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Smaller-Gauge Shotguns For Home Defense?

Talyn

Talyn

SAINT
Founding Member
The 12-gauge has become the standard size shotgun for self-defense, but that doesn’t mean smaller gauges don’t offer some advantages; namely, recoil reduction for added control and lighter weight so they’re easier to wield.

Smaller-Gauge Shotguns For Home Defense?

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Typical Recoil and energy measurements with common loads and gun weights

Gauge - gun weight - load - recoil force (ft.-lbs.) - muzzle energy (ft.-lbs.)

12 ga. - 8 lbs. - 12-pellet 00 Buck @1,225 fps - 27.5 - 2150

16 ga. - 7.5 lbs. - 12-pellet No. 1 Buck @1,225 fps - 21.6 - 1620

20-ga. - 7 lbs. - 24 pellet No. 4 Buck @ 1,100 fps - 20 - 1335

28-ga. - 6.5 lbs. - ¾ oz, No. 6 birdshot @ 12,95 fps - 14.9 - 1222

.410 6 lbs. 5 pellet 000 buck @ 1,135 fps 14.3 - 1000
 
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My home-defense shotgun is a 20 gauge Remington 870 with an 18.5" barrel and a youth stock. This makes the gun highly maneuverable, and the #4 Buckshot loads are light enough for my wife to handle. I love that shotgun and was sad to see Remington discontinue their home defense 20 gauges a few years back.

I liked the 20 gauge so much that I bought a Mossberg Maverick 20 gauge with a 22" barrel to introduce my sons to shotguns. When the boys got old enough to move up to 12 gauge, I tracked down an 18.5" security barrel for the Maverick and converted it into a second home defense gun (just in case). It only holds 5 shells in the tube, and the parkerized barrel doesn't match the blued receiver, but it's as reliable as an anvil.

I don't know why most manufacturers dropped their 20 gauge security models. My 590A1 is my favorite pump gun, but my 20 gauges with youth stocks are much shorter and are much easier to maneuver through doors and narrow hallways. I highly recommend them if you can find (or make) one.
 
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