How To Choose The Best Home Defense Firearm

In a home defense situation, the outcome isn’t just about stopping a threat — it’s about doing so without endangering the people on the other side of your walls.

Story Snapshot

Long guns often offer greater accuracy and control than handguns in high-stress situations, which can reduce missed shots inside a home.
Certain modern 5.56 loads have been shown in testing to penetrate fewer interior walls than some handgun rounds, challenging common assumptions about over-penetration.
There is no single “best” home defense firearm — effectiveness depends on training, home layout, and local law.
Shotgun buckshot patterns remain tight at indoor distances, requiring deliberate aiming rather than reliance on spread.
Identification tools like weapon-mounted lights and optics improve awareness and decision-making across platforms.

Handguns Excel in Versatility but Demand Precision

Glock 19 and Walther PDP 9mm pistols lead recommendations for homeowners. These mid-size semi-autos offer 15+ rounds, low recoil, and compatibility with concealed carry. Experts favor jacketed hollow-point ammo to limit over-penetration through drywall. In low-light hallways under 10 yards, handguns maneuver quickly around corners. However, stress-induced accuracy drops sharply without extensive training. Data shows 9mm JHP penetrates more interior walls than optimized 5.56 in some tests.

Homeowners store handguns bedside for instant access. Legal acceptance runs high across states, aligning with castle doctrine laws. Yet, terminal performance lags rifles; multiple hits often prove necessary against determined threats. Conservative values prioritize reliable tools any responsible adult masters through practice, not gimmicks.

Shotguns Deliver Devastating Power with Training Caveats

Mossberg 500, Remington 870, and Beretta 1301 dominate shotgun choices. 12-gauge buckshot or slugs unleash massive stopping power at close range. Pump-actions build reliability; semi-autos like the 1301 cycle fast with reduced recoil. Ballistic tests reveal tight patterns at 3-7 yards, demanding aimed shots—not the mythical room-filling spread. Indoor muzzle blast risks hearing damage without suppressors.

Versatile for rural homes, shotguns intimidate intruders effectively. Drawbacks include heavy recoil jarring average shooters and longer barrels snagging in tight spaces. Penetration varies wildly by load; select reduced-recoil buckshot for apartments. Experts insist shotguns suit trained users who drill safe fields of fire, embodying common-sense preparation over Hollywood tropes.

Rifles and PCCs Dominate Modern Accuracy Metrics

AR-15 carbines in 5.56 NATO and 9mm pistol-caliber carbines rise as top home-defense picks. 14.5-16 inch barrels balance maneuverability and velocity. Low recoil enables rapid, precise follow-ups; red-dot optics shine in dim conditions. Vortex tests confirm 5.56 fragments indoors, often stopping in fewer walls than handgun rounds. PCCs share pistol ammo, slashing logistics.

High-capacity magazines (20-30 rounds) handle multiple threats. Weapon lights identify targets legally, crucial post-shooting. Legal hurdles like “assault weapon” bans challenge some states, but where permitted, these platforms maximize hits on vital zones. Data trumps anecdote: rifles outperform under stress, rewarding investment in dry-fire and low-light drills.

System Beats Gear: Training, Ammo, and Legal Realities Seal Choices

Ballistic gel and drywall tests from Pew Pew Tactical and Recoil reshape myths. 9mm handguns penetrate 4-6 walls; 5.56 often halts sooner. Buckshot patterns measure 4-6 inches at 7 yards—aim small, miss small. House layouts dictate picks: apartments favor compact PCCs; sprawling homes suit ARs. Training overrides hardware; unpracticed shots endanger families.

State laws vary—check magazine limits and storage rules. Suppressors and subsonic loads mitigate blast where legal. Experts converge: match firearm to your skills, home, and jurisdiction. American conservatives affirm Second Amendment rights demand responsible systems, not one-size-fits-all dogma. Stage guns safely, train relentlessly, and prioritize innocents behind barriers.