What shotgun works best for home defense?

[Alan]

I've been considering a shotgun for home defense and could use some insights from those who've been there. I'm debating between a 12-gauge and 20-gauge. The 12-gauge has that serious stopping power, but I hear the 20-gauge has less recoil, which might be better for in the house. What do you think?

When it comes to barrel length and stock setup, what's the best way to go? I'm looking for something that's straightforward and dependable — any specific models or brands you'd recommend?

On another note, how crucial is training? I've shot shotguns casually, but I want to feel ready if the time comes. What kind of practice would you suggest?

 

[Beachblues]

I've been considering a shotgun for home defense and could use some insights from those who've been there. I'm debating between a 12-gauge and 20-gauge. The 12-gauge has that serious stopping power, but I hear the 20-gauge has less recoil, which might be better for in the house. What do you think?

When it comes to barrel length and stock setup, what's the best way to go? I'm looking for something that's straightforward and dependable — any specific models or brands you'd recommend?

On another note, how crucial is training? I've shot shotguns casually, but I want to feel ready if the time comes. What kind of practice would you suggest?

20 guage is plenty of firepower but barrel length and choke definitely come into play. A long barrel is tough going around corners and you are not going to get a whole lot of shot pattern spread at close indoor distances. That is why most "defensive shotguns" have 18 to 20 inch improved cylinder barrels with higher capacity magazines. Range time at close distances is recommended.

 

[Alan]

How close is close distances? as I have found too many shotgun targets that just don't get destroyed when using them.

 

[Mike A.]

I'll take an Ithaca 12ga with #4 buck for serious social intercourse.
https://truegunvalue.com/shotgun/ithaca-gun-company/37-ds-police-special/price-historical-value-1227

 

[Beachblues]

What is the longest and shortest shot you would need to shoot to defend your family inside your home? That would be some distances to practice from.

 

[Alan]

Welp, I think a pistol grip mossberg would help reduce the size of the shotgun, but hole smokes your wrist is going to be sore if not held correctly. Just went to buddys home range, that we only shoot small stuff....ouchie!

 

[Mike A.]

I think a pistol grip mossberg would help reduce the size of the shotgun,

Nope nope nope, pistol gripped Shoties SUCK!
I was at an IPSIC Comp and one phase was Shotgun against Iron men that were life sized.
Beat the Benelli with my slam fire Ithaca, then another Ithaca. He had Bibs & a straw hat
his manor was slow & way too calm.

His Ithaca had a 28" bbl mine had an 18" bbl. I found out it was his only shotgun & he knew how to use it.
Sucker beat me. Oh well live & learn.

There was a guy who ran the course with a Pistol gripped Shotgun, it was not pretty.
Later I heard he took the pistol grip off & tossed it in the pond.

With an 18" bbl & full stock, you shoulder your weapon focus on the front bead & fire.
You can practice more, get your shoulder used to recoil & build muscle memory.
If the places you hunt are too tight, then get a Colt 1911, only Pistols are no good after Dark.

 

[URIT]

What is your home defense plan?

How quickly do you need to gain access to your shotgun? Do you have alternatives to the shotgun if time doesn't permit? Do you have a way to secure the shotgun?

Do you plan to do a home search or wait in a safe place for the police to arrive and let the pros conduct the search?

Do you live with others? Do you have kids in the house, and how do they figure in your home defense plan?

 

[Alan]

I did not think about all of that. I feel ill prepared to discuss any of it.

 

[PapaGeorgio]

Here are my thoughts, and I'll try to keep it simple because if you give someone all the info at once it can be an overload. Mossberg 500 pump with a full length stock with a light mounted. I personally like tube fed better than magazines. Unless you live in a mansion, you're not going to miss because of the close quarters. Train by moving around your actual house with the gun unloaded. Movement is harder then accuracy in this scenario. People will go on and on about over penetration of bullets of strong calibers going through walls and hurting a family member. My thoughts are it won't kill if it won't go through a wall. However large pellet bird shot will probably make some think they are dying and won't be as likely to go through a wall. And don't underestimate the sound of a 12ga cocking. I was sneaking a girl out of her house when I was a teen. That sound scared me worse than anything in my life to this day. And her father didn't have to live with killing somebody nor did his daughter have to see it.

 

[Grampa]

I did not think about all of that. I feel ill prepared to discuss any of it.

Alan:
URIT gave you some great advice; read Mas Ayoob's books (or better yet, attend his MAG-20 class) about shooting aftermaths and you will learn more.

Home defense is almost always 10 yards or less.... the max straight line distance inside your home. It will be VERY hard to legally justify killing somebody OUTSIDE your dwelling. That is called "hunting" and you aren't a cop chasing a bad guy... you're a civilian, not legally entitles to chase a bad guy outside your home.

The legal cost of a homicide trial (and self defense is still homicide, just justified) to include expert witnesses, ballistics expert, bail, psychologist evaluations, loss of wages, etc.,etc. is well over $100,000, and probably closer to $200,000.

