Crime rates are rising country-wide. Whatever the reason for that increase in crime doesn’t change the fact that you need a way to protect yourself.
Don’t wait for a bad guy with a gun to threaten you and your family at a time when you don’t have a gun yourself. It’s time to consider purchasing self defense guns for your home.
If you’re new to the world of firearms, have no worries. We’re here to guide you through the best options for every kind of gun owner. Let’s look at some of the best self defense guns for your home.
Should You Get a Shotgun, Rifle, or Pistol?
Before you even begin your search for the right home defense guns, you may need to narrow down exactly what kind of gun you’re looking for. Common choices for beginner guns and self-defense guns are shotguns, rifles, and pistols. But which is right for you?
There are pros and cons to each option, and ultimately it depends on your expected uses for the gun and your comfort level. Let’s take a look at the compelling reasons to buy each of them.
Benefits of a Shotgun
The shotgun is a common choice for a home defense firearm. This is because the spray of pellets takes away some of the need to aim. This is helpful in stressful situations where you may not have the time or focus to aim super accurately. You’re still likely to hit your target even if you don’t have the best aim.
While that aspect makes them an easier gun to shoot, there is a tradeoff. Shotguns are known for having a great deal of recoil which can be uncomfortable for inexperienced gun handlers. Especially if you’re a smaller person, you may want to go with one of the other guns on this list.
Benefits of a Rifle
Rifles have a lot more stability than shotguns. They can also hold more ammo which means you won’t have to take as much time to load or reload in an emergency.
ARs are often recommended for home defense and as beginner guns because they’re so easy to handle but offer a lot of power.
The downside is that the power comes with the risk of bullet penetration. Rifle bullets can easily tear through walls and can be hard to control in very enclosed spaces (such as hallways). The last thing you want is for your AR bullets to end up somewhere they weren’t supposed to.
Benefits of a Handgun
Self defense handguns are popular for a number of reasons. First of all, they aren’t just home defense guns. Concealed carry laws mean that you can bring a handgun with you to any situation where you feel your life may be at risk. You can’t really do that with an AR or shotgun.
Handguns and pistols are very easy to maneuver, and while the bullet may be less powerful, it will still get the work done that you need it to. You have to aim a little more with a pistol, but with plenty of ammo, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get it right.
Handguns are perfect for use in the tight confines of a home, and you don’t have to worry that a bullet will go through a wall and injure someone else.
Hybrid Options
There are, of course, hybrid options that bring in the best of all the worlds when it comes to self defense guns.
A pistol caliber carbine such as an AR-9 has the benefits of both a pistol and a rifle in one gun. They’re easy to maneuver and don’t have as much bullet penetration. But they still have enough power and ammo room to take out the bad guy.
The Best Self Defense Guns
By now, you’ve probably narrowed down the category of gun that you’re most interested in. Let us guide you through the best options within those categories.
They’ve all been tested for accuracy, reliability, ammo capacity, and ease of use.
SIG SAUER MK25 P226
The Sig Sauer MK25 P226 is an excellent choice for a home defense handgun. It even comes with a night sight to help make sure that you can defend yourself even in the confusing dark of the night.
This pistol fits snugly in your hand for the best control and is made of ultra-durable materials. It fits fifteen rounds of ammo which is part of the reason that it’s one of the top choices among Navy SEALs.
If you want to find out about Sig Sauer handguns and rifles, see more here.
RUGER 1707 GP100
If you’re looking for something a little heftier than a short revolver, we have to recommend the Ruger 1707 GP100. This six-inch barrel makes it easier to aim, and the bullet power packs quite the punch.
It’s a great choice for home safety because of its patented transfer bar mechanism. It protects against accidental discharge which makes it the ideal gun for homes with children and for nervous gun handlers. It also has very little recoil.
Radian Model 1
Are you looking for a rifle for your home defense? Look no further than the Radian Model 1.
This ambidextrous firearm is based on the AR-15 model. However, unlike the AR-15 it can be unlocked with either hand, and you can drop the magazine from either side.
Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy
Some areas have restrictions against semi-automatic rifles, which means you’ll need something more manual. The Henry Repeated Arms Big Boy is a manual rifle, but it’s still easy to use and powerful.
It’s a repeating rifle but the action is manual.
Protect Your Home and Family
No matter what your comfort level is with firearms, there are self defense guns that are right for you and your family. Balance your priorities of safety, power, efficacy, and ease to find the perfect firearm for you.
Looking for more home safety advice? Check out our Lifestyle section for more!