Weigh in on the pros and cons of shotguns and handguns before you pick your stash of home defense guns!
RELATED: Best Home Defense Guns | When The Cops Are Minutes Away
Home Defense Shotgun vs. Home Defense Handgun
Shotguns vs Handguns: Which Would You Pick for Home Defense?
With all the types of guns and ammunition available in the market today, finding the perfect home defense weapons can become quite a challenge for many people. At the top of the list of the best guns for home defense are the shotgun and the handgun. Knowing the best guns for home defense is very important during the holidays for you and your family.
People from all over the world are still debating as to which of these is the perfect weapon of choice for homeowners. In order to find the answer to this, people should consider the various features and unique characteristics of both weapons.
Before we dig deep, if you're looking for the best home defense handgun, these tips and suggestions will help. On the other hand, if you're looking for the perfect home defense shotgun, you'll also get some useful ideas here.
Now, here is a simple summary of these two popular choices for home defense weapons and self-defense guns.
(As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)
- Discreet, Secure, Touch-Free Entry - the Hornady Rapid Safe Night Guard, 98215 keeps your handgun safes for pistols as...
- Quick Access Gun Safe - This Hornady gun safe uses the patented RFID technology to unlocks safes faster than keypads and...
- Heavy Duty and Tamper Proof – This nightstand safe is made from 14 gauge steel. Comes with a heavy duty 1500 lb. steel...
Last update on 2026-05-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Shotgun
A shotgun is known for its amazing accuracy and power. Its accuracy is due to the extended sight radius it has. However, the use of a shotgun requires using both hands, making it impossible for the user to open doors or lights.
The shotgun is also easily visible and can reveal the location of the user. In addition to this, the power of the shotgun maybe too much inside the house.
When you are searching for the intruder and you tried to aim and shoot him, there is a big chance it will go beyond the target and into an innocent bystander or to anything behind the intruder.
The perfect time for the homeowner to take advantage of the benefits of using a shotgun is when the homeowner and his family are all in one room and waiting for the intruder to come inside. This is because this situation would require only one shot but it has to be an accurate and powerful one.
- Bright Performance: 1,000 lumens, 20,000 candela, maximum throw of 283 meters, and a run time of 1.5 hours on high
- Specific Compatibility: Mounts directly to handguns with Glock-style rails and Picatinny rails only; Includes keys for...
- Easy to Install with Safety in Mind: Rail clamp system securely attaches/detaches quickly and safely with no tools and...
Last update on 2026-05-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
RELATED: Shotgun Ammo For Home Defense | Buckshot VS Birdshot
Handgun
A handgun is perfect for home defense because it allows the user to conceal his position and withstand gun grab while on the move. A short gun will not protrude in the corners as well as doorways of the home.
In addition, you can carry a handgun, maneuver, and use it with only one hand. As a result, the user has a free hand for other pressing tasks like opening the door, turning on a light, or calling 911.
With this in mind, this weapon is recommended when the homeowner is still looking for the intruder inside the house. The only downside of using a handgun for self and home defense is it is not as powerful and as accurate like the shotgun.
- HIGH-CANDELA LONG-RANGE BEAM PERFORMANCE: Delivers 1,000 lumens and 50,000 candela with a beam distance of up to...
- SECURE RAIL MOUNT FOR LONG GUN USE: Designed for secure attachment to MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails, making it ideal for...
- REMOTE PRESSURE SWITCH AND TAILCAP SWITCH: Includes a remote pressure switch for flexible activation along with a...
Last update on 2026-05-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Watch this video from Gun Carrier to know if the Remington 870 Shotgun is your home defense gun:
To sum it up, both weapons are ideal for home defense. Which of these two you must use depends on the location and situation the user is in.
With this in mind, it is recommended for homeowners to keep both at home. This way, they will have a weapon to protect their homes regardless of the situation they're in.
Which home defense guns do you prefer? Tell us about it in the comments section below!
Up Next:
- AR-15 Myths: The Weapon Of Mass Destruction And Assaulting Stuff
- A Pump Shotgun For Home Defense; Is It The Right Choice For You?
- Home Invasion Tips | Things You Need To Do For A Safer Home
***Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer here.***Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September 5, 2019, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
