Home Defense: Shotgun vs. Pistol — What’s Your Best Option?
Shotgun Photo from Superior Security Concepts.
With the recent riots and civil unrest in the USA, many Americans are taking a much more serious look at armed self-defense. Hopefully the disturbances in cities will diminish with time (and better civic leadership), but we understand why citizens in large cities are more concerned than ever with the need to protect themselves, their families, and their homes and businesses.
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 (above) 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.
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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.
The question of which is most lethal with a single shot assumes you hit with that one shot. I can get off a lot of rounds in a few seconds with the short reset on my Sig P226. I’m not that quick with a shotgun.
I think this question (as so many firearms questions) has a multitude of answers. Let me start with THERE IS NO BEST GUN FOR SCENARIO “ABC”. Now that that is out of the way, let’s try to break it down a little. Is a hand gun better than a shot gun for home defense? No. Is a shot gun better than a hand gun for home defense? No. The beat gun for home defense is the one you have available to you when you need it. It does not matter if it is an ar15, or Wyatt Earp’s peace maker, if you are being attacked and have access to it, use it to solve your problem. Your attacker is not going to give you the time to pick between all the guns in your safe/nightstand/closet. Stop worrying about what the best gun is and start training with the guns you have.
3 rounds, 3 feet, 3 seconds. If you don’t know what that means, look it up.
The best PDW is one you are competent with. A 9mm with the right projectile at close range is more than effective. A 12 guage can be daunting for people of smaller stature but with proper training and practice it can be effective in anyone’s hands big or small. I see this poll somewhat ridiculous as it proves absolutely nothing.
Thre sound of the rack of a shotgun alone should make sure you don’t need it.. But a well placed shotty blast means you don’t have to shoot again!
Handguns are there solely to either buy time until you can get to your long gun, or to get you out of a sticky situation should a long gun not be available. The basic facts are that handgun cartridges don’t even begin to produce hydrostatic shock until reaching 44mag and above. Above the 44mag reduces your chances for follow-up shots if needed, not to mention the concussion and muzzle flash.. Between the two, I’d take the shotgun with 000 through to #4 buck. Overall, I’d rather have an MSR with fragmenting rounds.
I will take my Shotgun over a Handgun for home defense anyway even if it is my Glock10mm the power & easy use of a Shotgun with a 2 3/4″ -3.5″ 00 or 000buckshot load you can’t beat it with a handgun 1 shot your done a handgun could take multiple rounds or more if its dark use a Shotgun or if you only have a handgun use a good caliber like 10mm or 45acp another great choice is the Ar500 it is a 500AUTOMAX round 500mag rimless for an Ar platform check it out but Shotgun is king of home defense your load choice is just to great to pass up of what you want to use on an intruder
Every officer I know and have talked to all say…..tactical pump 12ga. With 00 buck.
You still have to look at the ability to more quickly manuver the firearm. I admit, I use a big bore pistol, but also have the 12ga 18″ with pistol grip and stock as a choice if time allows. Therefore, there are timing factors as to which I grab first…
Defending my family, home & business. I will stay with the 12ga You really don’t need more.
For general purposes, a shotgun has the advantage in terms of lethality, ease of use, and limited range of the projectiles. My shotgun and SBR are my first choice weapons for home defense. I’ve carried a pistol CC for 25 years only because a shotgun isn’t concealable.
Shotgun vs. handgun is a no brain choice. Throw them both in the trash can and buy a AR 15 , 20 round clip and only mess with that gun 24/7. Go big or go home..
Just buy a Judge.
Working professionally to get through graduate school in metro Atlanta the 12 gauge 870 pump always served me well. That said the best weapon is the one you have at hand. Thus the first principle is have a fire arm. Dr. K
I never shot a pistol ,I have shoot shot guns. I want something for the house. What is the best gun for the house.
I’d suggest loading 2-3/4″ rounds. Also, if you’re gonna use odd rounds don’t double them up.
Best of both worlds, Tarus Judge
If the shotgun has 3 (no more) shells of 00 bucks then, with first shot, the target receives 3 to 9 ammo pellets. You need 3 to 9 trigger shots with .45 gun and absolute scoping.
Lovely post.
I’ll take an ak47.
There is only one firearm I know of that will reliably put someone down with one shot immediately, even if you don’t hit exact center mass or the center of head.
The buckshot from a shotgun. With someone charging at you with a knife indoors, you don’t have time for follow up shots or waiting for them to bleed out. Even a rifle has a lower probability of dropping bad guys as quickly and effectively as a shotgun with buckshot at close range. Yes over penetration might be a bit worse, and recoil is much higher. But I’d submit if you’re worried about a loved one directly behind bad guy you may not be willing to shoot anything short of an airsoft gun anyway. And recoil can be mitigated by a nice semi-auto, good butt pad, or switching to a 20 gauge. Remember that in this instance you likely only have time for one shot, so follow ups being delayed by recoil are a less significant factor in the decision here. I’m basing my knowledge of the ability of a firearm to quickly put someone down on a combination of watching real life videos and research. But don’t take my word for it, I haven’t ever had to test this theory out thankfully.
This is a very simple question…I never understand why people make this so difficult. The answer is whatever firearm that you are extremely familiar and comfortable with is the firearm you should use when defending your or your family’s life’s. Everything else does not matter period. Oo rah !
I’ve said for years that for most people most of the time a good revolver is best. In a stressful situation simplicity rules. The overwhelming majority of people who buy a home defense weapon are not “gun people”. They may shoot the gun when they buy it and never again…if even then. With a revolver there are no issues involving a magazine, safety switches, slide tracking or..God forbid..clearing a jam because it was limp-wristed. And I walk the way I talk. I own 13 guns, from starter pistol to AK. I own 2 shotguns. But the only weapon I kept loaded was a .357 revolver with .38 +p ammo.
First understand, if you don’t train, neither is good. I’ve been in shoot outs, shotgun stopped the fight. Now firearms, proper amount needs to be addressed. Firearms, caliber size needs to be addressed if you are looking for knock down stop threat 1st round. Which ever you pick, neither is good if you don’t practice, including walk through scenarios in your home with a safe unloaded weapon. Me close 45, 15 yds 12 ga, beyond AR. That’s just my basic thought. Good luck, protect yourself, train.
For novices or those with limited interest or time it seems whichever firearm you can and will train with is the best choice. I like idea of shotgun for home defense but I can more readily go to indoor range w my 9mm pistol. Choice for EDC and home defense = pistol.
As tactical shotgun instructed I can personally tell you a shotgun is much more preferred over a handgun once a person has had training and they feel more comfortable with it .In my training class we shot close to 150 rounds in controlled environment where diffrent situations were put to us and I recommend any one wanting to use a shot gun to train with it I has shot shotguns for 25years and trading taught me a lo