12-Gauge Guard Dogs: Best Shotguns for Home Defense

Home safety is an ongoing concern; just driving around a neighborhood and seeing the amount of home security signs in front yards shows people’s focus on keeping their homes and families safe from intruders. From Ring doorbells to closed-circuit television systems and cameras aimed at every conceivable angle of the house, people can spend thousands of dollars on security systems. But while security systems will alert you to someone coming into your home, they don’t do much to help when someone is actually inside.

Alarm systems do make a racket and can alert the police, but a home intruder can do a lot of damage while you’re waiting for help to arrive. If someone is determined to get into your home, you’re going to need to send a stronger message. And few things tell someone to get out of your house like the “clack-clack” sound of a shotgun chambering a round. If that sound isn’t enough to let someone know they made a mistake by breaking in, staring down the barrel of the noisemaker should do the trick. If you’re looking for the best means of defending yourself and yours, take a look at our list of the best shotguns for home defense.

The Best Shotgun for Home Defense

remington 870 express tactical shotgun for home defense

Remington 870 Express Tactical Shotgun for Home Defense

If you’re not looking to survive the apocalypse and you just want a simple and affordable shotgun for home defense, take a good hard look at the 870 Express Tactical from Remington. The 870 is well-known for its reliability and simplicity by everyone from police officers to hunters. It’s widely touted as one of the best home defense shotguns available.

At around a quarter of the cost of some of the higher-end shotguns on this list, the 870 isn’t loaded with extraneous bells and whistles. Remington opts instead to let the 18.5-inch barrel and 7-round capacity take center stage.

It can fire both 2 ¾ and 3” 12-gauge shells, which gives users some options, and there is also an option for a ghost sight if you feel like spicing things up.

Though the 870 is a straightforward piece of hardware, its simplicity is one of its more significant perks. It does the job, it’s easy to use, and buying one won’t break the bank. Plus, its shorter barrel makes it one of the best short shotguns for home defense.

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Key Features:

  • 12 gauge
  • 7 round shell capacity
  • Rear ghost ring sight option
  • Pump action
  • 18.5-inch barrel length

Pros:

  • Price
  • Simplicity
  • Reliability
  • Ghost sight attachment

Cons:

  • Weight

Specs:

  • Brand: Mossberg
  • Model: 590A1 Mil-spec
Purchase

benelli m4 shotgun for home defense

Benelli M4 Shotgun for Home Defense

While many semi-automatic shotguns require one standard kind of ammo, the Benelli M4’s self-regulating gas system is designed to work with a range of shell options. This means you’re not limited to one specific type of ammo if you’re looking for a longer or more powerful shell.

One of the best tactical shotguns for home defense, the M4 comes standard with an 18.5-inch barrel and a six-shell capacity. The ghost ring sight and Picatinny Rail for aftermarket optics allow you to dial in your target, and the gas piston (similar to the AK-47) provides a rapid-fire response that will let you unload in a hurry.

The responsive two-stage trigger and corrosion-resistant coating add to the M4’s capabilities. This capability makes perfect sense, as this gun was initially designed for use by the United States Marine Corps, where it serves under the M1014 designation. If it’s good enough to defend the country, it should be good enough to defend your home.

Key Features:

  • 6 shot capacity (8 shot capacity available)
  • 12-gauge (also available in 20 gauge)
  • Pistol grip
  • 18.5-inch barrel length
  • ARGO (Auto Regulated Gas Operated) gas piston

Pros:

  • Accepts a wide range of ammunition
  • Aftermarket-friendly
  • Reliable gas piston
  • Extremely durable
  • Low maintenance

Cons:

  • Extremely pricey
  • Small bolt release button

Specs:

  • Brand: Benelli
  • Model: M4
Purchase

winchester 1897 pump action shotgun for home defense

Winchester 1897 Pump Action Shotgun for Home Defense

Even those who aren’t gun enthusiasts are likely to recognize the Winchester name, and the 1897 pump action firearm lives up to the name’s history and high standards. Available in either 12 or 16 gauge versions, the 1897 also comes in 20-inch or 30-inch barrel lengths.

