Having nothing more than a baseball bat isn’t going to give you much mental assurance or real physical protection in the event of a break-in while you or a family member is at home. Countless people have taken the responsibility to arm themselves appropriately for the protection of themselves, their property, and their families. There is little reason why you shouldn’t be prepared for the event of a home invasion for the same reasons.
The following 5 firearms are the best to keep your family alive in the event of a home invasion.
1. Mossberg 500/590
A long standing consensus within the firearms community is that the venerable 12 gauge pump action shotgun is the best weapon for home defense. It’s reliable, devastating at close range when loaded with buckshot or slugs, and sometimes the sound of the pump racking alone will be enough to scare an intruder away. Plus, shotguns and their ammunition are relatively inexpensive, allowing you to practice on the shooting range without breaking the bank.
For smaller statured people, a 20 gauge shotgun still offers devastating power with significantly less recoil (just make sure that the actual weight of the shotgun hasn’t been reduced, or the recoil between the two will be comparable).
When it comes to specific pump shotguns, the Mossberg 500/590 and the Remington 870 are easily the two most popular, and for good reason. Both are rugged, economical, have a proven track record, and can boast of a nearly limitless number of accessories to customize your weapon. Both will serve you equally well when it comes to home defense.
But between the two, an important factor tilts the balance in the Mossberg’s favor: the controls are more natural. Whereas the safety on the 870 is located on the rear of the trigger guard, the Mossberg’s naturally ambidextrous safety is located on the rear of the trigger guard. The slide release (required to be pressed to rack the pump when a round is not in the chamber) on the Mossberg is located behind the trigger guard and is much easier to reach than the 870, where the slide release is found in front of the guard.
2. Glock 17/19
Any quality mid to full size 9mm duty pistol will work well for you for home defense: they carry a lot of rounds, have less than moderate recoil, and are cheap to train with due to the availability and low cost of 9mm ammo. Don’t think we’re limiting you to Glock. Beretta, HK, Kahr, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Taurus, and Walther all make quality pistols in this department that will serve you well.
There’s a reason why many people keep coming back to Glock. They may not be the most ergonomic or the most attractive guns on the market, but they have a lot of things going for them. They’re very simple when it comes to controls. You can learn how to field strip one in under two minutes. They go BANG practically every time. They also have a proven track record that not too many other pistols can boast of. Spare magazines and accessories are very low cost and plentiful. Love it or hate it, the Glock has become the standard by which all other modern pistols are judged.
Even if you choose not to use a handgun as your primary home defense weapon, don’t discount it as a backup to a long gun. Hopefully a fight with an intruder(s) won’t get that ugly where you need to fall back to your pistol, but it’s always comforting to have the option.
3. AR-15
An increasing number of break-ins and home invasions are sharing one thing in common: there are multiple intruders. If you have two or three or more people with bad intentions breaking into your house or property, you’ll want more than a shotgun or a handgun: you’ll want a semi automatic rifle.
Shotguns have too low of a capacity for these kinds of situations, and a pistol means you may be outgunned if the intruders are armed with handguns and/or knives themselves. A semi-automatic carbine, such as an AR-15 in 5.56x45mm NATO, gives you greater capacity, longer range, and more velocity than a handgun.
Other good semi-auto carbines are out there, like AK-47s, Ruger Mini-14s and IWI Tavor’s to name a few, but the AR-15 has the advantage of more common parts and accessories. Plus, if you’re on a budget, several affordable yet quality ARs have hit the marketplace from companies like Ruger and Smith & Wesson.
4. Ruger GP100/Smith & Wesson 686
Revolvers lack the capacity of a semi-auto pistol, and reloading times are also longer. Those are disadvantages you need to take into account. But a certain number of advantages still make the classic .357 double action revolver with a 4-inch barrel a more than relevant home defense choice today.
Revolvers are inherently simpler, and some would say more reliable, than semi-auto pistols. This means that if you have any family members who are relatively inexperienced with firearms or who don’t like the slightly increased complexity of a semi-automatic, the revolver is a better choice when it comes to handguns.
The .357 Magnum round itself is a very powerful round that has gained a reputation for being a one shot man stopper, and is sure to stop an invader. We recommend a full size duty revolver, such as the Ruger GP100 or the Smith & Wesson 686, since they absorb the recoil better than a snubnose revolver will and hold six rather than five rounds.
