Best Home Defense Firearms Series Part 2: Tactical Shotguns
Continuing forward in our series on the best guns for home defense, we’re moving on to another major category in home defense. For those looking to defend themselves and their families against intruders, tactical shotguns and home defense shotguns are a great fit! Shotguns are one of the best home defense firearms due to the benefits they provide. Want to get a home defense shotgun this New Year but not sure where to start? Look no further than GrabAGun to provide you with the best shotguns for sale this New Year!
Keep reading to learn about the benefits of shotguns for home defense and see some of our picks for the best home defense shotguns!
Our Top Home Defense Shotguns
Shotguns prove to be a great option for home defense for several reasons. First, they provide high stopping power in a home defense situation, with buckshot easily hitting an intruder at close range and ending the situation. Second, the penetration offered by buckshot also offers a great balance for home defense, easily incapacitating an intruder without penetrating the interior of the house too deeply. The spread of the shot also allows the shooter some margin of error while still taking down a target with accuracy. Third, a semi-automatic shotgun or pump shotgun provides higher capacity and allows the user to fire several shots in quick succession, which is essential in a home defense situation.
However, there’s still the question of which one to buy. Many popular brands manufacture guns for home defense, such as Remington shotguns, Mossberg shotguns, Beretta shotguns, and Winchester shotguns. To help make the decision easier, we’re going to share our choices for some of the best shotguns for home defense. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, we’re going to cover some of the most popular home defense shotguns for sale we have available here at GrabAGun!
Remington 870 Express Tactical 12 Gauge
The Remington 870 Express Tactical is a great pump-action shotgun for home defense! The best-selling shotgun in history with over 11 million manufactured, the Remington 870 family of shotguns demonstrates strength, durability, smooth bind-free action, and sleek classical lines. People often buy the 870 for its reliability and durability in every shooting situation. The 870 Express Tactical can be used for sport or hunting but is primarily designed to excel in the area of home defense. The gun features a short and maneuverable 18.5-inch barrel, a durable synthetic stock, a bead front sight, and a six-round capacity. All of these qualities and features come together to produce one of the best tactical shotguns ever made.
Remington 870 Express Tactical 12 GA Specs
| Caliber: 12 Gauge | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 18.5” |
| Capacity: 6-Rounds | Sights: Bead Front Sight | Receiver Finish: Matte Black Steel |
| Action: Pump-Action | Chokes: C | Weight: 7.5 lbs |
Remington 870 Express Tactical 20 Gauge
Like the look of the Remington 870 12 gauge above but need something a little lighter with less recoil? Then look no further than our next top pick, the Remington 870 Express 20 gauge! Though some sources say you need a 12 gauge for home defense, a 20 gauge shotgun still provides plenty of stopping power while also delivering reduced recoil. The Remington 870 Express 20 gauge does exactly that, delivering the same durable quality and home defense capabilities of the 870 Express 12 gauge while firing a smaller 20 gauge shell and weighing approximately 1.5 lbs lighter when unloaded. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a home defense shotgun, as well as smaller shooters and those that need a lighter gun with less recoil.
Remington 870 Express Tactical 20 GA Specs
| Caliber: 20 Gauge | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 18.5” |
| Capacity: 6-Rounds | Sights: Bead Front Sight | Receiver Finish: Matte Blued |
| Action: Pump-Action | Chokes: C | Weight: 6 lbs |
Mossberg 930 SPX
Another great home defense shotgun is the Mossberg 930 SPX, which has a reputation as a rugged and dependable autoloader that demonstrates first-rate performance in home defense applications. A pistol grip shotgun, the 930 SPX is highly maneuverable and easily controlled in a defense situation. Features of the gun include a dual gas-vent system, an ambidextrous safety, drilled and tapped receiver, a quick-empty magazine release button for easy unloading, and an adjustable drop at comb with a stock drop spacer system. Built for speed, the Mossberg 930 SPX is a tactical shotgun created for situations where every second counts. The 930 SPX also features a ghost ring rear & fiber optic front sights, cylinder bore, and matte finish. Everything comes together to give you a great tactical shotgun you can count on!
Mossberg 930 SPX Specs
| Caliber: 12 Gauge | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 18.5” |
| Capacity: 7-Rounds | Sights: Front Fiber Optic, Rear Ghost Ring | Receiver Finish: Matte Blue |
| Action: Semi-Auto | Chokes: Fixed Cylinder Bore | Weight: 7.25 lbs |
Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical
The Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical is another great tactical shotgun for defense purposes. Built to be durable and low-maintenance, the gun’s gas system allows for up to 1500 rounds between cleanings. The 940 Pro Tactical includes many corrosion-resistant internal parts and also comes with an enlarged/beveled loading port, elongated elevator, and an anodized follower for consistently smooth operation. The gun is built to fit your needs and features an adjustable stock with 1.75″ of LOP flexibility, a barrel clamp with M-LOK mounting slots, and a front fiber optic sight to help keep you on target. This Mossberg tactical shotgun has a threaded barrel for use with the Accu-Choke interchangeable choke system and comes with a removable cylinder tube installed. With all of these great features, the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical could be the best fit for you!
Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Specs
| Caliber: 12 Gauge | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 18.5” |
| Capacity: 7-Rounds | Sights: Fiber Optic Front Sight | Receiver Finish: Matte Blued |
| Action: Semi-Auto | Chokes: Cylinder Bore Choke | Weight: 7.5 lbs |
Mossberg 590 Shockwave 20 Gauge
Another 20 gauge on our list, the Mossberg 590 Shockwave is a great shotgun for anyone looking to buy with home defense in mind! The 590 Shockwave is light and highly maneuverable in tight spaces, featuring the bird’s head pistol grip, a 14.375-inch barrel, and an unloaded weight of 4.95 lbs that keeps its profile low. The 20 gauge caliber also makes it easier to operate because of less recoil, making it an excellent choice for smaller shooters. The internal functions of the Shockwave feature dual extractors, positive steel-to-steel lockup, twin action bars, ambidextrous safety, and an anti-jam elevator to ensure smooth operation. A convenient clean-out tube magazine cap, front bead sight, and a ‘corn cob’ strapped forend finish the list of features from the Mossberg Shockwave, making it a serious tactical shotgun for home defense.
Mossberg 590 Shockwave 20 GA Specs
| Caliber: 20 Gauge | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 14.375” |
| Capacity: 6-Rounds | Sights: Bead Front Sight | Receiver Finish: Matte Blued |
| Action: Pump-Action | Chokes: Cylinder Bore | Weight: 4.95 lbs |
Beretta 1301 Tactical
The Beretta 1301 Tactical Shotgun is a durable choice from another one of our top manufacturers. The 1301 Tactical is a semi-automatic shotgun designed for law enforcement and home defense. It’s engineered to be the most reliable and easy-to-use modern tactical shotgun. The compact size of the Beretta 1301 makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Features of the gun include an oversized charging handle, a large textured bolt release, a secure checkered fore-end and stock, and a reversible safety button. The Beretta also boasts an adjustable stock for the length of pull, a ghost-ring rear sight with an interchangeable front sight, and an interchangeable choke system. Included is an OptimaBore, HP Improved Cylinder. The receiver is constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum with a 1913 Picatinny rail, making it easy to add optics to the shotgun. The Beretta 1301 Tactical is a durable choice that will always perform well.
Beretta 1301 Tactical Specs
| Caliber: 12 Gauge | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 18.5” |
| Capacity: 7-Rounds | Sights: Ghost Ring Rear Sight, Interchangeable Front Sight | Receiver Finish: Black Anodized Finish |
| Action: Semi-Auto | Chokes: IC |
Winchester SXP Extreme Defender
Another excellent tactical shotgun, the Winchester SXP Extreme Defender is a great heavy-duty, pump-action shotgun for tactical and home defense encounters. This 12 gauge shotgun offers features like the gun’s pistol grip stock, padded cheek riser, ghost ring sights, excellent heat shield, and door-breacher choke tube. The SXP Extreme Defender from Winchester is also quick for situations that require speed, boasting a fast rotary bolt system and smooth action that allows easier pumping and faster follow-up shots. With all the adjustable features, this is a great pump action shotgun that you can rely on in every situation, both at the range and in the home.
Winchester SXP Extreme Defender Specs
| Caliber: 12 Gauge | Chamber: 3” | Barrel Length: 18” |
| Capacity: 5-Rounds | Sights: Ghost Ring Rear Sight, Blade Front Sight | Receiver Finish: Flat Dark Earth |
| Action: Pump-Action | Chokes: C | Weight: 7 lbs |
Shotguns For Sale at GrabAGun
If you want to get one of the tactical shotguns on our list or want to find another shotgun, make sure to go to GrabAGun.com today for guns for sale! Whether you are looking for a Mossberg 590 Shockwave for sale, a Remington 870 for sale, or any other guns, GrabAGun has everything you need to protect your home. In addition to shotguns, we have home defense rifles, shotguns, and ammo in all of the best self-defense calibers for shotguns. This includes 12ga ammo for sale and 20ga ammo for sale.
If you missed it, be sure to check out the best home defense handguns by reading Part 1 of this series! Additionally, make sure you check out part three of our Best Home Defense Firearms of 2023 series to learn about the best home defense rifles!
—Matthew Cornell