That longer barrel may not be ideal for home defense, as the profile makes it harder to move around in tighter spaces. However, the smooth mechanics and reliability help it overcome that shortcoming. The 1897 also wins a lot of points for the classic styling and boasts ties to history as part of the brand known for taming the West (for better or worse).

Historically, this is the weapon that helped bring shotguns into the modern age. During World War I, a soldier could fire repeatedly holding down the trigger and continuously pumping the slide. It was so effective for clearing trenches that the German army lobbied for it to be made illegal in an international court.

Currently out of production, the 1897 is available on the aftermarket as both a defense and sporting tool, and as a popular item of historical interest.

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Key Features:

  • 5 shot capacity (8 shot capacity available)
  • Available in 6 or 12 gauge
  • Pump action
  • 20- or 30-inch barrel length

Pros:

  • Works as wall art
  • Excellent sporting rifle
  • Wide historical impact
  • Extremely durable
  • Low maintenance

Cons:

  • Long barrel
  • Only available on aftermarket

Specs:

  • Brand: Winchester
  • Model: 1897
Purchase

remington versa max tactical shotgun for home defense

Remington Versa Max Tactical Shotgun for Home Defense 

If you’re looking at semi-automatic shotguns for home defense, this option from Remington is a great choice. Nobody who’s thinking clearly would stare down the barrel of the Remington Versa Max Tactical and feel like good decisions have led to this moment. This semi-automatic shotgun looks like a terror but feels like a teddy bear when you fire it.

While other shotguns can leave your shoulder feeling like a mule kicked every time you fire, the Versa Max Tactical is designed to reduce recoil shock with its gas action and a high-end recoil pad at the end of its butt-stock. Not only does this help improve accuracy, it also allows for a more rapid firing rate since you won’t have to shake off the impact every time you fire.

The synthetic stock fits comfortably in most hands, while an attachment point accepts a tactical flashlight. In addition, this semi-automatic can work with a wide range of slugs and buckshot rounds. The longer barrel places it out of the running if you’re looking for small shotguns for home defense, but if barrel length isn’t a concern, this is a great choice.

Key Features:

  • Large controls
  • 12 gauge
  • Gas-powered Semi-automatic
  • 22-inch barrel length
  • Variable shell capacity

Pros:

  • Frightening appearance
  • Semi-automatic fire
  • Cushioned butt-stock
  • Flashlight attachment point

Cons:

  • Big price tag

Specs:

  • Brand: Remington
  • Model: Versa Max Tactical
Purchase

fn slp shotgun for home defense

FN SLP Shotgun For Home Defense

If you’re a fan of customization and loading up your gear with aftermarket goodies, the FN SLP is the way to go. Manufactured by one of the most trusted brands in firearms, this semi-automatic shotgun works with a wide array of slugs and buckshot; this bad boy can fire just about anything you throw in the chamber. And thanks to the synthetic stock, you won’t be hurting as much as your target when you fire.

Even if you’re not looking to trick out your shotty, the SLP still a great choice for home security. The firing speed and accuracy are excellent, and the shorter barrel is ideal for moving around in tight spaces. Nothing worse for getting the drop on an intruder than knocking over a lamp with your overcompensating barrel. The only real knock that we’ve seen with this shotgun is that the weight takes some time to get used to. But once you’ve got that measured, it’ll likely be your favorite firearm in your gun safe.

Key Features:

  • Semi-automatic
  • 12 gauge
  • 18-inch barrel length
  • 7 shell capacity

Pros:

  • Firing Speed
  • Accuracy
  • Works with a wide ranch of shells
  • Highly customizable

Cons:

  • Price
  • Weight

Specs:

  • Brand: FN
  • Model: SLP
Purchase

winchester sxp extreme defender

Winchester SXP Extreme Defender

While the Winchester SXP Extreme Defender might not look like a gun from one of the oldest gun companies in the United States, this offering from Winchester still carries the craftsmanship and reliability that we’ve come to expect from Winchester. This pump-action shotgun sports an 18-inch barrel (great for use in tight spaces) and a five-round capacity. The pistol grip allows for excellent control and the burly sights make accuracy a snap.

