Sorry…but there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for the best home defense gun.
Throw the notion away that all you need is a shotgun.
Your final decision will come down to a variety of factors such as:
- What you personally shoot best
- Size and location of your home
- Overpenetration risk
- Family members’ location and skills
But don’t worry…we’re going to walk through all the most popular types of guns for home defense: pistol, rifle, and shotgun.
Then go through some other things you might not have considered yet like ammo, flashlights, quick access safes, suppressors, and self-defense insurance.
By the end you’ll have a good idea of what type of gun is best for your situation and what accessories you might need.
Table of Contents
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Shotguns
Let’s start off with the ole scattergun…
Intro
The most popular sub-type of shotgun is a pump-action shotgun. That means you manually manipulate the feeding mechanism to get the next shot.
They’re affordable and very reliable.
And based on your ammo choice…they send down the most amount of lead downrange.
You Don’t Need to Aim (FALSE)
But before we go on…let’s dispel the myth that you can simply not aim the shotgun and expect to hit your target.
The most common load for home defense is 00 buckshot which is nine .38 caliber balls of lead.
Roughly you’ll get a fist-sized group at 10-yards and a human torso sized group at 20-yards.
You still gotta aim…especially at house hallway distances.
Pros of Shotguns
1. We covered this before…they send a lot of lead downrange (provided you aim).
2. They are affordable (around $300 for a good pump action) and reliable.
3. This is debatable…but the familiar *ka-chunk* sound of racking a pump action shotgun is the universal “get out of my house.”
Cons of Shotguns
1. They are usually heavy and long-ish. The very popular Mossberg 500 in a shorter 18.5-inches barrel is overall 40-inches long and almost 8-pounds loaded.
If your home has lots of tight corners this might be a big negative.
2. Recoil is harsh in 12-gauge for smaller-framed shooters. Consider this if other family members might need to use the gun.
3. Capacity is limited.
Most stock versions of popular pump shotguns can hold five rounds in the tube and one in the chamber giving you six total.
Compare that to an AR-15 which usually gives you 30 and most handguns that will give you 15+.
4. Reloading is more difficult compared to magazine-fed guns.
Unless you train a lot.
5. 00 Buck has the tendency to overpenetrate walls.
If you’re in an apartment or condo with thin walls…you want to consider overpenetration since you are responsible for all projectiles leaving your gun.
Even if you’re in a house far from other houses you want to consider where family members are sleeping inside.
We did an Overpenetration Test with a variety of ammo and interior/exterior walls and found that if it’s a big concern…
You can use #4 Buckshot.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
More Shotgun Info
Things aren’t looking as rosy for shotguns anymore, right? But really there are just some more things to consider to see if they are the right gun for you.
Here’s some more info because this is an important decision:
- Best Home Defense Tactical Shotguns
- Best Shotgun Ammo
- Remington 870 vs Mossberg 500 (Our Top 2 Choices)
Let’s take a look at pistols.
Pistols
Tiny compared to shotguns…but what are some other pros and cons of handguns?
Semi-Automatic Handguns vs Revolvers
But first let’s get some terminology and sub-types out of the way.
Revolvers are the old-school handgun choice with a revolving cylinder that holds all the ammo.
While semi-automatics are newer and take their ammo in magazines.
We’ll include both kinds of handguns in the pros and cons.
Pros of Handguns
1. They are smaller.
This means you can maneuver around tight corners a lot easier. And conceal them easier…but that’s not the point of this home defense article.
Check out Best Concealed Carry Guns if that’s more your thing.
2. Higher capacity and reload speed.
The most popular handgun is probably the Glock 19 (full review). And its normal magazines are 15 rounds.
Plus reloads are easy.
But revolvers usually only have a capacity of five to six rounds…so keep that in mind. And forget about quick reloads!
3. Easy to add lights.
For the most part, most modern handguns have it easy to add lights with their included rails. But you’re going to have a hard time with revolvers.
(See which lights we recommend for your pistol.)
4. Large choice of ammo.
For home defense you’ll likely go with expanding hollowpoint ammo that’s great for stopping power and also limits overpenetration through walls.
Again check out our overpenetration article if that’s a big consideration.
5. Large number of calibers to choose from based on your shooting preference.
If all you can handle is a .22 LR then that’s all good.
