Shotguns vs Rifles: Why Shotguns Are the Best Choice for Home Defense

When it comes to home defense, the shotgun stands out as the most destructive tool a civilian can own for close-range protection. In a typical residential environment, where engagement distances are often within 10 yards, the shotgun outperforms rifles like the AR-15 in delivering devastating results. Its versatility, ammunition capacity, and unique physiological impact make it a top choice for defending your home.

More Projectiles, More Effective

One of the key advantages of the shotgun is its ability to fire multiple projectiles with each shot. For example, with my Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol loaded with 7 shells of 00 Buckshot, I have 56 projectiles ready to go, compared to 30 rounds in a standard AR-15 magazine. While those pellets are grouped into smaller "servings," this division is not a disadvantage. With one sight picture, one trigger press, and one justified use of force decision, I’ve effectively engaged a target 8 times.

This becomes especially important when facing multiple intruders. Instead of needing to focus on a single target until they are down—sometimes requiring 5-7 shots—you can quickly distribute a "serving" to each attacker and reassess the situation, reducing the risk of being engaged by others while you take too long on one.

Physiological Incapacitation

There are two main ways to physiologically neutralize a threat: causing massive blood loss (exsanguination) or delivering a direct hit to the central nervous system (CNS). A shotgun's ability to create multiple wound tracks increases the bleed rate by up to 8-9 times, depending on the load, compared to a single projectile. Furthermore, because you're sending multiple pellets in different directions, you are 8-9 times more likely to hit the spine. This disrupts the CNS, leading to what Tom Givens calls a 'pop flop,' where the attacker drops instantly.

The Legend of One-Shot Stops

Shotguns have earned their reputation for neutralizing threats with a single shot when good shot placement and quality defensive loads like 00 Buck are used. In cases where multiple shots are needed, it’s often because the first shot was pulled into an area outside the chest, such as an arm or leg. Unlike some firearms that depend on high-velocity rounds for increasing wounding, the shotgun’s spread of pellets creates a devastating pattern that enhances the likelihood of quickly incapacitating an attacker.

At close ranges typical of home defense scenarios, a shotgun blast essentially becomes a .70-caliber pre-fragmented slug, according to Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch. This capability is what many high-velocity, light-for-caliber gimmicky rounds claim to achieve but often fall short of, usually under-penetrating. Quality defensive loads for shotguns reliably meet or exceed the FBI’s recommendation of 12-18 inches of penetration in ordnance gel, ensuring effective threat neutralization.

Ammo Availability and Political Viability

Shotguns also have the advantage of being more politically accepted than rifles like the AR-15. In many states with restrictive gun laws, shotguns are still legal and available for home defense, making them a reliable option even where rifles may not be allowed. Even where AR-15s with standard magazines are legal, it’s sometimes not worth the risk of landing on the radar of an overzealous liberal District Attorney. For whatever reason, anti-Second Amendment advocates tend to have the least amount of problems with a shotgun, despite its destructive tendencies. Additionally, during ammo shortages or panic buying, shotgun ammunition tends to remain on the shelves longer, ensuring that you can stay stocked up.

Learning Curve and Ease of Proficiency

While shotguns have their own manual of arms, once mastered, they are among the easiest firearms to maintain proficiency with. Whether you choose a pump-action or semi-automatic platform, the basic mechanics are straightforward, and shotguns are highly reliable when set up properly. A high-quality shotgun, properly configured for home defense, is also much more affordable than setting up a comparably reliable AR-15. A Maverick 88 is still available at most major box stores for under $300. If you're going to shoot a box through it and then stick it in the closet, that gun will serve you just fine.

Essentially a Rifle Indoors

Inside a home, a shotgun functions much like a rifle in terms of aiming precision. At typical indoor engagement distances, the shot pattern is so tight that precise aiming is still essential. When the pellets hit the target, they mimic a pool break in billiards: tightly grouped pellets collide and disperse outward, creating multiple wound channels. This "pool break" effect tears through significantly more tissue, increasing blood loss and maximizing the shotgun's immediate incapacitation potential.

Conclusion

The shotgun remains one of the most effective and versatile weapons for home defense, particularly at the close ranges found inside most homes. With its ability to fire multiple projectiles with each trigger pull, the shotgun delivers a devastating physiological impact and increases your chances of neutralizing threats quickly. The shotgun offers an unmatched combination of power, reliability, and effectiveness for defending your home and loved ones.