And while its styling makes it look like something suited for the apocalypse, the total weight is under 8 pounds. This means you can add a laser or light attachment to the side-mounted Picatinny rail without making it unbearably heavy.

While it may not have the classic look and styling that we’re used to seeing from Winchester, the SXP is one of the top shotguns for home defense and signals that the company is still innovating and updating its output with new and modern designs.

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Key Features:

  • Large controls
  • Rear ghost ring sight
  • Pump action
  • 18-inch barrel length
  • 5 round shell capacity

Pros:

  • Firing Speed
  • Accuracy
  • Cushioned buttstock
  • Sling swivel studs

Cons:

  • Price

Specs:

  • Brand: Winchester
  • Model: SXP Extreme Defender
Purchase

mossberg 590a1 tactical

Mossberg 590A1 Tactical

If reliability and durability are your biggest concerns, your search should start and end with the Mossberg 590A1 Mil-Spec. Mossberg’s 590 series was reliable, to begin with, but they beefed up the A1 with more reliable corrosion resistance and used higher-grade steel to ramp up the durability. The result is a machine that passed the military’s Mil-Spec 3443# test, which requires shotguns to go through 3,000 full-powered rounds of buckshot with no more than 3 malfunctions and zero part breakages.

It’s a bit heavier due to the heavier steel used, the heavy polymer stock, and the heavy wall barrel. But if you can pick it up, all that weight goes a long way towards reducing the recoil, keeping your shoulder in its socket, and your rounds where you want them to go. The ghost ring sights further aid the accuracy and the Picatinny rail can mount a red dot sight.

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Key Features:

  • 12 gauge
  • 7 round shell capacity
  • Rear ghost ring sight
  • Pump action
  • 18.5-inch barrel length

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Accurate
  • Reliable
  • Bayonet attachment
  • Robust build

Cons:

  • Weight

Specs:

  • Brand: Mossberg
  • Model: 590A1 Mil-spec
Purchase

mossberg 500 pump action shotgun

Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun

With over 100 years of experience, it’s no wonder that Mossberg has developed a shotgun often hailed as the “best tactical shotgun” of all time. With a nameheld in high regard by the United States government and law enforcement alike, Mossberg’s 500 Pump Action is a force to be reckoned with.

A six-round capacity of 12-gauge rounds makes sure that you’ve got enough ammo to resolve most home defense situations. But hopefully, the 28” barrel is intimidating enough to end the situation without firing a shot. The longer barrel isn’t ideal for maneuverability, but it’s still one of the best shotguns that you’ll find at this price.

Key Features:

  • 6 shot capacity
  • 12-gauge
  • 28-inch barrel length

Pros:

  • Great price
  • Highly customizable
  • Reliable
  • Accurate

Cons:

  • Long barrel

Specs:

  • Brand: Mossberg
  • Model: 500 Pump Action
Purchase

Shotgun for Home Defense Buying Guide and FAQ

Features to Look for in Shotguns for Home Defense

Reliability – The single most important part of any home defense weapon is that it will do its job when you need it to. When searching out the best shotgun for home defense, make reliability one of the first things you check. Look at user reviews, well-crafted best-of lists, and any other resource that you can find to make sure that your shotgun will work when you need it to. Also, keep an eye on well-known manufacturers with good reputations like Benelli, Mossberg, Remington, and the like.

Barrel Length – When it comes to home defense, a shorter barrel is better. For hunting, a longer barrel is ideal for hitting moving targets. But for moving around in a tight space (like in your house), use the shortest barrel that you can legally get away with. Right now, that’s 18 inches minimum. This will allow for greater maneuverability as you creep down the stairs or across the living room to see what just kicked your door in. If you want maximum maneuverability, look for small shotguns for home defense.

Stock Size – Usually, the smaller the stock, the bigger the recoil effect. But if a stock is too big, then the gun will be all but impossible to fire. Make sure that the stock will fit every adult in the house that you trust to use it. That way, everyone can take advantage of it in case the primary user is incapable. Also, some stocks will have a form of cushioned material on the end that will help absorb recoil.

