Shotgun vs. AR15 for home defense

[Benelli Shooter]

I want to hear the most up to date thinking on this subject. I know this has been discussed before. However, sometimes thinking on tactics evolve over time. And, sometimes new posters can add things that have not been considered before.

Which do you prefer?

Please assume the following:

1. Money is not an object
2. The user would be equally trained on both systems.
3. Civil liability is not a concern.
4. This is not a Katrina / End of the world riot situation.

I am looking at this purely from the viewpoint of which system would best allow you to engage and defeat one or more people who have entered your home with deadly intent.

 

[figment]

BOTH

IMO there is no preference except what the situation requires. They are two different types of weapons with two philosophies of use. The carbine keeps them away, the shotgun deals with what got past the carbine, the pistol gives you time to get to the shotgun or carbine.

 

[TeamPrecisionIT]

I consider the AR15 my primary defense weapon for inside the home.

The reason being is that it can be used to great effectiveness by everyone in my household, minus my 7-year old. The light recoil of the weapon allows follow up shots to be taken with expedience and does not require the user to do anything other than pull the trigger again and again. It also allows for greater precision in the event that a hostage style shot would need to be taken. And while a shotgun holds 54 'shots' (depending on load used) within six shells, that is still only 6 onboard total rounds, where with the AR I have at least 28-29 rounds on board without a reload.

When you use your shotgun for inside the home stuff it is much easier to miss your intended target than most would think. The longest possible shot within the confines of my home is 14 yards, back door to front door. The spread even in my 18.5" cylinder bore barrel shooting my HD load is about 8-10 inches. That isn't exactly a spray and pray style shot to make and requires good aim and hold. My equipment (Moss 500 12 ga.) has a lot more recoil and it not as quick to get back on target due to it. It also requires the forearm to be cycled in order to get the next shot. And anybody that says that the 'shuck' of the forearm being cycled is the 'scariest' sound ever, needs to be silenced. Do you really want to give away your position and weapon?

These are the reasons I chose the AR15 to take up HD duties in my home and it will continue to do so. Would I feel undergunned with either? Absolutely not. Would I be worried if my wife or kids needed to defend themselves with my shotgun? Yes, only because the fierce recoil and their unwilling to get trained on how to manage it would be a hindrence. Just one guy's opinion on an HD weapon.

Damian

 

[berettashotgun]

ALWAYS is the Indian - not the arrows.
I honestly believe my Dad, with his training and in his prime, coulda' took 3-4 guys out with a pocket knife.
He used to complain the "soap bubbles were still running out his ears" from the brainwashing he got in the Marines. Same with both Gramps.
Me - I'd take the shotgun every-time

 

[benEzra]

For me, it would be the AR. I enjoy shooting carbines a lot more than I enjoy shooting shotguns, and hence in the real world would stay more proficient with a carbine. Having said that, it pretty much boils down to personal preference; they are both effective, and they are both practical.

 

[Mr.Davis]

I'd choose the AR-15 carbine for a few reasons:

1) High capacity and short barrels aren't mutually exclusive like they are on a pump or non-magazine fed shotgun
2) Low recoil of the 5.56/.223 round means easier follow up shots
3) If you were so inclined, you can suppress the carbine to minimize hearing damage in a self-defense/home defense scenario.

 

[villemur]

If you live in a city or populated area, I say go with the shotgun. At close range it is an amazing force to be reckoned with. And with the right choice of shot size you can limit the chance of projectiles penetrating through walls and hurting non-combatants.

If you live in an unpopulated area, especially in a house out of view of others, I'd say go with the rifle. Not because it is better inside the house, but because you may have to engage combatants surrounding your house at a distance.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I have both and have been trained with both. I'll still take a shotgun for situations that are up close and personal, and don't involve a mass assault from the entire 4th Mongolian Horde.

lpl

 

[memphisjim]

shotgun by large margin

 

[CoRoMo]

I go back and forth a lot, but I most often plan on the M4 with the points that Mr. Davis posted.

