Shotgun vs. AR-15 for Home Defense
Overwhelming close-range power versus easy accuracy and capacity — which platform fits your home.
The Short Answer
The shotgun's strength is raw close-range effectiveness: a load of buckshot is devastating, and at across-the-room distances it's hard to beat. The downsides are heavy recoil that slows follow-ups and is tough for smaller shooters, low capacity (typically 5–8 rounds), and slower reloads. It rewards a shooter who patterns it and practices, but it's less forgiving than people assume — you still have to aim.
The AR-15 trades some close-range shock for ease of use: very light recoil, easy accuracy under stress, 30-round capacity, and simple addition of a light and red dot. Its 5.56 round often over-penetrates interior walls less than buckshot or handgun rounds. For most households — especially recoil-sensitive shooters or anyone who wants capacity and easy hits — the AR is the more forgiving choice; the shotgun rewards the dedicated practitioner who wants maximum close-range power.