Best Shotgun for Home Defense

[Alan]

I’ve been considering a shotgun for home defense and could use some recommendations. I'm stuck between a 12-gauge and a 20-gauge. I get that the 12ga packs more punch, but I've heard the 20ga is easier to manage indoors with less recoil. What do you all think?

What barrel length should I aim for? I want something that feels comfortable and easy to maneuver. Any specific stock setups or features I should prioritize?

I’m also looking for solid models or brands that are known to be reliable. Simplicity is key for me.

Lastly, how much training is necessary? I’ve handled shotguns before, but never in a serious context. What kind of practice should I be focusing on to really be prepared?

 

[Deleted member 17]

I like the 20 ga Shockwave with brace, light/laser, RDS.

 

[elkhunter]

Training is necessary with anything, especially a shotgun. Shorty guns are out of the norm most of us are used to, not a rifle and not a handgun. I train every day, even if it is just dry fire exercises, with my pistols for duty and carry work. Shotguns for defense are waaaaay different and you must become ultra familiar with them. I prefer semi-auto for home defense over a pump. Choose the better guns, like the Benelli or Beretta. If you insist on a pump, go for an 870 or even an Ithaca 37 riot gun.

 

[Trigga]

Honestly, for home defense, a 20-gauge can be easier to handle indoors, less recoil, still effective. Go with a shorter barrel, simple stock, reliable brand like Remington or Mossberg, and practice fundamentals

 

[Rpg]

You’ll do best with the same gun you’d use to hunt pheasant or shoot trap. Nothing special or fancy. A barrel no longer than 28” and without a pistol grip. An older Remington 870 or Winchester model 12 are perfect. Stay away from the guns that look like they’re designed for combat purposes. A pump action is fine. You’ll find a lot of 12ga guns, all are just fine. You don’t need a 3” or 3 1/2” chamber, 2 3/4” is plenty. As far as ammo: standard trap loads are plenty for the short ranges in a house. Stay away from buckshot. #6 is plenty. 20 gage guns are usually more expensive but will work just fine too.
Practice is very important with a shotgun. Fortunately, trap ranges are readily available and there are usually very helpful folks there who will be happy to help you.
Don’t over think this.

 

[concolor]

12 gauge with reduced recoil loads for me. I have a simple Mossberg 500 home defense model. I'm building an AR, though...

 

[Proffett]

A Mossberg 590 7+1. Simple and effective. The only thing I’ve added to it is a clamp with a sling socket and rail, and a sling. The 1100 is a work in progress, it’s a great gun but not necessarily a good HD setup the way it sits.

 

[oldcorps76]

I prefer a pistol-brace carbine loaded with 45 grain varminter .223. Adding a suppressor next year. Having said, there's a Mossberg 590A1 Marinecote with a Streamlight Racker weaponlight, a shortened stock, with 6 round sidesaddle, and a 590 barrel shroud I had to get creative to install. Topped off with some of that rough step tape one puts on outdoor stairs, on the pistol grip and Streamlight.