Shotgun or Pistol for Home Defense – Which Do You Prefer?
When it comes to defending your home and the people living within it, would you rather have a shotgun or a handgun? There are advantages and disadvantages to both, so it usually comes down to personal preference.
One upside to using a shotgun is that it has more stopping power than a pistol when it comes to taking down an intruder. They’re probably not going to be getting back up if you put them down with a shotgun. Assuming there is a decent distance between you and the intruder, a shotgun will be more accurate than a pistol. Another advantage is that a shotgun requires less training to use effectively than a pistol does.
The main disadvantage to using a shotgun when dealing with a home intruder is that turning corners in your home will be slower. And if the intruder is very close to you – especially in the dark – he may be able to grab your shotgun much easier than he would
your handgun. Another downside to a shotgun is that not every person in your home who might need to use it can handle the recoil.
A pistol’s main advantage when it comes to dealing with a home intruder is that it is light weight and easy to maneuver in tight places. Also, you can access it very quickly by keeping it under your pillow at night or on a nightstand next to the bed or tucked into a drawer in just about any room of the house. Almost anyone can use a handgun, but training is crucial, of course.
Which do you prefer to have in case you need to deal with an intruder? Why is that your preference? Have you ever been in the middle of defending your home from an intruder and wished you were holding a shotgun instead of a pistol – or vice versa? Please let me know what your opinion is on this important topic.
Home invaders can strike any time of the day, so you must either carry a handgun on your person IN YOUR HOUSE 24/7/365, OR stage firearms around the house so that no potential point of entry for an invader would cut you off from at least one firearm.
If you choose the latter, you can stage all kinds of firearms around the home and, if you fortify your points of entry, you may have time to get to the one that you feel most appropriate,
As older folks, I’ve downsized from 357 to 38 Special in the wheel guns my wife prefers, dropped +P loads for my semi-auto handguns, and gone from 3″magnum OO buck to 2 1/2″ #4 buck for my shotgun, but my semi-auto carbine still has full-power loads for situations that may need it. All pong guns have laser sights and flashlights attached, and those semi-autos which can mount them have laser sights, as well.
I do have on 22-cal carbine with 30-round magazine in the bedroom, in case of awakening from a dead sleep to a sudden situation, as drowsiness plus arthritis can make firing anything else a one-shot deal in that situation. Not much power in a 22, but if you put 10+ laser-guided rounds into a person- especially at bedroom-space ranges that allow them to be head shots- it’ll stop anyone.
That should be “long guns” in the third paragraph.
I’d prefer a hand gun. A shotgun would be too messy and would be hard to handle. I think I’d aim for the intruders legs unless he has a gun then I’d aim for the torsou or arm.
Police probably have a lot of gun training but why does it take 14 shots in the back for a man running away.
.12 ga pump shotgun with 00 buckshot
Judge Magnum loaded with 410 shot, PDX and 45LC with speed loads within grasp.
I have a RUEGER 9MM. Only difference with mine is it has a laser sight on it. Folks the red dot don’t lie. If it’s red it’s dead is the phrase I always use.
You might as well punch the intruder in the face!! I’ve seen too many shot with a 9mm BEAT THE HELL OUT OF THE SHOOTER TOO!! Unless you hit the intruder in the right spot..you may be done!!
S&W Governor with 45 and 410 critical defense load alternating
I had an experience with a intruder in broad daylight. I had forgotten to lock my door and was in another room, I had a rodent in the house and I thought the noise was from it. I walked into the other room and a man I didn’t know was standing in my entry. I didn’t get really scared until after he left. I live nest door to a liquor store and the crazies abound. I have a 410 shotgun and buckshot available
As a former Federal LEO and Vietnam Vet, I’m comfortable with most legal (and a few NOT-so-legal)firearms. And I also know what I can and can’t legally do in defense of my home here where I live.
