When there is a question about protecting your family, failure is not an option. The most reliable, affordable, and durable shotguns with various accessories can meet the target to win the battle. After scrutinizing multiple types, features, affordability, and more, the best shotgun for home defense must be selected.
I want to delve into detailed aspects through this comprehensive guide to the best shotgun for home defense and protecting yourself and your family.
What is a Shotgun?
A shotgun is the most powerful self-defense weapon. It is cheaper and more reliable than other firearms. A shotgun is one of the most useful home defense tools for close-range shooting in life-threatening situations.
Different Parts Of The Best Shotgun For Home Defense:
- Butt Pad
- Comb
- Grip
- Safety
- Trigger
- Trigger Guard
- Receiver
- Magazine Tube
- Forend
- Rib
- Barrel
- Bead
Various Types of Shotguns for Home Defense:
Based on the reliability, affordability, design, durability, and quality, shotguns have been classified as follows:
- Pump Action
- Semi-automatic
- Side-by-side Shotguns
- Break-action
- Automatic
- Lever-action
Factors To Consider While Choosing The Best Shotgun For Home Defense:
- Gauge
- Weight
- Chamber
- Action
- Capacity
- Sights
- Stock
- Barrel length
- Overall length
- Ammunition Type
- Price
- Legal Considerations
Best Shotgun For Home Defense: Features And Options
The shotgun is a cost-effective home defense weapon that provides excellent stopping power. Some essential factors must be considered when shopping for the best shotgun for home defense:
Shotgun Barrel Gauge:
The gauge of the shotgun barrel typically ranges from 10 – 28 and measures the inside diameter of the barrel. The smaller the gauge, the larger the shots. 12 gauge shotguns are mostly recommended.
Semi-Automatic Vs Pump Action:
Shotguns use these two most common actions. The pump action is more reliable and uses a manual pump to eject and reload. The cost of Semi-automatic shotguns is higher than the pump action. The semi-automatic type uses gas to cycle the action with greater firing speed and less recoil.
Standard Stock Vs Pistol Grip:
The traditional shotgun stock absorbs more recoil and features a straight grip with a long-shoulder stock. However, the pistol grip is recommended for beginners. You can handle it with one hand.
Length Of Pull:
It is the distance from the trigger to the butt of the gunstock. It ranges from 13 to 15 inches and the most standard length is 13.5 inches.
Overall Size:
The length of the pull should be matched with the overall size. The longer arms can be more comfortable with a longer length of pull. It should be compact-sized and small in length.
Sling Mounts:
A shotgun with a sling mount lets you attach your body to the firearm and prevents the attacker from taking away your weapon from you.
Accessories:
The accessories of the shotgun make it more user-friendly and improve the ability to hit your target.
Apart from the above factors, the capacity, sights, and aesthetics are also to be considered when comparing shotguns. The capacity may be of five or six rounds with standard iron sights, and optics using weaver rails.
Why Choose The Best Shotgun For Home Defense?
- Shotguns are often considered one of the go-to tools in unpredictable situations.
- These are reliable, inexpensive, and easy-to-handle weapons.
- Most shotguns are well known for substantial stopping power and are incredibly versatile.
- Simple to use and can be kept in good condition with minimum maintenance.
- Strength, versatility, and adjustability are the most essential factors of a shotgun that make it stand out weapon to protect our family.
- A shotgun can release a point shot without using sights.
- Generally, shotguns are legal for home defense use in most jurisdictions.
- Shotguns can offer less risk of overpenetration when loaded with the correct ammunition.
10 Best Shotguns for Home Defense:
- Mossberg 500/590 Tactical
- Remington 870
- Benelli M1, M2, or M4
- Winchester SXP Defender
- Remington 1100
- FN SLP
- Beretta 1301
- KEL-TEC KSG
- Maverick 88
- Stoeger Coach Gun
Limitations Of Shotgun:
- Although it does not matter, but shotgun has a very limited range.
- Shotguns are low-capacity weapons and have over-penetrated power.
- These are big and have less than 10 rounds.
- The heavy recoil makes it slow to get back on the target.
- Constant training and coordination are needed for manual operation.
- These are slow to load and unload.
Best Shotgun Shells For Home Defense:
There is no doubt that shotguns are the most versatile firearms in the world. Shotguns have different types of ammunition. The best shotgun rounds for home defense are classified as Buckshot, Birdshot, and Slugs.
The pallets of Buckshot are relatively larger and designed to kill medium game such as buck deer ethically. The standard size of Buckshot varies from Number 4 at .24” dia per pallet up to triple aught or 000 buckshot at .36” in dia.
Birdshot is much smaller than buckshot. It is designed to shoot birds with standard sizes ranging from the tiny number 9 at .080” in diameter up to BBB shot at .19” in dia. The most commonly available birdshot sizes in America are 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Both in power and extended range, the slug cartridge of a shotgun is one way to make it perform more like a rifle. A slug round contains a single or large metal projectile within a plastic hull. Slugs are used for hunting large self self-dense games.
Where You Can Get The Training?
It is essential to get training, acquire skills, and educate yourself from a competent instructor, otherwise, the shotgun may kill you and anyone near you! Go to an Appleseed weekend clinic to do better, correct, increase, and reinforce your skills with your rifle. These are the best and least expensive marksmanship training in the United States.
You can continue getting better with states’ concealed carry handgun class and renting a gun from the instructor. Get educated about self-defense laws to keep you out of legal trouble while enhancing your defensive capabilities.
Are you going to be defensively armed? The legal and safety class is necessary, although you do not require your state’s permit. You can meet with the local certified shotgun instructor to learn about shooting a scattergun, skeet, trap, sporting clay, and wobble trap. Quickly enhance your skills and safety level to save your money and make you better.
Application of Shotguns:
Shotguns are versatile firearms that can be used for various purposes including:
- Big game hunting.
- Small game hunting.
- Bird hunting.
- Clay sports like trap, and skeet.
- Military combat
- Home defense.
- Recreational shooting.
- Law enforcement.
The Legality Of Using the Best Shotgun For Home Defense:
The legality of using shotguns for home defense depends on the state’s laws. Ensure you know state laws regarding using deadly force for purchase, possession, storage, and transport.
Some states and jurisdictions have imposed restrictions on shotguns and other firearms. The NFA of 1934 makes it illegal to own a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches or an overall length of less than 26 inches. There should be a federal government registration for it.
Moreover, gun ownership restrictions can apply to people who have been issued a restraining order, renounced their citizenship, and unauthorized migrants. Research thoroughly about the state’s laws before keeping the shotguns to protect yourself and your family.
Takeaways:
Choosing the best shotgun for home defense from a wide variety is a daunting task. Some common factors are to be considered while selecting the best shotgun for home defense, such as reliability, affordability, durability, and more. Additionally, keep concentrating on the legal matter of using the shotgun to protect yourself and your family.
FAQs:
What is The Most Common Gauge Recommended For Home Defense?
A 12 gauge shot is recommended for home defense that offers a wider spread at longer distances.
Why Should You Choose Limited Accessories For A Shotgun?
Choosing accessories with limited options can make your shotgun light and more useful, avoiding complexity and main purpose.
What Are The Different Forms Of Shotgun Shells?
The various forms of shotgun shells are buckshot, birdshot, and slugs.
What is The Function Of Red Dots For Shotguns?
Red Dots make the shotgun faster and easier to aim in all lighting conditions.
What Is The Most Simple Type Of Shotgun?
The break action shotgun is the most reliable, lightweight, cost-effective, and straightforward to operate making it ideal for beginners. It is well-suited for upload hunting and clay shooting.
