A Short Take On Long Guns For Home Defense
Image: Bear Creek Arsenal
Personal defense experts are quick to remind those who carry a firearm for self-defense that the absolute last thing anyone wants to find themselves in is a prolonged shootout.
The same holds true when it comes to firearms for home defense. The mentality should be about protecting the family from intruders, not holding off a zombie apocalypse or stopping an assault from a criminal cartel.
If the need comes to defend the home, part of any game plan should include quickly gaining access to the firearm and dialing 911 as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Help won’t come if the authorities aren’t notified.
Long before a tactical plan needs to be considered, which could include everything from where family members should head in a crisis to the appropriate secure storage of a firearm, the first step is determining the right weapon for home defense. In this instance, we’re looking at long guns specifically.
Long Guns & Home Defense
While Joe Biden is far from an authority on anything related to firearms, in a now-infamous 2013 video interview when he was VP, he suggested shotguns were the way to go over semi-automatic rifles.
He even recommended to then-Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden that firing “two blasts” would deter an intruder. Mr. Biden’s opinion on firearms has routinely been questioned, and such advice would be considered dangerous, to say the least.
Yet, there is a perception that shotguns could be better suited than other long guns, with supporters stating it is a “safer option” and easier to use for the untrained. Both of those arguments could fall into the “dangerous misinformation” category.
“Buckshot will have no problem penetrating drywall,” warned Barret Kendrick, who regularly serves as an expert witness in firearms-related trials. “People think shotguns are less dangerous, but a slug is still a heavy projectile and can penetrate two-by-four framing in a house.”
Kendrick did acknowledge Biden had a point: Pump shotguns can offer a psychological effect; the ratcheting of the weapon is an unmistakable sound.
“There is some truth in that statement,” Kendrick told Shooting Industry. “But when it comes to personal defense, a psychological factor isn’t something we can or should count on.”
For this reason, Kendrick praises the merits of a rifle.
“An AR-15 can be easier to use than a shotgun. It offers options including a collapsible buttstock that makes it easier to fit a particular situation,” Kendrick added, noting it provides flexibility for a woman to use. “A shotgun isn’t something a 5’2″ woman may want to take the time to practice with, and shotguns have a lower rate of fire. An AR-15 can be managed better, and can allow the shooter to follow up with multiple shots if necessary.”
John J. Motil, general manager of the Tactical Defense Institute, shared much of the sentiment shotguns can be “awesome” for home defense when wielded by a large-framed individual who is used to the recoil. He also warned it can result in serious “over-penetration” in an urban setting.
“Buckshot requires it be patterned at the various distances an individual may encounter inside or even outside their home,” Motil further emphasized.
Gun shop owners and managers should consider these points when preparing sales staff. Other factors might include the customer’s type of house — even when it was built — when directing someone to what may be best suited to their needs.
In other words, a one-size-fits-all approach may not be the answer.
The Case For Shotguns
There are still those who suggest shotguns could be a good choice in older homes with wet plaster walls and long hallways.
“Shotguns offer superior stopping power with generally lower penetration than other options like pistols and rifles,” suggested Linda Powell, director of media relations at Mossberg. “Shotguns can be an affordable option, particularly pump actions, and there is a wide range of shotshells available. And many defensive shotguns offer the ability to customize or add accessories based on your individual needs. Overall, the shotgun is a versatile home-defense option.”
Mossberg now offers an extensive line of personal/home defense options including semi-autos like the 940 Pro Tactical/SA-20; pump-action models including the 590A1/590/500/Maverick 88; and even over-and-under options with the Silver Reserve.
“Ultimately, the most important features are reliability and durability; shotguns that have been proven in the field,” added Powell.
Shotguns were also touted as the strong option at Arnzen Arms in Eden Prairie, Minn., where owner Daniel Arnzen recommends either a semi-auto shotgun, such as the Benelli M2, or a pump shotgun like the Remington 870 for the budget-conscious.
“We recommend 12-gauge shotguns with 3″ chambers so they can chamber buckshot, slugs or other self-defense loads,” Arnzen advised.
Semi-Auto Options
Despite the high praise for shotguns, Arnzen said there are still times when a semi-automatic rifle can also be a good option.
“For home defense rifles, a 9mm carbine such as the JP-5 or any AR-15 would also be recommended,” Arnzen added. “We strongly recommend silencers for both of these options, as well as for handguns, due to the risk of hearing damage when firing indoors with no ear protection.”
“AR-15s are ergonomically easier to hold and manipulate,” Motil continued. “It allows for higher ammunition capacity and a loaded chamber, which isn’t recommended with a shotgun.”
Semi-autos also offer more ammunition selection options and can be fitted with a variety of accessories including lights and suppressors that can make the firearms more adaptable to home and personal defense.
Other Long-Gun Options
When it comes to home defense, any long gun can be used in a pinch, but it’s far from recommended today. Unless someone needs to defend a ranch on the frontier, bolt-action military surplus rifles and most hunting rifles may be ill-suited to the task. Those firearms are designed for long-distance shooting and aren’t ideal within a confined space.
Shorter lever actions are an option, but there are still some caveats, warned Motil.
“If all I had was a lever gun then I would use it, but I’ve personally short-stroked the lever and seen others do the same causing a malfunction,” he explained.
Motil also acknowledged, “All the lever-gun manufacturers are offering a tactical version with M-LOK forends and rails on the receiver now, so I guess they’re here to stay. I’d probably skip the .45-70 version unless I’m in bear country.”
Tailored To The Need
The best option for personal and home defense may simply come down to the situation. Thus, a single long gun may not even address every scenario.
“Inside the home, a shotgun is impossible to beat,” said the manager at Hux Customs in Chubbuck, Idaho [name withheld by request]. But he added, “As soon as you step outside the door, the AR is the firearm of choice for most. High capacity, low recoil and better range can be reached if needed.”
Picking the right firearm — as well as recommending the right option to customers — is about understanding the house and property, the customer and their skill and/or comfort zone.
“You’re responsible for every projectile that comes out of your firearm,” stated Amie Moore, affiliate marketing manager at Bear Creek Arsenal in Sanford, N.C. “You need to know what your range is, what you are capable of in times of high stress and what is behind your target. You don’t want to shoot at a robber and possibly hit walls behind them where other family members would be. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Having a variety of options is key and knowing what to do/expect and training with all of them is important.”
