Shotguns for Home Defense. The shotgun is probably the most versatile gun you can own. If you had to choose and had to select just one weapon to use in a survival situation, for home defense, and for hunting, the shotgun would be the best choice.
For hunting it can handle game from small to large. Use birdshot to hunt fowl and small game, use slugs for large game. As a home defense weapon no other can match the versatility. The shotgun can shoot everything from non-lethal bean bags at the one end of the scale and can provide the most knock down power of any gun period using buckshot and slugs at the other end of the scale.
The price and availability of the shotgun is again ahead of any other type of gun. Buy the famous time-tested and proven Remington 870 pump shotgun for $330.00 new, or find a used one for even less money.
The reliability of the Remington 870 is well-known and the reason why it is the choice of so many government and law enforcement agencies.
My choices for shotguns include the Remington 870 in 12 Gauge or 20 gauge, the Remington 1100 in 12 Gauge or 20 gauge, the Remington 11-87 in 12 Gauge or 20 gauge and the Benelli M4 Super 90 Tactical shotgun. There are, of course, other excellent shotgun choices but my experience is solely with the Remington models and the Benelli M4 so that is what my recommendations are based on, my personal experience.
Shotguns for home defense come in two main types, pump shotguns and semiautomatic shotguns. There are also single shot shotguns, and double barrel shotguns, but why limit yourself to just one or two shotgun shells for defense. When and if trouble comes then the more rounds the better. My Remington 870 pump-action shotgun holds six + 1 rounds, my Remington 1100 semi auto holds 7 + 1 rounds, and my Benelli M4 shotgun can hold 7 + 1 + 1 for a total of 9 rounds of shotgun ammo.
Pump shotguns are the most reliable because they have fewer parts, and this is proven with the Remington 870 model pump shotgun however, a well maintained Remington 1100 can also be considered reliable, and the Benelli M4 has a superb record for reliability as a combat shotgun in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Semiautomatic shotguns can be either gas operated or recoil operated. Benelli made a series of inertia operated shotguns called the Benelli M1, Benelli M2, and Benelli M3. The Benelli M3 can operate as a pump shotgun or as a semiautomatic shotgun by turning a selector knob on the fore end. The recoil/inertia operated shotguns depend on the action/reaction of the recoil to operate the gun. The Remington 1100 and 11-87 are gas operated, and the Benelli M4 is also a gas operated semiautomatic shotgun.
A shotgun for home defense can be made from virtually any brand of shotgun but it is best to stay with the popular and proven brands such as Mossberg, Remington, and Benelli. There are more shotgun accessories available for these popular makes than any other. A homemade shotgun, homemade in the sense that it is modified for use as a home defense shotgun, can be easily modified for use as a tactical or combat shotgun, and can serve as an economical homemade shotgun and home defense weapon.
The minimum length barrel for your shotgun is 18 inches. A sawed off shotgun, short-barreled shotgun, or any shotgun with barrel length less than 18 inches requires a $200 dollar federal tax stamp and permit. It just isn’t worth the hassle and the added expense for what you might gain. And don’t forget that State laws may have additional requirements. Stick with the 18.5 inch standard length barrel with overall gun length exceeding 26 inches to avoid any problems with the Feds. State gun laws may vary so be aware of and understand your State laws.
Shotgun stocks include the factory stock, tactical stocks, collapsible stocks, pistol grip stocks. Although most tactical shotgun stocks are adjustable, called collapsible stocks, the tactical shotgun can have a fixed stock. There are pistol grip shotgun stocks available but I don’t feel that a shotgun is very controllable or accurate with the pistol grip stock. Just my opinion.
A home defense shotgun can be as simple as a sporting or field shotgun, or a shotgun designed for specifically for use as a tactical shotgun or a combat shotgun. The tactical and combat shotguns are usually shorter for ease of use in confined areas, and have increased magazine capacity.
Shotgun ammunition – One of the features that make shotguns so versatile is the range of shotgun ammunition available. From bean bags, to birdshot, to buckshot, to slugs. No other gun has such a wide range of ammunition choices.
When in the market for a shotgun for home defense don’t limit yourself to just new shotguns for sale. It is true that a new shotgun can be purchased in the $300 range, but there are many super buys on GunBroker.com and other online sources so don’t overlook the used shotguns that may be available locally and on the Internet.
