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What is the best weapon for home defense, handgun or shotgun?

Wow. Lots of uninformed answers here.

Strictly speaking, the best gun you can have is the one you can use most proficiently. Either a handgun or a shotgun can get the job done, with the right ammunition and lots of practice.

Shotguns have traditionally been the mainstay of the home defense market. A good pump-action riot gun is inexpensive, simple, and can use a wide variety of different ammunition depending on your exact situation. (You would be best off with #4 birdshot if you live close to a lot of neighbors. From ten feet away, birdshot is more than adequate, and it usually won't penetrate walls if you miss.) That's another thing. You CAN miss with a shotgun. From typical room clearing range, the pattern spread isn't going to be much bigger than the size of the bore, so if you end up with a shotgun, practice marksmanship.

Handguns work well in this role, too. Although they don't have the raw stopping power of a shotgun, a 9mm loaded with 127-grain JHP ammo can definetly drop an intruder in a hurry.

I personally prefer a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 12-gauge loaded with #4 birdshot for home defense. The best tactic to use in a home invasion scenario is to hole up in your bedroom, call the police, and keep the gun trained on the door. Forget "needing" a high-cap handgun with 15, 20, 25 round mags. There won't be that many of them. Don't worry about the shotgun's slow reload time. If you're in such a situation that you burn through all your ammo knocking down a steady stream of perps coming through your door,(Unlikely. Remember, home invasion isn't a team sport), you probably won't have time to reload, no matter what you have.

Above all, keep it safe, secure, and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!

Home Defense Shotguns

Master Lock 94DSPT 3-Digit Combination Gun Lock $7.75 Because Kids Find GunsProviding ways to enhance firearm safety is a major concern. Master Lock's full line of gun locks providess gun owners with an extra measure of security against unauthorized access or tampering by children.Most gun owners hide their firearms from sight. But no matter how careful they try to be, accidents can still happen. There are numerous instances each year where a gun loc...

UTG Defender Series Weapon and Handheld Tactical Xenon Flashlight $34.92 Leapers UTG Defender Series Weapon and Handheld Tactical Xenon Flashlight LT-ZL168...

Nebo 5077 CSI 8 LED Black Tactical Laser Self Defense Flashlight Model $10.49 The Nebo CSI Tactical Flashlight is the perfect flashlight! With an anodized aircraft grade aluminum construction; this flashlights design is water-resistant. Adding to the toughness is the aggressive self-defense face and anti roll body design. This flashlight features 8 White LEDs and a red laser pointer....

Tactical Shotgun For Self-Defense $29.95 Tactical Shotgun For Self Defense Special Edition DVD featuring Gunsite Training Center Even in an era of heightened gun control, the shotgun remains politically correct. The tactical shotgun is one of the most powerful weapons an individual can wield. The wide variety of ammunition available makes it a versatile tool for self defense. When used with the proper sight system and ammo, t...

NcStar Red and Green Laser with Universal Rifle Barrel Mount/Pressure Switch (ARLSRG) $107.99 NcSTAR Red & Green Laser with Universal Rifle Barrel Mount. You get 2 ways to optimize your shooting capability! Find your mark with ease using this NcSTAR Red and Green Laser! Simply twist the bezel for a seamless transformation between the "anytime" 5mw red laser and 2mw green laser for improved daylight visibility. Whether you're at the range practicing or in the line of work that requires such...

Csi Tactical Flashlight $16.99 8 Powerful Ultra Bright LEDS (96,000 MCD LED Light/110,000-plus bulb hour life). Red Laser Pointer travels over 450 yards. Aggressive Self-Defense Face. Emergency Flasher Function. S.O.S. Flash Mode. Anti-Roll Body Design - octagonal shape to control accidental roll. Rear Tactical Multi-function Button giving you the power to switch the function while maintaining constant control of the flashlight...

Guard Dog Security 160 Lumen Tactical Flashlight with Stun Gun $54.94 160 lumen ultra bright tactical flashlight powerful 4,500,000kv hidden/concealed inner shocks. No visible prongs Type III aircraft grade aluminum alloy body Shock proof durable body anti roll body ultimate glass breaker and self defense face. enhanced reflector system for optimum brightness....

The Tactical Shotgun: The Best Techniques And Tactics For Employing The Shotgun In Personal Combat $13.45 In his second book on tactical weapons, Suarez sets the record straight on the true role of the shotgun in combat. He shows you what you need to know to defend your home, family or business, including multiple hostiles, low-light situations, moving targets and more....

How to Design, Build, and Sell Your Own Small Arms (Home Workshop Guns for Defense & Resistance) $16.88 Master gun maker Bill Holmes shares what will and won't work in designing and building rifles and shotguns from raw materials. Includes the fine points of creating everything from actions to sights, as well as tips on tools, materials, assembly, finishing and more. For academic study only....

The Gun Digest Book of Personal Protection & Home Defense $11.70 With this book, the gun owner - whether novice or experienced - will learn everything he or she needs to know to safely keep a firearm and, if the need arises, use it with confidence.The Gun Digest Book of Personal Protection & Home Defense provides authoritative information to both the novice and experienced gun owner about personal protection - both inside and outside the home - using commonly a...