Since we live in a townhouse, our bedroom is upstairs; this gives us an advantage at night. Intruders have to come upstairs to get at us – and those stairs are a natural funnel for #6-7 birdshot coming out of a 12-gauge pump. I’ve pulled the mag plug, so that gives me 4-5 rounds if I keep the chamber empty – and as most of us here know, THE most TERRIFYING sound an intruder can hear is “schlush-click”; “Get OUT of my House NOW!” as a VERY UNHAPPY Homeowner chambers a round. I figure that using #6-7 bird will keep everything INSIDE the house, instead of going through the walls into my neighbors or out into the yard; at most, I’ll have to replace sheetrock or closet doors.
If 4-5 founds of that aren’t enough, my wife has my .357 loaded up with 110-grain .38 Plus-P JHP hollow-points, and even though I shot expert at the Academy, she shoots that thing better than I do! But I can still outshoot her with my Springfield M-1911 .45 ACP – and THAT’s loaded with Hornady Home Defender hollow-point plug-noses, 8 in the mag and one chambered.
EVERY Badge in the country EXCEPT BATFE is welcome in my home, 24/7; BATFE is welcome during Normal Business Hours, with a warrant. When I went through FLETC-GLYNCO, I heard TOO MANY Horror Stories about how ATF conducted themselves; I’ve never seen or heard anything to change that opinion.
ALL Badges who are admitted into my home are offered coffee or soft drinks and conversation.
I have a question………. What do we do if the intruders are our own law enforcement or military who have been instructed to invade and confiscate? Every day it seems like this is a very likely scenario. Individually we are no match.
If you don’t announce yourself…YOUR ASS GETS SHOT & PUT DOWN!! (and its legal to do that too!!)
This is very interesting. I have a .44 magnum and a torus PT 99. 9mm. I tell my wife that if anybody comes into the house to hurt any one of my children or her and me, to get the .44 and shoot in the direction of the perp. of course we have a drill to gather in one room so that we are accounted for. the 44 has hollow points, so it does’ent continue to travel after it hits the wall or a door. same thing with the 9mm. hollow points. If the perp. still comes at us even after the warning shot in that direction, then to open up with the 9mm as soon as she sees him or her. you can imagine the rest.
You must tell them you have a gun and are going to shoot.
I want both a shot gun and a pistol. You do not have to aim when you have a shot gun. Then you take your pistol and finish the job.
Way out in “The Sticks,” everybody is armed and most of us have big dogs as well. I figure if they can get past my dogs, they will meet “Mr 10 gauge” and if they can get passed “him,” I guess they can have what they came in for because I’ll be past hurtin’. But the chances of that are 1 in a million. My dogs are big, mean and hungry and “Mr 10 gauge” doesn’t miss.
On the contrary, you must AIM with a shotgun just as you would with a handgun! At typical room distances the spread from most shotguns is 6″ or less, so yes you can miss.
Really, don’t know what state your in, but where I live, you come in you won’t be walking out.
Gan..don’t take what I say as an insult…but…I HOPE I DON’T LIVE CLOSE TO YOU WHEN YOU START FIRING THE “WARNING SHOT” WITH THE .44!! LOL!!
I keep both nearby.
2 pistols (1, .38 S&W revolver & 1, XD .45 ACP with mounted tac light & laser)
1 Mossberg 500, 18 1/2″ barrel loaded with 2 3/4″ #4 with a pistol grip and collapsible stock and mounted tac light. I worry about over penetration. We are responsible for every projectile that comes out our muzzle.
Everyone in the house has had professional training and extensive range time.
In my opinion (I’m sure others may disagree) you can count on a wheel gun to work even after being loaded for long periods of time whereas a magazine loaded for long periods of time may have a weakened spring preventing flawless operation when you need it most.
