Which is the best weapon for home defense? Some say handgun. some say shotgun. some say AR some say baseball bat. some day bazooka. some say just call 911. what do you think?
ive shot various rifles, an AR, many shotguns, but no handguns. I think a shotgun with buckshot is the best bet, but a semi-auto shotgun
.223 round will go through at least 5 standard size home walls. that's not very safe for your family or neighbors
Buckshot and JHP handguns round penetrate walls, too. .223 53 grain V-Max rounds won't go through that many walls.
There is no single answer to such a question, except this: Have enough Gun. In General, you will have a holstered sidearm in most encounters, so have the best option for those encounters. Often, in my experience, heavier firepower was not immediately available, it was out of reach. Over penetration in static tests is over stressed as a concern, given options such as frangible ammo etc.... and other options. Shotguns have a place too, But remember this, your hearing is a good thing, why lose it ? .. Edited to add: I never think in terms of "Home Defense" I need to defend myself with the best available means, wherever I may happen to find myself.
A German Shepherd. Will detect an intruder even when it sleeps, and you sleep. Will give its life for you.
A dog is probably the very best. Unless a pro assassin is coming after you the dog will scare away everybody else.
A handgun is the only thing that will fit under your pillow. And that's where you want your gun while you sleep. A pistol holds more ammo. And it is easier to tactically reload.
A handgun generally requires 2 hands but you can do it with 1 if you practice. But then the recoil will be significant.
Normally if you have to grab it this will be done from under your pillow or from your holster at your side.
Any firearm is better than no firearm. Some firearms are better than others, though. A lot of it depends on how much the homeowner is willing to train. Under stress, everything has to be automatic, like second nature. I am one of those people who trains regularly. So, for me, in a sudden emergency, I will access a handgun quickly. If I have some warning of danger, I'll get the shotgun out of the safe. For a trained person, it's hard to beat a 12 guage.
SBR 223/556 platform with vmax hands down. Preferably with a suppressor. Without, you'll be needing hearing aids.
It depends on the distance away too. Close up you can't beat a shotgun if you have time to go get it. Further away a carbine is better, and you will have time.
I have four different uppers, including a .458 and I do my own reloads. If I have time I would grab the .458, with it's red dot sight (My hog gun), but depending on the room I am in, and how quick I might have to respond, I have other options, my G26 with it's CT, if upstairs, I have my HK45c with its CT. At the moment, my G26 is within arm's reach.
Hard to imagine claiming self defense shooting at distance, though I would never rule out the possibility.