Perfect Home Defense Gun?

I would say get whatever you're most comfortable with, but you simply can't beat the power of a good 12 or 20 gauge pump shotgun. If chambering a shell don't scare the guy away, perhaps a hail of 00 buckshot and/or slugs will. I have my trusty Remington 870 12 gauge loaded up with 00 buckshot. If you actually have to use the gun, you're less likely to need follow up shots with a shotgun.
 
I agree with the above. I would only add that size of your home might be a determining factor, as well. I live in a pretty small apartment, and the shotgun is just too unwieldy to grab in an emergency situation, especially when time is a major concern. I purposely keep the thing away from my bed at night - there is no way I could effectively put the shotgun into play if I was just stirred from bed, etc. before someone would be on top of me. If I personally had to pick, I would pick a handgun for my purposes. If my living situations were different, the shotgun would definitely be my go-to firearm.

I would make a real effort to get both if I were you. :D
 
Well, handguns are better for close quarters and goiing around corners and firing in cramped spaces. But ya gotta practice.

If U don't shoot much, get the shotgun.

I think this is my perfect home defense weapon - 50 round mag :) :D

PS90-99.jpg
 
Handgun

Easier to shoot with one hand (while other opens/closes doors holds flashlight or child, etc)

Easier to manuever
 
Handgun or shotgun? It will depend on your living circumstances and how much time you're willing to devote to practice shooting.

Handguns have the advantage of their smaller size and the ability to use with a single hand. The handgun may be more comfortable for some people to deal with and it is certainly easier to secure when away from home or if you have children in the home. There are disadvantages to the handgun, including their lower power factor, the single projectile can miss the target and you must practice more with a handgun to become proficient.

Shotguns have the advantage of effective stopping power (with buckshot) and multiple projectiles. Their disadvantages are they are more difficult to maneuver inside a home, they can be more easily grabbed in a close encounter and they are difficult to use with one hand. You still need to practice, though not as much as with a handgun for simple defense.

Which one to choose?
What's the layout of your home? Single or two-story? Do you have kids or other family members (or roomies) living in other areas of the house? If an intruder is inside, will you hold up in your bedroom aiming at the door? Or will you, of necessity, need to go down the hall to get kids/family members to safety?

If you can hold up in your bedroom, the shotgun is the better choice. Likewise if you have a two-story home where you can defend the top of the stairs while the spouse gets the family into the bedroom. Then you retreat to the bedroom and cover the door.

A handgun may be much better if you need to move others by yourself. Handguns are easier to hide and secure in a lock-box than a shotgun so keep this in mind if you have kids. If your wife will use the gun too, be sure to obtain something she feels comfortable with using.

For a husband & wife it seems that a 20 gauge pump or semi-auto shotgun works pretty well. Remove the magazine plug so you can have more than 2 or 3 shots and stoke it with buckshot. Do practice with it from both a shoulder fired position and from a hip position before relying on it.
 
Familiarity! Use what you are the most comfortable with in the space of your living quarters. For me, it's a handgun; for my daughter it's a 12 pump. All depends.
 
if you're gonna buy just one gun to defend yourself at home, a shotgun gives you the most choices. all effective. especially a 12 ga
 
12 or 20 gauge shotgun. I bet my money (and life) on a Remington 870 with 20 inch IC barrel with rifle sights and Remington managed recoil buckshot. 8 pellets of 00 at 1200 fps.

If I had to resort to a handgun it would be my Ruger P89 9mm. Very accurate and reliable. It can put 16 rounds downrange in a hurry with 15 more following shortly if need be.
 
My personal preference is the handgun. However, in general, the most effective is the shotgun. You've heard it over and over, but consider this. Causing an intruder to deter from further advancement is most defender's priority. The sooner this happens, the better. Especially if no shots are fired. Racking that shotgun in the dead of darkness has an extremely effective deterrence if the intruder doesn't know where you are. That sound echoes throughout the house. Catch my drift?

Using a handgun usually puts you a little closer to the intruder to provide the same effect.(cocking the hammer, etc.) The further away the intruder is from you or your family when you give your "warning" the better.

Purely psycological, but usually effective. My humble opinion.;)
 
only one time did I pull a gun in fear. the intruder turned and ran seeing my pistol in hand. he was about 25yds away. if I had my shotgun handy certainly cycling it one time would have frightened him even more. even non-gun people know that sound(from movies I guess).
 
Personal preference and experience is key in this topic. Use what you feel comfortable with and have practiced a lot with. For me I would always take a shotgun. I am more experienced with it over a handgun and as stated above, there are far more ammo types in shotgun shells rather than a handgun. If over penetration is a problem because of other occupants in your house then you can use birdshot. If you live alone and your house is not near other houses you can use buckshot or slugs.

Simply put, use whatever YOU feel comfortable with.
 
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