Best Guns for Home Defense | Impact Guns
Posted by Ricky B. on May 13th 2026
What Makes a Good Home Defense Gun
A home defense firearm has one job: stop a threat reliably in the hands of whoever picks it up under stress. That requirement shapes every recommendation on this page. Reliability comes first — a firearm that malfunctions at a critical moment is worse than no firearm. Controllability comes second — a gun that produces more recoil than the shooter can manage leads to missed shots and slower follow-up. Capacity and ammunition type matter, but they are downstream of those two fundamentals. The right home defense firearm is the most capable platform the shooter can operate reliably under stress, stored securely and accessible quickly. For most households, that means a 9mm semi-automatic handgun or a 12-gauge shotgun. For households where both adults will handle the firearm, it means whichever platform both can operate effectively. Visit either Impact Guns location in Ogden, Utah or Boise, Idaho to put hands on multiple options before deciding.
Handguns for Home Defense
A full-size or compact 9mm semi-automatic pistol is the most practical home defense firearm for most people. It is easier to store securely than a long gun, accessible from a bedside safe, and can be used with one hand if the other hand is occupied — calling 911, moving a family member, or managing a door. The Glock 17 (17+1 capacity, 4.49-inch barrel) and Glock 19 (15+1, 4.02-inch barrel) are the two most field-proven options in this category and require no additional argument for their inclusion. The Sig Sauer P320 is the current U.S. military service pistol and offers the same capability in a modular platform. The S&W M&P 2.0 is the service pistol of many U.S. law enforcement agencies and a proven duty-grade option. Add a weapon-mounted light from the weapon lights section — positive target identification before firing is a legal and ethical requirement in any home defense situation. Load with quality hollow point ammunition: Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, or Hornady Critical Defense in 9mm are the standard recommendations. Browse the self-defense ammunition section for current options. A handgun stored in a quick-access biometric or push-button safe by the bed is ready in seconds without being accessible to children.
Shotguns for Home Defense
A 12-gauge pump shotgun is the most decisive close-range home defense firearm available to civilians. At indoor distances — across a bedroom, down a hallway, into a living room — a single trigger pull from a 12-gauge loaded with 00 buckshot delivers eight or nine .33-caliber pellets simultaneously. That energy transfer at close range is not replicated by any handgun cartridge. The Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 are the two pump shotguns with the longest track records in home defense and law enforcement use. Both are reliable with quality defensive loads, both accept aftermarket accessories, and both are available in configurations suited to home defense. The Mossberg 590 adds a larger magazine tube and a metal trigger group, preferred by some for duty-grade durability. For shooters who want less manual operation, the Mossberg 940 Pro and Beretta A400-series are gas-operated semi-automatic options that reduce felt recoil and eliminate the manual pump cycle. The primary tradeoff with a shotgun for home defense is size: a standard 18.5-inch barrel 12-gauge is harder to maneuver in a hallway than a pistol. A weapon-mounted light is essential for the same target identification reasons as with a handgun. Load with 00 buckshot for home defense; #1 buck is an acceptable alternative in jurisdictions where over-penetration is a concern. Browse the full shotguns section for current inventory.
AR-15 for Home Defense
The AR-15 in 5.56 NATO is a legitimate home defense option, particularly for homes with larger square footage, rural properties, or situations where a threat may be at greater distance. A 5.56 carbine with a 16-inch barrel delivers substantially more muzzle energy than any handgun cartridge and offers better accuracy at distance. The standard concerns about over-penetration through interior walls are valid but often overstated: 5.56 NATO in quality frangible or soft-point loads tends to fragment on barrier impact, frequently penetrating fewer walls than 9mm FMJ or 00 buckshot. The practical disadvantages are length and storage. An AR-15 carbine is 32–36 inches overall and does not fit in a bedside handgun safe. A dedicated long-gun safe or secure storage location must be part of the setup. For households with a trained shooter who is already proficient with the platform, the AR-15 is a capable home defense tool. For new shooters or those who have not trained extensively with a rifle, a handgun or shotgun is a more practical starting point. The AR-15 rifles section covers what Impact Guns currently carries across barrel lengths and configurations.
