Home Defense Guns
Impact Guns has been helping customers choose home defense firearms since 1992, and this is one of the most important buying decisions you can make. The right home defense firearm is reliable above all else, easy to operate under stress, and appropriate for your living situation. Our team has real experience helping families find the right solution — whether that’s a shotgun, a semi-auto pistol, or an AR-15 platform.
Read our Home Defense Buying Guide ↓
Choosing the Right Home Defense Firearm
There is no single “best” home defense firearm — the right choice depends on who will be using it, the layout of your home, whether children are present, your experience level, and your state’s laws. Here’s how to think through the major options:
Handguns
A quality 9mm semi-automatic pistol is the most versatile home defense option. It can be secured in a bedside safe for quick access, carried outside the home, and used by most household members. The Taurus G3XL, Glock 19, and S&W M&P Shield Plus are popular, reliable choices. For simplicity, a double-action revolver like the Ruger GP100 or S&W 686 is nearly malfunction-proof and extremely reliable under any conditions. Use hollow point ammunition for defensive use to limit over-penetration.
Shotguns
A 12 gauge pump shotgun — particularly the Mossberg 590 or Remington 870 — is one of the most capable home defense platforms available. 00 buckshot delivers devastating terminal performance while the pump action is virtually malfunction-proof. Shotguns are harder to maneuver in tight hallways and hold fewer rounds than a pistol or rifle, but the combination of reliability and terminal effectiveness is hard to match. Semi-auto options like the Fostech Origin-12 and Tokarev TBP offer faster follow-up shots.
AR-Platform Rifles and Pistols
A 9mm or 5.56 AR-platform firearm offers the highest capacity and fastest follow-up shots of any home defense option. The Ruger PC Carbine (9mm) is an excellent choice — low recoil, Glock-compatible magazines, and compact when folded. AR-15 pistols in 5.56 or 300 Blackout are capable home defense tools, though 5.56 can over-penetrate interior walls. 300 Blackout subsonic with a suppressor is one of the most effective indoor home defense setups available.
Key Considerations
- Storage and access: A firearm you can’t reach quickly in an emergency doesn’t help. Bedside quick-access safes are essential if children are present.
- Ammunition: Always use defensive hollow point ammunition in handguns. For shotguns, 00 buckshot or slugs — not birdshot.
- Lights: A weapon-mounted light is critical for identifying threats in the dark. Don’t skip this accessory.
- Training: The best home defense firearm is one you’ve practiced with. Plan for training time alongside your purchase.
Choosing the right home defense firearm is a serious decision. Our team has been doing this since 1992 and we’re happy to walk you through the options. Call us at 800-917-7137 or use our live chat.