 

[Boats]

3. Civil liability is not a concern.

In what world is that not a concern? Aside from civil liability, I'd rather the Monday Morning QBs at the DA's office be examining pics of my pump shotgun when second guessing me than shots of any military pattern self-loader.

On a practical matter, I trust a pump gun to actually work far more than I do an AR.

 

[RatDrall]

You're probably more likely to short stroke a pump action, than a quality made and lubricated AR15 is to malfunction in a fight.

If I could afford one, and had equal training, I'd take an AR15 over a shotgun, but I can't and I haven't and I feel just fine with a shotgun.

http://www.hornadyle.com/products/more_detail.php?id=130&sID=73&pID=2

 

[Gunfighter123]

Shotgun ---one pull of the trigger and you have in effect shot 9+ times {with OO buck}

 

[Gunfighter123]

You're probably more likely to short stroke a pump action, than a quality made and lubricated AR15 is to malfunction in a fight.

And then there is always the Saiga S-12 semi-auto !!!!

 

[KenW.]

When you are tried in the "media" for a home defense shooting, a shotgun capable of taking upland game will be MUCH more easily defensable than a MILITARY-style evil black rifle designed to more easily KILL PEOPLE because of its carry handle, PISTOL GRIP, 30 round mag, and flash hider.

And triple "ought" buck loads have 6 pellets; less sheetrock to repair.

That being said, the only firearms within reah of my side of the bed are an XD45, XD9sc, and a couple of 1911s. So I'd have to go with a handgun and light.

 

[hso]

AR15

 

[waterhouse]

I'd be comfortable with either. I'd currently choose the suppressed AR, just for the sake of my hearing.

 

[rrruuunnn]

With either gun, you have to be accurate. I know that some train and shoot well with a bead sight of a shotgun. I prefer rifle sights.

 

[Fred Fuller]

This one's strictly a 'hardware' thread and has no 'software' content- it could go equally well in Rifle Country or in Shotguns, but since it started in Shotguns, I'm putting it back there.

S&T is for material that is at least partially if not completely 'software' oriented...

lpl

 

[Zerodefect]

Ar15.

My shotty is too big, heavy, and slow. I go with the smallest gun capable so I can move quickly and cleanly.

So unless it's TEOWAWKI I use a Glock 23 or FN PS90 with an Aimpoint ML3. Both are a bit more practical for me. If I have to go outside or on the offensive (not likely) then I'm grabbing the AR.

Seriously though. I'm not home alone. I can't leave guns laying around. more often than not everything except my CCW is locked in the safe. The CCW, usually my G23, goes in my nightstand at night, and stays in its holster there.

 

[jmr40]

Shotguns work within their limitations, but since price is not a factor the AR is a much better choice.

 

[Prion]

How about an 'evil black' Benelli M4 Tactical w/ pistol grip and a mix of #4 and 00 buck. You said price was no object. It was for me so I have an 'evil black' M2 Tactical, 18" barrel, pistol grip, etc.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I can run either, though I'd want to get up to speed with the carbine.

One thing, first shot time would be for most people slightly less with a shotgun. Get hold of the guys who run the 3 gun shoots in your area if you doubt that.

Either platform will work, if the shooter is up to it.

Practice,practice,practice.....

 

[winknplink]

edited: sorry, OP. I missed #3.

 

[Mr. T]

I would without a doubt choose my M4 Carbine, because:

1) I could shoot any perp through a wall - therefore they would have no "Cover".

2) My M4 is compact and would allow me better ergonomics in a CQB situation inside my house.

3) My M4 would allow me more pinpoint precision shots if need be with less opportunity for collateral damage.

4) Ammunition capacity on the M4 is thirty rounds versus 6 shots on my shotgun; not to mention reloading would be easier with the M4.

5) If the altercation then moved outside the house the M4 would allow me greater range to engage threats.

6) Reduced recoil of my M4 could be fired from almost anyone in my family if they had to use it -- thus giving them more confidence to use it and probably better accuracy versus the shotgun.

7) Rate of fire from the M4 would be superior to the shotgun

All that being said I wouldn't be afraid to use my shotgun for HD if that's what I had on hand; I just personally think the M4 is better set up to deal with CQB situations.