AllOutdoor Review – The BEST Home Defense Shotguns for 2023
Travis Olander 10.10.23
When it comes to home defense, any weapon is better than fisticuffs. A good pistol or rifle will protect you, your family, and your property, but we’re talking about potential life and death, so it only makes sense to invest in the best tool for the job. The shotgun is, arguably, the ideal tool for the task: it provides plenty of power in an easy-to-wield package, and its simple design ensures reliability. Shotguns are typically heavier than any rifle, reducing felt recoil and improving stability under duress. Home defense shotshells exist aplenty that significantly mitigate the risks of over-penetration and collateral damage as well. Let’s take a look at our list of the BEST Home Defense Shotguns for 2023!
The BEST Home Defense Shotguns
Which shotguns are best for home defense? After all, you probably don’t want to try swinging a 24″ barrel, choked-up duck gun through your hallways in the dark. Here are our top picks:
Home Defense Shotguns: My Choice – Mossberg 590S
The venerable Mossberg 590 has been faithfully serving homeowners for bumps in the night and law enforcement alike for decades; since 1961, in fact. The latest and greatest Mossy pump gun is far and away improved beyond its erstwhile forefather with the Mossberg 590S providing mini-shell compatibility for even greater capacity (up to 13+1 when chambering 1.75″ shells).
Beyond its new capabilities, the 590S is fashioned with a litany of components made to improve reliability: positive steel-to-steel lockup, dual extractors, twin action bars, and an anti-jam elevator for smoother operation. The 590S is a dream to shoot, too. Thanks to its generous buttstock pad and 7.25 pounds of dry weight, the Mossy reduces felt recoil and muzzle rise allowing for quick follow-up shots. For those who prefer a more compact profile, the 590S is available in the “Shockwave” configuration as well. Its stock is replaced with a flared pistol grip and its barrel is cut down to 18.5″ or 14.375″. The MSRP varies between $662 and $777, though most box stores list the 590S for around $450 to $550.
Home Defense Shotguns: Best Semi-Automatic – Beretta 1301 Tactical
“How dare you dismiss the Benelli M4!” some might say, but speaking from personal experience, this writer found the Beretta 1301 to be one of the best semi-automatic tactical shotguns he’s ever fired. I’ve fired quite a few (including the M4, at length). The 1301 handles felt recoil and muzzle rise better than the M4, largely thanks to its long-stroke piston system (the Benelli runs with a short-stroke). Ergonomics are on point, too. The gentle slope of the stock, angle of the pistol grip, length of pull, rubber padding, and mile-long foregrip provide a comfortable, locked up cheek weld and confident shooting stance.
The 13031 Tactical fits neatly in the “Goldilocks Zone” on weight and size. At 37.8″ O.A.L. (Overall Length) and weighing about 6.4 pounds, this shotgun feels surprisingly light, but not snappy or punchy. In spite of its long-stroke setup, the 1301 is said to cycle faster than its competitors thanks to what Beretta bills as its “B-LINK” gas system. Beretta says this improves cyclic speed by 36% while ensuring light and heavy shot (24 to 62 grams) can be cycled without any adjustments required. The 1301 Tactical is priced well, too – about $250 to $350 cheaper than the M4 – with a typical retail price of $1650.
Home Defense Shotguns: Best Compact – KelTec KS7
KelTec’s known for making quirky guns, like their double-barrel, bullpup KSG. In spite of their oft futuristic aesthetics and apparent love for plastics, KelTec’s rifles and shotguns are, in fact, reliable and accurate. The bullpup, pump-action KS7 is no exception. The minimum required barrel length for any shotgun is 18″ – that’s 2″ longer than the minimum length for any rifle – which means even a compact shotgun made for home defense can feel a bit long rounding the corner in a dark hallway. Enter the KS7.
Sporting an overall length just over 26″ (the minimum legal length for any non-NFA firearm with a stock) but still managing to fit an 18″ barrel, the KS7 is balanced and highly maneuverable in confined spaces, all without requiring any tax stamp. Its magazine holds up to six 3″ shells (or seven 2.75″ shells) plus one in the chamber. This writer spent a day at an outdoor range with the KS7, and it was fun to shoot. Surprisingly comfortable with good recoil mitigation and minimal muzzle rise, even when sending some 3″ slugs down the tube. Weighing just 5.9 pounds empty, the KS7 is light in the hands and fits any shooter with a smaller frame. The action is stout, and feels as tactile and locked up as any other popular pump gun.
My only gripe was with the trigger. It’s heavy at around 7 to 8 pounds. It felt mushy and suffered from some creep. This is remedied with a 3.5-pound aluminum trigger and spring install which cleans up the squeeze and eliminates creep. At publication, the KS7 can be had for around $500 to $625, depending on your choice of color.
Home Defense Shotguns: Best AR-Type Shotgun – Typhoon X12
Separate the receivers on the X12 and you won’t find a classic AR-15 bolt-carrier group nor the typical gas tube, but Typhoon’s semi-auto, slug slinger largely mimics the AR in form and function. In doing so, it provides similar fit and feel, and the reliability you’d expect from any Stoner-designed rifle. It uses many of the same lower receiver components (like the trigger, disconnector, springs, and other bits), but it relies on a gas-operated piston assembly with two guide rods – no dirty direct impingement or buffer assembly here.
With its piston assembly mounted underneath the barrel, the X12 provides good recoil mitigation and reduced muzzle rise, while the AR-ish lower components provide reliable rapid fire with good trigger feel. Familiarities like the AR-type mag catch and bolt catch make operating the X12 feel intuitive for most gun owners, while the long, padded, fixed stock and handguard provide decent comfort.
Top-mounted Pic rails interface with your typical iron sights and optics, and disassembling the X12 is about as simple as breaking apart an AR. The X12’s trigger can be swapped for a drop-in assembly, and there are plenty of accessories in AR land made compatible with the X12. Stock magazines hold 5 rounds, but extended mags are available. You can stack up to 20 rounds under the receiver, though you’ll need to be mindful of the comically large “banana” magazine needed to accommodate all those shells. The Typhoon X12 has earned high praise and favor from shooters, while remaining affordable (it’s available for just under $700 at publication).
Home Defense Shotguns: Best AK-Type Shotgun – JTS M12AK
“Chinese shotgun?!” you might cry, and, yes, the M12AK is indeed a Chinese concoction of a shotshell-compatible AK. It does a fine job at reimagining Kalashnikov’s design for sending 00 Buck downrange, and it’s cheap as hell. The M12AK is, at worst, a more affordable alternative to a Saiga (or actual Kalashnikov KS-12, which commands a $1,000 price).
The M12AK is built surprisingly well. A stamped receiver houses a 4-position gas system, adjustable for lighter or heavier loads, and it takes Remington choke tubes. It’s even compatible with Saiga magazines, so you can get your ‘stendo on with a proven box housing a reliable spring and follower. The barrel’s chromed and a factory Pic rail provides ample rail estate for an optic and rear iron, and the receiver eats up 2.75″ and 3″ shells without any fuss.
At $500 – and frequent sale prices of around $280 to $300 – the JTS M12AK may seem suspiciously cheap for what’s being billed as a dependable home-defense shotgun, but user reviews rate the M12AK very favorably. Good shells are as important as the shotgun you pick. Check out our recent dive into Federal’s new “Action” series of 12-gauge shells.