Another benefit to .357 Magnum revolvers is the fact that they can also chamber .38 Specials, which are cheaper to shoot for training purposes and offer less recoil for smaller statured people.
The GP100 is less expensive and more durable than the 686, being designed to shoot an unlimited number of .357 Magnum rounds thanks to its beefier frame and cylinder. The 686, while more expensive, has a nicer finish, an undeniably smoother trigger/hammer pull, and some models hold seven rather than six rounds. It’s up to you to decide what fits your preferences more, but when it comes to overall quality you’re not going to get any better than Ruger or Smith & Wesson.
5. Taurus Judge/Smith & Wesson Governor
The idea of a “shotgun pistol” has intrigued the imaginations of people for many years, but Taurus was the first company to convert that idea into a realistic home defense option with the introduction of their popular and economical Judge revolver, chambered in .410 Bore and .45 Long Colt. Smith & Wesson followed suit with the later release of their Governor model (take note, this is the only time Smith & Wesson has followed Taurus’ tracks, not the other way around).
.410 buckshot certainly doesn’t have the power of 12 or even 20 gauge, but one thing is for certain: an intruder is going to know they’ve been hit if they’re shot by one. .45 LC hollow points, while undeniably expensive, would arguably deliver even more knockdown power than the .410s.
The advantage to the Governor is that it holds one more round than the Judge and can also chamber .45 ACP with moon clips, boosting its versatility. On the other hand, the Judge arguably has a more ergonomic grip and can be had for a significantly lower price. For home defense, both will get the job done.
Also be sure to check out: 5 Worst Types Of Firearms To Use For Home Defense
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I can’t find a S&W Governor anywhere.
You know nothing about home security and defense, or firearms mentioned. You going get people killed with this info, or they go killed their wife or kids in the next room with your suggestions.
I think maybe you don’t nose much as you think you do depending on your individual circumstances where you live who you live with Etc will weigh in on your decisions but that said a pump shotgun and a semi-automatic rifle AK-47 AR-15 Tavor whatever are the two best choices for home defense. People want to tap a handgun as being equivalent and in many ways it’s not even close main one being in a pressure situation an accurate shot with a pistol is much much harder than with a rifle or Shotgun If you don’t know that then there’s no point even discussing anything with you any further
May I suggest when purchasing a home defense choice you objectively look at your home as if an intruder had entered it. Are your hallways narrow and bedrooms small? Do you have large furniture higher than your waist? Are your stairways built with split level landings and turns? How would you navigate your home with a shotgun, AR15 or handgun? Understand clearly who you are. Would you seek to confront an intruder or would you sit tight and wait them out? If you want to move quickly a handgun is a smart choice. If you have lots of practice both in shooting and navigating your home with a rifle then the AR or shotgun may be the one for you. In closing, think about your home and how it will allow you to navigate it when the crap hits the fan. Either way you have the right to protect your life and your loved ones.
Well said, but you should RARELY engage in a home invasion. If they hear you coming you’ll get shot before you find them. If there are multiple, you may not have heard them all. Secure a choke point (stairway, hallway, etc.) If the bedrooms are together you want to protect your living assets. If you have a Master Wing separate from the rest of the bedrooms, you kinda have to wonder how much you cherish your kids anyway (jk). You still want to protect the hallways, but it may be a long shot. Figure out where you need to be to cover your kids hallway, ensure that your downrange is clear and I strongly suggest safety ammo in that it will make a horrible mess when it hits a target, but won’t go through drywall (because it sucks when your AR goes through drywall and 2 of your kids like a Deadpool shot). The biggest thing is to have advance notice and help coming. You should not be considering a home defense firearm before you have a home alarm. An alarm without a gun more effective than a gun without an alarm (I have both). You need an alarm that will call for help. If you are in the boondocks, you should have a two stage alarm that alerts (even just chimes) to activity outside, and alarms (including calling assistance) to a break in. Dogs don’t count. Your outside alert should also include floodlights so they know they’re seen. It should be full coverage and preferably include cameras (they’re cheap these days). You should have the area near your house free of hiding spots so that you don’t look easy and generally they’ll try someone else. They never tried is better than failed, scared off is better than they came in, and they left with your stuff is better than a shootout (they might get lucky, and the legal issues are needless trouble). If you’re in the boondocks (depending on your circumstances, you may want an alarm that contacts neighbors as they can be there soonest and a large crowd of armed people (even non-police) will convince most criminals to consider long term repercussions from violence. Also, consider that as many guns kill innocents as save people (~ equal). That’s because people don’t take them seriously (Wal-mart Mom shot by toddler). Ensure yours are stored safely. I use a fingerprint safe for my home defense weapon so kids (5 & 3) can’t get it but I can get it quickly. Everything else has a trigger lock.
