Best Guns for Home Defense
The most effective options for protecting your home. Read the guide and explore related products at Apollo Wholesale Club.
Handgun, rifle, or shotgun?
All three platforms are effective for home defense with different tradeoffs. A 9mm handgun is easiest to maneuver in tight spaces and can be stored in a small safe. A 12 gauge with buckshot is devastating at close range. An AR-15 in 5.56 offers high capacity, accuracy, and — contrary to popular belief — less over-penetration risk than 9mm FMJ due to its tendency to fragment.
Top handgun picks
Glock 17/19 (9mm, high capacity, proven reliability), Sig P365 XL (compact with 15-round capacity), Smith & Wesson M&P 9 (ergonomic, versatile), Springfield Hellcat Pro (compact, 15+1 capacity). All are available at Apollo with Wholesale Club member pricing.
Top shotgun picks
Mossberg 500/590 (proven pump reliability, 8-round capacity, affordable), Mossberg 940 Pro (semi-auto, faster follow-up shots), Remington 870 (classic American pump). Load with Federal FliteControl 00 buckshot for the tightest patterns.
Ammo selection matters
For home defense, always use quality hollow-point or defensive ammunition in handguns. In shotguns, use #1 or 00 buckshot — not birdshot, which lacks penetration for reliable stops. Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, and Hornady Critical Defense are proven self-defense loads available at Apollo.
Ages 18 and older. Applicable product, shipping, and transfer restrictions apply.