I also choose not to have as my defense guns anything with a name like: Judge, Python, etc… (Again I’m sure others will disagree)
In Hawaii you will be arrested and have your gun taken from you even in an armed home invasion scenario. Our castle doctrine is weak to nonexistent. Having a gun with a name that the prosecutor can potentially influence a jury is just a bad idea here or anywhere that doesn’t have a strong castle doctrine or no retreat/stand your ground law.
Besides having firearms nearby we have plans that we’ve practiced for various scenarios.
We also charge our cellphones on the nightstand so we can call the police immediately. Not only is this good practice to ensure back up is coming but the dispatcher can hear and record the incident.
I pray none of us need ever use firearms for our home defense but if we do we prevail.
I usually have 1 or 2 pistols on my night stand (Glock .40, Ruger 9mm or .380). Sometimes I have all 3. Just depends what I put there when I go to bed at night. I also keep a 9mm Carbine under the bed with 31 rounds loaded or in spare magazines. I figure if I need more than that, I’m in deep trouble. But, I have many more in my gun safe in my closet.
Jim, good points all. Here’s a perspective from the other side. Think- inner city, useful idiot, jury member. A 12 ga. With #9, indoors, is as good as a slug unless the perp is wearing armor. Further, one can say good guys aren’t allowed to start gunfights, so a 12 ga. With birdshot is not a weapon one would chose to start a gunfight. But in a house, it’s a fight finisher! All useful diots think guns are evil, people are harmless. And handguns are maximum evil. If you have a hand gun, you are looking for, or expecting evil. You in choosing your weapon of home defense choice, balance your weapons capabilities against the perceived, picture painted by dirtbag defense atty, and politically correct useful idiot position on types of weapons. A skilled, practiced home defender can efficiently and effectively protect their home with a balanced petception weapon. And practice, practice, practice! In the dark, with the lights out, with a pair of welders goggles on. And consider walk through practice (IDPA) with your weapon of choice!
I have a KelTec double magazine shotgun loaded with 14 rds. of 00buck that I keep next to my bed. It is relatively short and hold 14 +1 rounds. To get to my bed you have to traverse a 12 ft. hallway and that shotgun has a nice pattern in that area. I also have a Sig. 45-7rd.-semi automatic in my living room in case I need it till I get to my shotgun. I only have one door and 2 windows so I can protect any and all of them if necessary from a home invasion. Also, in my closet, I have an 80# crossbow with Broad Tipped Arrows. It is a very lethal weapon because of the silence and the Broad Tipped arrows are nasty. The arrows rotate and slice at the same time. It is hand held and about 16″ long and 8″ wide when cocked. Plus, if everything else fails, I always have a hardwood bat that is 16 in. long.
That is .38 special.
I have a judge loaded with one special shot shell and then 4 silvertip Hollow points (45 long colt). A carry a very small .22 magnum on me at all times because I am disabled and get move around quickly. Also a .30 Model 10 in my office.
For me, the Taurus “Judge” is the perfect compromise. 3 Rounds of “Winchester PDX” and two rounds of hollow points. Ain’t nobody coming up the stairs!
violence is NOT the answer.we human never learned.well what you gonna do we just human!Right?bank just foreclosed my house Nov.12 2015 cuz i pay can my mortgage. lost my job 2 years ago i serve time Warner cable for 18yrs and because I getting a lil slower and can do what the new productivity numbers want.Maybe the corporation do not know aging process tend to slow us down or they just don’t care all they care about is number.but how many has to die violently just to survive.its a shame why we do that to each other. human now a day is shouldn’t be barbaric.who I am kidding we learned how to wipe a whole village with one push of a button.here I am typing away preaching I do not even know how to save our home with 2 kids and asthmatic wife from the bank who already has the money. but of course they want more. gave them supposedly my retirement hoping I get a job this year. stupid me!Now I got zero balance on my name now my fellow human has the right to insult me and kick me out my american dream home.well I guess got the right to pick a gun and just shoot any one in sight.you think that will solve my problem? all they want is the color money, which I don’t have.killing each other is not what GOD want us do.Helping each other is the goal.do you think a corporation which a group of intelligent people will help me.who the F—k I am they prefer number than humans.I’m hoping God will help to save our home, make me wonder if GOD got money and pay my bank. I know he got power beyond that…may GOD hell us all
I have a taurus judge loaded with 45’s and 410 slugs
No it is not the answer, but neither am I going to stand by and let someone who comes in uninvited shoot, stab or rape me. I have a stun gun, gas and weapons. I will use any or all of them.
