Best Tactical Shotgun for Home-Defense: Top 5 Expert Picks

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By Dennis Howard •  21 min read

Home defense is a hot topic, especially when it comes to which type of firearm is the best choice. I have always favored a shotgun for home defense, as they have many advantages when you consider protecting your home and family from intruders. While there are multiple types of shotguns, many homeowners wonder which is the best tactical shotgun for home defense.

Best Tactical Shotgun for Home-Defense

Tactical shotguns differ from hunting shotguns in several ways. A hunting shotgun typically has a longer barrel than a tactical shotgun. A shorter barrel aids in maneuverability in the confines of a home. The most popular type of tactical shotgun is a pump-action. Semi-auto shotguns also come in tactical configurations. A tactical shotgun may also include a pistol grip and rails for mounting flashlights or other accessories.

Choosing a tactical shotgun for home defense involves more than buying a shotgun that looks cool. Any gun used for personal defense must be reliable and functional. You must also be comfortable and confident in your ability to use the tactical shotgun effectively.

What Should You Look For in a Tactical Shotgun for Home Defense?

When I consider a home defense shotgun, there are several important factors on my list. The features below are the factors that I used to compile this list of the best tactical shotguns for home defense. You may have other considerations, but I believe that any shotgun used for personal defense should include the following:

Barrel Length

To be legal in the United States, a shotgun must have a barrel at least eighteen inches in length and an overall length of twenty-six inches. In the field, a hunting shotgun with a twenty-six or twenty-eight-inch barrel is preferred to maximize the effective range. On the other hand, a tactical shotgun is meant for use in the confined spaces of your home. A short barrel length ensures that the shotgun is easily maneuverable.

Bore Size

If you want to get a lively discussion started, toss out a question about the most effective bore size for a personal defense shotgun. In general, the only two choices that I would consider for a home defense shotgun are twelve and twenty gauges.

My personal preference is 12-gauge. Twelve gauge is the most popular bore size for both tactical defensive shotguns and for hunting shotguns. The choices in styles and types of shotguns are much broader and there are more options and accessories available.

Some people argue that a twenty gauge shotgun delivers less recoil without significantly less known down power. I cannot tell much difference in side-by-side comparisons. I find that familiarization and practice do more to alleviate the recoil situation than the bore size of the shotgun.

Pump or Semi-Auto Shotguns

There is a lot of sentimentalism attached to single shot and double-barreled shotguns. For specialized shooting such as clays or when hunting, these types of shotguns are quite useable. However, for personal and home defense, a repeating shotgun with a larger shell capacity is in order.

When it comes to personal and home defense shotguns, a semi-auto or pump shotgun action is the only choice that makes sense. Most tactical shotguns feature longer magazine tubes and quicker reloading than any other style of shotgun.

The advantage a semi-auto shotgun has over a pump shotgun is the simplicity of operation. In a home defense situation, stress levels are high. A pump shotgun demands a certain level of skill and practice to operate. A semi-auto tactical shotgun only requires that you take the safety off and pull the trigger. Almost anyone can successfully shoot a semi-auto shotgun.

Magazine Tubes and Capacity

Self-defense has a different character than sports shooting. Hunting regulations in most states limit the number of shotgun shells in the magazine of your shotgun. In general, the capacity of a hunting shotgun is limited to three rounds.

For a home defense shotgun, I recommend an ammunition capacity of at least five shells. Ideally, this would be a 5 + 1 configuration. There are some tactical shotguns on the market that can accommodate a much higher capacity. However, these are highly specialized shotguns and may not be appropriate for the average homeowner who wants a self-defense shotgun.

Stock Configurations

The stock configuration for a home defense shotgun is a function of its use. Many new tactical shotguns feature a pistol grip. A pistol grip can make controlling a 12-gauge shotgun easier in many instances. Some shotgun manufacturers are now including an AR-15 style collapsible stock and pistol grip on their shotguns.

At least two manufacturers are making an abbreviated stock shotgun for self-defense. However, I don’t recommend this style of shotgun for home defense because a shotgun must still be aimed to be effective. Without some sort of shoulderable stock, the accuracy and effectiveness of the shotgun are questionable.

Sights, Optics, and Rails

Unlike sporting shotguns that have only a front bead sight, tactical shotguns should have a full set of sights. This is especially true if you anticipate shooting slugs through your tactical shotgun.

In addition, it is reasonable to expect a tactical shotgun to include a Picatinny rail on the receiver to mount an optical sight. The addition of a red dot or holographic sight to your tactical shotgun can make a huge difference.

