A shotgun is one of the best home defense weapons for a prepper to add to his stockpile. It has unmatched firepower and is easy to use, especially for people who are unfamiliar with firearms.
Firepower-wise, a 12-gauge shotgun shell packed with 00 buckshot hits as hard as four or five rounds of .45 ACP. An individual pellet has the same stopping power as a .380 ACP round – and there are eight to 15 of them in each shell.
Furthermore, a shotgun needs far less training than other types of firearms. A person needs to practice a lot with a pistol or a rifle before he can hit a target reliably. With a shotgun, he only needs to aim the muzzle at the general direction of the threat.
A home defense scenario is a highly nerve-wracking event, even for armed homeowners. The stress will affect the aim of most individuals.
The wide blast pattern of a shotgun goes a long way to compensate for poor aim. An inexperienced gun user gets a better chance of hitting an intruder with a spray of buckshot compared to several shots with a pistol. (Related: Prepping for survival also prepares you for retirement.)
Tips on selecting a home defense shotgun
Before buying a shotgun for home defense, a prepper must learn how to handle and use a gun in the right way. He also needs to get some experience in firing shotguns.
Get help from a trusted person who is knowledgeable about guns. Learn proper firearms and self-defense techniques.
After getting armed with the right knowledge, it's time to arm up with a shotgun. For pure home defense, get a tactical shotgun. Also called a combat shotgun, a tactical weapon features a shorter barrel and a set of quality sights. Users will find it much easier to carry and use this type of gun inside their homes and other cramped indoor environments.
Avoid automatic shotguns. They are costly, complicated, are prone to jamming, and attract attention. Instead, get a simpler, more reliable pump-action or semi-automatic gas-operated model.
Preppers can never go wrong with 00 buckshot. It has the best stopping power and penetration among buckshot. Military forces and police departments use this dependable round in their shotguns.
Birdshot fires a lot of small pellets at the target. It is deadly at close range but useless at longer distances. It also doesn't have the power to punch through the walls of a house, which helps it limit collateral damage.
Don't rely on the sound of racking the shotgun slide to intimidate and drive off intruders. Some users recommend keeping a live round in the chamber of the shotgun. The downside to this practice is the higher risk of accidentally firing the gun.
Recommended shotgun models for first-time users
Mossberg and Remington offer several models of tactical shotguns that are excellent for home defense purposes.
The Mossberg 500 Tactical is a relatively affordable but effective choice for a starting shotgun. The 500 Flex version lets users convert the weapon from home defense to hunting and back in just a few seconds.
Preppers and gun buyers with more bucks to spare may try the Mossberg 590 Tactical shotgun. It offers more features such as tri-railed forends for mounting lasers and lights and an adjustable stock that lets the user alter its length of pull with ease.
The Remington 870DM adds tactical features to the 870 lineage. It comes with a detachable six-round magazine that makes reloading much quicker and easier.
Other manufacturers may offer products with similar or better accuracy, ease of use, and firepower. Test as many models as possible before making the final decision on a home defense shotgun.
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