There is a sign on our door that says “This house is guarded by God and a gun; come in un invited you will meet both.
I have a sign that says, ”This house is protected by shotgun 3 days a week. You guess which 3.”
Mine says…THIS HOME PROTECTED BY A HIGH SPEED WIRE-LESS DEVICE”!! (with a pic of my .45 auto in the middle of the sign!)
I think it’s mostly a matter of individual preference, and also depends on the size of the home, length of hallways, etc.
However, I have a FIRM preference for either a revolver (preferably .38 spl or larger) or a pump 12-gauge, like the Mossberg 500. I think these choices are especially important if other family members may be using one of the weapons. Unless you are VERY familiar with a semi-auto pistol or shotgun, the possibility of someth8ing going wrong — especially if you’re awakened in the middle of the night, is far greater than with a revolver or pump gun. Unless your wife or teenage daughter spend LOTS of hours on the range with those semi-autos, don’t expect them to be in top form at 3 a.m. when things get scary & confused. Keep their choices simple.
Running drills with the family is a great idea, so each knows what to do and where to go if things start crashing in the middle of the night. And obviously having a powerful flashlight next to your principal firearm is critical, so that you KNOW who you’re shooting at, if it comes to that.
There is no one plan that is perfect for everyone. But it i IS critical that everyone have a plan.
I also have a Mossberg 500 sawed off to 19″ and stock off. Doesn’t go through walls and will make the intruder wish he went to another home. 00 buck is the answer
In Canada you cannot have a firearm ready to defend yourself . You will be prosecuted for unsafe storage !!!!!
You simply tell them that you retrieved or unlocked the gun (depending on how they want it stored “safely”), then retrieved the ammo, and loaded the gun — AFTER you heard an intrusion.
Another advantage of a shotgun is that it is less likely to penetrate a wall and inadvertently hit someone in the next room.
Out to 7 yards, 9 shot acts like a slug, even through walls. If there’s any question of your skill level, and a fear factor with a laser in the beam helps. Go shotgun. If you are very practiced, then a light attached pistol or revolver moves up the list. A light is a must, beyond that it’s what ever you can hit with. Training, training, training. My wife is good with an 1100, my son with an 870, and my preference is a 32C in .357 Sig.
Remember- the sound of an 870 racking is a universal playing field leveler.
I like the Rem 870 12 gauge with 18″ barrel, pistol grip, fore grip, extended capacity tube, with light-laser combo. A trigger on the fore grip activates the light. You shoot it from your waist level so recoil is painless and non-jumpy. It feels like catching a basketball. Also having five dogs of various sizes in the house is comforting.
The best thing to have is a small dog, train him to act when he hears someone around the outside of the house giving you time to arm yourself, my dog has given me time to arm myself many times over and over. 9 out of 10 whoever was trying to come in left because of the dog. My guns are ready but the dog has scared the person away. One time my wife and I were up late we heard someone trying to break in but the dog was at the door in two seconds, by the time we got our guns and went to the door the person was gone. Get a dog and a gun.
I keep a Glock 19 ready to go but I also have my AR-15 ready to go as well..never know how many intruders if you do have them. I have a big old farm house so if I have an elevated shot then my AR is my weapon of choice. 30 rounds is nice to have.
the best gun for defending your home depends on what room you’re in and what gun you have in that room! in other words the gun that you can readily get to! not to mention the one you carry on your hip from room to room, what you don’t keep your gun with you? you should!