And of course there’s always the battle of 9mm vs .45 ACP.
6. Price ranges from $200 to sky is the limit.
Although you probably don’t want to get the cheapest gun for reliability’s sake… there are some decent deals on good guns out there.
7. One hand is free to make an emergency phonecall.
Although not optimal…you can have one hand free to make a quick 911 call on your cellphone.
Cons of Handguns
1. They are smaller.
This is back to haunt you sometimes!
Since they are smaller you have less of a sight radius (distance from the rear sight to the front sight) so it’s a little harder to aim and be accurate.
Also since they are smaller you might have increased recoil based on your caliber.
That CAN be overcome with proper grip and training though (for all family members that might need to use it)
2. Reliability and Failures
It depends on the gun…but I’ve definitely had more failures overall on handguns compared to pump shotguns.
And with a semi-auto you’ll have to practice failure drills to get the next shot.
Revolvers get a little boost here since if one shot fails to fire…all you have to do is pull the trigger again for the cylinder to rotate to the next round.
However…revolvers are not some mythical reliability machine. They can still fail.
More Pistol Info
- Best Beginner Handguns for Home Defense
- Handgun Caliber Guide
- Best 9mm Ammo
- Best Handgun Flashlights
- How to Shoot Handguns More Accurately
Rifles
We’re a little partial to AR-15s since they are America’s rifle and with plenty of other perks.
We’re focusing on them but most of these pros/cons can mostly hold for other semi-auto rifles.
Pros of Rifles
1. Higher magazine capacity.
The standard AR-15 magazine capacity is 30 rounds.
There are higher capacity ones but mostly you trade off a little reliability. I’d stick with 30-rounders for home defense purposes.
2. Easier to shoot well.
It’s a combination of the AR-15 ergonomics, caliber, and a rifle in general.
With a rifle you get a lot more contact points to your body which makes it easier to control.
The .223 or 5.56 caliber of the standard AR-15 is also very soft shooting.
Long sight radius and ease of adding a red dot sight make it even easier for most to get shots on target.
3. Upgradeability
AR-15s are adult Legos.
And the rail systems make it super easy to add on lights and lasers to help in home defense.
4. Lots of ammunition loads.
Got overpenetration concerns…there’s ammo for that.
Want cheap rounds for training/plinking/long-range? There’s tons of that too.
And now all the rage…you have Pistol Caliber Carbines.
AR-15 and other rifles that take pistol magazines and rounds. If you already have a pistol you can now share everything.
Cons of Rifles
1. Price
A lot less of a concern now because of affordable but still reliable manufacturers like Palmetto State Armory (full review) but ARs can be pricey depending on what you’re after.
2. Longer length.
It’s a rifle…so there’s some laws regarding its length. If you have very tight corners keep this in mind.
BUT…there’s now such things as AR-15 pistols that don’t have a traditional buttstock…but instead a brace.
It’s going to be stupid loud but you get AR-15 power in a much shorter package.
More Rifle Info
We couldn’t come up with more negatives to AR-15 rifles so if any of the myriads of options fit your specific end-use…go for it!
Here’s a bunch more info for you to read over:
- Best AR-15s [Complete Buyer’s Guide]
- Best AR-15 Ammo
- Best AR-15 Magazines
- Best Rifle Flashlights
- Best Pistol Caliber Carbines
- Best AR-15 Pistols
Want to learn even more about why AR-15s might be advantageous? Check out the Brownells Daily Defense video below. Jeff Gonzales of Trident Defense walks you through the ins and outs of the AR-15 and why it might be a good option.
Other Considerations
Gun Safes
You probably want to secure your gun a little…even if you’re living alone.
We’ve tested a bunch of safes from quick-access pistol safes to larger long-gun safes.
And even hidden and biometric ones.
Suppressors
Guns are loud…so if you’re at the range make sure you have one of our Best Hearing Protection on.
Chances are you won’t have time to put on something in a home defense situation.
In that case you’ll likely wish you had a suppressor.
However, they are expensive, annoying to get, and take some time.
But if you have the means and patience…check out our Best 9mm & .45 ACP Suppressors and Best AR-15 Suppressors.
