I’ve been debating whether to go with a shotgun or a pistol for home defense. Just got married and we live near a city with a higher crime rate.
Would love to hear the pros and cons of each. What do you guys recommend?
Pistols
Pros:
- Can be used one-handed, so you can open doors, grab your phone, or hold a flashlight.
- Small and easy to maneuver in tight spaces like hallways.
- Can be carried outside the home for self-defense.
- Easier to store in a nightstand or safe.
- Modern pistols have high-capacity magazines (10-20 rounds).
Cons:
- Harder to aim compared to long guns since they have fewer points of contact with your body.
- Pistol rounds don’t always stop a threat instantly unless shot placement is perfect.
Shotguns
Pros:
- Easier to aim since you shoulder the gun.
- Buckshot is incredibly effective at stopping a threat quickly.
- More versatile—can swap out ammo types depending on the situation.
Cons:
- Harder to maneuver in small spaces.
- Usually requires both hands to operate.
- Pump-action models need manual cycling, which can slow you down if you’re not trained.
- Low capacity (usually 4-6 shells).
- Shotguns have significant recoil, making follow-up shots harder.
Other Notes:
- The idea that you don’t need to aim a shotgun is a myth—00 buck only spreads about 3-4 inches at 7 yards.
- Birdshot is a bad choice for defense because it won’t reliably stop a threat.
- Reloading a shotgun takes longer than swapping a mag in a pistol or rifle.
If you don’t plan on training regularly, a pistol is probably the better choice. If you’re already comfortable with a shotgun, it’s a great option, but make sure to practice loading and cycling rounds under stress.
@Ashby
Great breakdown! Only thing I’d tweak is the part about pistol rounds not stopping a threat instantly. I get what you mean, but modern defensive ammo like Federal HST will absolutely stop someone if you hit center mass.
That being said, shotguns hit like a freight train. Getting hit with 9mm might drop someone, but getting hit with buckshot is like getting hit with 8-9 rounds of .33 caliber all at once.
Shot placement is everything.
@Lennon
Good point! But keep in mind, people on drugs or high on adrenaline can take a ridiculous number of rounds before going down. There are documented cases of suspects taking over a dozen 9mm rounds before stopping.
That’s why shot placement is key. A headshot or upper torso hit with buckshot is an instant fight-stopper.
Pistols put holes in people.
Rifles put holes through people.
Shotguns… they remove entire chunks of people.
Hero said:
Pistols put holes in people.
Rifles put holes through people.
Shotguns… they remove entire chunks of people.
Clint Smith said it best!
Shotguns are brutal but they’ll destroy your hearing indoors.
Pistols are easier to miss with under stress, and if you miss, that round is going through a wall.
Whatever you get, make sure you train with it, and get a good tactical flashlight. The last thing you want is shooting a family member by mistake.
@GeorgeWashington
I was surprised to see that some 12-gauge shells are actually quieter in decibels than 9mm.
Kingsley said:
@GeorgeWashington
I was surprised to see that some 12-gauge shells are actually quieter in decibels than 9mm.
Yeah, but that’s usually with longer barrels. A short-barrel shotgun for home defense is going to be LOUD.
Also, indoor acoustics amplify gunfire. Ever shot next to someone using a short-barrel AR or a muzzle brake? It’s brutal.
Why not both? I keep a .357 in my nightstand and a Mossberg 500 in the corner.
I trained my whole family to use a Benelli M1014 for home defense. My daughter started using it at 12. If a small 12-year-old can handle it, so can most adults.
That said, my son still prefers his AK for home defense. To each their own!
No matter what you choose, get a suppressor for it if possible. Nothing ruins your day like permanent hearing loss.
Blaine said:
No matter what you choose, get a suppressor for it if possible. Nothing ruins your day like permanent hearing loss.
Wish I didn’t live in a state where they’re banned. 
Any reason you’re not considering a rifle?
Jules said:
Any reason you’re not considering a rifle?
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Over-penetration concerns.
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Some places frown upon using an AR-15 for self-defense in court.
Jules said:
Any reason you’re not considering a rifle?
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Over-penetration concerns.
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Some places frown upon using an AR-15 for self-defense in court.
Over-penetration with 5.56 is actually not as bad as you might think. Hollow-point rifle ammo will break apart more than pistol rounds.
Court concerns are fair, though. Depends on where you live.
Both pistols and shotguns require a lot of training to be effective. If you’re only going to invest in one, pick the one you’re most comfortable practicing with.
I usually recommend a pistol because:
- Easier to train with.
- More versatile (can carry outside the home).
- Easier to store and access quickly.
Shotguns are great if you put in the time to train. But reloading under stress is a challenge. Even after years of shooting my Benelli Supernova, I still occasionally short-stroke it in high-stress drills.
@Oli
I actually have a lot of experience with shotguns from years of duck and bird hunting, but no real experience with pistols.
That’s why I’m debating if I should stick with what I know or branch out.
@Scout
If you’re already comfortable with shotguns, that might be the way to go.
Just remember, an 18.5” home defense shotgun is going to feel very different from a long-barrel hunting shotgun. You’ll need to spend some time training with the shorter length.
Maybe grab a short barrel for one of your existing shotguns?
Honestly, the best home defense gun is a suppressed rifle or carbine with the right ammo.
- More capacity than a shotgun.
- Easier to shoot than a pistol.
- Less recoil than a shotgun.
- Lower risk of over-penetration with proper ammo.
For me? Suppressed 300 Blackout SBR with Barnes TAC-TX ammo.