Best Choice For Home Defense?

Gun Nerd said:

So Im thinking, would a shotgun be the best choice for home defense? Shotguns have tremendous stopping power and they don't over penetrate the way rifles do. As such I think a good semi automatic or pump shotgun, ideally a 12 gauge, might be the ideal choice for home defense.

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Shotguns are great for defense but they are fairly big and unwieldy. Where do you keep 'em? Under the bed? I like my 16-ounce titanium .357 magnum loaded with 39 SPL +P's. Reliable and very effectve.

gvaldeg1 said:

Shotguns are great for defense but they are fairly big and unwieldy. Where do you keep 'em? Under the bed? I like my 16-ounce titanium .357 magnum loaded with 39 SPL +P's. Reliable and very effectve.

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Oops...that "39" is a typo. Of course it's "38".

I prefer multiple options including a 12 gauge shotgun, an AR-15, and a handgun.

gvaldeg1 said:

Shotguns are great for defense but they are fairly big and unwieldy. Where do you keep 'em? Under the bed? I like my 16-ounce titanium .357 magnum loaded with 39 SPL +P's. Reliable and very effectve.

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In a closet is a good place or ideally in a quick access safe. We're talking self defense at home not on the street so concealment isn't really a concern.

Keep in mind, clearing your home with a long gun can be problematic .... navigating hallways, corners, etc. If I was going to use a shotgun for home defense, I would probably use something like a Mossberg Shockwave.

As with all such things, there are pros and cons. It always "just depends."

--Wag--

gvaldeg1 said:

Where do you keep 'em?

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A pump standing between the bed and the nightstand. The Mrs. has her double on her side also. Signles, one in the broom closet in the kitchen, one standing in the corner in the living room, and one in the shed. For keeping varmints out of the garden

Many of us discuss this from time to time but few do any investigation. Have you ever fired a gun in a room? A car? Or a warehouse with out hearing protection? You’ll think you eyes are going to pop out of your skull! A shotgun is a great equalizer in a close range gun fight. The concussion is down right scary. 12 ga is a big bore. I’ll bet that the 410 is still loud as hello but not as bad as a rifle or even a handgun. That being said my home defense gun is a .45 1911.

Oldoutlaw said:

A shotgun is an excellent choice. I have a Stoeger Coach gun. It is a 20 gauge double barrel gun. Yes, I also have plenty of pistols and rifles also. But this gun with a 20" barrel is awesome for for home defense. I keep it loaded with # 2 Buckshot. In the corner of the bedroom. Could be slid under the bed also.

There are cheaper brands available than mine. But I wanted one that I can depend on every time I want to fire it.

Just food for thought.

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That is an awesome gun. I prefer 20 ga, and I have looked for a Stoeger Coach Gun for years now. I have found a few in 12 ga (didn't buy), but have yet to run across a 20.

For a shotgun, my HD piece is a Mossberg 20 ga "Shockwave" with 3" by #2 Goose shot, 4 +1. Has a 6 - 8 ft spread across a 20 ft room. It'll cover any door, window, or other opening it get's pointed at. And the #2 is less likely to exit my house than the 2 Buck in my deer gun, or slugs.
My pistol is my EDC, Taurus G2C 147gr Hp x 12rd. Just because it's usually on me until I go to sleep. Then it's in my lap. Or, one of my 1911s.

I prefer my large caliber handgun .500 S&W BFR. If I was in the market a my second choice would be a bullpup shot gun they are typically 18 inches long and easy to maneuver.

Stamps brought up a great point. After you shoot a gun indoors, be prepared to be deaf, temporarily, at least.

--Wag--

Depends on your price range and what you want, pump, semi or double. Some of my choices would be Mossberg 500, Rem 870, Rem 1100, various guns coming from Turkey branded under different names, Keltec KSG. Prices would range in the $300 to over $1000 depending on how you want it with the Turkish made guns in the cheap range and KSG and 1100 on the higher end. Some of the coach guns can vary widely in price but they limit you to 2 rounds and then a reload while most of the others are going to hold 6 and up.

What Stamps and Wag said is 100% true and may cause permanent hearing damage but it sure beats permanent death.

There’s a saying in the photography community “the best camera is the one you have with you”
The same rings true for the best home defense gun…it’s the one you currently have.

Home defense usually requires quick access (preferably out of view of children or other curious eyes) and the need to keep it loaded so that you can react in a high stress situation. To me, keeping a loaded shotgun hidden under the bed is not the answer. If you are fumbling around in the darkness for your weapon and then have to chamber a round it may be too late...I prefer a loaded revolver with the hammer resting on an open chamber in my nightstand. Locate, point and shoot. A Taurus Judge fills the bill nicely....

Oldoutlaw said:

A shotgun is an excellent choice. I have a Stoeger Coach gun. It is a 20 gauge double barrel gun. Yes, I also have plenty of pistols and rifles also. But this gun with a 20" barrel is awesome for for home defense. I keep it loaded with # 2 Buckshot. In the corner of the bedroom. Could be slid under the bed also.

There are cheaper brands available than mine. But I wanted one that I can depend on every time I want to fire it.

Just food for thought.

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So are you going to use it a club after your two shots are fired and wish you had a few more shells?
Asking for a friend.
Just poking fun brother.
I prefer my trusty 870 18” barrel with 5 up the pipe just in case there is more than one wanting to dance.

Mad Scientist said:

Keep in mind, clearing your home with a long gun can be problematic .... navigating hallways, corners, etc. If I was going to use a shotgun for home defense, I would probably use something like a Mossberg Shockwave.

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I would agree wholeheartedly, great choice.
In my case I’ve got old arthritic hands so a 20 gauge would be optimal.

Speed said:

There’s a saying in the photography community “the best camera is the one you have with you”
The same rings true for the best home defense gun…it’s the one you currently have.

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Then that would be either the full-size XDM9 or the 870, each are easily within reach from the sleeping platform.