Shotgun vs AR for home defense — settle this
I know this is the oldest debate but I'm setting up my HD plan and can't decide. Maverick 88 with buckshot or an AR in 5.56? I live in a single story house with kids down the hall.
Overpenetration worries me. What are you running?
8 Replies
AR with a suppressor and the right ammo choice. 77gr TMK or similar will dump all its energy fast and not zip through multiple walls. Shorter barrel helps too - 10.5" or 11.5" SBR is perfect for this role. Yeah it costs more with the tax stamps but the hearing protection alone is worth it, especially indoors.
Both will work but I'm team shotgun. Used them in clearing houses overseas and they're devastating up close. Maverick 88 is a solid choice - same action as the 500. Load it with 00 buck and you're good to go. Keep it simple, train with whatever you choose.
For HD with kids in the house, I'd lean toward the AR honestly. Yeah I know that's not the popular answer but hear me out - you can load it with something like 55gr soft points that'll fragment and not overpenetrate as much as people think. Shotgun's great but in close quarters it's harder to maneuver and follow-up shots are slower. My HD gun is actually an old M1 Carbine but I wouldn't recommend that for everyone lol.
Shotgun all day. 20ga with #3 buck if you can find it, or #4 buck works great too. Less recoil than 12ga, easier for follow-ups, and plenty of stopping power. I've got a Mossberg 500 by the bed. The sound of racking that slide is worth its weight in gold as a deterrent. Plus shells are way cheaper than 5.56 for practice.
This is the content I come here for. Thanks OP.
Thanks for sharing. Been lurking for a while and this finally made me want to comment.
That's a steal at that price honestly. I paid way more for mine.
My two cents — don't overthink it. Just get what feels right in your hand and train with it.