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 snubnosed 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
Candyman says
December 13, 2018 at 7:08 pmA Beretta 92fs
prsmith says
December 2, 2018 at 11:15 amIt distresses me that you even mention racking a shotgun to scare off intruders. The only thing they should hear is the sound of the safety being switched off.
Ray says
November 15, 2018 at 7:12 amyou guys..? Everybody calm down. look at the stats for home invasion that result in homicide and include the metric of where it is geographically? When was the last time this scenario happened in the news? Do you live there? It’s fine to be cautious, but not paranoid.
Question:
When a new neighbor moves on to your street:
-Do you introduce yourself? Or,
-Do you access the threat?
We are all in this together. WE ARE AMERICA.
Who exactly is trying to be your boogie man? The majority of crimes are opportunistic crimes.. Not planned out or organized…and they rarely happen.
Let’s be realistic… if a crew with organization and a plan came for you, and ‘cased’ you for a couple day’s, it’s over. The same way that I would have no chance if you and two of your buddies came for me. It’s not a fair fight, and none of us are Rambo.
You want a security system that costs nothing??? Go meet your neighbors, say hello, get contact info, discuss concerns, bring them cookies.
Would you join an Army where no one talked to one another?
prsmith says
December 2, 2018 at 11:05 amWhile I don’t disagree with what you say, one of the topics of conversation I’d have with that new neighbor is about guns and self-defense. If a crew did come for me (or him), it would be nice to know that we had backup.
jose says
May 15, 2019 at 12:04 pm“right you are Ken.”
jeremiahCarlson says
June 29, 2018 at 6:23 amWell there are many guns for home but some people like to get long barrel guns for their home, they think that thieves will gonna scream from it and go away, but according to the survey they won’t they also have a gun and they shoot on you without checking who is standing in front of them. So i think you need to get mavar type long barrel guns as these kind of guns are pretty costly but they are with long barrel and high range.
Don says
May 29, 2018 at 9:33 pmWhy use the the term AK-47? Aren’t most imports, semi-auto AKMs, or Saiga variants? I fully agree that a 55.6/.223 round, especially a solid ball round, will over-penetrate drywall, lath and plaster, and most kitchen cabinets.
S Andrews says
May 22, 2018 at 9:59 amA couple of issues: (1) You state that the .45 has more stopping power than the .410. Yet you recommend a Judge or Governor before a .45 caliber pistol which has more capacity, better accuracy, and less recoil. Why? (2) Not enough emphasis on penetration of walls etc. and protection of other people in the house. That’s a concern with an AR-15, buckshot. A pistol with a spare magazine will have all the capacity of an AR-15, be safer with hollow-point ammo, be easier to protect from criminals taking it away, and in namby – pamby states, be easier to defend its use in court if you only wound the criminal and he sues you, or public opinion castigates your use of deadly force against the criminal who was endangering you and your family. (3) Any discussion of a rifle having better range than a pistol in the confines of a house is ridiculous. The only time a discussion of range makes any sense when discussing home defense is in a very large room and talking use of a shotgun using birdshot vs. buckshot, or perhaps with the Judge / Governor which has questionable accuracy (another knock on your recommendation).
The judge says
June 18, 2018 at 12:45 pmYou may have trouble shooting the Judge Accurately, I on the other hand don’t. I have two can shoot them both accurately with either hand or both
But you Shoot accurately enough you don’t need Anything more than a 22 caliber pistol most home Invaders don’t wear kevlar Head Gear
Matt says
September 20, 2018 at 3:00 pmYou might like them, but the Taurus Judge is a POS both as a shotgun and as a revolver. If you want a shotgun buy a shotgun. I would only buy a judge if I lived in rattle snake country.
Thomas Arnold says
April 30, 2018 at 1:31 pmHi,
I will be first time gun owner…. home defense and shtf purpose… will take classes and try to train but not an enthusiast. I was set on getting a Mossberg 500 20ga but am now leaning to a pistol caliber carbine or bullpub shotgun. I like the new Ruger PC Carbine, the CZScorpion pistol caliber carbine and the ISI Tavor 12….leaning to the Ruger.
i would appreciate thoughts…….. would you recommend the Mossberg or the PCC? If PCC, which one would you recommend?
Stephen Boynton says
May 24, 2018 at 6:50 pmI think a 9mm carbine is a great idea for inside the home. They don’t kick, have low muzzle blast and with 115JHP or 125 JHP +P ammo can duplicate the stopping power of a 6″ 357. Even Marshall’s books on stopping power using police statistics show the 125JHP 357 mag is the top loads to use.
