Derrek Sigler 05.19.21
Just about all of us have a shotgun or three in the gun safe. These versatile firearms work well for many situations and are a great tool for home defense and hunting. We all have our favorite shotguns and the reasons why we like them are even more varied. While there are plenty of specialized shotguns on the market, including competition and home-defense shotguns, I’m sticking just to hunting guns, because they can work for just about any situation. What makes the best shotgun for home defense is an opinion as diverse as who makes the best pickup truck. I’ll touch on this again in a moment. Just know that the shotguns I’m including below are ones I have had a lot of experience with, and if your shotgun doesn’t make the cut, it’s not because it’s a bad gun. It just means it didn’t fit me well, or I haven’t spent enough time with it to feel I know it. With that in mind, these are the best shotguns for hunting and home that you can buy.
Please note that the shotguns listed below are currently available online, which means, like all online firearm sales, they will have to ship to your local FFL dealer for the transfer paperwork and NICS background check. If you are unfamiliar with how this works, please feel free to drop us a line, or contact the online firearm dealer, who will happily walk you through the process of becoming a legal firearm owner.
Cover image: Shutterstock/SolidMaks
Table of Contents
1. Benelli M1014 Limited Edition – Home Defense Pick
If you’re looking for the ultimate home defense shotgun, you really can’t go wrong with the Benelli M1014. This shotgun is currently in use by the United States Marine Corps. If it’s tough enough for the Marines, I’d trust my life to it. This 12-gauge semi-auto holds 5+1 shells in either 2-3/4 or 3-inch. It can easily be disassembled in the field without tools and has accessory stocks and grips to customize it to your needs.
Now, I’ll admit, I’ve always been a little skeptical of semi-auto shotguns for defense, when a pump is more reliable. In fact, we recommend a pump for your home defense shotgun. But… This one is very different. The M1014 uses Benelli’s ARGO (auto regulating gas operation) system with dual stainless self-cleaning gas pistons located forward of the chamber and operated directly against Benelli’s own rotating bolt. What this system does is eliminate many of the moving parts that can jam up a semi-auto shotgun, and makes it easier to clean and keep clean. If price isn’t an issue for you, get the M1014.
Pros/Doesn’t jam up like some other semi-auto shotguns
Cons/Only the price holds it back
Bottom Line/The best shotgun for home defense – U.S. Marine tested and approved
2. Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus KO – Editor’s Pick Hunting
I’ll admit, I struggled deciding between two shotguns as my top pick.I’ll get to the other one in just a moment, but at the top of the list, I ultimately went with the Beretta A400 because the majority of the time, it is the shotgun I grab when heading out to the goose or duck blinds. This is a gas-operated semi-auto that chambers up to 3-½ inch shells. It is outfitted with all kinds of goodness that increase accuracy and durability, while also reducing felt recoil – something worth noting when shooting heavy loads for geese and turkey. The stock has both synthetic material designed to slide across your skin smoothly, allowing you to not feel as much shock from the gun, and a specially-designed hydraulic dampening reduction system that reduces felt recoil as much as 44%. The new Steelium barrels are more durable and consistent than ever before, with a design that increases pattern uniformity and even more recoil reduction. I’ve been shooting a version of this shotgun for years now and even though the price is up there, I am most comfortable with it and it makes me a better shooter. That’s worth a lot to me.
Pros/Recoil reduction is huge, quality of construction and it feels great
Cons/Price and it takes a little extra cleaning
Bottom Line/This is a price-is-no-object kinda shotgun, but it’s worth it in my opinion
3. Mossberg Maverick 88 Security – Budget Pump Pick
If you’re going to have a dedicated shotgun for home defense, you don’t really have to spend a lot on it. After all, the shotgun will only be used for some practice and, hopefully not for actual defense. This is what makes the Mossberg Maverick 88 Security model just about perfect for a home defense shotgun. This is an 8-shot 12-gauge that has the basic internals similar to the Mossberg 500 (but not quite). It’s a Mossberg so reliability is not an issue. It is chambered for 2-3/4 and 3-inch shells with either an 18.5-inch or 20-inch barrel. The Maverick 88 Security has a cylinder bore choke for maximum spread. And for less than $400, you cannot go wrong.