A 4 inch barrel, 7 shot, 357 magnum in the Taurus Tracker model can be had for about 600 bucks. It’s worth every penny. 357 magnum is the best one shot stopper in a combat caliber handgun
Also it has a ported barrel. I have have Smith and Ruger and the Taurus is right up there either shoulder to shoulder or right close. That’s modern Taurus revolvers I speak of.
Some people find the controls of the Mossberg 500 more comfortable to use. But it is just personal preference. If you train a lot and if you dry fire a lot you can get used to any firearm. I like Remington 870 more. But both shotguns are great and will do the job.
I find that people considering a Judhe/Governor, should shoot them first, with ALL the ammo those revolvers are capable of using, prior to purchasing them.
While I find the .45LC an excellent defensive round, many may not, especially or of either revolver.
There are lots of viable home or personal defense firearms choices out there folks. Exercise your Constitutinal Rights, before CzarinaHillary and HisBarackness completely banish law abiding ownership of them.
If “laws” make us safer from predatory firearms, why is Chicago the hotbed of Black on black genocide? Seems that the ProgressiveSlavePlantationOwners, always gloss over that issue.
Taurus Tracker 7 shot 357 magnum w 4 inch barrel will go head up w the GP100 or 686
I totally agree…I’ve got the Taurus Model 66 4″ 7 shot and I must say that it’s right up there with the S&W or Ruger… Thanks
Glad to see the classic AR15 made your list! We have one for this very purpose. Sure handguns are nice, but the rifle is even nicer. We’ve talked about getting a shot gun, but really I think another AR would be just fine with me.
You don.t need an AR-15. You need a home alarm and some common sense.
Nobody asked you, putz
You don’t get to judge others, or tell others what they need. That’s THEIR decision.
AR-15 great for the task. Light bullets yaw and lose energy fast. It’s why police have been moving towards short barreled ARs over 9mm subguns in the past 10-20 years.
hmmmm didn’t you just judge him Freedom? Not saying people shouldn’t have a weapon but an alarm system doesn’t hurt and common sense is a mandatory.
Mind your business
That was to Stanley. Mind your business
Stanley, if you had a lick of sense – common or otherwise – you’d know an alarm will alert someone that something bad has already happened or is currently happening. How will that save yourself or your loved ones? And..
I agree with FreedomFirst – Lauren did not ask for your snotty condescension.
I can’t find a S&W Governor anywhere.
So you say that if multiple intruders enter your home we would want more than a shotgun or handgun and suggest a rifle like an AR-15. Problem is you won’t know how many intruders there are until you confront them, at which point it would be too late to switch weapons. It seems the AR-15 is the best then as you can’t predict ahead of time how many perps will be engaged.
Fire a .410 at a water bottle from 15ft. Some pellets will bounce, some will penetrate an none will pass through. Useless as a home defense weapon. Some of these tweakers have body sores that cause them more pain.
Your right Joe. Hickok 45 does a video shooting an air conditioner vent which is a littler tougher than a pie tin and it is pathetic. Load it up w 45 L colt and it’s a totally different story
the Mossberg’s naturally ambidextrous safety is NOT located on the rear of the trigger guard.
Thank you I was going to go there.. Also on #3 the comment is made that the AR gives you more range. Not sure how big his house is but that shouldn’t be a selling point for a home defense weapon.
Remember, rounds and buck shot can go thru sheet rock, so watch your distant beaten zone if at all possible. Practice and hit your intended criminal target.
The Judge will clear my hallway quite nicely.
As will my blades. and they wont hear them coming. tell its too late.
Come on Rambo. We are talking reality here. Gun beats blade everytime