A shotgun is good if you are outdoors especially at night or in a protected area such as a locked bedroom. However the muzzle blast inside would be very bad so have ear muffs available. It takes at least 7 yards for the shot load to open up significantly. A good 20 gauge is lighter, easier to maneuver and can do just as well as the 12 gauge to about 15-20 yards.
I have over 30 years experience with guns being in the military and an avid reloaded. I keep a 9mm pistol and carbine for inside the house and leave the shotgun and a more powerful carbine for the outside. We live out in the country so it can take the sheriff awhile to get here.
John says
March 26, 2018 at 11:48 amSo much which is only partially true.
9mm is capable of reliably stopping an attacker only if you use the proper ammunition. Use the most common, full metal jacket of “ball”, and it will do the job less than half the time.
AR-15 (most of them) use the .223/5.56 NATO rounds. These have two problems for “home” defense. First, they are very penetrative, so even if you hit your target, an innocent bystander behind them can be hit. Even if they are in the next room, or outdoors, or in the house next door. Second, like the 9mm, standard FMJ ball ammunition is not reliable at stopping an attacker. Again, with the proper ammuntion, it can be a good choice, but that good ammunition is pricey. The concept that you have to have “more ammunition” than a pistol is silly. Pistols use magazines and with practice, you can change magazines in a second or two. And more importantly, if you are attacked by more than 17 or even 8 people, you are not going to win anyway.
.45 ACP is a good self defense round with less ammunition sensitivity than 9mm. If you use a revolver with “full moon clips”, it is almost as fast as an automatic to reload, with all the advantages of a revolver.
pearler says
February 3, 2018 at 8:10 pmI use a 90 pound pit and growing . Just turned two . I have his back and he knows it . No training ,just a member of the house/property .
We have fought twice ,both times I almost had to shoot him off of me . I believe we know each other now and I feel for the dummy who attempts invading our house . Not to mention the damage I am throwing their way also .
A concerned family man says
March 24, 2018 at 10:55 amI am thinking that too instead of gun. Maybe dog might be better for home protection. They will bark (Early Warning Detection) and if the situation escalates the dog will go after the intruder, but then you have to take care of him, feed him, etc, whereas a gun you buy once and then forget about it. lol. My family and I live in a bad area and I just don’t want to come home from work one day and find my whole house ransacked and worse find my family hurt. There are signs that there were attempts made by someone to break into my house.
prsmith says
December 2, 2018 at 11:12 amIf you buy a gun and then forget about it, you’re a fool – get the dog instead.p
Lana Smiley says
May 15, 2018 at 4:01 pmWhat an ignorant scumbag. I can neutralize your trash dog in nothing flat. Get a life.
that door you just kicked in was locked for your safety not mine says
November 28, 2017 at 10:12 amguys you also need to think about rat shot to it might get messy but you wont have to replace walls and glass walls need to be considered to also a soft recliner wont stop a bullet
pearler says
February 3, 2018 at 8:03 pmYepper,my pistols first two rounds are rat shot . I prefer bird load for my shotgun .
Good spread . of course I am the kind of guy who returns fire on a drive-by ;).
Better to have a gun and need it . Than to need a gun and not have it . Promise .
Edward says
March 17, 2017 at 9:17 pmYou 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.
Todd Pierson says
August 31, 2017 at 6:39 pmI 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
Tabitha says
February 4, 2018 at 11:58 amA pistol also doesent bump into walls, corners, banisters, furniture, or your targets in close quarters either. Long guns are moronic against home intruders.
Steve says
March 20, 2018 at 6:50 amBoth rifle and handgun have their place in home protection. It’s true a rifle can be difficult to maneuver, if not set up for home security. But, a 16″ barrel, and a collapsed adjustable stock make an AR very handy even in a hallway. And the firepower can’t be denied. However, high penetration has to be considered too. In a congested area, a hand gun has it’s place too. A .380 will do the job up close and is the minimum I’d ever consider. My 1st choice is an old trusty single action 45 LC revolver. It’s like part of my hand after so many years practicing with it. Loaded with 300 grain semi wad cutters, sub sonic. It has a low probability of malfunction.And it is devastating at close range. It’s not for everybody, and a double action is a better choice for many.
