Home Defense Weapons: Shotgun, Pistol, or AR-15

04/2024
Author: Eric
Apr 18, 2024
???? 3 mins
Pistol

Protecting yourself and your family at home is one of the primary reasons many citizens exercise their Second Amendment right and purchase a firearm. Shotguns, pistols, and AR-15s are some of the most common home defense firearms. But which one is right for you? There are pros and cons of each, so understanding each firearm will help you make an informed decision.

Shotgun

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Pros

Shotguns are simple to aim and simple to fire, making them an ideal choice for those with little experience handling firearms. You don’t need precise aiming when shooting a shotgun, you can even fire from the hip without aiming. That’s because the projectiles from a shotgun shell are designed to spread after firing.

Shotgun rounds are less likely to travel through walls compared to pistol or AR-15s. This is good to consider if you live in an apartment or have children in other rooms of your house.

Cons

Users that are new to guns can often forget to cycle their pump action shotgun, especially in a real-life home invasion scenario. That leaves them with only one round to protect themselves with. If that is a concern, perhaps consider a semi-automatic shotgun.

Shotguns also have a smaller capacity than both pistols and AR-15s.

Pistol

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Pros

Pistols are an excellent choice for home defense for experienced gun users. Even small pistols have a larger magazine capacity than most shotguns. Pistols can be secured in a lock box on your nightstand, providing easy access while keeping them out of reach of curious children. Also, a semi-automatic pistol is easy to reload, and magazines are small enough to carry with you conveniently.

Cons

Firing a pistol accurately requires considerably more skill than a shotgun does. New gun owners will require training to become proficient with a pistol.

AR-15

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Pros

If you were ever to encounter multiple threats in a home invasion, you would be glad you have an AR-15. With a standard capacity of 30 rounds, an AR-15 has more than enough firepower to deal with multiple threats.

Despite their “scary” reputation, AR-15s are actually very easy to fire. Even a beginner can get the basics down quickly.

AR-15s can be customized to accept many aftermarket accessories to give you an advantage in a home defense scenario. Flashlights, laser sights, and forward pistol grips are just a few of the accessories available.

Cons

The main drawback of an AR-15 for home use is that the bullet is designed to penetrate. That means that it will go right through walls and doors, with enough energy to hurt or kill anyone on the other side. For this reason, an AR-15 would not be a good choice for an apartment or living situations with other people in your home.

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