Liability Insurance
Fingers crossed that you never have to actually use a firearm in a home defense situation…but it can still happen.
That’s why you’re preparing by reading this article.
And sometimes the aftermath of the police and court system can be even worse.
That’s why there’s memberships like the USCCA that give you tons of education to:
- Not get into bad situations in the first place
- Know what to do when you’re needing to protect yourself or others
- What to do afterwards
Plus all memberships come with personal liability insurance as a perk that’s commonly (wrongly) known as “concealed carry insurance.”
I’ve been a paid member since 2017 and here’s my full review of everything they offer and a free gift from me.
Conclusion
There’s a lot of stuff to digest…and a lot of questions to ask yourself about your particular home defense situation.
You found that shotguns are not the be all end all of home defense…they have some cons such as length, recoil, and capacity. Plus you’ve actually got to aim!
If you and your family members have the training and can benefit from a smaller firearm…pistols might be the way to go.
AR-15s and other rifles are starting to have a big advantage with the advent of pistol caliber carbines and AR-15 pistols. These lower the cons of length and ammo considerations. Plus now there’s a lot of affordable yet reliable manufacturers.
What’s your particular situation and which type of firearm did you go with? Any pros/cons that we missed? If you’ve chosen a platform do you know the best place to store it? If not, check How To Stage Guns for Home Defense.
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Anyone who lives in any sort of neighborhood or urban environment that is using anything other than a shotgun is asking for trouble. It's that simple. Your handgun/rifle round is going to go through 15 walls and end up in one of your neighbors cabinets 4 houses away. So, yeah, if you live in a city then there is only one choice, a shotgun. To argue against this very basic physics experiment is almost ridiculous.
As a last resort, I like the two pistol approach. Strong hand holds a Sig P320, Romeo One, loaded with 9mm, Sig 124 gr. V-Crown JHP, one in the tube and 17/21 in the magazine. Don't make the "one in the tube" an issue. It's NOT in a "protect" situation. The weak hand holds a Tarus Judge loaded with .410 Winchster PDX1 with 3 brass plated cylinders followed by 12 plated BB's. Alternate between the weak hand and the strong hand until the threat is neutralized. These two weapons in fingerprint release gun safes in tactical locations around the house will offer the maximum speed of retrieval and protection for you and your loved ones. I understand this is a more expensive solution, but how much are you willing to spend to protect your loved ones? AND PRACTICE THE DRILL - LIVE FIRE AT THE RANGE AND DRY FIRE AT HOME. My wife who is an excellent shot, has her CCHP and has her own safes with a Walther PPS in each one. PREPARATION AND TRAINING FOR THE UNEXPECTED IS THE KEY TO SURVIVAL IN A SELF DEFENSE SCENARIO.
A topic I have researched thoroughly that has different solutions for different people’s circumstances. Here’s my quick breakdown to each solution: generic advice for all: shoot the gun you train most with and have skills you’re confident in. More detailed is as follows: if you don’t have kids in other rooms and live in a house not sharing walls with neighbors go with a shotgun, buckshot alternating with segmented slugs, high quality semiautomatic is preferable as adrenaline can cause you to short stroke the pump and create your own malfunction. If you have kids or other family members in other rooms go with AR15 with hollow points due to lack of over penetration. If we have a true SHTF situation and there is no more police go with AK47 with Russian steel core ammo to take care of gangs wearing body armor. last preference is pistol...inferior weapon best suited outside the home for ccw, if you don’t own a rifle or shotgun then it’s what you have got to use. A .22lr is better than nothing for deterrence at least and can be confidently handled by weaker shooters in the house. Do not clear your house, very foolish, retrieve family members from other rooms if you must back to your room but then hole up in your room and call police.
would like to see comparison of galil ace 7.62 pistol gen 1 to gen 2
Ok, heres the deal on firearms for home defense.
I've lived through a home invasion, there were four of them. I've investigated hundreds of home invasions over the years where the victim used a firearm to either stop or repel the bad guy(s).
Overall, the gun you start with is going to be the one you end with. So select that gun carefully.
