Guide to Home Defense Shotguns [Ammo, Upgrades, & More]
We cover everything you need to know about home defense shotguns, including ammo selection, storage, and accessories.
USMC Veteran. Concealed Carry & NRA Pistol Instructor. 3-Gun Competitor. Career firearms writer
We review products independently. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission to help support our testing. Learn more.
I really enjoy shooting shotguns, and I use a shotgun for home defense.
For a long period, shotguns were cast aside as the age of the AR came into full swing. But, slowly, they’ve made a comeback in the defensive marketplace.
They are once again being praised for their power, versatility, and usefulness for home defense.
With that in mind, there are tons of questions regarding defensive shotguns, so I wanted to create an easy button for you.
This guide provides you with the necessary information to set up a basic but capable home defense shotgun. If you follow this guide, you’ll end up with a great shotgun; all you’ll need is a little training.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Trust Us
I’ve spent a lifetime shooting that started in a family that hunted every season they legally could. From there, I joined the United States Marine Corps and spent five years as an infantryman. In the middle of my Marine Corps career, I began writing and have never stopped.
I love shooting, and I love guns — weird guns, old guns, new guns, tactical guns, and especially shotguns. I’m a continual student of firearms, and I strive to educate myself to provide the best information possible to the readers of Pew Pew Tactical.
Strengths of the Shotgun
We will keep this focused entirely on shotgun strengths for home defense. Sure, it’s a great bird gun, but that’s not really what we are talking about here.
The shotgun’s main strength is its ability to fire multiple pellets at once.
These pellets are devastating, effectively allowing you to land multiple threat-ending injuries on a target with one trigger pull.
Multiple projectiles also make the shotgun a little more forgiving when it comes to shot placement.
When the pellets hit a soft target, they continue to spread. This creates a wound channel measurable in inches throughout the body.
However, I’m not claiming that you don’t have to aim a shotgun, as they don’t spread nearly as much at close range as one might think.
A good shotgun is also fairly cheap. While guns like the Beretta 1301 and Benelli M4 are pricey, they represent the top tier price-wise. A competent defensive shotgun like the Maverick 88 can be had for less than $200-$300.
Shotguns are also rarely banned in most common configurations in states with anti-gun laws. This makes shotguns legally accessible to many folks in situations where an AR or handgun might be difficult to obtain.
Weaknesses of the Shotgun
There are some real weaknesses to the shotgun, but some of those aren’t an issue for home defense.
For example, a shotgun has a very limited range, but if you’re inside a home, it doesn’t really matter.
Another I commonly hear is that shotguns are low-capacity weapons.
Compared to an AR with its 30-round magazine, it seems like a shotgun holding eight rounds is low capacity. However, those eight rounds of 00 can equal around 70 or more individual projectiles.
According to Steve Fisher of Sentinel Concepts, it’s rare that the shotgun is fired more than two or three times in a defensive situation, so five to eight rounds is usually adequate.
A common complaint is the rather fierce recoil some shotguns have. However, proper ammo selection and technique can go a long way toward reducing recoil.
Shotguns are also known to over-penetrate with proper defensive ammunition. They will sail through a wall when missed. Minimizing misses and learning engagement angles is crucial.
The Basics of a Home Defense Shotgun
Gauge/Caliber
The three big shotgun chamberings in the United States are 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410. Each is capable of delivering projectiles that penetrate deep enough to shut down an attacker.
I recommend 12-gauge for home defense because it grants you access to modern, tactical loads designed for defensive applications and is very common.
While 12-gauge packs the most recoil of the three, many reduced recoil loads exist that still tout good performance.
Shotgun Ammo in Stock
20-gauge will certainly work and offers lighter-weight shotguns with less recoil.
However, there are very few tactical loads. Rounds like Winchester Defender are simply repackaged hunting loads and lack the modern technology that makes the 12-gauge appealing.
When it comes to .410, it works but provides a very small payload. It has the least amount of recoil and is the lightest option. However, I don’t see many advantages of the .410 over a rifle.
Repeating Design
You want a repeating design for your shotgun — specifically, either a pump or semi-auto design. Both are capable when it comes to defensive use.
Pump actions tend to be more affordable and mechanically reliable but do run a higher risk of user-induced malfunctions.
The most common issue with pump actions is short stroking, which occurs when the user doesn’t run the pump all the way rearward and all the way forward. This can eject a round while failing to load another.
On the upside, pump action shotguns can handle various lengths of shells with ease and even extremely underpowered rounds that would otherwise not cycle a semi-auto.
