Why would you choose a handgun over long gun for home defense?

[Nrai2020]

Compromise?......


Image borrowed from fellow CGer post

How many rounds does the Serbs hold? Can u put a stock on it if u own one since it's considered an AOW?

[Mossy Man]

looks like 2 +1?

perfect for hunting!

[thorium]

Good pros and cons from the community, great info here so everyone can make their own reasoned choice! And acknowledged it was ignorant of me to throw out 90% / common sense - this is clearly one of those gray areas where many factors come into play making it a personal decision with no right size fits all

Reasons I think are most legitimate (opinion alert):
Familiarity - if you are best with your handgun of choice, well, that is what you're best with
Capacity - but really negligible unless you have grandfathered mags, Leo, etc
Easier/one hand free - definitely easier to operate, but you can shoulder a shotgun one handed for very short periods (granted you won't be able to aim for crap like this)
Carry - better to have it on your person even if at home (but I like my comfort! Even high end holsters and slim guns are not that comfortable if you're being honest)
Retention - certainly easier for tango to pull a shotgun from your hands than a handgun

Reasons I think are less legitimate (again opinion alert don't start any personal attacks!)
Kids - you should have a quick access safe (eg shotlock, ft knox pistol box) for any gun, handgun or long gun, you'll keep loaded for home defense, especially if you have kids but even if you don't
Maneuverability - same approx length in normal fighting stances
Noise - both will be loud as hell indoors with no hearing protection

I'm surprised only one person brought up the stopping powr (which is complicated to measure in the real world), but the best way to put it into one number is ft lbs of enegy and a long gun will indeed deliver the better part of a whole 9mm magazine worth of energy in one shot

[IVth Horseman]

Handgun for maneuverability and one handed operation. Can open or close doors with other hand or grab the phone to call 911. Also easier to peer around corners with a handgun as opposed to a long gun. Every situation is different so just choose whichever option works best for you.

I live in a duplex, so this applies to me. Also, you can conceal it if a situation requires you to check your yard.

[Mossy Man]

Good pros and cons from the community, great info here so everyone can make their own reasoned choice!

Reasons I think are most legitimate (opinion alert):
Familiarity - if you are best with your handgun of choice, well, that is what you're best with
Capacity - but really negligible unless you have grandfathered mags, Leo, etc
Easier/one hand free - definitely easier to operate, but you can shoulder a shotgun one handed for very short periods (granted you won't be able to aim for ****
Carry - better to have it on your person even if at home (but I like my comfort! Even high end holsters and slim guns are not that comfortable if you're being honest)
Retention - certainly easier for tango to pull a shotgun from your hands than a handgun

Reasons I think are less legitimate (again opinion alert don't start any personal attacks!)
Kids - you should have a quick access safe (eg shotlock, ft knox pistol box) for any gun, handgun or long gun, you'll keep loaded for home defense, especially if you have kids but even if you don't
Maneuverability - same approx length in normal fighting stances
Noise - both will be loud as **** indoors with no hearing protection

I have kids; it's not easy to have a quick-access long gun. They have some that only lock the action, but at the same time it's one of those out-of-sight-out-of-mind situations.

My kids leave my safe alone but if there was a shotgun or AR in an action lock, they'd be drawn to it by just seeing it.

[357magnum]

Uh, what? My 12 ga is WAY louder than all of my pistols, and that's just with 2-3/4. I've definitely thought of that already and would say to that - better to be deaf and alive.

My answer is you should have BOTH for home defense. Pistol is my goto because it is easier to handle and maneuver in close quarters by far. Not sure what you mean by common sense? Both offer different uses and each has their own benefits. Personally, I've switched to a pistol caliber carbine as my secondary HD firearm and the shotgun and 1911 are on standby. There was an article in G&A not too long ago and it said everyone can have their own preference, but their top recommendation was a handgun, preferably a pistol for capacity.

Next time you go shooting, do not wear hearing protection and fire your 12 ga and then a 9mm,.40 cal or .45acp.
Report back on which one was worse on your hearing.

[Nrai2020]

What about a pistol grip shot gun... Or a "raptor ". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUHAEvbf_I4 ?

[john67elco]

#7/#8 are horrible load choices unless you are expecting a flock of seaguls to attack, even then it may not be sufficent

[davidb]

Next time you go shooting, do not wear hearing protection and fire your 12 ga and then a 9mm,.40 cal or .45acp.
Report back on which one was worse on your hearing.

obviously the specific gun matters, but typically 9mm or .45 should not be more than 5-10 decibles louder than a 12 ga, not very drastic

[thorium]

I've got dogs to alert me to a threat, and my Remington 870 ready to go. And the phone nearby. Maybe I should rethink my HD scenario, but I always feel secure with this setup. Handgun isn't far away either, but I would grab the 870 first. Works for me, at least for peace of mind. Thankfully, I haven't had the need to use a gun for home defense so far.

+1 home security (all security really, from physical security to technology security) must be layered, too many clever humans to trust in one layer.

Whatever gun you choose you should realize video surveillance, mans best friend, etc are just as important as a firearm

[Hoshnasi]

I'm largely playing devils advocate but standard HD shotguns are hard to clear interior doorways with into hallways. You'll most likely be in a room and need to enter a hall or cross a hall to a child's room or whatnot. Clearing from the doorway to look down the hall is a PITA compared to using a pistol.

[Munny$hot]

Holding a carbine with on hand and opening doors is very easy. Most of the weight I can be placed on your forearm against the butt stock. Take a couple of cqb classes and see how viable a carbine can be. If you are ever in doubt always choose your most violent weapon when your life or the lives of love ones are in danger.

[john67elco]

Everyone's scenario is different and it needs to be specific to your needs. I have kids as well I have a kahr 380 in pocket even sleeping with a crimson (you get use to it) and an ar15 at ready if I have time. Flashlight should be on everyone's list no matter what you have so you don't shoot a family member. I think that's more needed than which gun to use for SD.

[Canucky]

What ever people choose, take some courses. Learn learn learn.

[Subotai]

If I had my druthers, I'd use an M1 carbine. Hits harder than a .357 at close range, can be manipulated easily with one hand, and is short enough to use in hallways.