Of the hundreds of home invasions I've investigated over the years I have only seen one case where the victim had time to swap weapons and that was only because the bad guys left after being initially repelled, but stayed outside the door, and then came back in a minute later - this time gave the victim time to swap weapons from a shotgun to an AR-15 with a 30 round magazine. He was able to use the increased capacity and firepower to stop the bad guys in their second attempt. The shotgun had gone dry.
During an encounter like this 90% of you, no matter how hard you trained, will not be able to reload a shot gun quickly enough against an aggressive bad guy unless you are an actual John Wick.
So must likely, the gun you start with is going to be the gun you have and end with so choose wisely.
USCCA states in its policy that if you loose a self-defense case, you are required to pay back USCCA what they spent to defend you. Other companies do not have this clause. Which insurance company do you recommend?
You need a no limits policy like, for example, CCW Safe.
USCCA has limits on defense costs. The average jury trial for self defense can easily exceed what USCCA will pay.
In addition to what I already posted - CCW Safe has no reimbursement and no recoupment no matter the outcome.
CCW Safe- I am not aware of this requirement from them, and their Civil Defense is much better (more). Yeah you don't get a Range Bag, and a chance to win a new gun, or a chance at a new Jeep like USCCA offers but who freakin cares ? I don't !, I want the coverage in this litigious society, however, None of these companies are "Insurance" companies, and you need to understand that EMPHATICALLY !!!!
Well I guess I've got all the bases covered then...I've got my 12.5" AR pistol in the living room along with my G19 on the bar and I am normally wearing my Hellcat which is my EDC pistol, plus I have my Mossberg 12GA in the bedroom along with my G19x on the nightstand next to the bed. I've got my 16" AR and the rest of my rifles tucked away, just in case things get really crazy...
When I took the NRA Home Defense Course, we were asked to bring our preferred home defense handgun to the class. The instructor then went over each pistol for pros and cons. He liked the Springfield XD best because in the dark you need to know right away if that firearm 1) is loaded, and 2) has a round in the chamber. Of all 6 guns present (Springfield XD, HK, Glock, S&W, Sig), the Springfield Armory XD was the only one that had 2 ready indicators to tell in the dark if the firearm was ready to go. There is the hammer cocked indicator in the back of the slide, and the the loaded chamber indicator on top of the slide. Both are very obvious in the dark with just a feel of the finger. Something to consider when making a choice for home protection. YMMV
The gun safe in the bottom left of the picture has the worst back up lock. It can be picked with a paperclip, don’t believe me look up lockpick lawyer on YouTube
00 is .33 caliber, not .38. #0000 buck is .38. Most may not know the difference, or even care, but in the interests of credibility it is always better to provide accurate information.
Purchased a Saint Blackout. Had jam issues - back to Springfield. While waiting for a new one I came across a Sig M400 5.56. Very nice and easy to use. Would be one go to with a 45 in my back pocket for backup!
Whatever weapon you shoot best is your defense weapon. Home invaders are wearing kevlar vests so... you must use the weapon you master in order to place your shot properly.
Caliber? Give a 45 RMJ.
Pistol? Without a doubt
Make? Glock 21
Mag load? 13, 2 extra mags
*Be sure you are going to shoot the intruder (s) or you will be eliminated with your own gun. Paper targets don’t shoot back.
Etc etc
A 9mm 16 inch PCC shooting a 115 grain JHP ( or Lehigh) bullet will penetrate IIIA armor.
I'm not quite on Keanu's level, but I've found that I'm better with shotguns than anything else, so that's my first line of defense.
Bonus: if you like the pistol-caliber AR/AR pistol vibe and don't care as much about fancy sights and other attachments, try a WW2-vintage .30 M1 carbine. Super light, super compact, modest recoil, limited overpenetration with HP rounds, has 30-round mags.
Wow. That was interesting reading and very helpful. Thanks much
flamethrower good?
i disagree with your input about revolvers. 'if you have a misfire just go to the next shot'. obviously you have never had the bullet of the misfire move forward just enough to hang up in the forcing cone. you are dead in the water and need tools. the cylinder cannot be opened or rotated.
Going even further with this line of thinking, why would you “go hunting” in your own home? If they steal the flatscreen who cares, insurance will buy you a new one. Home defense is about preserving your and your families safety/life. Sneaking around in the dark hunting is wreck less to your own well-being. Come down the hall towards the bedrooms, it’s game over and legitimately self-defense.
