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Is a handgun better for home defense than a rifle or a shotgun?

Why or why not? Thanks for the info.

Update:

Just to clarify, we already own a rifle and a shotgun, which my husband uses for hunting and target practice. Are those good enough for home defense, or would it be better for us to have a handgun too?

Update 2:

Just to clarify, we already own a rifle and a shotgun, which my husband uses for hunting and target practice. Are those good enough for home defense, or would it be better for us to have a handgun too?

Update 3:

Shoot--I didn't mean to post that last thing twice! That was a glitch.

Update 4:

Thank you for all the great answers. You've given me a lot to think about and brought up points that I hadn't even considered before. I don't know if I'm going to be able to pick Best Answer because I found so many answers helpful. It sounds like a shotgun and a handgun are the best to have on hand, with the rifle not being best for this purpose. I'm going to look into taking classes at a local shooting range to give me more experience and knowledge.

22 Answers

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  • Klogg
    Lv 4
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    A rifle is not ideal because the round has more penetration power and will go through your target, through the wall, and hit whatever is outside your house, be it a person, a pet, or another house. A shotgun is good, especially for those who are not extremely confident in their marksmanship. A handgun is my personal preference because it is small and concealable and still has the stopping power necessary to repel any intruder.

  • 8 years ago

    There are a lot of factors there. One of the primary ones is: what are you comfortable with? How much shooting have you done? What is your neighborhood like, what sorts of crimes or risks are common there?

    Shotguns are a heavily preferred favorite for many people. They tend to be simple, reliable and effective, with less risk of a pellet going somewhere it wasn't meant to and hurting a neighbor or something. There is a compromise though, it is a longer weapon than a handgun, and you might find yourself close to an attacker giving them an opportunity to take the shotgun away or get close enough that you have a hard time bringing the shotgun to bear on them.

    Rifles... I don't have a rifle I would really consider great for home defense. The certainly can have the power to protect you, but you run the risk of a missed shot creating problems for someone else. Plus they have the same disadvantages as a shotgun.

    Handguns generally require more skill to use effectively than a shotgun. Depending on the caliber, you may have more power and more risk than you need. On the other side of the spectrum, there are plenty of hand guns that have less power than I would want if I had to use it.

  • 8 years ago

    If you live in an area in which you are concerned about home intrusions, I would want a handgun because it is easier to use than a rifle or a shotgun.

    The problem with a shotgun is that you're probably going to kill whomever you shoot. A rifle is usually best with some distance between you and your target. A pistol is best for short-range shooting, and are not very accurate at any distance.

    The best thing about a pistol is that it's easy to fire, and if someone is trying to break in (and you hear them) you may be able to shoot through a door and scare them off. Your best bet is to visit your local police department and ask them what's the best gun to have for home defense. They'll know what has been used in your area and what has been most effective.

  • J
    Lv 6
    8 years ago

    I think you're fine with a rifle or shotgun. Handguns are going to be less accurate. The shotgun is going to be a pretty simple point and shoot option. Also, handgun rounds are bad at stopping and/or killing someone unless you shoot the in the "T" zone (nose/eye area of the face, which is difficult to hit) or right in the heart, which isn't easy. A shotgun blast is going to be very devastating to a home intruder. The rifle will be too. Just make sure good bullets or shells are loaded for stopping people; no full metal jacket rifle rounds.

    Source(s): Police Officer, Washington State B.A. Law and Justice
  • 8 years ago

    Usually a shotgun and or a rife are put up in a case in the closet or under the bed . I f you have an

    intruder inside the house you don't want to make any noise looking for the gun. Handgun is best. If

    your husband were to be in a fight with the intruder a shotgun would be worthless. At the same time

    if you shoot at a distance with either shotgun or the rife, you might have a harder time proving self-

    defense in a court of law. Many people keep a shotgun for the fear factor. Hope you never need it.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    You sound such as you have bought your self on the handgun. yet, in protection of the shotgun for homestead protection and protection, maximum cutting-part shotguns carry a minimum of 5 to eight rounds, in the event that they have a pump action. (there's a plug interior the reciever tube under the barrel which will nicely be bumped off.) in addition they might nicely be left in a very loaded situation effectively, if the chamber is cracked open a hair. in this type, with the protection off, the gun won't hearth till the chamber is closed, which will nicely be achieved by utilising purely choosing the gun up by utilising the slider shelter. as far as speedy-firing, on the pump-type weapons, it extremely is slightly familiar secret which you purely might desire to pull the set off as quickly as, and then shop it held because of the fact the pump action is worked. each and every time the chamber closes, the interlock will hearth the gun for you ! (and liberate the chamber, too !) And, in terms of sheer firepower, knockdown, or possibility aspects, i could be a lot greater frightened of a shotgun than a pea-shooter of any high quality! a solid determination for loading a house-protection shotgun as far because of the fact the shells circulate, i could decide for a 2&3/4 shell length for twelve guages, and start up with a #6 around observed by utilising a # 6, back, observed by utilising a #4 , then a 00-buckshot load, with the two a 2d 00-dollar around or the crusher: a unmarried .seventy 5 inch slug that could crack a motor block or punch by way of a blocklite wall conveniently ! no longer even a .40 5 magazine handgun can try this so impressively !

  • 8 years ago

    For home defense you are better off using a shotgun loaded with 00 buck shot. You will have a much greater hit ratio than any other gun in close combat because of the scatter shot. If you put solid slugs in the shotgun then you lose your great advantage.

  • A gun is gonna kill somebody no matter what type it is. Yes a handgun is easier to control and easier to use indoors though. A handgun chambered in .45 ACP is probably your best bet for a home defense weapon. It's small, easy to hide, easy to control and fire accurately with practice, and is one of the best man stoppers around.

  • 8 years ago

    The Shotgun. Load with #8 bird shot. Will not penetrate that far, but in a hit close enough will cause an immediate cessation of hostilities. Plus, if it is a pump, the noise should do the trick.

    Source(s): Real Life
  • ?
    Lv 4
    8 years ago

    Depends on what your comfortable with really, the shotgun is pure intimidation. And rifles have nice power and distance if needed, but i prefer my 9mm. I have it loaded with +P hollow point rounds, which are enough to stop a person, and will not over penetrate. I train with the handgun and find it much easier to navigate hallways and tight spaces with, plus its my concealed carry gun so its my most comfortable.

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