Disclaimer: This article is aimed at helping those who are not sure where to start their research process. It is not a definitive guide to firearms purchases. Some of the information is generalized and all readers should conduct further research before making any decision.

Nearly every American man has heard the story of the shootout at the O.K. Corral. Wyatt Earp and his cohorts confronted a group of outlaw cowboys and emerged victorious. While much myth and mystery surrounds the circumstances of this encounter, a few things are very clear. Wyatt Earp was proficient with his Colt Peacemaker and Doc Holiday with the shotgun. While much has changed since the days of the Wild West, both the handgun and the shotgun remain top choices for clearing out ruffians who are encroaching on your territory. Mossy Oak Hunting Acce... Buy New $13.99 (as of 01:25 UTC - Details)

A man has always been the king of his castle and protector of his domain. When things go bump in the night, it’s your job to check on things. What should you grab when you head downstairs? Today we’ll the discuss the best guns for home defense as well as some of the pros and cons of each.

Training

Before you even think about purchasing a gun, it is imperative that you are trained on how to properly use it. Remember: guns are a weapon. With the right to bear arms comes the heavy responsibility of handling them with the precaution and respect they deserve.

Moreover, a gun in the hands of a man who doesn’t know what he’s doing with it is a liability to him and to his family. Regardless of what you purchase, you should frequent the firing range, take a firearms course, and attend or even partake in shooting events. All of these tasks will help you to learn to properly handle firearms.

Here are a couple resources to check out to get started:

• Appleseed Project, a grassroots marksmanship program: http://www.appleseedinfo.org/
• IDPA, Defensive Pistol shooting: http://www.idpa.com/

The Best Guns for Home Defense

Pump Action Shotgun

The general consensus in the firearms community is that the pump action shotgun is the top choice for home defense. They’re relatively easy to use and nearly impossible to break. More importantly, the sound of chambering a hot round into a pump action 12 gauge is sure to soil the britches of even the most hardened criminal. Howard Leight by Honey... Best Price: $39.99 Buy New $48.99 (as of 11:00 UTC - Details)

The Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870 are extremely popular choices in this category. Both are proven to be extremely reliable for a reasonable price, beginning at around $200.

Ease of Use and Reliability

The pump action shotgun is a relatively simple weapon to use. Shotgun shells are loaded into the gun, and the pump action chambers a round. Pulling the trigger fires the chambered round. The next pump ejects the spent shell and loads another round into the chamber. These attributes contribute to the pump action shotgun’s reliability.

Effectiveness

Allen Company Smith an... Buy New $49.99 (as of 01:15 UTC - Details) Shotguns are most commonly used to fire a number of projectiles, anywhere from roughly nine pellets used in 00 buckshot up to hundreds of BB-sized pellets in bird shot. At close range and with proper ammunition, shotguns can be extremely effective in defending you and your loved ones.

For more information on different types of shot and their ballistic qualities, refer to this article.

Verdict (out of 5)

• Cost: 5
• Ease of Use: 4
• Reliability: 5
• Effectiveness: 5
• Bonus: sound of chambering a round
• Overall: 4.75

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The Best of Brett McKay

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