Best Guns for Home Defense

As firearm owners and enthusiasts, we think a lot about personal protection, and that includes defending your home. Realistically, any gun can be used for home defense, but some firearms are far better suited to the task than others.

You should have a home defense plan for everyone in your household, and every able adult should be able to use the firearm that you choose for your home defense plan proficiently. That means you need to take special care in selecting just what that firearm will be best for you and your family.

Keeping in mind that not everyone’s needs are the same, we’ve broken down the best guns for home defense a little differently to help you pick what works best for your home defense needs.

Here’s your home defense firearm cheat sheet:

Best Tactical Shotguns
Best Traditional Shotguns
Best Rifles, Carbines, & PCCs
Best Handguns

Tactical Shotguns

Benelli M4

If it’s good enough for the U.S. Marine Corps, you can rest assured it’s an excellent choice for your home defense needs. Rugged and reliable, the Benelli M4 features a unique Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated system, which has dual stainless-steel, self-cleaning pistons that operate directly against the bolt assembly.

There’s a Picatinny rail for optics, an adjustable ghost-ring rear sight, and a fixed front sight.

Gauge: 12
Capacity: 5+1 shells

Review – Benelli M4 Reigns Supreme

Beretta 1301

New from Beretta is its 1301 Tactical shotgun. It features enlarged controls for easy access, a cold-hammer-forged back-bored barrel, and a magazine tube extension. It also hosts the company’s proprietary B-Link gas-operating system, with a cross-tube gas piston that cycles 36 percent faster than other similar shotguns.

The stock has an adjustable length of pull, the receiver is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, and a Picatinny rail makes it easy to add optics. It’s reliable and easy to use, which makes it a good choice for a home defense shotgun.

Gauge: 12
Capacity: 7+1 shells

Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical

Looking for an optics-ready home defense tactical shotgun? Be sure to check out the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical. With its durable gas system allowing for up to 1,500 rounds before it needs cleaning, and a plethora of corrosion-resistant internal parts and finishings, you’ll get more range time and spend less time on maintenance.

The textured grip, along with its enlarged loading port and elongated elevator, makes it easy to hold, load, and cycle for fast, efficient shooting.

Gauge: 12
Capacity: 7+1 shells

Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Review

KelTec KSG/KS7

KelTec KS7 12-gauge pump-action bullpup shotgun

Although these are two different shotguns, we’re going to list them together. Just keep in mind that the KelTec KS7 is basically a simplified version with half the capacity of the KelTec KSG. In either case, as KelTec says, “This ain’t your grandpa’s shotgun!” With their bullpup designs, these shotguns hold an amazing capacity in a small package.

They’re both pump-action shotguns that are rugged and reliable. They also load and eject from the bottom, making them both ambidextrous.

Gauge: 12
Capacity: 7+1 (KS7) and 14+1 (KSG) shells

KelTec KSG Shotgun Review

Stoeger Double Defense

Stoeger offers the dual-barrel Double Defense with a few choices depending on your preference, making it a solid choice for home defense. It can also pull double duty in the field. Whether you prefer a 12 or 20 gauge, you can choose whether it’s a side-by-side or an over-under.

Either choice will give you a solid and reliable shotgun that’s easy to wield, with two 20-inch ported barrels. The Picatinny rails allow for optics and/or lights.

Gauge: 20 / 12
Capacity: 2 shells

Traditional Shotguns for Home Defense

Mossberg 500

You’ll never go wrong with this one. Trusted by law enforcement, military organizations, and millions of private gun owners across the country, over 12 million Mossberg 500s have been sold to date. While any model can do the job, Mossberg offers several tactical models suited specifically for home defense.

Mossberg offers endless configurations for this scattergun, with multiple stock options, pistol grips, barrel lengths, colors, and chambering options. It’s an all-purpose, pump-action shotgun that won’t break the bank but will keep your home secure.

Gauge: .410/20/12
Capacity: 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8+1 shells, depending on tube length

Remington 870

The Remington 870 is one of the most adaptable shotgun designs ever produced. Its versatility made it one of the best-selling shotguns of all time, with over 13 million sold since 1950. With multiple chambering options and dozens of configurations available today, the legendary 870 will happily sit in the corner of your bedroom as a home defense gun.

It will be equally at home in the field or on the range. All Mossberg 870s start out as an 8.5-pound billet of steel and offer smooth-cycling pump-action functionality.

Gauge: .410 / 28 / 20 / 12 / 10
Capacity: 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8+1 shells, depending on tube length

Maverick 88

Looking for something affordable in a home defense shotgun? Look no further than Mossberg’s Maverick 88. Don’t let the lower price fool you, this pump-action all-around shotgun is versatile, rugged, and reliable – just like you’d expect from Mossberg.

Choose between 20- or 12-gauge chamberings and a variety of finishes. This proven performer will impress you with its versatility at a low price point.

Gauge: 20 / 12
Capacity: 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8+1 shells, depending on tube length

Mossberg Maverick 88 Review

Rifles, Carbines, & PCCs

AR-15 Rifles

The highly versatile AR-15 is a solid choice as a home defense gun. In fact, some will say it’s your best choice. Highly customizable, AR-15s are accurate, rugged, effective, and reliable. Depending on your state’s laws, magazine capacities of 30 or more rounds give you plenty of firepower without worrying about reloading.

