Are AR-15s good for home defense? | Hunting Mark

Everyone needs to have a plan to defend their home in case of a home invasion, but what firearm is the best option for that? Well, as with most things, it depends. In this case, it depends mostly on you, the defender of the home; how much time you can dedicate to practicing with your firearm, how young or old you are, and whether you have small children in the home. Cameron and Jordan talk about many considerations you may not have thought of when thinking about home defense.

[@cerberusaoe]

Howdy! Big thanks to the comments pointing out something misleading that I said in this video: the comment about not aiming shotguns. For reference, the exact quote was "...primarily because you don't really have to worry about aim. It's a lot easier to hit what you're trying to hit by just pointing and shooting."
I said this in a way that could lead someone who is not familiar with shotguns to reach some wrong conclusions. Here is more context on what I was attempting to communicate. In my opinion, there is a difference between the process of aiming a handgun/rifle and pointing-and-shooting a shotgun. I am very familiar with shotguns, and have shot many in my lifetime, and I have never shot a shotgun that was equipped with a rear & front sight like any standard rifle would be. My instructor when I first learned to skeet shoot explained that with shotguns it's more just pointing and shooting.
The key here is that you still have to point before you shoot. You have to point the shotgun at the thing you want to hit. A lot of people consider this aiming. I don't really know what the precise term for it would be but to me there is a clear difference between lining up your sight picture with iron sights, a scope, or other optic, and simply pointing and shooting.
I believe the larger point about accuracy generally still stands, because even a slug is going to have a wider profile than anything smaller than a .50, and the more common buckshot or birdshot could have a spread that is several inches wide, meaning that by virtue of physics, a shotgun is going to be more forgiving of poor aim than a handgun or rifle. That said, an inexperienced shooter might take my comment to mean that the spread could be much wider like in the movies, or that they don't need to be as careful or intentional about how they're firing the weapon, and that is on me for being too vague.
On another note...what's with the toxicity? I mean seriously, I have never seen a community that will so instantly refuse the benefit of the doubt and tear each other apart like wolves like the gun community does. Do the personal insults and insinuations of stupidity do any more good than just leaving the feedback would? I mean, you do you but geez guys, don't we all have the same goals?

[@thechase-secondchance5077]

AR- pistol with an 8 to 11 inch barrel with brace that can extend 3 or so inches gives you greater maneuverability in tight spaces like hallways than a standard AR rifle while also giving you the 3 point contact. Ruger AR 556 pistol is a good example. Bullpup shotguns are a decent option, too, as they are shorter and brace well for recoil.

[@thriftysurvivor6117]

You guys are right on here. I can see how someone with arthritis, or a weaker person may have a hard time pulling the slide back on some pistols, or might be intimidated by a 12 ga. shotgun. I find that one of the best options for that type of individual may be a "semi automatic sporting rifle"; the most common of which are very easy to chamber a round into with minimal strength. I will say however that it would be a good idea to train with whatever firearm one chooses to go with. Long guns can be somewhat difficult to maneuver with in confined spaces. This would be a case where training to maneuver in the confines of your home with a rifle, or for that matter a shotgun would be wise.
Great video guys. Keep em coming.

[@bds123087]

Did he just say you don’t have to Aim a shotgun??? A shotgun in a home defense distance Absolutely has to be aimed!!! It’s not like in the movies, the closer the distance The tighter the spread.

[@cerberusaoe]

Thanks for the feedback. I've left a comment adding context to the statement I made on aiming.

[@charlescostello6727]

Whatever you are comfortable with.

[@southernmarksman]

You have to aim a shotgun just about as much as a rifle or pistol. Point shooting works with any of them at close enough range, but at 5-7 yards, you have to aim... or you will miss. Try it sometime. Also forgive the negative sounding comment, thanks for getting info out there.

[@cerberusaoe]

Thanks for the feedback. I've left a comment adding context to the statement I made on aiming.

[@daviddalton9214]

Makes you wonder if they know what birdshot feels like.

[@jaredcook8145]

FWIW You might get more views if get rid of that obnoxious guitar riff running loudly on endless loop. I'd say it is in the background but it is way too loud for that.

[@joey011582]

Make an AR9,

[@abc4781]

Lol his hairline is a landing strip 🤣 😂

[@pizza7975]

Amateur. Shotgun needs to be aimed, just like any firearm. Go to a shotgun class to get educated

[@daviddalton9214]

Or just aim it.
It’s not brain surgery.

[@cerberusaoe]

Thanks for the feedback. I've left a comment adding context to the statement I made on aiming.

[@LuisGonzalez-qz2sx]

Booooo i have 30 reason in my AR to desagree with you folks,

[@dnice.757]

U don't have a aim with a shot gun ahh thats not completely accurate

[@cerberusaoe]

Thanks for the feedback. I've left a comment adding context to the statement I made on aiming.