Weight – A lighter gun can be more comfortable to hold, but don’t get caught up in finding the lightest shotgun on the market. A heavier gun will actually soak up more recoil, making it more comfortable to fire and more accurate. Also, you’re not going to be carrying it around all day. You’ll only be carrying it from the time you hear a window break to the time the cops haul off a home invader. Unless you’re packing for wandering the land after the zombie apocalypse, don’t worry about going with a super lightweight gun.

Flashlight – Yes, it will give away your position, but in a home defense situation, you have to be ABSOLUTELY sure of exactly what you’re shooting at. In low-light conditions with adrenaline running high, it’s critical to avoid mistakes at all costs. Look for a good shotgun for home defense that has a mounting option for a flashlight so you can see what you’re aiming at.

Sling – This may seem like a frivolous option, but a sling is a very necessary piece of equipment. If you lose control of your gun, you can’t defend your home with it, and what’s worse, the person who kicked in your front door could have a chance to grab it.  Here’s how it works: the less likely it is that you drop your gun, the less likely it is that someone else picks it up and shoots you with it. Seems pretty damn necessary now, doesn’t it?

Capacity – With the exception of double-barrel shotguns, which have a capacity of two shells, most shotguns will start with a capacity of 5 to 7 shells, which should be plenty for home defense. If you want a higher capacity, many shotguns can accommodate aftermarket tubes with larger shell capacity.

shortgun for home defense on a wooden top

Types of Home Defense Shotguns

Pump action shotguns are fairly straightforward and easy to use, which makes them great for new users. You just fill the tube with shells and rack the shell into the chamber before firing. After firing, rack it again to eject the spent shell and load another one into the chamber.

These types of shotguns are lauded for their ease of use as well as for the fact that they don’t rely on any mechanical action to operate. Since you are the one ejecting the shells and reloading the chamber, there’s less of a chance of something breaking down in the shotgun. The only issue is that the speed of any shot after the first depends on how fast the user can rack it, so practice is required.

Double barrel shotguns for home defense can be good because they allow you to fire twice quickly before you have to reload. Also, you can fire both shots at the same time for maximum effectiveness.

Semi-automatic shotguns for home defense are an excellent option, as they allow shooters to rapidly fire follow-up shots. However, more moving parts mean more things can go wrong mechanically, and they are a lot more difficult to clean.

man holding a shortgun for home defense

Home Defense Shotgun FAQ

Is a shotgun a good choice for home defense?

Many regard shotguns as the best guns for home defense. Shotguns are relatively simple to use and require less skill to place an effective shot than rifles or pistols. Shotguns cast a wider shot pattern, which means you don’t have to be super accurate to take down an intruder. This makes the shotgun an effective home defense tool even in inexperienced hands.

Also, when defending your home, bullet penetration is a real concern. You do not want your bullet to go through your wall and into your neighbor’s house. While it is still a possibility with shotguns, it’s much less likely if you use shot-shells versus slugs.

What is the best shotgun load for home defense?

For home defense, you’re looking at either buckshot or slugs. Buckshot shells fire nine .33-caliber bullets in a wide pattern, which is similar in effect to firing nine 9mm bullets at once. Slugs are basically large single bullets. They add range and accuracy, but they require a more precise aim. They are also much more likely to penetrate your walls and possibly your neighbor’s which can cause unanticipated harm.

I prefer buckshot for its widespread pattern, which makes it more likely that you’ll hit your target and because it’s much less prone to shooting through your walls.

What is the best caliber for home defense?

Referred to as “gauge” in the case of shotguns, the most common calibers (aka gauges) for home defense are 12- and 20-gauge. Both are highly effective; the main difference is in the recoil. Since a 20-gauge barrel is smaller than a 12-guage, the shells are smaller as well, which will cause less recoil when fired. This is a better option for users with smaller body types. 10, 16, 28, and .410 gauge shotguns also exist, but 12- and 20-gauge are the most common.

Sources:

  1. How Shotguns Work – HowStuffWorks
  2. Shotgun Shells Explained — The New Shooter’s Dictionary – Let’s Go Shooting