Home Defense Guns

The right home defense firearm depends on your living situation, experience level, and how the gun will be stored and accessed. A quality pump-action or semi-automatic shotgun delivers devastating terminal performance at close range; a pistol-caliber carbine or AR-15 offers higher capacity and easier handling in confined spaces; and a reliable handgun remains the most accessible option when a long gun isn’t practical. We stock a full selection of shotguns, rifles, and handguns purpose-built for home defense from the brands law enforcement and defensive trainers recommend most.

Read our full Home Defense Buying Guide ↓

Shotguns for Home Defense

A 12-gauge pump-action or semi-automatic shotgun is the most widely recommended home defense long gun. At close range, a load of 00 buckshot delivers more energy on target than virtually any other commonly available firearm. The Mossberg 500 and 590 and Remington 870 are the most proven pump-action platforms; the Mossberg 940 Pro and Beretta 1301 Tactical are leading semi-automatic options. An 18–20 inch barrel keeps the gun maneuverable in hallways and rooms while preserving a full magazine tube capacity.

Rifles and Carbines

For home defense in larger homes or rural properties, an AR-15 in 5.56 or .300 Blackout or a pistol-caliber carbine in 9mm offers higher capacity and greater engagement range than a shotgun. Purpose-designed expanding loads in .223 reduce over-penetration through drywall compared to buckshot while maintaining terminal effectiveness. A pistol-caliber carbine shares magazines with a companion handgun and produces less recoil, making it an accessible option for shooters who find the AR-15 platform less familiar.

Handguns

A quality semi-automatic pistol or revolver is the most practical home defense option for many households—easier to store securely, more accessible in an emergency, and functional in close quarters where a long gun is difficult to maneuver. A full-size or compact 9mm with a light rail and quality hollow point ammunition covers virtually all home defense scenarios. The Glock 17 and 19, Sig Sauer P320, and S&W M&P 2.0 are among the most widely recommended home defense handgun platforms.

Ammunition Selection

For shotguns, standard 00 buckshot from Federal, Winchester, or Remington is the recommended home defense load—avoid birdshot, which lacks the penetration to reliably stop a threat. For handguns, carry a quality hollow point load: Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, or Hornady Critical Defense. For AR-15 platforms, Federal Fusion MSR or Hornady TAP provide reliable expansion while reducing over-penetration through common building materials compared to FMJ loads. Never rely on FMJ for defensive use if purpose-designed defensive loads are available.

Storage and Accessibility

A home defense firearm must balance security against unauthorized access with rapid accessibility in an emergency. Quick-access biometric or RFID safes allow a trusted adult to retrieve the firearm in seconds while keeping it secured from children. Long guns can be stored in a quick-access rifle safe or a secured corner unit near the bedroom. Whatever storage method you choose, practice the retrieval process so the steps are automatic under stress. A firearm stored so securely it can’t be accessed quickly provides no defensive benefit.

Browse our shotguns page for home defense shotgun options, our rifles page for AR-15 and carbine options, or our handguns page for semi-automatic and revolver options. See our Mossberg page for one of the best home defense shotgun lines available.