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Gun Recommendations: Top-10 Best Shotguns for Home Defense

Prices indicated below are the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), but most of these home-defense shotguns can be found at a significant savings if purchased through a large sporting goods store, gun show, or an online gun dealer.  Guns purchased online must be shipped to a store, gun club or individual who has a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) and is willing to process the required paperwork.  FFL holders typically charge $15-35 for this service.  Whether obtained from a store, gun club, or gun show, purchasers of new firearms must pass a federal background-check.

#1 Best Shotgun for Home Defense (Urban)

Benelli, model: M2 Tactical; semiautomatic, 5+1 shell capacity, 18-1/2 inch barrel, overall length: 39.75-inches, weight: 7.3 lbs, ComforTech (Recoil Reduction) stock; sight: ghost ring; Model # 11029, MSRP: $1,469.

#1 Best Shotgun for Home Defense (Rural)

Benelli, model M2 3-Gun Edition (above photo); semiautomatic, 8+1 shell capacity, 21-inch barrel, overall length 42.5-inches, ComforTech (Recoil Reduction) stock; sight: HIVIZ Comp; Model # 11024, MSRP: $2,699.  This gun is capable of taking out 9 different human targets in three seconds.  Video

#1 Best Low-Recoil Shotgun for Home Defense (Pump-Action)

SuperNova (Benelli), model: Tactical; pump-action, 4+1 shell capacity, 18-inch barrel; overall length: 40-inches, weight: 7.2 lbs, ComforTech (Recoil Reduction) stock, sight: ghost ring; Model #50155, MSRP: $559

#1 Best Low-Recoil Shotgun for Home Defense (Semiautomatic)

Beretta, model: TX4 Storm; semiautomatic, 4+1 shell capacity, 18-inch barrel, overall length: 39.2-inches, weight: 6.4 lbs, standard synthetic stock, sight: ghost ring; Model # JXT1800, MSRP: $1,450.  (Assumes underarm point-and-shoot use and loaded with low-recoil self-defense shotshells.  (See the chapter on ammunition). 

For shoulder fire using standard self-defense shells, 2-3/4” or 3” magnum, this award goes to the Benelli M2 with ComforTech stock).

#1 Best Low-Cost Shotgun for Home Defense: (Pump-Action)

Remington, model: Express Tactical; pump-action, 5+1 shell capacity, 18.5-inch barrel, overall length: 38.5-inches, weight: 7.5 lbs, standard synthetic stock, sight: white dot; Model # 25007, MSRP: $428.

#1 Best Mid-Price Shotgun for Home Defense (Pump-Action w/ Integral Light)

Mossberg, model: 590A1 Tactical-Light Forend; pump-action, 5+1 shell capacity, 18.5 inch heavy-walled barrel, overall length: 39.5-inches, weight: 7.5 lbs, standard synthetic stock, sight: bead; finish: military parkerized, tactical-light built into forend, heat shield on barrel; Model # 51415, MSRP: $698.

#1 Best Weather-Resistant Shotgun for Home Defense (and Marine Use)

Semiautomatic:  Benelli, model: M4-H20; 7+1 shell capacity, 18.5-inch barrel, overall length: 40-inches, weight: 7.8 lbs, telescoping stock, sight: ghost-ring; stainless steel barrel, all other metal parts treated with NP3, an electrolysis nickel-based finish that is extremely corrosion resistant and also provides high lubricity with a low friction co-efficient, making this the most rust-resistant shotgun for home defense, maritime use, and extreme weather environments; Model # 11711, limited availability, MSRP: $2,399.

Pump-Action:  Nova (Benelli), model: H2O Pump; pump-action, 4+1 shell capacity, 18.5-inch barrel, overall length: 40-inches, weight: 7.2 lbs, standard synthetic stock, sight: open rifle; this “H2O” model has a barrel made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and the magazine tube, cap, and trigger group are nickel plated; Model # 20090, MSRP: $639.

#1 Best Compact, Lightweight and Maneuverable Shotgun for Home Defense (Pump-Action)

Mossberg, model: 500 JIC II; pump-action, 5+1 shell capacity, 18.5-inch barrel, overall length: 28.75-inches, weight: 5.5 lbs, pistol-grip only (no stock), sight: bead; Model # 55340, MSRP: $422.

#1 Best Military-Grade Shotgun for Home Defense (Semiautomatic)

Benelli, model: M4 Tactical; semiautomatic, 5+1 shell capacity, 18.5-inch barrel, overall length: 40-inches, weight: 7.8 lbs; synthetic stock with or without pistol grip, side sling mount on stock; receiver tapped for scope mount, picatinny rail on top of receiver, sight: ghost-ring; solid-black version is model # 11707, MSRP $1,899, Model # 11717 desert camo, MSRP: $1,999.

#1 Best Military-Grade Shotgun for Home Defense (Pump-Action)

Mossberg, model: 590A1 Blackwater; pump-action, 8+1 shell capacity, 20-inch heavy-walled barrel, overall length: 41-inches, weight: 7.25 lbs; black synthetic stock, with “Speed-Feed” extra shell storage; finish: military parkerized; tri-rail forend, picatinny rail on top of receiver, sight: XS ghost ring; Model # 51772, MSRP: $711.