Best Shotgun for Home Defense: Gauge and Features

[Alan]

I've been thinking about getting a shotgun for home defense and would love some input from those who've had experience with it. I'm stuck between going with a 12-gauge for the stopping power or a 20-gauge since I've heard it's easier to handle indoors with less recoil. What do you all recommend?

I'm also curious about barrel length and stock setup. What's most effective for this kind of situation? Any brands or models you found reliable?

And on the training side, I've shot shotguns before but nothing too serious. What kind of practice should I be doing to really get ready? Appreciate any advice!

 

[FelixD]

If your goal is defense I suggest looking at the Maverick 88 pump gun from Mossberg. It is reasonably priced, very durable shotgun. It can be purchased with a short 18.5 inch barrel or in combination with a 28 inch field barrel. It is available in either 12 or 20. The combo will be in the $300 area and the defense gun about $250. I suggest a full sized stock because you'll have the ability to control recoil better than just a pistol grip and it will be useful if you ever wish to hunt or shoot clay targets. As to gauge, my suggestion is 12 gauge. My reasoning is based on the very wide assortment of available 12 gauge ammunition and reloading components if you ever choose to reload. Additionally, the 20 gauge does not necessarily have less recoil. It is all dependent on what one buys or makes. YouTube holds a lot of videos regarding the Maverick. You can see what others think about it. There is one video by James Reeves that attempts to see how far the gun will go without stopping. It is interesting to watch. Good luck with whatever you decide on.

 

[Thiokol]

I've never shot one but a friend has one of the Keltec KS series and swears by it. Here's a link: https://www.keltecweapons.com/firearms/shotguns/

 

[David Howard]

Years ago I thought I should get a shotgun as a SHTF back up to my handguns. Not thinking too much about it I bought a Mossberg 500 12 gauge pump with a 20 inch barrel and a goodly supply of 00 Buckshot ammunition. I must admit that I have fired this gun only a few times and it remains mostly untouched in a ShotLock device secured to the back of my bedroom closet. If I were without this shotgun I probably would not buy one at all, or woud have bought a 20 gauge with a pistol grip. I don't hunt, don't shoot clays, and I think that the only thing that would get me to take that gun off the wall would be massive civil unrest which is highly, highly unlikely where I live.

 

[Popeye1959]

I've been thinking about getting a shotgun for home defense and would love some input from those who've had experience with it. I'm stuck between going with a 12-gauge for the stopping power or a 20-gauge since I've heard it's easier to handle indoors with less recoil. What do you all recommend?

I'm also curious about barrel length and stock setup. What's most effective for this kind of situation? Any brands or models you found reliable?

And on the training side, I've shot shotguns before but nothing too serious. What kind of practice should I be doing to really get ready? Appreciate any advice!

Are you recoil sensitive to a 12ga shotgun? Are there others in the house that would use it if need be and are they recoil sensitive to a 12ga? If yes to either, I suggest a 20ga. Otherwise, a 12ga would be fine. Use as short of a barrel as is legal for maneuvering in a house. A full stock mitigates muzzle flip better than a pistol grip.
I would check with a local range to see if there are any self defense shotgun courses taught in your area.