Semi-auto shotguns offer a higher rate of fire and are typically much easier to use. They have less recoil and can be operated with one hand if necessary.
However, semi-auto shotguns can be pickier regarding ammunition. If you want a reliable one, you will need to spend a little extra money.
Capacity
When we talk about shotguns designed for home defense, we are typically looking at guns with tube magazines.
These tubes are located under the barrel and where your ammo is stored. I would argue the lowest capacity you should consider is a 4-round tube.
While tube capacity can reach ten rounds or higher, those ultra-high capacity shotguns are usually overly long guns meant for competition. Typical defensive shotguns will sport 5-8 round tubes.
Barrel Length
Shorter is better for home defense. Without running afoul of the NFA, the minimum barrel length for a legal shotgun is 18 inches. Most shotgun companies use the 18.5-inch as the standard.
I prefer 18.5-inch barrels, but a 20-inch barrel can buy you an extra round in the magazine tube without getting too long. I would not go beyond 20 inches.
Stock Considerations
A big measurement to pay attention to is length of pull (LOP). Length of pull is measured from the rear of the trigger to the end of stock.
Lots of shotgun manufacturers use 14.5 inches as their length of pull, which is absurdly long for tactical shotguns.
Most people benefit from a 12.5 to 13.5-inch length of pull. For reference, I’m six foot, five inches tall, and I prefer a 13.5-inch LOP.
Bigger shooters can handle shorter LOPs, but smaller shooters will have trouble with long LOPs.
Some companies are producing shotguns with adjustable stocks and built-in LOP adjustments. If you purchase a fixed LOP shotgun like a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870, then there are some solid aftermarket stock options like Magpul SGA and the TactaLoad Flash 5.
Chokes
Chokes are devices that thread into the barrel of your shotgun and apply constriction to your shot load.
They vary by use, with the most common chokes being cylinder, improved, and modified. There are also skeet, turkey, rifled slug chokes, and more.
Constriction can help you improve the tightness of your pattern. Most defensive shotguns have fixed cylinder bore chokes, which apply no constriction to your pattern.
Chokes can be worth it to experiment with to help get a good tight pattern for defensive shooting. Keep in mind some loads are designed to function with cylinder bore chokes specifically and can be negatively affected by tighter chokes.
If you choose to use a choke, it’s wise to shoot it to see how it patterns with your chosen buckshot.
Patterning
Patterning is the act of going out and shooting your chosen load at a particular range and observing the impact pattern of your ammo.
This allows you to see how fast and at what range the load disperses.
For home defense, a tighter pattern is more desirable. Knowing your pattern aids in pellet accountability, so you can ensure you won’t have stray pellets at home defense ranges.
Home Defense Ammo Options
What’s the best ammo for home defense in a shotgun? Let’s dive into it because there are a lot of misconceptions.
No Birdshot
Birdshot is for birds. It’s dumb to use for self-defense unless you are stuck in a specific Alfred Hitchcock movie.
It doesn’t act as a slug at close range like some claim; it acts like birdshot. Additionally, it does not effectively penetrate deep enough to reach the vitals and shut down a threat.
What About Slugs
Slugs are solid projectiles that can easily reach the vital part of the body with devasting effectiveness.
However, they are extremely prone to over-penetration and don’t provide the multi-wound channel benefits of buckshot.
No. 4 Buck
No. 4 buckshot meets the minimum depth for proper penetration of threats. If you take a shot, it’s likely to stop a threat but not as likely as larger buckshot.
While it will work and has its ardent supporters, I’m not a fan. Plus, there don’t seem to be many tactical shotgun loads for the No. 4 buckshot.
The Classic 00 Buck
I use 00 buck because it is effective, proven, and, most importantly, they make defense-specific loadings for 00. Why is defense-specific important?
Defensive loads are designed to pattern tightly and consistently. They are high-quality loads and are often designed to have managed recoil.
This guide is all about the easy button, and if you want the easy button for defensive shotgun ammo, it’s Federal FliteControl buckshot, preferably eight pellets.
It is my favorite defensive loading by far, as it patterns extremely tight, cycles reliably, and provides low recoil to the end user.
Staging the Gun
You have your gun and ammo, and you know how it patterns. So, how do you stage your weapon for home defense?
I suggest what’s called cruiser ready.
Many shotguns are not drop-safe, so I advise storing the gun with an empty chamber with the hammer down.
This allows pump guns to cycle freely without the need to press a button to release the pump. Have the bolt forward and the magazine tube topped off and ready to shoot.
Be sure to determine other safety considerations like a safe, which we cover below.