AR-15s, in general, offer low recoil and are easy to operate. Since they’re generally shorter than many rifles, they’re often easier to maneuver in the tight quarters of homes as well.

Caliber: .223 Rem/5.56mm NATO
Capacity: 30+ rounds (most states)

Related: Best AR-15s Available Now

Steyr AUG

One of the most recognizable bullpup rifles in the world, the Steyr AUG has been trusted by both military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters around the world for decades. It features an extended Picatinny rail and a cold-hammer-forged barrel with a Mannox lining.

The Mannox finish also prevents wear and corrosion on outer metal parts, so your AUG will be looking fresh for years to come. There are several color choices and chambering options available.

Caliber: .223 Rem/5.56mm NATO, .300 BLK, 9mm
Capacity: 30+ rounds (most states)

Steyr AUG Bullpup Review

MP5/SP5 (Clones Included)

Sure, the Heckler & Koch MP5/SP5 probably wasn’t the first pistol-caliber carbine you thought of when you started looking for the best home defense gun, but we may just change your mind. In production for decades, MP5s are rugged, extremely soft-shooting, reliable, and consistent. Generally chambered in 9mm, these carbines can share ammo with your everyday carry firearm.

With its shorter overall length, optional collapsible shoulder stock, and relatively long sight radius, the MP5 is a solid shooter that you can trust for your home defense needs, and it’s ridiculously fun to shoot.

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 30+ rounds (most states)

CZ Scorpion

Good things do come in small packages. The CZ Scorpion is a compact, full-featured carbine engineered for rugged reliability and superior handling. CZ’s Scorpion is considerably shorter than an AR-15, making it portable and easy to maneuver through rooms and tight spaces.

The ambidextrous manual safety and magazine release make it a good choice if you’re left-hand dominant as well.

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 20+ rounds (most states)

B&T APC9

B&T’s APC series, Advanced Police Carbine 9mm, was designed to meet the demands of professionals around the world, so it will make a solid home defense choice for you. Accurate, reliable, and customizable, the APC9’s lower can be easily swapped out to accommodate different magazines (SIG Sauer, Glock, etc.). Controls are fully ambidextrous.

Multiple configurations, including telescopic to folding stock options, offer portability, shootability, and will suit many individual preferences. The flared magazine well will make reloads fast and efficient.

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 30+ rounds (most states)

B&T APC9 Review

AK Rifles

AK rifles have been trusted across the world for decades, so why not consider them for home defense? With their easily recognized silhouettes, wooden stocks, and iconic curved magazines, AKs are reliable and easy to use.

Trusted by militaries across the globe, AKs are said to be the most widely used rifle on the planet.

Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Capacity: 30+ rounds (most states)

Best Handguns for Home Defense

Glock Handguns

You can trust a Glock to go bang when you pull the trigger, and they are incredibly common for just that reason. With so many solid Glock choices, there’s no need to go over each one in detail (and we have plenty of information on each model here at Guns.com).

Glocks are also very simple to maintain, safe, and easy to use. The company’s Safe Action System consists of three integrated but independently operating mechanical safeties. All three disengage sequentially as the trigger is pulled. If we had to point to one popular choice for home defense, it would be the classic Glock 17. The larger frame offers a 17+1 capacity and plenty of space for easy controllability.

FN Handguns

For over 135 years, Fabrique Nationale Herstal has been pumping out highly reliable firearms used throughout the world. Founded in Belgium, FN is known for some of the world’s most famous firearms. Just some good home defense choices include the soft-shooting FN Five-seveN chambered in 5.7mm NATO, the concealable and carriable 9mm FN 509, or the FNX-45 in .45 ACP that is commonly used by law enforcement.

All are reliable choices. It’s hard to go wrong with FN’s proven shooting platforms.

Review – FN 509 Compact After 1,000 Rounds

Smith & Wesson Handguns

Whether you’re looking for a pistol or a revolver, Smith & Wesson’s handguns offer some of the best choices on today’s market. For over 170 years, this American-based company has crafted handguns that are literally family heirlooms, as well as trusted service handguns used by law enforcement across the country.

Semi-autos like the well-respected M&P9 family join classic wheel guns that will cover whatever handgun style you like the most.

SIG Sauer Handguns

SIG Sauer M17 9mm handgun with Romeo M17 red dot optic

Although the company has gotten a lot of press for its military firearms, SIG Sauer also makes some of the most popular handguns on the market. Despite historical ties to both Germany and Switzerland, SIGs are primarily manufactured in the United States, which is a win for the booming market for SIG Sauer firearms in the States.

The SIG Sauer M17 was recently awarded the Modular Handgun System contract for the U.S. Army. Meanwhile, the SIG Sauer P365 family of ultra-compact double-stack 9mm handguns is incredibly popular and has something to offer for just about any shooter’s specific preferences.

Taurus Handguns

Known for solidly performing handguns and revolvers at very affordable prices, Taurus offers some fine options for home defense handguns. The company’s handgun options include everything from double-action and pocket pistols to full-size semi-automatic handguns.

The company’s handguns also come in multiple chambering options, so you can choose anything from a .22 LR (probably not the best choice for home defense) to the hard-hitting .45 ACP.

Tactical Shotguns

Traditional Shotguns for Home Defense

Rifles, Carbines, & PCCs

Best Handguns for Home Defense

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