of self-defense is to stop the bad guy as soon as feasible without injuring anyone else?
In this instance, what diminishes pistols' lethality relative to a shotgun or rifle makes them perfect for home defense. Handguns are less potent than a shotgun or rifle, which makes them the best for home defense in this situation.
It's unsafe in tight locations, such as a home with bedrooms or other rooms on the other side of a wall to disregard bullet penetration. The last thing you want is the bullet to go through your adversary and end up somewhere else in the house.
For more comparison reviews, read the best type of home defense guns between shotgun vs. handgun.
You've already gotten the adapter, but now it's time to combine everything.
Best Type of Gun for Home Defense
Combination Weapons
Let's create a single, powerful home-defense platform by taking the best of both worlds. Since pistols are often the ideal weapons for home defense, let's take them to the next level: a pistol-caliber carbine. The AR-9 is a good example.
Pistol Caliber Carbine AR-9
In other words, an AR-9 with an 8-10 inch barrel for superior velocity and expansion on a hollow point round. Add a red-dot optic, sling, and gun light, and you are all set.
There are many great alternatives available at various price points.
- Palmetto State Armory AR-9
- Sig MPX PCC
- CZ Evo
An AR-9 is a pistol-caliber bullet in an AR carbine. If we employ hollow-point rounds in this AR-9, it becomes the best home defense weapon accessible. It combines the advantages of a pistol and rifle into one package!
Check out this video from former Navy SEAL Sean Ryan of Vigilance Elite below. In the clip, he does a live demonstration comparing the efficacy of a rifle, shotgun, and pistol-caliber carbine to see which is superior:
It's a debate as old as firearms themselves: What is the best gun for home defense?
Best Guns for Home Defense: Pistols, Shotguns, Concealed Carry, and More
Some people swear by shotguns, while others prefer pistols. But which one is the best option for protecting your home and your loved ones? Check out these links below to learn more:
Best Gun for Self Defense at Home
Best Home Defense Gun for Women
- Guns for Women | Top 10 Self-Defense And Concealed Carry Guns for Women
- Women Self Defense Weapons | Top 7 Self-Defense Weapons for Women
Best Home Defense Gun for Elderly: Best Handgun for Elderly Woman
Shotgun
Shotgun Ammo
Handgun: Top 5 Home Defense Handguns Under $400
Pistol for Home Defense
Caliber for Home Defense: Best Self-Defense Caliber Handguns
Rifles: Top 10 Best Home Defense Rifles 2021
What Is the Best Gun for Home Defense
The best gun for home defense is a matter of personal preference. Shotguns offer the best stopping power, but it requires close range.
Handguns are best for indoor distances. And rifles can stop an intruder from a distance and allow more shooting time.
It is best to shoot with all three types of firearms to decide which one best suits your needs.
BOTTOM LINE: There is no “best” gun; it's all about what works best given your situation (close or far). I recommend you take all of these firearms out for a test drive and see which one feels most comfortable and offers the most protection in your specific situation.
Remember, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to become competent in any firearm you choose for your home defense. You will not become skilled unless you practice with it regularly and learn all there is to know about it. So invest and take the time to understand what you need to become and remain a legal, responsible gun owner. Learn How to Choose the Right Gun for your Needs. Stay safe out there!
Check out this video of Survival Gear for the Top 10 9mm Carbines | Best Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC):
Loading ...What do you think is the best gun for home defense?
When do you think is it appropriate to shoot another person in your home, and when should you refrain from doing so? Do you have any personal experience with guns in the case of self-defense within your own home? Please share with us in the comment section below.
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