The recoil of a 12 ga with a pistol or bird's head grip is much worse than with a full size stock, even with a 20 ga it is noticeable.

There are only two 12 ga shotguns I would recommend: Mossberg 590A1, or Beretta 1301 Tactical (generation 2). The first is a pump, the second is a semi-auto; both are utterly reliable. There are other acceptable models, but in 12 games these are the two best. (If you are wealthy, you could also get the Benelli M4). For 20 ga the Remington 870, Mossberg 500, Mossberg Maverick are also good.

Always use ammo in either 00 Buck or, preferably in #1 Buck. #4 Buck is acceptable, but only inside a house, which you WILL be staying in (see above), and only if you are proficient with a shotgun. Remember, you ARE responsible for every single pellet, and if you miss the bad guy and hit your wife or kid you are in very deep trouble because you can't claim it is an accident.

Do not use any of the other gimmicky ammo like Dragon's Breath or rubber bullets, etc. ALWAYS use a cylinder bore choke.
Always have a light attached to the shotgun with a momentary on/off switch, preferably by Streamlight, Olight, or Surefire. A light with a green laser is even better.

Barrel should be as short as legally possible to move around corners, that means 18".

Take a "home defense with a shotgun" course and practice reloading... a lot, even though you will probably never have to reload in a real home defense situation, as one well placed 12 or 20 ga hit to the torso is usually an instant stop.

Good luck.

 

[URIT]

I have a 6-shot "nightstand" S&W Governor stagger-loaded with 2.5-inch .410 and .45 Colt. It also takes the .45ACP, but the half-moon clips needed cut that round from consideration. I chose the Gov over a conventional shotgun because it freed one hand for different tasks while carrying the weapon close to the body in my other hand.

I cleared many businesses and homes while on the job and did not use a shotgun. IMO, shotguns are fine for field work, but not the best choice for structure searches.

Here's a good write up on the Gov... https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-review-sw-governor-take-two/

 

[LimaCharlie]

Many myths have been perpetrated about the use of short barreled shotguns for SD/HD. Believe Hollywood may be responsible for the bulk of misinformation.
Working in LGS's and teaching CC classes I've often heard the 'Get a shotgun 'cuz you don't even have to aim....", or the alternate "All ya gotta do is rack that action on a pump and that'll do it!".
These old saws have outlived most of us and are patently false.

Training and familiarization are critical. Loading and operating it in the dark should become comfortable. A quality weapon mounted light would be an asset.
Also, no there are no shotguns that throw queen-sized mattress size patterns at normal SD/HD distances you'll encounter.
Rule of thumb for a cylinder bore shotgun is approximately 1 inch of spread per yard to the target - so there IS no simple 'point in the direction' thing going on unless you live in a bowling alley.

Nothing at all wrong with downsizing to a compact 20 ga. shotgun - just as effective as a 12 ga. for the purpose, but less selection of loads for SD.

 

[PapaGeorgio]

Many myths have been perpetrated about the use of short barreled shotguns for SD/HD. Believe Hollywood may be responsible for the bulk of misinformation.
Working in LGS's and teaching CC classes I've often heard the 'Get a shotgun 'cuz you don't even have to aim....", or the alternate "All ya gotta do is rack that action on a pump and that'll do it!".
These old saws have outlived most of us and are patently false.

Training and familiarization are critical. Loading and operating it in the dark should become comfortable. A quality weapon mounted light would be an asset.
Also, no there are no shotguns that throw queen-sized mattress size patterns at normal SD/HD distances you'll encounter.
Rule of thumb for a cylinder bore shotgun is approximately 1 inch of spread per yard to the target - so there IS no simple 'point in the direction' thing going on unless you live in a bowling alley.

Nothing at all wrong with downsizing to a compact 20 ga. shotgun - just as effective as a 12 ga. for the purpose, but less selection of loads for SD.

So when I was around 16 years old I was sneaking a girl out of her house. (I know, but I was young, bored, and stupid) she was literally halfway out her bedroom window when the porch light came on. Out came the barrel if a shotgun. Then he racked it. I felt my soul leave my body. As I ran, my soul caught up to me. I never went back to that house again. So while I wasn't on meth or inside the house, or armed myself, racking the shotgun definitely worked in that situation. Not telling anyone what to do, just sharing my personal experience.

 

[Mike A.]

Also, no there are no shotguns that throw queen-sized mattress size patterns at normal SD/HD distances you'll encounter.

Only 1 shot however it throws a big pattern of Glass, rocks, or anything you stuff down the barrel.
No primers to wory about just a flint & black powder. Keep, yer powder dry boys.

At close range the weapon would have been quite deadly. The spread from the gun could quite easily be as much as a few feet about ten to twenty feet from the muzzle, perhaps as much as six to ten feet at a range of thirty or forty feet. However, the gun would have done little good at a distance much more than this.