Price

The cost must always be a consideration. Tactical shotguns are very niche firearms. Most tactical shotguns are not suitable for sports shooting unless you compete regularly in three-gun shooting matches. For this reason, it is imperative that you find the best ratio of features to price.

To be practical, a home defense shotgun is probably going to sit next to your bed for the majority of its life. With luck, you will never have to discharge the shotgun except at the range during practice. However, if it should come down to the safety of you or your family, you want to know that the shotgun you have chosen will operate reliably and consistently.

My Picks for the Best Home Defense Shotguns

Considering the factors above, these are the tactical shotguns that I think are the best choices for home defense. Your needs and situations may dictate something slightly different. However, the basic requirements for any home defense shotgun remain the same. As you shop for your home defense shotgun, this list should give you an idea of where to start looking:

1. Mossberg 590A1 Adjustable Tactical Shotgun

Mossberg home defense weapon pump action shotgun

When I start looking at any firearm for critical self-defense, I usually look to see what the U.S. military and law enforcement are using for the same basic situations. In most instances, the military and law enforcement don’t buy junk, and following their lead on equipment is usually a safe bet.

The Mossberg 590A1 tactical pump shotgun has passed the rigorous MilSpec 3443E specifications. The 590A1 is the choice of many military and law enforcement agencies. As far as my criteria, the Mossberg 590A1 checks all the boxes.

Features

You will be hard-pressed to find a shotgun for home defense that features this sort of features list. Add the fact that this shotgun has been accepted by the military for combat use, and you have the equation for a total package for your home defense shotgun needs.

The Pros and Cons of the Mossberg 590A1 Tactical Home Defense Shotgun

There is very little bad to say about the Mossberg 590A1 Tactical pump-action shotgun. Mossberg has designed this shotgun to be a workhorse. No other tactical shotgun on the market has met the rigorous military specifications. This is my breakdown of the pros and cons of the Mossberg 590A1:

Pros
Cons

If you are shopping for a tactical home defense shotgun, I recommend the Mossberg 590A1. This is, in my opinion, the best home defense shotgun for the money you can buy.

2. Remington Model 870 Tactical Express

Remington 870 Express Tactical defensive shotgun with synthetic stock

The Remington Model 870 pump-action shotgun is iconic. There aren’t many shotgun enthusiasts who haven’t shot or owned an 870. In its sporting configurations, the Remington Model 870 is one of the most popular hunting shotguns in the world. When dressed up properly, the Remington 870 becomes a superior tactical shotgun. Thousands of police vehicles across the U.S. routinely carry an 870 as standard equipment.

Remington ensures that the reputation of these tactical shotguns continues by constantly evolving and upgrading the design based on user feedback. The Model 870 Tactical Express design is based on years of service and the best in tactical shotgun design. The features that come standard from Remington may surprise you based on the price for which you can acquire one of these tactical shotguns.

Features

This list of features is impressive enough. When you add the Remington reputation for quality shotguns it is apparent why the Remington 870 is so popular. Many law enforcement agencies continue to purchase and issue the 870 as a standard-duty shotgun.

Pros and Cons of the Remington Model 870 Tactical Express

Remington Arms underwent bankruptcy in 2020 that shut down its factories for several months. A new company was formed and purchased the pistol, rifle, and shotgun manufacturing. The Model 870 is back in production. By all reports, the same quality and attention to detail is still part of the Remington manufacturing process.

Pros
Cons

There are literally thousands of Remington Model 870 Tactical Express shotguns in use for home defense and for law enforcement purposes. By all accounts, the new Remington 870’s are just as good and just as dependable as their ancestors.

3. Stoeger Freedom Series Pump Action Shotguns

Stoger Freedom Supreme tactical shotgun with folding stock and ghost ring rear sight

Stoeger is, in my opinion, a stealth manufacturer. The Stoeger brand often goes unnoticed in the glare of Remington and Mossberg shotguns. Stoeger has a long history of producing excellent shotguns for both hunting and home defense.

When I start to consider a tactical shotgun, I am just as guilty about forgetting about Stoeger and their line of well-built tactical pump-action shotguns. The Stoeger Freedom series brings a lot to the table for anyone shopping for a home defense weapon. In fact, Stoeger offers some features in the Freedom Series of pump-action shotguns that other manufacturers don’t offer without going to an aftermarket product.

Features

Stoeger’s self-defensive shotguns are often overlooked. If you need a compact pump-action shotgun for your home or to use as a truck gun, the Stoeger Freedom Supreme may be your answer.