Here is a list of shotgun manufacturers
Mossberg shotguns - Mossberg makes the Mossberg 500 pump shotgun and the Mossberg 590 pump shotgun. The Mossberg 590 is used by the military and law enforcement. Mossberg also makes a line of pistol grip shotguns called the Just in Case series.
Remington shotguns – The Remington 870 pump-action shotgun and the Remington 1100 semiautomatic shotgun are the most popular shotguns in the world having sold tens of millions of each. The Remington 870 is acclaimed for its reliability and has seen use by the military, and is used by more law enforcement agencies than any other shotgun. Remington also makes the Remington 870 Tactical shotgun, the Remington 1100 Tactical shotgun, and the Remington 11-87 tactical shotgun
Benelli shotguns – The Benelli M1, Benelli M2, and Benelli M3 are well-known for being quality shotguns. The Benelli M4 Super 90 tactical shotgun is now the contracted combat shotgun by the U.S. Military and has seen use in Iraq and Afghanistan.
FN shotguns – It is not well-known that FN USA manufactures and supplies machine guns for the US Military. FN also makes shotguns that are claimed to be the fastest action semiautomatic shotguns available.
Browning shotguns – Primarily manufacture durable, high quality sporting shotguns that are well-known for easy handling.
Winchester shotguns – Primarily makes sporting shotguns but the Winchester Super X Defender pump shotgun is designed as a reasonably priced home defense shotgun or tactical shotgun.
Beretta shotguns – Beretta makes a line of home defense shotguns called the Beretta TX4 Storm 12 Gauge gas operated semiautomatic shotgun.
Saiga shotgun – The Saiga shotguns use the same design as the gas operated AK47 action. The AK47 is famous for reliability but I have no experience with the AK47 or Saiga shotguns.
Don’t take my word for it. Read the many shotgun reviews available about virtually every model of shotgun made. Gather your own information and then make an informed decision. That’s what I did to get started on my gun collection.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t own a Weatherby so no plans at this time. But, if you send me some pictures of your new gun and send the specs we can do a review of it and post it on my site. If you would like, you could write something about it or give me some notes and we can work up a review. Also if possible a picture of the spread on target and a range report would be great. Thanks for visiting and for your comment.
Any experience with or plans to review a Weatherby? Just bought a 12 gauge pump with a pistol grip/fixed stock configuration (which I’m figuring should divide recoil force between shoulder and hand for at least some dampening). Haven’t had it out yet. Just curious
I added mention of the Remington 11-87 in my post. I felt you had a very good point. Thanks
Hi Sam, I mainly write about guns that I own. I don’t own the 11-87. The Remington 11-87 is a newer version of the 1100. I decided to buy the Remington 1100 over the 11-87 because I felt the older models had a longer history of positive user comments and there are more used 1100′s available at a cheaper price. I traded my first 1100 and regretted getting rid of it, So I bought another one for $259 with a smooth bore slug barrel. That gun is suitable for home defense use just as it is. Add a magazine extension for about $50 and you have a kick-ass home defense shotgun. On a used 1100 or 11-87 I like to replace the action spring and gas piston seals. That can make an older shotgun run like new. You might also consider the 20 GA version that is still plenty for home defense but has less recoil. I thought about the 20 Ga but went with the 12 GA. I prefer the 2 3/4″ shells over the 3″ because the longer ones are just too powerful for short range home defense.
I am currently in the process of building my frist home defense shotgun…I have picked the Remington 11-87…..A big reason for the semi ,was I broke my left arm in 8 places / part of my elbow socket was destroyed…hence my range of motion was /is limited and also strength in the left hand reduced by 25-30%…all this due to a drunk driver..and it wasn’t me!….this was why the consideration over the 870…also the 11-87 is capable of 3″ shells if ever needed or all that was availeable at the moment….sort of surprised the 11-87 wasn’t mentioned at all…..also the $$$ differance over the Benelli…any comments/thoughts on the 11-87?
That is some good information. Thanks
Mossberg shotguns are currently the most widely used shotgun in the U.S. military due to the simple, cheap and lightweight design, compared to more durable and complex brands available. They are most used for door breaching and are looked at as inexpensive, disposable “bic lighter” weapons.