Weigh in on the pros and cons of shotguns and handguns before you pick your stash of home defense guns!
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Shotgun vs Handgun For Home Defense
Shotgun vs Handgun: Which Would Your Pick for Home Defense?
With all the types of guns and ammunition available in the market today, finding the perfect home defense weapons can become quite a challenge for many people. On the top of the list of the best guns for home defense, are the shotgun and the handgun.
People from all over the world are still in a debate as to which of these is the perfect weapon of choice for homeowners. To find the answer to this, people should consider the various features and unique characteristics of both weapons.
Now, here is a simple summary of these two popular choices for home defense weapons and self-defense guns.
Shotgun
A shotgun is known for its amazing accuracy and power. Its accuracy is due to the extended sight radius it has. However, the use of a shotgun requires using both hands, making it impossible for the user to open doors or lights.
The shotgun is also easily visible and can reveal the location of the user. In addition to this, the power of the shotgun may be too much inside the house.
When you are searching for the intruder and you tried to aim and shoot him, there is a big chance it will go beyond the target and into an innocent bystander or to anything behind the intruder.
The perfect time for the homeowner to take advantage of the benefits of using a shotgun is when the homeowner and his family are all in one room and waiting for the intruder to come inside. This is because this situation would require only one shot but it has to be an accurate and powerful one.
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Handgun
A handgun is perfect for home defense because it allows the user to conceal his position and withstand gun grab while on the move. A short gun will not protrude in the corners as well as doorways of the home.
In addition, you can carry a handgun, maneuver it, and use it with only one hand. As a result, the user has a free hand for other pressing tasks like opening the door, turning on a light, or calling 911.
With this in mind, this weapon is recommended when the homeowner is still looking for the intruder inside the house. The only downside of using a handgun for self and home defense is it is not as powerful and as accurate as the shotgun.
Watch this video from Gun Carrier to know if the Remington 870 Shotgun is your home defense gun. Should you use shotgun vs handgun for home defense?
To sum it up, both weapons are ideal for home defense. Which of these two you must use depends on the location and situation the user is in.
With this in mind, it is recommended for homeowners to keep both at home. This way, they will have a weapon to protect their homes regardless of the situation they're in.
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in September 2019 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
I don’t carry a gun when at the theatre, however I would protect my date or friend, or others around me, wouldn’t allow that person, if able to, to kill or injure anyone, would use whatever to stop that person, as quickly as possible.
Have the best of both worlds–carry a Taurus Judge or the S&W (whatever it’s called) in .410 gauge, with 000 buckshot. It doesn’t have the knockdown power of a 12 gauge, but it won’t over-penetrate the house and shoot the neighbor in their bedroom, and will have a definite deterrent factor on an intruder. The only down side is that they’re limited to 5 shots (I think–at least mine is). The other advantage (if you will), is that one can have .410 as the first 2 or 3 rounds and have .45 long Colt as the others (or rotate as you wish). It’s a great gun, and actually has pretty mild recoil.
the only thing a bout the judge is what I was taught in shooting class ever shot belong to you and where it goes that being said 410 slug ok but buck shot in a fire fight with lots of people around you see the picture ever shot belong to you /////
.380 with DRT frangible ammo. Devastating to flesh and don’t have to worry about over penetration.
I have both 12 and 380 for home defense my wife 380 I like the 12 with mix of buck shot and slug