There was a time when shotguns were considered the end-all, be-all of home defense, but the gun world’s moved on. That doesn’t mean there’s not a good place for your 12-gauge anymore, just that horizons have broadened to include handguns and AR-15s. When it comes to defending your castle, it’s a good idea to be sure the gun you choose checks all the necessary boxes for versatility, and that often means a rifle. How do you choose a rifle for home defense? We have ideas (and tips, too).

Home Defense vs. Concealed Carry

It’s good to understand the differences between home defense firearms and your average concealed carry handgun. Obviously you’re not running around trying to conceal a long gun in your jeans, so your daily carry is going to be some sort of handgun. Those handguns are frequently subcompact with short little barrels—features that make them easier to conceal, but not necessarily as ideal as they could be. When you’re arming yourself to defend yourself at home, why not choose a larger gun? Rifles fit the bill for numerous reasons.

What’s the best rifle for home defense?

There are lever-actions, bolt-actions, AR-15s, and single-shot rifles on the market. You can even get a muzzleloader or a, if you’re feeling sporty, a musket. But when you’re choosing a rifle for self-defense within the walls of your home, you want to take a few things into consideration.

Rate of fire is a big one, and while that might come as a surprise, there are good reasons for it. Home invaders often travel in packs, meaning you’re going to be dealing with multiple attackers. It’s also possible you’ll need to fire more than one shot to stop the threat coming from a one attacker. Whatever the case, consider rate of fire when selecting a rifle. It’s entirely possible to run a bolt-action or lever fast, but it’s simpler to run a semi-auto AR-15 with greater speed. Straightforward is a good thing when the adrenaline is dumping.

Barrel length is something to keep in mind. The ideal length depends largely on the size and layout of your home. In most cases, a carbine is going to be better than a rifle—meaning that barrel is 16.0-inches. If you want to jump through the hoops and pay the tax stamp to get an SBR, more power to you. But for most people, it’s more reasonable to get a carbine. All sorts of rifles come in that length.

Caliber must be taken into account as well. As much as I love my big bores, I don’t want to fire a 45-70 Gov’t at a home invader (at least it’s not my preference). This isn’t about over-penetration as much as it’s about accuracy and follow-up shots. You need your rifle to be chambered in a caliber you’re capable of keeping on target easily, including during any necessary follow-up shots or tracking a moving target. That’s usually going to mean something like 223 Remington or 300 Blackout, and while you can find lever and bolts in those calibers, there are a lot more AR-15s.

Customization and modularity are factors that matter when selecting a home defense rifle. Let’s be real here, it’s harder to throw a red dot or LPVO on a bolt-action than to add one to an AR-15. Levers can certainly take red dots, but where are you going to put that weapon mounted light? Is your lever-action a fully tactical model with an M-LOK handguard or does it have standard wood furniture?

What this all comes down to is that while any long gun can be a viable defensive tool, the AR-15 is exceptionally well-suited to the task. With an AR-15, you get a semi-auto with your choice of countless chamberings, and it’s easy to customize with whatever optics and lights you want.

What should you look for in an AR-15?

When you’re choosing an AR-15, take care not to go for what’s cheapest or coolest. Those are two ends of a huge spectrum and neither tends to be ideal for home defense. Instead, go for a functional model that’s well-made. Your home defense AR-15 (or any rifle) should be:

• Reliable
• Comfortable
• Accurate
• Maneuverable
• Customizable for useful accessories
• Relatively lightweight

An AR-15 with a 16.0-inch barrel delivers solid ballistics and allows you to maneuver within your home. A model with Picatinny rail and an M-LOK handguard lets you mount optics and whatever other accessories you require without a fuss. And if it’s lightweight, it’s a lot simpler to carry or hold for extended periods of time. You have no way of knowing how things will go down, meaning you don’t know if you’ll have that rifle in your hands for significant lengths of time—potentially long enough to tire out your arms.

How do you stage a rifle?

Staging an AR-15—or any long gun—is more challenging than doing the same with a handgun. That said, there are a lot of good under-bed safes and quick-access upright models available. If you don’t have kids and you want to leave your rifle out, take steps to ensure it cannot be knocked over or interfered with by a pet or human. And no, that doesn’t mean to just lean it in the corner with an empty chamber. Even for home defense, empty chambers aren’t the way to go.

However you choose to stage your rifle, it should be easily accessible. You shouldn’t stage it in a place where a bad guy could end up between you and your gun or where someone might mess with it. Think tactically and logically.

Should you practice for home defense?

It’s a fantastic idea to have a home defense plan in place. That goes for families, couples, and singles—however many people are in the home, it benefits you to plan. That also means making sure you know where furniture and light switches are. Those are things that might seem silly, but it’s smart to walk the house with your rifle and get a feel for how you’d be moving and maneuvering in case of a home invasion. Having the home turf advantage is major during that type of threat, so take full advantage of it. Academies like Gunsite Academy also offer great home defense courses that utilize shoot houses and scenarios to train you to the greatest possible extent. There’s no such thing as being too prepared or too well trained.

The best rifle for you

Truth is, the best home defense rifle for you is the one you’re comfortable and accurate with. If that means you’re better off with a lever, go for it. Not everyone has the same skillsets, and that’s okay. Yes, it’s a good idea to diversify those skills, but you also want to play to your strengths when it comes to self-defense. An AR-15 might be ideal for the majority of gun owners, but maybe it isn’t for you. Take your time and choose the right gun for your needs and circumstances. After all, it’s your life—and the lives of your loved ones—you’ll be defending.

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