Pistol vs Rifle vs Shotgun: Best Home Defense Gun

Choosing a home defense gun is one of the most personal decisions a firearm owner can make. The right platform can mean the difference between control and chaos in a high-stress situation. But with so many options, such as pistols, rifles, or shotguns, how do you know which is best for defending your home?

At Gideon Optics, we believe decisions should be backed by data. So we ran a controlled stress test simulating a late-night home invasion. The test measured how quickly and effectively each platform could deliver 5,000 foot-pounds of muzzle energy (a benchmark of stopping power) into a target at close range (10 yards). All tests were conducted under physical stress (push-ups first), using real defensive loads and realistic gear.

Let’s break down the findings.

What Is Muzzle Energy & Why Does It Matter?

Muzzle energy is a measurement of the kinetic energy a bullet (or pellet) has as it leaves the barrel. It’s calculated based on the bullet’s mass and velocity. In home defense it reflects the potential for stopping a threat quickly and decisively.

Here’s why 5,000 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) matters:

• It provides a consistent way to compare different calibers and platforms.
• It reflects real-world defensive outcomes; power matters, but delivery speed and shot placement do too.
• It highlights how many shots are realistically needed to stop a threat under stress.

Pistols: Compact, Convenient, but Slower to Deliver

Firearm Used: Browning Hi-Power (9mm, iron sights)

Load: 147-grain standard pressure

Muzzle Energy per Shot: ~320 ft-lbs

Shots Required: 16

Time to 5,000 ft-lbs: 13.39 seconds

Pistols offer excellent maneuverability in tight indoor spaces. They’re lightweight, easy to store, and quick to draw. But when it comes to terminal performance, they fall short without volume. In our test, it took a full 16-round magazine dump to reach 5,120 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.

That raises an important question: Will an intruder give you 13 seconds to shoot? Unlikely. Pistols demand accuracy under pressure and multiple well-placed rounds. Under stress (after 15 push-ups), grip slippage and adrenaline made it harder to shoot consistently.

Still, pistols are a viable choice for users who train regularly and prioritize compact carry or safe storage over raw firepower.

Rifles: High Velocity, Lower Recoil, Greater Precision

Firearm Used: Home-built AR-15 (5.56 NATO, 16” barrel) with Advocate 1x Prism Mounted

Load: 55-grain M193

Muzzle Energy per Shot: ~1,300 ft-lbs

Shots Required: 4

Time to 5,000 ft-lbs: 5.33 seconds

Rifles, especially AR-15 platforms, offer an excellent balance of speed, accuracy, and energy. In the test, just four rounds from a basic AR-15 hit the 5,200 ft-lbs mark; more than enough to stop a threat quickly. And it did so in less than half the time of the pistol.

The reduced recoil and three-point contact (shoulder, hands) led to tighter groupings even under fatigue. Rifles also tend to hold 20–30 rounds, offering more staying power in case of multiple threats.

Drawbacks? Size in tight hallways and the risk of over-penetration through walls. Also, rifles aren’t always drop-safe when staged in “cruiser-ready” condition. These are considerations every homeowner must weigh.

Shotguns: Maximum Stopping Power in Minimal Time

Firearm Used: Tokarev T300 (12 gauge semi-auto)

Load: Federal Flight Control 8-pellet 

Muzzle Energy per Shot: ~1,680 ft-lbs

Shots Required: 3

Time to 5,000 ft-lbs: 3.98 seconds

The standout performer in the test was the shotgun.

With just three shots, the 12-gauge platform delivered over 5,040 ft-lbs of energy into the target in under four seconds. That’s 24 .33-caliber projectiles landing on target before most threats could react or escape.

More importantly, the group size was tight. The myth that “you don’t need to aim a shotgun” is dangerous. With proper optics, the buckshot stayed inside the A-zone; more accurate than the pistols used earlier.

At ~$250–$300, the Tokarev semi-auto shotgun used in the test outperformed many higher-priced platforms in pure home defense metrics.

Downsides? Recoil, limited capacity, and slower reload times. But with the right optic (like the Gideon Mediator II, rated for 12-gauge use), these challenges are minimized significantly.

Speed, Accuracy & Energy Comparison

Platform	Shots to 5,000 ft-lbs	Time	Accuracy	Recoil	Cost (Est.)
Pistol (9mm)	16	13.39	Acceptable	Moderate	~$600–$1,000
Rifle (AR-15)	4	5.33	Tight	Low	~$900–$1,500
Shotgun (12ga)	3	3.98	Tightest	Higher	~$300–$500

Optics: Why Red Dots Matter Under Stress

The test made one thing clear: optics improve speed and accuracy, especially under stress.

Red dot sights:

• Reduce aiming time (target acquisition)
• Perform better in low-light scenarios
• Are especially beneficial on shotguns (where bead sights can fail in darkness)

For home defense, Shake Awake red dots turn on automatically when the gun is picked up. That means no fumbling with buttons when seconds count.

Which Home Defense Gun Is Best for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Here’s how to choose based on your needs:

Tight spaces (apartments, hallways): Go pistol or short-barrel shotgun. Consider a red dot for quick aiming.

Larger homes or multiple threats: A rifle or shotgun offers better control and quicker threat neutralization.

On a budget: A reliable semi-auto shotgun paired with a durable red dot is nearly unbeatable.

Training-focused users: Any platform works if you practice under stress.

Making the Right Call Under Pressure

Each platform has strengths. Pistols are compact and familiar. Rifles offer fast, accurate follow-ups. Shotguns deliver raw power quickly and affordably. What matters most isn’t just caliber or capacity; it’s how effectively you can use it when adrenaline spikes, hands are shaky, and every second matters.
Need help optimizing your setup? Explore Gideon Optics’ lineup of red dots designed for pistols, rifles, and shotguns so you’re ready when it counts.