If you’re feeling a bit like a deer in headlights when it comes to picking a gun for home defense, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. we’ll do the digging and shopping for you to make sure you get just what you need. Let’s get started!
1. Pistol Caliber Carbines: Your Best Best
What’s the deal? Picture the perfect combination of a rifle and a pistol and you have our favorite picture for home defense. The only downside to this is that they can get a little expensive.
Why it’s great: The shorter barrel makes it easier to navigate through the corners and rooms of the home compared to a rifle or shotgun. You don’t want that barrel sticking around the corner where a bad guy can grab it and take it from you. These firearms can also shoot pistol caliber rounds like 9mm so you don’t have to worry about sending lead into your neighbor’s house. Finally, they can hold a lot more rounds than a normal pistol so you don’t have to worry about reloading in emergencies.
Our pick: A classic choice would be the Ultra-Compact Sig Sauer MPX. The beautiful thing about this gun is that you can add things to it to make it more comfortable to fire and use. For example, you can a stock that goes into your shoulder for better aim and control. You can add a red dot sight, lasers, flashlights, and even a silencer (with the proper licensing) so you don’t blow your ear drums should you need to fire it in your house. This gun, in our eyes, is the perfect home defense weapon to own.
2. Shotguns: The Big, Friendly Giant
What’s the deal? If the handgun is your compact buddy, then the shotgun is like the gentle giant of home defense. Larger and more powerful, it’s designed to spread a wide pattern, which can be very forgiving if you’re not a sharpshooter just yet.
Why it’s great: Shotguns have a formidable stopping power and are relatively easy to handle. They’re ideal for beginners because their wide shot spread increases the chances of hitting your target without needing perfect aim. You won’t have to worry about sending rounds down the block as much with a shotgun.
Our pick: The Mossberg 590A1 Tactical Shotgun takes the gold for this selection. It is a pump-action that carries 7-9 shots with various barrel lengths. You can also add attachments to this gun to make it more comfortable to handle. It’s no mystery as to why police departments around the U.S. have added this gun to their armory.
3. Handguns: The Compact Companion
What’s the deal? Picture a handgun as your compact, reliable buddy—think of it as the sidekick who always has your back. It’s small, easy to handle, easy to store, and doesn’t take up much space. However, we highly recommend using one (or both) of the options above for home defense before you use a pistol.
Why it’s just okay: The only real benefit to a handgun for home defense is the size of the weapon. It is easy to maneuver around corner with this kind of gun. Pistols require more practice and training than a shotgun.
Our pick: If you decide to go with a pistol for home defense, we would recommend a full sized pistol (which means you probably won’t be using this as your conceal carry since it’s a lot bigger). The Glock G17 Gen 5 is the winner for this category. Glocks are notorious for being easy to handle, extremely reliable, and affordable.
4. AR-15: The Modern Marvel
What’s the deal? The AR-15 is the versatile, high-tech marvel of the gun world. It’s semi-automatic, meaning you’ll get one shot per trigger pull, and it’s customizable to fit your preferences.
Why it’s the last pick: Although this weapon is very powerful and would stop any idiot trying to break down your door, it may be a little much for home defense. Besides it being a larger gun making it harder to store, it wouldn’t be surprising to find bullet holes in your neighbor’s tv if you miss. The length of the barrel makes it challenging to maneuver around corners. Additionally, there is some debate regarding higher likelihood of guilty verdicts and longer prison times for using this type of firearm for home defense (yes, even if it’s home defense which is sad and stupid). However, we would rather be alive than dead in our house. The stopping power of this weapon is really the only benefit to this type of gun for home defense.
Our pick: If you MUST get an AR-15 for home defense, we recommend Palmetto State Armory Classic M4 Carbine 5.56. This gun is affordable and will get the job done. It’s also easy to customize it to your preferences (we recommend buying red dot sights and flashlights for this).
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
- These Are Opinions: The best type of gun to use is the gun that you’re best trained and comfortable with. If you can shoot a penny from 50 yards with a pistol, then that might be the gun that is best for you. Take these guns as recommendations, go to a gun range, fire a few rounds from each and see what is best for you.
- Training and Practice: No matter which gun you choose, training is crucial. Even the most amazing gun needs a skilled user behind it. I recommend checking out local shooting ranges and signing up for some classes to get the hang of things.
- Safety First: Always prioritize safety! Make sure your gun is stored securely and out of reach from curious hands. Investing in a good safe or lockbox is a must.
- Legal Stuff: Gun laws can vary by location, so make sure you’re up to date with your local regulations. We want to keep everything legal and above board!
In Conclusion
Choosing the right gun for home defense doesn’t have to be daunting. Whether you go with a handgun, shotgun, or AR-15, the goal is to find something that makes you feel secure and confident. With the right firearm and a little bit of practice, you’ll be ready to defend your castle with ease.
So, sit back, relax, and let us handle the research. You’re one step closer to becoming a home defense pro! Stay safe!
