What shotgun works best for home defense?

I'm in the market for a shotgun for home defense and would love to hear what others recommend. I'm weighing my options between a 12-gauge and a 20-gauge. I know the 12-gauge packs more of a punch, but I’ve heard the 20-gauge has less recoil, which might be better for close quarters. What do you guys think?

What about barrel length? I assume something around 18 to 20 inches would be ideal for maneuverability. And what features should I focus on? I'm looking for reliability and ease of use in stressful situations.

Also, any recommendations on specific models or brands? I’m all about keeping it simple.

Lastly, I'm curious about training. I've shot before, but more for fun than anything serious. If I'm going to use a shotgun for home defense, what kind of practice should I consider to really be ready?

I am currently without a shotgun myself also. I am leaning toward a Mossberg 20ga or 410 with an 18" barrel. My previous shotgun was a single shot 410 loaded with the critical home defense rounds. Plenty potent for close quarter use. A 20ga would be able to do double duty as a hunting arm for large game too.

Mossberg 500/590 with 18.5" barrel is hard to go wrong. Controls are simple, parts everywhere, runs forever.

Remington 12 ga. 870 Express, 18 inch barrel, 2shot extension = 7 shots. Add a Limbsaver buttpad and sidesaddle for extra rounds. Good for anything.

Alan said:

I'm in the market for a shotgun for home defense and would love to hear what others recommend. I'm weighing my options between a 12-gauge and a 20-gauge. I know the 12-gauge packs more of a punch, but I've heard the 20-gauge has less recoil, which might be better for close quarters. What do you guys think?

What about barrel length? I assume something around 18 to 20 inches would be ideal for maneuverability. And what features should I focus on? I'm looking for reliability and ease of use in stressful situations.

Also, any recommendations on specific models or brands? I'm all about keeping it simple.

Lastly, I'm curious about training. I've shot before, but more for fun than anything serious. If I'm going to use a shotgun for home defense, what kind of practice should I consider to really be ready?

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I am an advocate for shotguns for home defense, primarily because of the limited wall penetration of a wayward shot. Don't get me wrong, pellets at close range will definitely go through most walls, but unlike a single bullet they will not penetrate as many walls nor in most cases outside of apartment living cause issues with a neighbor. In some respects all shotguns are created equal. The muzzle velocity is going to range between 1100 and 1300 feet per second. Doesn't matter if it's a 410 or a 12 gauge. The difference between a 410 and a 12 gauge is simply the number of pellets in the shell. Since we do not want to be shooting buckshot in a home or business due to the wall penetration issues, An ideal self defense load will be a shell loaded for trap or skeet shooting with #8 or #9 shot. A 410 will average around 200 #9 pellets in each shell, a 12 ga will average around 450 pellets. For self defense purposes if you hit your target at close range the 410 is just as deadly as the 12 ga. Now let's talk about the type of shotgun. Most people think that a pump action is the best for home defense. I have to disagree. Unless the person shooting the shotgun is well versed in the use of the shotgun where pumping the action in a high stress situation where the muzzle flash in a darkened room as well as the noise is going to be be somewhat debilitating. It's effect will be similar to a Flash/Bang grenade used by police. The muzzle flash will adversely affect night vision. This will result in the chance of an average person getting confused and not operating the action to reload after the first shot is quite high. In tight situations where a short barrel is going to be an advantage a 21 or 22 inch slug barrel on a semi automatic shotgun like a Remington 1100 is an advantage over a 28 inch barrel on a standard shotgun. The semi automatic will load the next shell into the chamber no matter whether someone is shocked or disoriented, a definite plus. In my humble opinion a 20 ga Remington 1100 or similar shotgun, with a short slug barrel loaded with #8 trap loads would be the optimum home defense weapon. Let the discussion begin.

You have several good points there Tabby. The auto over pump angle is a thought I hadn't considered. Another thought is that like cars you cannot out shift an automatic transmission.