I had a state police officer tell me that there is nothing more intimidating as the sound of a 12 ga. round being chambered. If the intruder is close enough to hear this, he is going to run. Hearing that thump will make them think twice.
Until the idiot trying to break in is a Drugged up idiot who can barely comprehend that he is alive, he cares nothing about anyone else or anything, all he wants is the money to get another fix. He doesn’t give two hoots about the “sound” of an 870 being racked
I got a Judge (3 410 shots & 2 brass 44) & a Mossberg 500 I customized (shorter) and lots of practice.
If you can only own one. Then a shotgun is your best course. If money is no object look at an FN SLP. It has 8 shots over others that are 3-6. It makes a good prep gun as you can also hunt with it. Lots of defense shotguns don’t work for hunting. A little cheaper is the mossberg SPX 930. In an ideal situation you want to have a pistol and a long gun. The general rule is a pistols best use is to get you to a long gun.
Another poster mentioned at length training. You should train on a regular basis and practice senerios. Most rangers offer a basic weapons class for about $50.
I have a Taurus Judge with a variety of 410 shot and the 5th a 45 semi-jacketed long. Its loaded with a wide spread of #6 shot to increasingly tighter pattern of buck. I’ll go for head shots. If I had the money I’d consider the S&W Governor because the trigger pull can be adjusted and it has 6 shots instead of 5 but it is heavier.
Dear Frank,
As you know, we have been a police and domestic firearms instructor for almost 40 years.
To this day, when giving “Family Firearms Safety Classes” and the issue of home defense for the everyday family in discussed, here are our basic points.
1. Train the family to practice basic home security at all times. This reduces the risk of home invasion.
2. If you wake in the night and fear your home has been invaded, NEVER play cop and try hunting room to room for the outlaws. Make them come after your defensive position, if harm is their intent.
3. “PPP!” Pick, Prep-plan and Practice taking cover in a specific room and move everyone into it (preferably a master bedroom with it’s own bathroom),
4. Secure the children in the bathroom and close/lock the door. Instruct them not to come out until you tell them to, period!
5. Turn on the hall light, lock the bedroom door and turn out the lights in the room. This creates a “Fatal Funnel” the intruders must step into if they try to get at you.
6. You are to DIP (Defend In Place) until police arrive. Stay put in that room unless the house is on fire, etc. or until directed by police.
7. Arm yourself as you choose, but for the novice non-shooting family we recommend a single barrel shotgun with an 18″ or 20″ barrel, loaded with low base #4 or BB shot or slightly larger, never slugs or 00 buck (less violent recoil).
8. While one of you keeps a steady aim on the closed and locked door, a companion (or yourself if all alone) Dial 911 ASAP and stay on the phone! The dispatcher will advise you when officers arrive.
9. God forbid, but if someone breaks through the door, aim for center mass and squeeze the trigger. Focus on nothing else but reloading and take aim at the doorway again, in case there is more than one attacker.
10. Once the dispatcher advises police are on scene, unload your weapon and secure it. Telling the dispatcher your weapon has been unloaded,secured and you are now unarmed. Turn on the lights and wait in the room until police direct you to come out and obey all their commands.
Of course, NEVER NEVER NEVER shoot through the closed door, even if someone is trying to bust in. In this day and age it may well be SWAT officers not the bad guys! Police today way over use “explosive entry” techniques.
We are aware of several of our students who have safely used this plan over the decades and thank the Lord, no one ever attempted to breach the door once they announced they were armed and on the phone with police!!!
God Bless One and All,
Orrin
Very well written. Thanks for taking the time to post.
Orrin, I agree on all points except I never unload my weapon. There have been to many times when we think the area is cleared only to find a criminal still hiding in the house or area. Only after I am sure the family and the attending cops are safe will I secure my weapon. The key to being safe, as you stated if training, and practice, over and over and over; just owning a gun will NOT make you safe. Learning how and when to use it, will.
