Home Defense Guns

Choosing a home defense firearm involves balancing stopping power, capacity, ease of use, and the specific layout and occupancy of your home. There is no single correct answer — a shotgun loaded with buckshot, an AR-15, and a quality 9mm pistol are all effective home defense tools with different tradeoffs. Impact Guns carries the full range of home defense firearms.

Read our full Home Defense Buying Guide ↓

Shotguns for Home Defense

A 12-gauge pump-action or semi-automatic shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot is the classic home defense firearm — at defensive distances, a single trigger pull delivers multiple projectiles with significant combined energy. The Mossberg 590, Remington 870, and Beretta 1301 Tactical are the most recommended home defense shotguns. The tradeoff: higher recoil, slower follow-up shots, and a longer length that can be challenging to maneuver in tight hallways. Reduced-recoil 00 buckshot loads from Federal and Hornady significantly reduce the recoil penalty while maintaining effective terminal performance. See our shotguns page for the full selection.

AR-15 for Home Defense

The AR-15 in 5.56 NATO is arguably the most capable home defense firearm for shooters who can handle it competently. Its low recoil enables fast, accurate follow-up shots; its 30-round capacity provides ammunition for extended scenarios; and modern 5.56 defensive loads (Federal Tactical Bonded, Hornady TAP) are specifically engineered to fragment and limit over-penetration compared to pistol bullets through common wall construction. A quality red dot or LPVO, a weapon-mounted light, and a one-point sling round out the home defense AR-15. See our AR-15 rifles page for options.

Pistols for Home Defense

A full-size or compact 9mm pistol offers the easiest maneuverability in tight spaces, easy one-handed operation if needed, and the ability to keep one hand free. The Glock 17, Sig Sauer P320, and Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 are the most recommended home defense pistols. Use a quality hollow point defensive load. A weapon-mounted light is essentially required for a dedicated home defense pistol — identifying what you're shooting at in low-light conditions is a moral and legal necessity. See our weapon mounted lights and handguns pages for options.

Pistol Caliber Carbines for Home Defense

Pistol caliber carbines — such as the Ruger PC Carbine and CMMG Banshee — offer lower recoil than a rifle, more stability than a pistol, and typically share magazines with a carry pistol for logistical simplicity. They are a sound home defense choice for households where 5.56 recoil is a concern or where sharing magazines with a carry pistol is a priority. See our pistol caliber carbines page for options.

Weapon Lights: Not Optional

A weapon-mounted light is arguably more important than the firearm selection itself for home defense. The majority of home defense scenarios occur in low light — you must be able to identify what you are shooting at before firing. A Streamlight TLR-1 or SureFire X300 on a pistol, or a dedicated rifle light on a long gun, is an essential component. See our weapon mounted lights page for options.

Safe Storage Alongside Access

A quick-access biometric or button-combination safe keeps the home defense gun accessible to authorized users within seconds while securing it from children and casual access. Stage the firearm in a consistent location so you can access it under stress. See our gun safes page for quick-access options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best home defense gun?
For most households, a full-size 9mm pistol with a weapon light and quality hollow points covers the most scenarios effectively. Shooters comfortable with long guns often prefer a 12-gauge shotgun or AR-15 for their additional stopping power. The best home defense gun is the one you can operate reliably under stress — proficiency matters more than platform selection.

Is a shotgun or a pistol better for home defense?
Shotguns deliver more energy per trigger pull and are harder to miss with. Pistols are easier to maneuver, allow one-handed operation, and are faster for multiple shots. For a single occupant in a simple floor plan, either works well. For households with multiple family members or complex layouts, a pistol's maneuverability advantage becomes more relevant.

Does Impact Guns carry home defense firearms?
Yes. Impact Guns carries the full range of home defense shotguns, pistols, and rifles and ships nationwide.