Interesting read though a bit short sighted. All things equal, a pistol puts a hole in you, a 5.56 through you and a shotgun sprays you on the wall behind you. A shotgun with simple mods can have less recoil than a 5.56. Try a VangComp barrel on the old Remington, you’ll be impressed. Couple the equipment with training and your putting more lead down range in fewer shots than a 9 MM or 5.56.
If you worry about shooting through walls, AR's are not the gun for you. Hell you may shoot through your neighbor's walls as well........My Remington with 00# will clear things up just fine.
Our testing, as well as many other's testings, show the exact opposite. 00 Buck penetrated far more than 5.56. [Study] Home Defense Overpenetration: Shotgun, Handgun, Rifle
You should really research that ..You couldn’t possibly be more incorrect. Due to the speed of a 55 grain full metal jacket or 69 Grain Hollow point from an A.R. 15 ...tends to break up in sheet rock. However buck shot from a shotgun will go through numerous walls. Don’t believe me,Look it up yourself, plenty of YouTube videos to support this
Hey Eric, Great works! May I ask, what’s that AR style semi-shotgun‘s name? Which one loaded with Mag.
I live in the Republic of Panama, and recently
the new government has lifted a stupid ban on the import, sale, transfer and carrying of weapons that lasted 10 years, although the justice system recognizes legitimate defense.
Another good news is that a little more than a month ago, the Congress passed a new law that criminally exempts the home defense, and states that it can be done "by whatever means," so we do not need insurance of any kind.
What is a problem here are the low commercial volume of the gun shops, taxes and speculation, which make the price of a gun up to 3 times that of the U.S. , for example, a CZ P07 is in the vecinity of $1,000.00 or more.
I like more info moving there
Eric
Nicely written article, well thought out and explained. Home defense has more flavors than Baskin Robbins and no two people can agree on just one flavor.
Who manufactures the suppressed shotgun in the cover picture of the article? I can't zoom in close enough to see the logo?
CMMG, I'm not sure if it is in production though -- we got to shoot it at TriggrCon 2018.
Yeah, I just love it. Someone threatens my family, myself, in my house with a deadly weapon, and I shoot them, I need insurance. What a joke. Is USSAC insurance available in California? California has the worse gun laws in the U.S. So, I am probably In need of self defense insurance. What options do I have? Oh by the way, enjoyed your article. I am not a beginner by any means, but very good advice for people who are.
AFAIK almost all of the major CCW insurance is available in California, you can take a look at our Best Concealed Carry Insurance article for a ton more info!
I think a Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) pistol is the perfect choice for home protection. 9mm with some Glock mags - pin point precision, low recoil, and if you have the time - get a silencer to protect your ears. Winner.
Exactly. My go to home defense weapon is an AR pistol platform chambered in 9mm these days. You get the advantages of a pistol caliber (critical defense type ammunition, less concern for overpenetration, lower cost for training, etc.), the handling of a carbine, more choices for optics than a pistol, and it's more precise than a shotgun. You get the advantages of both a pistol and a carbine in one platform. I was surprised Eric didn't include these or PCCs into the mix.
Correction. I should have said that I was disappointed that PCCs didn't get more consideration than a sentence or two. On first read I didn't even catch that they were included at all.
I also just realized that while the article itself is dated in 2020, there are comments from 4 years ago attached to it. Maybe it's time to re-evaluate the options now that PCCs are more widely available to the general public from regular gun manufacturers these days.
Don't like the opening click on the Sentry Safe...would prefer silent operation...
It makes a helluva ka-thunk when it pops open also.
USCCA Self Defense insurance is no longer available in Washington State. Our Insurance Commissioner stopped that for now. Hopefully will change in the future. USCCA is working on that. Until that happens there are very limited options for this kind of insurance in Washington, unfortunately.
Unfortunately there's a few states where it's not longer available. I try to keep the review article up to date!
Only one slight suggestion. Spell it out; nine .38 caliber balls of lead. I wasted my day trying to figure out 9.38 caliber.
Good rec...fixed!
Understandable mistake with the 3000 different calibers! I am afraid that your question will give some manufacturers the idea that “Hay, let’s come out with the new 9.38 round!!” 12-Gauge/.22LR/9mm/5.56(.233) all that I will ever get!