Pros/Reliable 8-shot home defense shotgun
Cons/None for this price range and intended use
Bottom Line/If you want an inexpensive, reliable pump shotgun for home defense, look at the Mossberg
4. Benelli Super Black Eagle II – Editor’s Pick Part II
Yes, I know there is a Super Black Eagle III on the market. I’ve shot it and REALLY like it, but I haven’t spent as much time with it as I have the SBEII, and the SBEII is around $400-500 less. Contrary to the Beretta, the Benelli is an inertia driven system, meaning the recoil of the spent shell is what cycles the gun’s action. This does a few things. One, it creates fewer internal parts inside the gun. It also helps reduce the felt recoil and on a shotgun that cycles 3-½ inch shells, that helps. Does it reduce it as much as the Beretta KO system? No, at least not for me. However, recoil doesn’t bother me much, especially in a hunting situation. If I have a flock of geese dropping in over my head in the cut cornfield, I can guarantee I won’t feel the shots.
Durability is a key selling point to the Benelli. I’ve seen them dropped in the mud, and into the water, and still work flawlessly. Benelli adds some gel-tech material to the stock for recoil, and the barrels are crio-treated for consistency and accuracy. Are the SBEIII’s worth the added cost? I honestly can’t say yet. I’m looking forward to trying out one this fall, so I will let you know for sure.
Pros/It shoots – every time!
Cons/More felt recoil and doesn’t cycle lighter shells as well
Bottom Line/If you want a shotgun you can paddle your boat with and still hunt, try a Benelli
5. Stoeger M3000 – Budget Hunting Pick
Stoeger is basically Benelli’s little brother. They get the hand-me-downs and don’t even get to play on the same ballfield. Truth be told, Stoegers are made to similar designs as its Benelli parentage, just made by Turkish craftsmen instead of Italian. This is really good news for someone in the market for a budget-friendly semi-auto. The M3000 is an inertia-driven (where have we seen this before) shotgun that shares basic designs with the Benelli M2 and SBE. Is it the same? No, but it is similar enough that you’ll appreciate how well these guns work.
The biggest difference is the break-in time. You grab a Benelli and you’re shooting right out of the box with a smooth action. Stoegers tend to need a box or two of shells run through them, and a good cleaning or two before you’ll see your best performance. Don’t overlook SToeger if you’re in the market for an affordable shotgun.
Pros/Works great and shares many Benelli parts
Cons/Needs a good break-in period for optimal performance
Bottom Line/This is one of the best shotguns in this price range
6. STANDARD MFG DP12 – Wrong House Pick
Intimidation Factor-HIGH
The Standard MFG DP-12 is one of the more intimidating shotguns for home defense that you will find. Why’s that? Well, it’s a double-barrel bullpup-style shotgun with a 14+2 capacity of 12-gauge goodness. This is a serious shotgun that can deliver a massive amount of lead shot in short order. The dual barrels are set up with the company’s Spreader chokes that produce a brutal pattern of shot at 25 yards. The whole shotgun is just 29.5 inches long with dual 18.78-inch barrels. There is a full-length picatinny rail for optics mounting and slots to add more accessories, like lights and lasers. This home defense shotgun screams out – You picked the wrong house, punk.
Pros/Double barrel 12-gauge with 16 shot capacity
Cons/The price is a little high
Bottom Line/If you want to lay down a massive amount of lead, this will do it.
7. Savage Renegauge – New Pick
Fans of the Stevens line of shotguns know that Savage had it in them to make really nice, functional shotguns, so when they dropped the American-made Renegauge on us, it really hit home just how well the company is at making high-quality firearms. Built around Savage’s patented D.R.I.V. (Dual Regulating Inline Valve) gas system, the Renegauge quick hit the ground running with a reputation for being able to handle any load up to 3 inches and cycle it remarkably smooth and fast. Its the fast cycle speed that really hit home with me, as well as how the gun felt in my hands. It is unlike any hunting semi-auto shotgun I’ve tried with how it fits and feels, but it really works. This is one of those times you can definitely believe the hype.