Well put… I couldn’t agree more! I get my training from the police and my father was a cop for 25 years so making them come to you in a foreign environment definitely increases your odds of a successful showdown. Bathroom is a great choice too cause of the bathtub. Put the wife and kids in there for xtra safety.
Orrin, that is the best written statement I have read in a long time, well done.
However, I think you and the rest of us can all agree that the best “gun” to have is the the one that you will never use. What do I mean? Please allow me to explain.
If you prepare your home to make it as un-invitful as possible to any would be intruder then you will never need to use a weapon to repel your unwanted invaders. For example, Making sure your home is locked up and all windows are closed to prevent any would-be-invader from thinking that they have an open invitation to “Com’on in.” Most home burglaries are because a door or accessible window was open. Trim and remove any outside trees and shrubs that can be used to hide or obscure the line of sight of any access to your home. I have a brick planter in front of my house. A person can jump on the planter wall then jump a 6 foot wall that prevents unwanted people from walking into may backyard. The way my roof is a person could jump on the 6 foot tall wall then onto my roof. So, I planted a rose bush and allowed it to grow tall and bushy. The thorns on this rose bush will tear you up so bad that you will need a trip to the hospital.
Next, proper lighting on the outside of your home, to shine a light on those obscure and dark areas. You don’t want to be ambushed or provide a safe working platform for your would be intruder.
Finally, a dog that isn’t afraid to protect you and its territory. I have several BIG dogs. One dog or several ankle biters is enough to deter any would be unwanted guest. I prefer more than one dog just in case you have a very dumb intruder that thinks that he can handle the one dog, two or more will really make him think long and hard before going into your home. It also keeps law enforcement from barging into your home too. Often they push their way into your home for what ever the reason. But with several dogs barking up a storm, it will make them think twice before entering. My Chow use to sound like a buzz saw trying to come through the door. :-)
But if you need to have a weapon make sure it is one that you and your family can handle. When people are not trained properly or often mistakes can and will be made. If it is you and your wife then make sure you both have training on your weapon. Know what you are shooting at. All to ,someone was killed or injured because a scared person with a gun pulled the trigger on a love one that just came home late. If you think you are in danger then yell out that you have a gun, the cops have been called, and they had better leave NOW!
If it is a family member they will answer you back and you can relax. Otherwise, make the call and stay put until help arrives.
Use bird shot in your shotgun. It will scare the bejesus out of anyone. Just remember you have have only one or two shots available to you, unless you have a pump action, so don’t waste your shots, and know what you are shooting at before pulling the trigger. Once pulled, you can’t take it back no matter how much you wish for it.
A handgun has anywhere from 6 to 15 shots. It only works if you hit the thing you are shooting at if you are to stop an intruder. Be proficient at handling a hand gun, whereby, you can hit what you are aiming at.
Remember, training is your best defense. That means training for the whole family. You don’t need an emotional person, be it wife, kids or husband with a gun. After ,you are protecting you and your family in a life and death situation. Be responsible, prepare, train and stay safe.
I think it very much depends upon the layout of your home. My house is fairly small, with a short hallway and 3 small bedrooms. A short weapon is the right choice here. That being said, I live in California, and if I use a firearm here, I’m going to jail right or wrong. If I’m right and the police agree, then I’ll be back home relatively quickly. If not, well you get the picture. And I may very well NEVER get my gun back. Here, you’re a lot more likely to be wrong than right.
That being said, I also have a large and very protective German Shepherd…there’s no way anyone can get into my house without her raising hell and attacking an intruder. Gives me plenty of time to get whatever weapon I want. And those weapons I grab first are a taser and a bat. My wife backs me up in place with something more lethal. Firearms really must be your last resort if you live somewhere with gun laws like ours, because all too often, even if you win, you still lose.
Suggest you move to Alabama immediately. We have a new no-retreat law in effect here.
