When it comes down to it, the best gun for home defense is the one you can get to the quickest and effectively use.
Regardless of criteria used for judging the gun, being able to effectively defend your home is dependent on some factors unrelated to the gun. Do you have the gun on you, or is it stored somewhere you can easily access? Are you familiar enough with it to be able to actually shoot it?
Maybe that means you use your concealed carry gun. Maybe that means you keep a firearm in a specific spot in the house or multiple guns in multiple spots. Nobody is suggesting that you need to be the Punisher and have weapons stashed throughout your home (unless that's your thing). The point here is that your plan is entirely up to you, but you should have one.
Now, on to the fun part. The following criteria were used to create this list: ease of use, functionality, availability, and reliability.
Based on those factors, here are the top 5 best guns for home defense.
5. The Remington 870
When speaking of home defense, one of the first things you're likely to hear is "get a shotgun." This isn't terrible advice. In a stressful situation, a shotgun is an extremely easy tool to use. With the spread of buckshot, you're not likely to miss, and the power of a shotgun is sure to knock down potential threats and keep them down.
Shotguns are also extremely intimidating. The sound of a racking shotgun is unmistakable, and, in this situation, any fear you can strike only helps your cause.
But why the Remington 870? Because it's a workhorse shotgun with a long track record of use and reliability. In the world of shotguns, it may not be king, but it's definitely in the royal family.
You can also get accessories for the Remington 870, including an adjustable stock, a pistol grip, and tactical lights. Oh, and it can hold six shells plus one in the chamber. A solid, reliable shotgun with customizability. Can't go wrong there.
4. The Sig Sauer P226
Some people may be surprised to see a handgun on the list. Others may be surprised it's a Sig Sauer P226. There are drawbacks to handguns as home defense weapons, that's for sure, but that's why this one isn't higher on the list.
The pros to handguns are that they're the most likely to be on you at the time you need a gun. They can double as your everyday carry (EDC), which makes it more likely you'll have your defense weapon on you or nearby when you need it.
There are two main reasons why this particular gun makes the list. The first is that it's a 9mm. Without getting into a caliber war here, 9mm ammunition is a very effective ammunition choice. There's a reason it's used by militaries and law enforcement all over the world. The biggest of these is that it has just as much stopping power needed along with a high carry capacity, giving you more shots at your intended target if you miss. This is important. Running out of ammo while trying to defend your home from intruders is less than optimal, to say the least.
The next reason is that this specific pistol has been used by United States Navy Seals for over 30 years. A pistol for Seals is a secondary or tertiary weapon, but it still gets used in many situations that are similar to home defense situations. The fact that one of the top echelons of U.S. military special forces continues to use it for over three decades speaks to its reliability and dependability. Plus, you can add accessories like lights and lasers, which are both highly helpful in home defense.
3. The Mossberg 590
The value of a shotgun for home defense cannot be overstated. What separates the Mossberg 590 from the pack is its military use via the U.S. Army. If it can work as intended in the extremes of war, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to defending your home and family.
Like the Remington, the Mossberg has collapsible stock options, pistol grip, and tactical accessory capabilities. Unlike the Remington, it has greater shell capacity and a slightly more proven track record.
The only reason the Mossberg isn't number 1 is because shotguns run the risk of over penetration or other collateral damage due to their power and spread patterns. Otherwise, they'd be the perfect home defense weapon.
2. The AR-15 Platform
This may surprise some people as an entrant on this list. It shouldn't, though. With an initial design dating back to the Vietnam War and a history as the main rifle for the United States military since, its track record is completely undeniable. It has served in all manner of conditions in wartime — from jungles to deserts. Before anyone gets upset and says the AR is not the same as the military M16/M4, let's clarify. In terms of operation, it's essentially the same weapon as Eugene Stoner's design for the original M16. Saying the AR isn't used by the military is a semantic argument; they're the same rifle.
It's a proven platform with high customizability. There are numerous options as well, from the Springfield Saint to the Daniel Defense DDM4. Most importantly, this is no long-barreled hunting rifle. It has been used in wartime urban operations that are almost identical to what you would encounter in a home defense situation. Plus, its customizability allows for variations to make short-barreled rifles or even pistol sizes, and the nature of rifles makes for much greater accuracy than with any other type of gun.
Reliability, accuracy, ease of use, availability of accessories and ammunition, and even availability of training make this one of the strongest contenders on this list. The main reason it isn't number 1 is because 5.56/.223 rounds will absolutely go through the intended target and likely through any wall behind your assailant. That said, if you were to build one in 9mm, that would certainly be a potential number 1 contender.
1. The Glock 19
What can be said about the Glock 19 that hasn't already been said? It's one of the most famous handguns in the world, and for good reason. It's arguably the single most reliable gun ever made and has proven itself with police and military usage all over the world. Its out of the box reliability is the standard by which most other handguns are judged.
On top of that, its popularity as a platform has led to tremendous aftermarket parts and accessories, allowing you to customize it almost as much as you can an AR. For home defense, this is extremely important. Aside from lights and laser accessories, you can get optics mounted, night sights, mag wells for easier loading, and even improved triggers and barrels for better shooting.
As with other handguns, it can be an EDC option, so you're more likely to have it when it's needed. But unlike other handguns, there is an extended amount of information and training available for the Glock 19. This means you can get detailed training not just in the function of the gun but also in best practices from professionals to make you a better shooter.
The Glock 19 also has a capacity of 15 rounds plus 1 in the chamber. That's definitely enough to ensure you don't run out if you miss. It has enough stopping power to drop your would-be attacker, but not so much you need to be worried about someone on the other side of the wall behind them — especially if you're using hollow point ammunition.
So there you have it: the top five best guns for home defense. You may agree or you may disagree, but if nothing else, you're thinking about it. The important thing to remember is you need a reliable gun that you're familiar with. That means practice and training. That alone puts you ahead of the curve and can make all the difference when someone breaks into your home. With any of these guns and a little effort, you can have a leg up on the bad guys.