Weapon Mounted Lights
There are very few things I’d call a must-have. For home defense shotguns, my primary must-have is a light.
A light allows you to establish positive identification when it’s dark so that you can ensure that something or someone is actually a threat.
Here are a few options.
Surefire DSF
This replaces the pump of your shotgun with a bomb-proof light. It’s only designed for the Mossberg 500/590 series and the Remington 870.
It provides 600 lumens of light, features ambidextrous controls, and even helps with muzzle rise due to its 17-ounce weight.
Streamlight TL Racker
The TL Racker is like the DSF but a bit simpler, a little lighter, and more affordable. Like the DSF, it’s only produced for the 870 and Mossberg 500/590 series.
It features a 1,000-lumen output and utilizes one massive control button on either side of the pump.
SureFire Scout Light 640U Pro Series
Let’s say you are using a semi-auto or a pump shotgun outside of the normal 870 or 500. If that’s the case, the SureFire 640U Pro Series features a new mount that’s perfect for various mounting options, including shotguns.
It’s super bright and robust, and the mounting options for M-LOK and Picatinny make it easy to attach to a variety of guns.
Be sure to check out our full article on the Best Shotgun Lights for Home Defense!
Storage
Locking your shotgun up to keep things safe can be tricky when it comes to balancing security and access. There are two options I like for home defense, and both come from Hornady.
Hornady RAPiD Safe Shotgun
This micro-sized safe is designed for pump shotguns that are not highly accessorized. It locks just over the action and requires the bolt to be open, rendering the shotgun unable to fire while in the safe.
You can mount it to the wall or floor, and it keeps the gun away from unauthorized users. The safe can be opened via a manual key, a quick entry code, or even an RFID chip for quick swipe access.
Hornady Rapid AR Gun Locker
This safe encapsulates the entire gun and is designed to hold two long guns. It provides plenty of space for firearms with red dots, side saddles, or other accessories.
The safe can fit under your bed, in a closet, or in other tight spaces. It also features the same rapid, open action of the RAPiDsafe.
Red Dots
Red dots are not necessary, but they make it faster and easier to aim in all lighting conditions. There are tons of great red dots, but I have two I prefer.
Holosun 507C
The 507C is a micro-sized pistol red dot that works perfectly for shotguns. The 507C is affordable but packed with features like a solar backup, a multiple reticle system, and a side-loading battery.
With the multi-reticle system, I selected the 32 MOA circle-only and patterned my FliteControl load inside of that circle. Within my home, I know none of the pellets will escape that circle.
Steiner MPS
The Steiner MPS is an enclosed emitter optic that utilizes the Aimpoint ACRO footprint. Unlike the ACRO, the MPS has an emitter at the top of the optic, letting it sit lower.
The reticle and lens are extremely clear, and the enclosed design increases durability. The battery life is not as good as the Holosun, but overall, the MPS is a robust, crisp optic.
Looking for more options? Take a look at our guide to the Best Optics for Your Shotgun!
Side Saddles
As mentioned earlier, reloads in a home defense scenario are uncommon. But extra ammo can’t hurt, right?
Shotgun side saddles allow you to carry spare ammo on the gun. Here are a few options if you want to pack a few more rounds.
Vang Comp Shotgun Cards
The Vang Comp shotgun cards are textile-based side saddles that attach to your gun via Velcro. They have elastic bands and hold five rounds of buckshot.
There are tons of shotgun cards out there, but the Vang Comp models are the best. They don’t bend as much as others, and the elastic is extremely high quality.
Aridus Q-DC
The Aridus Q-DC is the most overbuilt side saddle on the planet. It’s all machined aluminum and attaches via super-capable 3M sticky tape.
The Q-DC is a two-part system. One is the mount, which fits the gun, and the second is the carrier, which can detach from the mount. This allows you to have multiple carriers to reload the mount. It’s neat but expensive.
TactaLoad Flash 5
The TacataLoad Flash 5 isn’t a side saddle but a stock. It’s American-made and fits the Rmeington 870 and Mossberg 500 series shotguns.
It uses what’s essentially an internal magazine to hold five rounds of shotgun ammunition. The ammo feeds from the bottom, and it keeps the gun slim. Plus, the stock is adjustable for LOP and has sling points.
Final Thoughts
Shotguns are a fantastic option for self-defense and home defense. It’s a brilliant weapon, and with a bit of thought behind it, the shotgun can be exceedingly effective and capable.
What do you think about the shotgun for self-defense? Is it your choice? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Ready to purchase your first (or next) shotgun? Check out our article on the 5 Best Home Defense Shotguns!