Pros/Super fast cycling and great feel
Cons/New enough that finding aftermarket choke is harder right now
Bottom Line/If you’re thinking of buying one, do it.
8. Weatherby Orion – Over/Under Pick
Over and under shotguns are where the money is. You can find them costing over $10,000, and for as little as $400 or less. O/U are versatile shotguns and are a personal favorite for upland birds and competition shooting. These are also, in my opinion, the most visually appealing shotguns. How do you find the balance of aesthetics, functionality, quality and value? A great place to go is by looking at the Weatherby Orion. It has a forged steel receiver and Grade A walnut is used for the stock. The walnut is a big deal for me. I love the look and feel of walnut regardless of what it is used for, and on my “pretty” guns, it’s a must. This shotgun comes with spare choke tubes and is just a fun gun to shoot. The price tag is quite reasonable, too. It’s not the cheapest, but it won’t hurt much either.
Pros/Grade A walnut stocks, points great
Cons/I’d like to have seen more choke tubes included for more uses
Bottom Line/A great example of a quality O/U shotgun that shoots great and you’d be proud to own
Missing shotguns
I guarantee that some of you are scoffing at this article right now because there are several extremely popular shotguns missing from the list. Trust me, I get it. As you know, there has been a run on firearms and ammunition in recent months, to the point that finding what you want in stock can be tough. That’s where I started when I went to make up this list. I went through and picked out 15 shotguns I would include on my best shotguns list, and then went to see how many of them were readily available. The list dwindled quickly.
You would definitely find more Mossbergs, a Browning or two, at least one Winchester, Franchi and more on my best shotguns for home defense and hunting list, and when those start showing back up in stock for more than a few minutes, I’ll update and add them. I don’t want you to read this and say, “He’s full of it for not including the Mossberg 500!” I just didn’t want to tell you to get one and for you to not be able to. I’m not that mean!
The types of shotgun actions
When it comes to shotguns, there are a multitude of action types (how the firearm operates) that you can choose from. From semi-automatic, to single-shots, over and under’s and side-by-side double barrels, you definitely are not short on options when it comes to a home defense shotgun. The most popular choice, and our pick as the best shotgun action for home defense, is a pump action, like the Benelli Nova Tactical. There are three main reasons why we’d go for a pump over any other shotgun. Hopefully there will be some available soon.
- Reliability – Pumps flat out work and are easy to operate.
- Round Count – Compared to other action types, a pump will often hold more shells, giving you more ammo at the ready.
- Fear Factor – It might be cliché, but the CLICK CLACK of a pump shotgun has proven to deter a home invasion pretty quickly; it’s nearly a universal language
Fitting your shotgun
Fit is vital to shotgun performance. If it doesn’t fit you right, you won’t hit nearly as much as you’d like. Let’s look at some common areas. Length of pull is the measurement between the apex of the trigger and the middle of the butt. If the length is too long, the shotgun won’t come to your shoulder pocket, or the balance of the shotgun will be too far forward to accurately shoot. Many shotguns come with a spacer set to perfect the length of pull, and it really works well to have someone watch you mount the shotgun to your shoulder to tell if it’s going to work.
Drop is another element of fit. To figure out drop, you need to shoot a bunch, preferably at a consistent target. If you’re shooting high, your shotgun mount, where your cheek rests on the stock (comb), is also too high. If you’re consistently low, you need to raise the comb. One way to figure this out is to see how your eye lines up with the bead at the end of the barrel. Sounds daunting, but to fit everything right, it just takes time and patience. If you need help, a quality gunsmith can have you busting birds in no time.
Types of shotgun ammo, and recommendations for home defense
There is also a lot of debate over what type of ammo is best for home defense. There is fine, or birdshot, heavy or buckshot and then slugs, which are solid chunks of lead/copper that were designed mostly for big game hunting. We’d have to say bird or buckshot is, by far, the better option. And even this is a huge debate. Check out some different options in shotgun ammo here.
