5 Best Shotguns for Home Defense [2020 Review]

Thanks to its raw power, ammo versatility, and high reliability, the shotgun is often the recommended pick when it comes to home-defense. However, not all shotguns are created equally as ideal for the purpose. The gun should have a short enough barrel to allow for easy maneuverability in close quarters and should include an action that allows for fast operations in critical situations. In addition, it should feature a good set of sights for easy, precise aiming, plenty of ammo capacity to reduce reload frequency, and boast a weight and balance that doesn’t fatigue the holder quickly. Below are 5 of the best shotguns for home defense in 2020. 

1. Mossberg 590AI

Weight: 7 lbs. 

Action: Pump-action 

Cartridge: 12/20 Gauge 

Effective Range: 43 yards 

Capacity: 8 + 1

The Mossberg 500 series holds the distinction of having one of the longest service lives of any shotgun. Its reliability, simplicity, and lethal performance have made it one of the most frequently brought weapons in the country, among civilians and law enforcement alike. And because of its popularity, this means that a huge selection of after-market upgrades is on offer for you to enhance the gun even further.  If you want an affordable, tried, and tested beast of shotgun that won’t fail you even in the most extreme of conditions, then look no further than the Mossberg 590AI – the beefiest and toughest of the series.     

2. Vepr-12

Weight: 9.8 lbs. 

Action: Gas-operated  

Cartridge: 12 Gauge 

Effective Range: 109 yards 

Capacity: 12 rounds 

Leave it to the Russians to think of a shotgun patterned on a semi-auto LMG. Needless to say, the Vepr-12 packs in quite a lot of power and is in use in the Russian military. Its design is highly versatile, just as good for short-range hunting and sport shooting as for home-defense. It’s really fun to shoot and isn’t heavy on maintenance. The shotgun is available in US markets, although you will have to search quite a bit to find a gun store that offers a brand new one as its imports have been banned since 2014. 

3. Remington 870 Express Tactical 

Weight: 7 lbs. 

Action: Pump-action 

Cartridge: 12 Gauge 

Effective Range: 43 yards

Capacity: 6+1

The Remington 870 is probably the longest-service shotgun that’s still in production. With 11.4 million+ units sold so far, it is also one of the most popular guns ever made in history. Unsurprisingly, you can easily find tons of accessories and upgrade for the shotgun at any gun store. This is a shotgun that has stood up to the test of time, proving its worth extremely well as a self-defense and hunting weapon. On the market, there are literally hundreds of variations to choose from, but the one that we would recommend is the Express Tactical, whose design is optimized for rapid target acquisition and precise shooting.

4. Mossberg Maverick 88

Weight: 6 lbs. 

Action: Pump-action 

Cartridge: 12/20 Gauge 

Effective Range: 43 yards

Capacity: 7 rounds 

If you are on a strict budget but don’t want to compromise much on performance or reliability, then look no further than the Maverick 88. For less than half the price of 500A1, this shotgun isn’t actually that much of a downgrade – for home defense, you can confidently put your fate in the gun performing as well as any Mossberg shotgun. While its design is a bit barebone, the good news is that almost all accessories and parts made for the 500 series can also fit the Maverick 88 perfectly.  

5. Benelli M2 Tactical

Weight: 6.7 lbs. 

Action: Inertia-operated 

Cartridge: 12 Gauge 

Effective Range: 50 yards

Capacity: 5+1

If a Mossberg 500 can be equated to be Mustang GT, the Benelli M2 Tactical would be a Lamborghini. Extremely well-crafted with a smooth flowing ergonomic design, this Italian-made shotgun is as beautiful to look at as it is lethal. Unlike other semi-auto shotguns that are gas-operated, the M2 uses a patented inertia-driven system that results in a highly smooth, fast, and reliable operation. Shooting it is extremely satisfying, and the recoil is manageable enough for rapid-firing. Through the price tag may be a bit heavy on your wallet, it is a firearm of tremendous value. If maintained properly, it can even outlast your own lifetime.

Over to You 

Which one of the above shotguns would you buy for your home defense needs? Tell your answers in the comments below. While you are here, be sure to head over to our shotgun ammunition page to restock your supply with quality 12 or 20 gauge ammo offered at the most affordable prices.