Home Defense: Shotgun vs. Pistol — What’s Your Best Option?
Shotgun Photo from Superior Security Concepts.
Shotgun vs. Handgun — which is better for home defense? That’s a question that inspires strong opinions on both sides. We think the best answer may be “both”. There are some situations where a pistol is most handy, while there are other situations where the power (and lethality) of the shotgun clearly wins out. Some would argue that the shotgun offers an “intimidation” factor that may better resolve a threat without a shot being fired.
The NSSF, in cooperation with Thunder Ranch Training Center, has created an interesting video that examines the Shotgun vs. Handgun debate. As the Cheaper Than Dirt Blog notes: “The primary argument against the shotgun is a longer length leading to less maneuverability. On the other hand, the pistol offers better maneuverability, but lacks the stopping power of a shotgun”. Moreover, the pistol may be less accurate, according to some critics. This NSSF video looks at the question from a logical standpoint — making some surprising points.
As you can see in this still frame from the video, the shooting stance of the pistol shooter (Clint) is NOT much more compact than that of the two shotgunners (compare actual muzzle positions). So a shotgun may actually be more handy inside a home than some people realize. Clint concludes that the gun selection debate “is all very easily solved by only one question: ‘If someone was going to run across a bedroom at you and they had a big knife, would you rather shoot him one time with a pistol or one time with a shotgun?’ When you answer the question you figure out why this [shotgun length] doesn’t really bother us. We simply take these [shotguns] and use them in a slightly different manner…”
In this video, Thunder Ranch Director Clint Smith explains why the overall length of a shotgun, as held in firing position against the shoulder, is not really that much greater than the “shooting stance length” of a handgun held in a proper firing position (with arms extended). Accordingly gun length/size should not be the deciding factor when choosing a firearm for home defense.
Whatever Weapon You Choose — Train with It
Fundamentally, you should use the firearm that is 100% reliable, and with which you have trained regularly. Mastery of a defensive firearm — whether shotgun or handgun — needs to be second-nature. You should be able to operate all the controls (safety, pump, decocker, slide, bolt handle etc.) by “instinct” based on hours of training. Likewise you should know how to operate the light/laser if your defensive firearm is so equipped. Importantly, you should be able to reload in darkness, and clear malfunctions without panicking.
Similar Posts:
- Shotgun vs. Pistol for Home Defense
- New Thunder Ranch Rifle from G.A. Precision
- Clint Smith Gun Safety Video from FMG Publications
- Self-Defense Pistol Options for Women — Ladies Tell the Story
- Self-Defense Handguns — Ladies Choose Their Favorites
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Tags: Clint Smith, Defensive Shotgun, Handgun Training, Home Defense, Pistol Training, Thunder Rance
A handgun exists so you can fight your way to a long gun.
I’m sorry to Hand Gunners but in a face to face Heads up confrontation Ive heard of needing more than one round from a hand gun to seal the deal but Ive never heard of needing more than one 12Ga slug and if it were lets say a 3 inch double odd Buck magnum,the shock from being hit in a non vital area would be devastating. I’ve carry hand guns on the job for 20 years. But I’ll have my 12Ga. Thank You Very Much…Mike
To expand on this, a rifle with a shorter stock and 16″ barrel will be even more compact and easier to use than a shotgun, offering higher capacity, less weight, less recoil, and a lower capacity for over penetration compared to a shotgun.