Will a slug have more ftlbs. of energy? Yes, but there is a tremendous downside if you miss your mark. You could shoot through drywall or doors and potentially injure loved ones. There is also more felt recoil, which can throw you off your target in case you need a follow up shot. Buckshot or birdshot is a better option. At close range, both are going to put a serious hurting on anyone dumb enough to cause you to pull the trigger. If you want proof, take even a light birdshot load, like #8 shot, and fire it at a target from about 10-15 feet away. Buckshot, like #2, or 00, has a similar effect to being shot with a handgun 5-7 times all at once, but with more energy behind it. There are also some defensive .410 loads that use disk-shaped buckshot-style pellets. If you are going with a .410, take a look at them. They are crazy destructive.
Which is a better choice between buckshot or birdshot? Opinions vary, even here at our offices. Some of us have buckshot loaded in our shotguns, while others have birdshot. The new short shot shells, like the latest from Federal, give you more options and capacity, as you can stuff quite a few more into your shotgun magazine. Either type of shot will be highly effective, especially at close range.
Shotgun accessories
There are no shortages of accessories you can add to your home defense shotgun. There are replacement fore ends with tactical flashlights and laser sites that add an extra element to your home defense shotgun. You can add shell carriers that give you more ammo close at hand. A good one is the Monstrum Side Mount for the Mossberg 500/590 and Shockwave. It’s cheap, adds extra ammo close at hand and adds a picatinny rail for optics mounting. If space is a concern, you can often replace the buttstock with a pistol grip, too. The flashlight option is not only helps identify who is digging through your fridge at 3AM – an intruder or your drunk, but lovable neighbor – but it can also be a deterrent.
Not all crooks are brave. If they hear CLICK CLACK followed by a flashlight and/or laser sight beam coming down the hallway, there is a good chance they will bail out and run for the hills. Remember, the best resolution to any home invasion/conflict is prevention or de-escalation. No one wants to get hurt and discharging a firearm should be a last resort. Once you pull the trigger, everything changes.
The flashlight option can be good, especially when you have both hands on the shotgun, but there is a very serious downside. Whatever you’re pointing the flashlight at, you’re also pointing the barrel of a loaded gun at. What if it is that drunk neighbor? Or, your own child? One of the first and paramount rules of firearm safety is – Never point the muzzle at anything you’re unwilling to destroy. Most police officers we know say to skip the flashlight all together and not give away your position until you have a better handle on who/what you’re dealing with. It’s all a matter of personal choice, however, so add the accessories that you think will fit your home defense needs.
How much should I spend on a shotgun?
Spend as much as you want, but make sure the shotgun you buy has a decent track record for operation and safety.
What gauge, or bore size is best for home defense?
Shotgun gauges range from .410 bore, all the way up to the mighty 10-gauge, although we wouldn’t recommend the later. A 10-gauge is going to be pretty brutal to handle in a defensive situation. If you want to know which we would recommend, the answer is – Whatever you feel comfortable shooting. And that applies to everyone, male and female alike. One of the things that really grates on us is when a woman goes gun shopping and get stereotyped by the salesman. “Here, let me show you something that’ll suit you, little lady.” Get some experience and try as many as you can before you decide.
If you ask yourself, will a 12-gauge work for home defense, the answer is simple. The larger the gauge translates to more payload and more destructive energy being delivered to your target. This leads some to say that bigger is always better. But will a 20-gauge work for home defense? Certainly. The same can be said for a .410, too. The .410 has had a burst of popularity lately thanks to Taurus producing the Judge revolver that shoots .410 or .45 Long Colt. This has produced a large amount of development in .410 loads for home defense. Whatever you can comfortably shoot, and can shoot well, will work. Even the lightest .410 load will seriously make an intruder rethink his life plans, albeit however shorter they may be at that point.
Can I shoot slugs through any shotgun?
No. You need to make sure the barrel of your shotgun is rated for slugs, and then follow the manufacturer’s rules for chokes and slug type. You’ll get the best performance out of a slug-specific barrel.
Can I have too many shotguns?
Silly question. No, of course not, You can never own too many.
About the Author
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.