Any recommendations on a flashlight/laser combo for a s&w sd9ve?
I have a Streamlight TLR-1 on my SD9VE, fits well and works great - but it is just a light, no laser.
Hollow points don't matter one iota or do any better than ball when going through drywall or other hard barriers. Pistol caliber rounds and all useful shotgun shot bb's penetrate much further through walls than non-M855 5.56 rounds. Light, high speed .223/5.56 break apart and stop much quicker than common pistol and shotgun rounds. (demonstrated, proven, documented, repeated and easy to find) Rifles are easier to shoot more accurately than handguns. A shotgun's recoil greatly and adversely affects follow up shots. Shotguns are more unwieldy and stockless shotguns are almost useless novelty items, especially for novices. Weapon lights are not easily mounted to revolvers. Revolvers typically have much heavier, harder, longer trigger pulls, even in no stress situations than semi-autos. A revolver in single action condition during an unknown or a tense rapidly developing shoot/don't shoot situation is a horrible idea. Jams should not be an issue for any modern semi-auto firearm from a reputable manufacturer mated with modern ammo from a reputable manufacturer, especially when you have already tested that firearm/ammo combination as any sensible gun own would do.
Thanks. Getting my 1st gun. Think I'll like this.
Glad we could help...tons more stuff here too!
I alternate a .410 she’ll and a Long colt .45 so if one isn’t enough, the following chamber will definitely do the job. We can agree to disagree
I love how you've spelled this out and organized information.
Perhaps it is worth mentioning the conditions in which a pistol would jam rather than leaving it to be imagined by the reader to be random chance.
(1) when something interferes with the movement of the slide, such as someone grabbing the pistol, or someone holding it incorrectly (eg with thumb behind the slide.)
(2) when the barrel is pressed firmly against something, the slide may be pushed back a fraction of an inch, just enough to disconnect things internally so it won't fire properly.
(3) when you limp-wrist because of terrible grip and the gun doesn't have enough energy to cycle the next round in.
(4) low quality ammunition that may not be compatible with pistol or magazine (over time, too). For example, cheap lacquered steel cased rounds may 'stick' to the walls in the magazine after a year or two, causing the follower not to push up rounds as expected. (basically, it jams the magazine)
Anyway, keep up the good work.
How do you feel about a Taurus ‘Judge’ for Home defense.
I personally wouldn't use it...410 isn't that great for self-defense.
What are your reasons for not liking a .410?
I have owned a Taurus Judge w/4" barrel for several years and have killed several snakes with it around our place. I would not hesitate to use it for home defense when loaded with PDX1
2 1/2" shells. As a matter of fact it would be my grab and go firearm along with my 12ga. shotgun if an intruder were breaking in my home with us there.
thankyou for to share all these magnificent information, great for begginers like me.
You're so welcome, Brian!
I live in the mountains of western Washington. Lately there have been cougar and bobcat sightings close by. I have even seen cougar tracks in the snow 50 yards from my front door. I hike, bike and XC ski a lot in the surrounding foothills of Mt Rainier. While I always have several knives on me when I'm out and about, a knife fight with a 150 pound cougar seems like a no-win situation. So, what kind of pistol should I get for protection on my outdoor adventures?
You may want to consider something along the lines of a stainless steel or alloy revolver. I'm assuming that you are in an area with a fair degree of humidity; additionally, condensation will tend to form as you encounter temperature swings by simply coming indoors.
Perhaps a double-action, for fast follow-up shot capability, in .357mag and a 3" to 4" barrel would be reasonable to carry on a regular basis. Alloy to keep the weight down. Maybe a 5-shot to keep the width a touch slimmer ... Just make sure your gloved trigger finger is able to get into the trigger guard. And your gloves allow for a solid grip in general.
Depending on your carry solution, as you will be covering some distance on uneven terrain, you may also want to consider adding a lanyard. It sucks to have to backtrack for something you've dropped. :-)
You are mixing up the terms "handgun" and "pistol". Both revolvers and pistols are handguns. Other than that, good article.
Thanks! I tend to use them interchangeably but you are right.
For the technicality inclined: Pistols are handguns with only one chamber. Revolvers have multiple chambers.