Revolvers for Home Defense
A double-action revolver — .357 Magnum or .38 Special +P — remains a viable home defense choice for specific situations. The revolver has no slide to rack, no magazine to seat, and no manual safety to disengage. For a household member with limited hand strength, arthritic hands, or minimal firearms training, the revolver’s simpler operation is a genuine advantage. The S&W Model 686 in .357 Magnum holds six rounds and is built on the L-Frame, which handles full-power .357 loads without accelerated wear. The Ruger LCRx in .357 Magnum offers a lighter package at some reduction in capacity. Load .38 Special +P for reduced recoil if the .357 Magnum’s blast and recoil are too much to manage comfortably — a .38 +P load from a 4-inch barrel is a capable defensive cartridge. The revolver’s primary disadvantage for home defense is capacity: six rounds versus 15–17 in a compact semi-auto. Reloading a revolver under stress is slower than inserting a fresh magazine. For most home defense scenarios, the difference is unlikely to matter, but it is real. Browse the full revolvers section for S&W, Ruger, and Taurus options.
Home Defense Gun Storage
A home defense firearm that is not quickly accessible is not a home defense firearm. A firearm that is not securely stored is a liability. The solution is a quick-access safe — biometric, push-button keypad, or RFID — that an adult can open in seconds in the dark but that prevents unauthorized access by children or intruders. Bedside quick-access pistol safes are the most common solution for handguns. Long-gun safes handle shotguns and rifles. A full-size gun safe from the gun safes section secures the entire household firearms collection. Do not store a home defense firearm loaded and unsecured in a nightstand drawer. Every year, children access unsecured firearms in precisely that location. Quick-access storage solves both problems simultaneously.
Related Articles
For buyers choosing between a handgun and a shotgun, the revolver vs. semi-auto comparison covers that tradeoff in detail. For shotgun-specific guidance, see the Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870 comparison. For new shooters building their first setup, the best first handgun guide covers fit and caliber selection. Browse the home defense guns section at Impact Guns for current inventory across all categories.
Frequently Asked Questions: Home Defense Guns
What is the best home defense gun for a beginner?
A full-size or compact 9mm striker-fired pistol — Glock 17, Glock 19, Sig P320, or S&W M&P 2.0 — is the best starting point for most beginners. It is easier to store securely than a long gun, simpler to operate than a shotgun under stress, and chambers a caliber that is manageable for most shooters. Add a weapon-mounted light and load with quality hollow point ammunition. Take a basic handgun fundamentals course before relying on it.
Is a shotgun or handgun better for home defense?
Both are effective. The shotgun delivers more energy per trigger pull at close range and is harder to miss with at indoor distances. The handgun is easier to maneuver in tight spaces, easier to store in a quick-access safe, and can be operated with one hand. For a household with one primary shooter who trains regularly, the shotgun’s energy advantage is real. For a household where multiple people may need to use the firearm, the handgun’s lower recoil and simpler storage are practical advantages. Neither choice is wrong; both require training to use effectively.
What ammunition should I use for home defense?
Hollow point ammunition in the appropriate caliber. For 9mm: Federal HST 124gr +P, Speer Gold Dot 124gr, or Hornady Critical Defense 115gr are standard recommendations. For 12-gauge: 00 buckshot from Federal, Winchester, or Hornady. Avoid FMJ (full metal jacket) in 9mm for home defense — it over-penetrates and does not expand. Browse the self-defense ammunition section for current options.
Do I need a permit to keep a gun at home for defense?
In Utah and Idaho, no permit is required to own a firearm for home defense. Federal law requires a background check (NICS) through a licensed dealer at the point of purchase. No additional permit is required to possess a firearm in your own home in either state. Carrying that firearm outside the home is governed by separate carry laws. Contact Impact Guns staff or consult your state’s statutes for current carry law details.
How should I store a home defense gun safely?
In a quick-access safe — biometric, push-button keypad, or RFID — positioned where you can access it quickly in an emergency. Bedside quick-access pistol safes are the standard solution. The safe should be secured to a fixed structure (nightstand, bed frame, or wall) so it cannot be removed. Never store a loaded firearm loose in a drawer or on a shelf in a home with children. Browse the gun safes section for quick-access and full-size options.