Josh says
June 30, 2018 at 4:12 pmAK 47’s penetrate too well, I would know, I fired a Chinese AK47 in Kansas quite a bit. AK47 rounds are 7.62×39, and they will penetrate an Average sized Tree Trunk. Way too much penetration power for home defense. For home defense you want Impact Punch Power. A 12 Guage with 00 buck shot or slug will do the Job!
My Father is a weapons expert, and had taught me well about what works for a particular situation. A shotgun with a heavy load will make a mess, but rather a mess than Dead Family. Right?
Karl Kimball says
December 26, 2016 at 10:03 amMay 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.
John says
February 14, 2017 at 11:20 amWell 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.
Hole patcher says
January 31, 2018 at 10:41 pmJohn stated “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.”
What are you going to do in the 5 to 15 minutes it takes for the Police to arrive? Gun 1st. Alarm 2nd. Unless PD is cruising by within 100 yards of your house at the time of break in, their job is to write a report and look for clues afterwards.
Protect your family, then alert the authorities.
A concerned family man says
March 24, 2018 at 11:12 amHole, you are absolutely right. It will take them good 5 to 12 minutes for them to arrive at your house. That is plenty of time for the intruder(s) to break in, kill anyone in the house, steal whatever they want and leave. Only then they will come and start doing their INVESTIGATION while your whole family lying dead on the floor. But then, John has a point. It is probably a good idea to have alarm and a gun. It is always a good idea to have an early warning system. So, that you can prepare ahead of time before the intruder breaks in.
Mr Wolf says
November 25, 2016 at 8:07 pmA 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
Mr Wolf says
November 25, 2016 at 8:10 pmAlso 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.
Rem870 says
November 1, 2016 at 6:06 pmSome 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.
TPSnodgrass says
September 11, 2016 at 12:50 pmI 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.
Steve says
March 20, 2018 at 6:59 am45 LC is no joke. And can be loaded to near 44 mag. ballistics. My preferred load for home defense, high grain bullets, even subsonic, up close can end a confrontation quickly.
Brent Daniel gogel says
August 16, 2016 at 1:15 amTaurus Tracker 7 shot 357 magnum w 4 inch barrel will go head up w the GP100 or 686
Bird says
January 18, 2017 at 9:03 amI 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
Lauren says
May 13, 2016 at 9:54 pmGlad 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.
Stanley schaper says
June 12, 2016 at 7:28 pmYou don.t need an AR-15. You need a home alarm and some common sense.
FreedomFirst says
July 20, 2016 at 9:34 pmNobody 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.
poorman says
September 13, 2016 at 6:39 pmhmmmm 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.
Mr Wolf says
August 16, 2016 at 1:17 amMind your business
Mr Wolf says
August 16, 2016 at 1:19 amThat was to Stanley. Mind your business
TheBob_1 says
May 10, 2017 at 8:21 pmStanley, 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.
Dancer says
November 5, 2017 at 11:34 amWhen seconds count, the cops are only minutes away.
A concerned family man says
March 24, 2018 at 11:17 amCOPS / Authorities ALL MOST ALWAYS show up after the FACT and then they will do their INVESTIGATION and FINDING CLUES while you and your family dead on the floor. With gun, you can at least hold the intruder in place or scare them off while POLICE come and get help you. lol
Don says
May 29, 2018 at 9:27 pmWell said Family Man
Glenn Dupuis says
May 4, 2016 at 1:00 pmI can’t find a S&W Governor anywhere.
Tyler says
April 23, 2016 at 8:53 pmSo 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.
JoeKing says
February 7, 2016 at 9:12 pmFire 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.
Mr Wolf says
August 16, 2016 at 1:21 amYour 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
Kirt Spacey says
January 4, 2016 at 9:23 amthe Mossberg’s naturally ambidextrous safety is NOT located on the rear of the trigger guard.
poorman says
September 13, 2016 at 6:42 pmThank 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.
Xplore says
July 25, 2015 at 9:27 amRemember, 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.
charles freeman says
July 24, 2015 at 5:52 pmThe Judge will clear my hallway quite nicely.
Èrebus Àshlar says
December 13, 2015 at 12:38 amAs will my blades. and they wont hear them coming. tell its too late.
Mr Wolf says
August 16, 2016 at 1:24 amCome on Rambo. We are talking reality here. Gun beats blade everytime
Duane says
October 5, 2017 at 5:01 pmhe can’t spell till (let’s move on)
Tabitha says
February 4, 2018 at 12:03 pmUm, no… A gun does NOT beat a blade every time. In fact, in close quarters, blades will win over guns far more often.