It is good to be prepared, but it is essential to be safe. I keep a tight control on my firearms, especially when my grandchildren are around. There is a greater danger to family, from home defense weapons, than from intruders. There have also been armed home or business owners shot by police, responding to burglary calls. Never ever greet the police with a gun in hand! Adrenalin has away of numbing the brain, too!
I am a retired instructor at a local college and I have always maintained a shotgun is the best home defense weapon. Hit a target in the dark with a handgun is close to impossible; especially if you don’t practice – A LOT!- with close-quarters emergencies.
Mossberg Tactical 12 Ga. Pump w/.oo Buckshot, next to bed, a Glock 26, under pillow and a .38 snub nose J frame hanging from center post of king sized bed, so no matter which way I am laying, I have easy access. My home is alarmed and also has surveillance cameras. I get whatever my Rottweiler leaves. I am not the best target, in my area!
sawed off 12 gauge with #9 bird shot does not need to be on target to get results, but do go get training and shot allot of targets
I have both..
Yes, but have you actually trained with either or both? Having it is VERY different than being proficient in it’s use…
A shotgun is the best close-range self-defense weapon bar none, except perhaps if you have extensive training using an SMG, which few of us do.
However, the pistol has a huge advantage due to the fact that it is the one firearm that is always “on you” (or at least an arm’s reach away) at all times in your home, and thus will probably be what you use to defend yourself with.
Which you choose depends on pre-planning (what you have chosen to make immediately available to yourself at a moment’s notice), on your training, and on the situation at hand.
Are individuals sneaking around the outside of your house (do you have lead time), or do you wake up from a noise that requires your instant response in order to protect those you love.
If you have a family, you will want to make sure you have an emergency plan to deal with a crisis such as this. Pre-planning how you and your spouse (and your children) will respond to these events in advance could save both your life and theirs.
Part of the critical aspect of any shooting (especially if you have family) is identification of your target just before firing.
For years, I had a duty belt by my bedside that in the middle of the night, I would clip on over my underwear, draw my pistol and head out to defend (as I had a small child in another room) with pistol drawn and aimed. This enabled me to have additional rounds, a C-cell Maglight, handcuffs, a knife, etc., all at my fingertips. Later, when technology permitted this change, I had an on-handgun light with remote pressure switch activated by my grip thumb just before I fired for target identification. This permitted me to shoot with a normal grip.
Whatever weapon’s platform you choose, practice is key. So are drills with one’s family members.
You have to be good with a handgun to effectively wield it in a crisis, but Front Sight and other training institutes can help with this, and this simply requires both the right mindset as-well-as proper training.
It has been said that a 16-year old girl with a shotgun can outperform an adult male with a handgun in 80% of all situations. If your wife is in a room guarding your kids and is stationary, this would be wise to consider.
Woken up from a “dead sleep” the firearm that is inches away from me is a handgun, and even though I am fully aware of its inadequacies compared to a shotgun, I am very-well trained and extremely proficient, and for a noise within my own home I am eminently comfortable responding with my sidearm.
My choice is the .410 revolver. Best of both worlds.
I’m a woman alone and I slept with asawed off and a pistol with a small ax under the bed, I rigged the doors with chairs holding pots and pans, I locked my bedroom door. I didn’t have any trouble, one thing my aggressors knew was that I was trying to kill them. and I didn’t consider it murder, cause when you know somebody’s trying to kill you, you been shot at and you go back you got a death wish. Back then they were game I used for target practice. They were lucky. but I come close.
Definitely the Judge, second choice 38 spl 2 rounds of snake shot then hollow points.
Actually, there is no advantage to a .410 revolver over any other HANDGUN in a defensive situation. The advantage of a LONG GUN is in the power of the cartridge or shell, and the sight radius of the long barrel. If you are relying on the “spread” produced by a shotgun in firing a .410 bore load from a handgun, you are going to be disappointed. Take it out and PRACTICE with it, and you’ll understand that you actually have the WORST of both worlds in that little device…