Over at guns.com, David LaPell tackles ye olde shotgun vs. handgun for home defense debate. After taking a Remington 870 and his Makarov PM to the range, Mr. LaPell asks “Why not both? Well, that’s probably the smartest option, but not really in the spirit of this exercise.” Wait! It IS the smartest option. The thing is . . .
A handgun is ideal for home defense.
It frees the [two-] armed home defender to open doors, turn on lights, call 911, corral friendlies, etc. There’s a farrago of handgun sizes, calibers, sighting options and silencers from which to choose. And most gun owners will practice with their handgun, and won’t with a shotgun.
On the other hand, a shotgun is ideal for home defense.
It’s a fearsome weapon; offering the only realistic chance of a one-stop shot. It’s also extremely intimidating. And dependable. And relatively easy to run. Easier to aim accurately than a handgun too, being a long gun and all.
On the other hand, an AR-style rifle — or AR pistol with a SB Tactical brace — is ideal for home defense.
An AR is just as easy to aim as a shotgun, more wieldy and holds more ammo than a scattergun or a handgun (depending on state law). You can fit it with a silencer, light, laser, coffee maker, whatever.
So the answer is . . . all of them!
If you need to do stuff during a home invasion, if you home carry, a handgun is the best choice. If you’re assuming a defensive position, a shotgun is the better bet. And if you’re clearing a house or going outside, an AR is you ballistic BFF.
This is America, the land of choice (and good pie). Have all three firearms ready to go. That is all.