Thread: Tactically speaking, which is better for home defense, a pistol or a shotgun?

I've always had my Glock 19 nearby, but I'm thinking of adopting my Remington 870 Police instead. I live in a large house but there are quite a few tight corners. If the shotgun is the best choice, which load would you guys suggest? I'm a bit worried about over-penetration. I'd especially like to hear from some of our training experts around here such as Steve and Dan.

Haha is that what you use Andrew? I wonder how those pattern.

Originally Posted by Joey Link

Haha is that what you use Andrew? I wonder how those pattern.

1" group if you use slugs

I thought these were the perfect hallway clearer. Won't over-penetrate.

$5 tax stamp makes them affordable also.

I'd say pistol. Unless you're using door buster rounds in the shotgun. Frangible rounds do give good penetration while relieving you of the worry of blowing through walls. I just recently read an article you may want to peruse;

http://hsoiblog.wordpress.com/2009/0...-self-defense/

Frangible slugs;

http://www.ebr-inc.net/12gaEntry.html

Originally Posted by coctailer

1" group if you use slugs

I thought these were the perfect hallway clearer. Won't over-penetrate.

$5 tax stamp makes them affordable also.

Not that they're on my to-buy list, but what do you sell those for Andrew?

shot will blow through sheetrock too... obviously not as much, nor with as much energy, but it just seems silly to me to pick a home-defense weapon based on how much more dead your neighbors will be if they take of your lead.

pistol, all the way. large-framed double-stack automatic, like a USP45, glock 17, HK45, etc., with a rail and x300 mounted to it. just doesn't get any better than that, unless we're gonna start talking about ARs....

My SP101 is my bed side pistol, but If I were to use one of my shotguns, I would go with nothing larger than #4 buck. It will kill em just dandy without as much danger for over penetratation.

Originally Posted by darkminstrel

I'd say pistol. Unless you're using door buster rounds in the shotgun. Frangible rounds do give good penetration while relieving you of the worry of blowing through walls. I just recently read an article you may want to peruse;

http://hsoiblog.wordpress.com/2009/0...-self-defense/

Frangible slugs;

http://www.ebr-inc.net/12gaEntry.html

That's an excellent article. Sounds like those Federal LE 132 00 loads fit the bill. 4" pattern @ 7 yards, that's amazing!

Originally Posted by Joey Link

Not that they're on my to-buy list, but what do you sell those for Andrew?

$650 for the Mossberg
$700 for the Remington

Shotgun. Pistol might be easier to manipulate, but shotgun has a better probability of actually stopping a target.

I would say the best home defense weapon would be an SBR'd AR, with a 7.5" barrel w/ eotech and flashlight. This is the setup I am working on.

An SBS'd saiga 12 with an 8 or 10" barrel would be great, too.

NFA is not hard to get into. But it will eat up alot or all of your cash quickly.

Originally Posted by fromotoc

Shotgun. Pistol might be easier to manipulate, but shotgun has a better probability of actually stopping a target.

I would say the best home defense weapon would be an SBR'd AR, with a 7.5" barrel w/ eotech and flashlight. This is the setup I am working on.

An SBS'd saiga 12 with an 8 or 10" barrel would be great, too.

NFA is not hard to get into. But it will eat up alot or all of your cash quickly.

7.5s can be extremely finicky.. i wouldnt ever go any shorter than 10.5, especially on something specifically for home defense/duty

Originally Posted by bkb0000

7.5s can be extremely finicky.. i wouldnt ever go any shorter than 10.5, especially on something specifically for home defense/duty

I'll find a way to make it work.

Joey, there is more to this than a simple one or two word answer and just the selection of a particular firearm type (handgun vs long gun). Please check your PM for my reply. I'd be delighted to help guide you through you choices and decisions which must be weighted against your specific mission objectives.

Ironically as I saw this I'm typing our new Home Defense Guidelines Lesson Plan which will include a compreshensive Home Defense Plan Guidelines White Paper.

There is more to developing an effective home defense plan than just selecting a particular firearm.

Originally Posted by OFADAN

There is more to developing an effective home defense plan than just selecting a particular firearm.

Words to live by.

Originally Posted by bkb0000

7.5s can be extremely finicky.. i wouldnt ever go any shorter than 10.5, especially on something specifically for home defense/duty

VSBR's are not any more problematic than other AR's as long as the manufacturer is competent.

Here is one that has 8k+ through it with no problems. It was assembled by Wes Grant at MSTN.

While it is a great VSBR it wouldn't be my first choice due to shooting indoors and the outrageous noise level. It will truely rattle your fillings.

VSBR = Very Short Barrel Rifle?

I go with Glock 21 for my house gun. 13rds of low recoil tactical hydrashoks. Can be used 1 handed.

4 Buck

I would love to have both. I am impatiently waiting to pay off the credit card to go rack it up with the room broom.
But I would say the handgun would be better for clearing a house at night, but if you are attacked and need a defense gun then grab the 12ga and clear that room. Plus it's damn intimidating.

You can find rubber rounds and bean bag shells online that would be great for home defense, no over penetration, however, you may say none lethal rounds aren't enough. I disagree. Getting hit with a bean bag round is equal to getting hit by a pitch from a major league pitcher. It will put someone down. And with rubber bullets, a shot to the head will put a BG down for good.
And you can claim you did everything possible to not kill them.