One of the most important uses for firearms is home defense. In fact, a new study published in the journal Injury Prevention last month shows that protection is the overwhelming reason Americans exercise their Second Amendment rights. It details that 78.8% of gun owners say they owned a firearm for the protection of themselves and their families. For this reason, I have rounded up 5 of the top shotguns for home defense.
5 of the Top Shotguns for Home Defense
While several types of firearms are useful for home defense purposes, shotguns are particularly effective. This is because they are easier to shoot accurately than rifles and pistols. Additionally, shotshell projectiles are less likely to penetrate walls and other hard surfaces than rifle and pistol bullets are.
Fortunately for those wanting to own a shotgun for home defense, several gunmakers produce defense-specific models. Sometimes referred to as “tactical shotguns,” they are easier to maneuver and often have more magazine capacity than sporting shotguns.
Let’s take a look at five high-quality shotguns in all price ranges made for home defense applications.
Remington 870 Synthetic Tactical
Just because the Remington 870 Synthetic Tactical is the least expensive shotgun on this list doesn’t mean it’s not a quality-made shotgun for home protection. The Remington 870 has been a stalwart in the company’s shotgun line for nearly 75 years. Like most pump shotguns, it is super easy to operate and extremely reliable.
Featuring an 18.5-inch barrel with a cylinder choke, front bead sight, and a non-glare matte finish, it has a 4+1 total shot capacity (a 6+1 version is also available). It’s chambered in 12 gauge and able to shoot both 2.75- and 3-inch shells.
It’s also drilled and tapped for an optic and sling-ready. Don’t overlook this model when searching for a defensive scattergun, especially at a street price of under $500.
Mossberg 590A1
Mossberg is a legendary name in shotguns, and there’s little wonder why—the company made its first pump gun, the Model 500, way back in 1962. For those looking for a modern-day tactical pump gun, Mossberg’s top prospect is the 590A1.
Chambered in 12 gauge and with a seven-shot or nine-shot capacity, this shotgun features a heavy-walled 20-inch barrel with a cylinder bore choke and a Parkerized finish for durability. Its overall length is 41 inches. The synthetic stock features shell storage, and it also boasts XS Ghost Ring sights for easy aiming.
Mossberg says the 590A1’s “hearty construction and proven endurance make it a prime choice for home defense applications.”
The base model starts at about $750 at gun shops.
Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical
For Mossberg fans who would prefer a semi-auto model to a pump gun, the 940 Pro Tactical should fill the bill. There are 940 Pro models made for everything from competition to duck and turkey hunting. The Pro Tactical, designed for defensive applications, is one of the latest in the line.
Available optics-ready with receiver cuts, it accepts low-profile direct mounting of Shield RMSc-pattern micro-dot sights. It is even available with a Holosun sight attached.
Features include a clean-running gas vent system with a host of corrosion-resistant internal parts/finishing, plus an enlarged/beveled loading port, elongated elevator, and anodized follower for smooth operation. Plus, the front sight is fiber-optic for easy aiming in low-light conditions.
The 940 Pro Tactical typically retails for just under $1,000 at most gun shops.
Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol
Beretta’s entry into the semi-auto home-defense shotgun market is the A300 Ultima Patrol. Engineered to be ultra-reliable and easy to manipulate, it features the classic mechanisms of the venerable A300 platform. Likewise, it features enlarged controls, an enhanced loading port, and a thinner foreend design with multiple M-Lok and QD sling mounting points.
The 7+1-shot extended magazine tube is secured by a custom barrel clamp with integral M-Lok capability. A shortened compact stock with a 13-inch length-of-pull maximizes maneuverability and handling in confined spaces, as does the 19.1-inch barrel. A gas-operated semi-auto, it is available in 12 gauge with a black synthetic stock and black finish.
The A300 Ultima Patrol can typically be found for just under $1,000 for those willing to shop around a little.
Benelli M4
At double the price of the other shotguns on this list, the Benelli M4 is truly the standard by which tactical shotguns are measured. It also happens to be one of the most copied models.
The 18.5-inch barreled 12 gauge features a black synthetic stock with several barrel finishes available. The M4’s Auto-Regulated Gas-Operated system is a unique, short-stroke, dual-piston design developed in 1998 for the M4 Tactical shotgun. It was later adopted as the U.S. Joint Services combat shotgun and remains so today.
A Ghost Ring sight makes for easy aiming, and the M4 also features a Picatinny rail on top for mounting a red-dot or other optical sighting solution.
The street price for the base model is right around $2,000. But if you “buy once, cry once,” you’ll have a top-quality defensive shotgun that will last you the rest of your life.
The post Shooting 101: Scattergun Defenders—5 Top Shotguns for Home Defense appeared first on Athlon Outdoors.