Pros and Cons of the Stoeger Freedom Supreme Tactical Shotgun

The Stoeger Freedom Supreme shotgun has a lot going for it. Overall, this shotgun gets good reviews from those in the industry and casual shooters alike. If you are looking for a moderately priced tactical shotgun for home defense, don’t overlook this option.

Pros
Cons

Sometimes storing or transporting a traditional home defense firearm can be a problem. The legal length of a shotgun must be at least twenty-six inches. The folding option of the Stoeger Freedom Supreme shotgun meets this mandate but allows the shotgun to be stored in a much smaller area.

4. Benelli M4 Semi-Automatic Shotgun

Benelli m4 tactical semi auto shotgun without pistol grips

Mention Benelli firearms and you almost always get a look wondering how you can afford a Benelli. It is true that Benelli shotguns are expensive. Semi-auto shotguns are more expensive than pump-action shotguns on the whole. The operating system is more complex and expensive to produce.

However, I must confess that when it comes to semi-auto shotguns, I almost always go for the Benelli display. I have shot many different makes and models of semi-auto shotguns and have come to the conclusion that Benelli’s are just superior. From the standpoint of features, Benelli hits those things I consider critical.

Features

Benelli has an outstanding reputation for both quality and customer service. From a shooter’s standpoint, the features included with the Benelli M4 include everything you could ask for. The US Marine Corps thinks enough of the quality and durability of the Benelli M4 that they have approved this shotgun for duty use.

Benelli seems to be the standard against which all other semi-auto home defense shotguns are measured. I recommend the Benelli M4 for both professional and home defense.

Pros and Cons of the Benelli M4 Tactical Shotgun

You should expect to pay a premium price if you want a Benelli M4 tactical shotgun. On the other hand, who can deny the appeal of an Italian-made shotgun? While there is a lot to be said for owning a Benelli, these shotguns do have their issues and you should consider those before you lay down the cash.

Pros
Cons

Regardless of your opinions about price and style, the Benelli M4 remains an impressive shotgun. It may have its roots in sporting and hunting shotguns, but the M4 version is a fighting shotgun.

5. Beretta 1301 Tactical Marine

Beretta 1301 tactical semi auto shogtun in standard blue finish

Beretta Firearms are usually associated with fine sport shooting or hunting shotguns. Who hasn’t dreamed of a Beretta Silver Pigeon over and under double-barreled shotgun in their gun safe? Unfortunately, a 28 inch over and under shotgun just doesn’t make a good home defense firearm.

Now you can have the precision and reliability of a Baretta shotgun in a tactical configuration. The Beretta 1301 Tactical Marine Shotgun has been designed and manufactured as a home defense shotgun. Beretta has taken its years of shotgun experience and an understanding of the tactical needs for self-defense to produce this home defense weapon.

Features

You may not anticipate trudging through extremes in weather and geography with your shotgun. However, it is good to know that the tactical shotgun you choose for your home is capable of handling whatever conditions may be thrown it’s way.

Pros and Cons of the Beretta 1301 Tactical Shotgun

Even Beretta sometimes misses the mark with their shotgun designs. Sometimes, what seems like a big advantage turns out to be a disadvantage for some people. Finding those hidden disadvantages can make the difference in how satisfied you are with a shotgun purchase.

Pros
Cons

Make no mistake. The Beretta 1301 is no presentation sporting clay shooting shotgun. This tactical shotgun is a workhorse. This is a combat shotgun without a doubt, and it will serve anyone needing a home defense weapon.

My Last Thoughts

Tactical shotguns are a specialty act for the most part. They are usually designed for a very specific function and don’t do well if pressed into service in other ways. Most of us would never attempt to take any of the tactical shotguns into the woods for duck or turkey hunting.

In the end, my preference for a tactical home defense shotgun remains a pump-action weapon. No one ever wants to resort to using a weapon unless it is the only alternative. In my mind, a pump-action shotgun gives you one extra alternative. If you have ever heard the distinctive sound of a pump-action shotgun being charged while you are in the dark, you will understand this last alternative.

Dennis Howard

A life long hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, after surviving a devastating tornado in his home town, he saw the effects on people's lives as they struggled to cope. He built his first bugout bag a few weeks later and has been a dedicated prepper/survivalist since that time. After a career as a fireman, Dennis opened a retail store (FFL approved) catering to the military, law enforcement, and like-minded individuals. The store built their own AR platforms. Furthermore, Dennis was also an NRA instructor in both long gun and handgun as well as a certified range safety officer. Read his full interview here.