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What Is the Best Weapon for Home Defense?

13 December 2016

Louise Morris

Many people who are new to gun ownership like the idea of owning a firearm for home defense. News of breaks-ins, assaults, and a changing political climate mean that more and more people are concerned about their protection. With a wide range of firearms on the market, how do you know which type is best suited for your home and capabilities? This depends on where your home is, what protections you hope to gain, and how confident you feel with your ability to defend your home. 

Handguns

There are essentially two types of handguns: pistols and revolvers. Many people like the idea of a small firearm for home defense because they are easy to store, simple to maneuver, and more manageable for small frames. Since they are held close to the body, they cannot be grabbed as easily by an assailant and turned against you. 

Pistols are more suited for those who have experience aiming and firing a gun, and full-size handguns are the most effective for deterring intruders. Pistols are also desirable for home defense because they are almost always semi-automatic, moving a new round of ammunition after the last one is fired. They hold more ammunition than a revolver and are faster to reload. Pistols are more challenging to maintain, however. They are also more likely to malfunction because they have more moving parts and because it takes time and some expertise to properly assess faulty parts.

Some people might scoff at the idea of using a revolver instead of a semi-automatic pistol, but revolvers have their place in home-defense situations, especially for those who are intimidated by complex firearms. Revolvers are very simple to clean, operate, and load. They rarely malfunction, and when they do, the problem is usually fixed by pulling the trigger again to realign the barrel. Revolvers have several pre-loaded shots, and they are more accurate for inexperienced shooters than pistols. A good revolver is like a simple camera: just point and shoot.

Handguns, in general, however, have less stopping power than rifles and shotguns. Larger weapons have a little more power behind the shot. To make your handgun as effective as possible, choose the most powerful cartridge you feel comfortable handling. Go to a shooting range to try out a few popular handguns to learn your limitations. 

Rifles

Rifles are the least practical choice for home defense, as they are designed for long-range targeting. They are slower to load, slower to aim, and slower to fire, and they hold powerful ammunition that can over-penetrate a target at close range. This does not mean, however, that a rifle is entirely useless in home defense. Tactical rifles with a pistol-caliber carbine can be somewhat effective over hunting models, as they hold more ammunition and have lower levels of recoil. A rifle might be a good choice for your home if you live in a rural area and home defense requires protection against animals. Bears, wolves, coyotes, and foxes will be easier to manage with a rifle. For most home-defense needs, however, it's best to look at more practical options. 

Shotguns

Easily the most effective home-defense weapon is a shotgun. Instead of firing one high-powered round like with a rifle or a small round like with a handgun, the shotguns releases several small pellets at high velocity. You will rarely over-penetrate your target with a shot gun, and you will have an easier time stopping intruders because of the higher potential for damage to the body. There are some downsides to shotguns. For example, they can be challenging to wield in a small space, like a hallway or a tight corner. If you miss your target, they have the potential to do greater damage to your home, and they hold less ammunition than other semi-automatic weapons.

A shotgun must therefore be used with great precision and experience in the home. Avoid pistol-grip shotguns, as these are more challenging to aim well, and choose a traditional 12- or 20-gauge shotgun, depending on how much weight and recoil your strength can control. 

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