Protecting your house is no laughing matter. It’s not simply a matter of picking the largest gun — it’s a matter of picking one you can shoot under pressure, one you can trust, and one that will fit in your house and suit your legal scenario. Below are ten great choices for 2025, beginning with non-lethal and continuing on through full-powered self-defense guns. I’ll discuss why each is beneficial and who it’s ideal for.
10. Mace Pepper Spray Gun 2.0 — Non-lethal, uncomplicated, pocket-sizer
At times, the optimum selection halts an attack without using lethal force. The Mace Pepper Spray Gun 2.0 is a pocket-sizer, uncomplicated to use, and designed for short-range encounters. It includes an integrated LED light for night use and is ergonomic in design. Its realistic appearance will discourage an attacker, but its real utility is in incapacitating without permanent harm. Ideal for individuals who desire legal and ethical peace of mind with a reliable home solution.
9. Byrna SD Pepperball Launcher — Non-lethal with realistic handling
If you want a non-lethal device that mimics the actual model for training or reassurance, the Byrna SD is an excellent choice. The pepper projectiles are fired at effective ranges and mimic shooting a pistol, allowing beginners to develop reflexive responses. Since it’s designed like an ordinary handgun, practice safety and vigilance — it could be mistaken for a lethal weapon in a sensitive environment.
8. Umarex T4E .50 Cal Pepperball Pistol — Training and self-defense in one
The Umarex T4E is a multi-purpose model that is equally suited to training as well as defensive purposes. It shoots .50 caliber pepper rounds with sufficient impact to incapacitate or stop an attacker, while its fiber-optic sight and ambi controls provide familiarity and stress-free operation. Though not as accurate as a firearm with lethal ammunition, its area-effect penetration makes up for less-than-perfect marksmanship — perfect for someone who needs a more reliable training device which can also double as a personal-defense tool.
7. SABRE Pepper Projectile Launcher — Non-lethal reliability, law-enforcement style
Employed by a few police agencies, the SABRE launcher adds precision and solid mechanics to the non-lethal situation. Powered by standard CO₂ cartridges, it will fire a range of projectiles, and thus it is very versatile. Controls are somewhat clumsy compared to a firearm, but quality and feel are well worth the compromise for those who wish to make non-lethal primary as a homeowner.
6. Marlin 1894 Lever Action Rifle — Timeless, fast-handling, politically correct everywhere
Lever rifles aren’t the home defense first line of defense, but the 1894 Marlin does find a niche for practical reasons. .357/.38 chambered, it provides plenty of stopping power without appearing intimidating in tactical rifle form. Its lever cycle is fast and smooth, and its function provides very quick follow-up shots, and it does lights or reflex sights well. It’s particularly helpful in the era when contemporary tactical rifles are banned or simply out of favor.
5. Ruger PC Carbine — Pistol-caliber carbine, modular and forgiving
The Ruger PC Carbine combines pistol convenience with rifle stability. In 9mm, it’s recoil-friendly, takes standard magazines (e.g., Glock-style on most), and folds for storage. You can mount lights, optics, or other accessories to suit your home’s needs. It’s a good option for a person who needs controllability and magazine capacity without the recoil cost of a larger caliber.
4. Mossberg 590A1 Pump Action Shotgun — Workhorse reliability
Pump shotguns have been the home defense go-to traditional choice because they’re easy, rugged, and dependable. Mossberg 590A1 adds ruggedness, high capacity, and ease of use. Positive feedback from manual cycling, along with ghost-ring sights and a Picatinny rail, makes it easy to mount a red dot or light. If you prefer something that’ll just keep going when everything else stops, a pump shotgun is a good, old-school choice.
3. Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol Semi-Auto Shotgun — Improved follow-up shots, reduced recoil
If you like a semi-auto shotgun for rapid follow-up shots and less perceived recoil, the Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol is a good choice. Its gas system fights recoil, it fires smoothly, and it’s built with tactical niceties such as extended controls and mounting points. That combination of speed, capacity, and ergonomics makes it especially convenient in the close-quarters home scenario.
2. Springfield Echelon 9mm Pistol — Contemporary, optics-ready, high-capacity
To most, a pistol is the practical first option for home defense. The Springfield Echelon is designed as a purposeful defense pistol: optic-capable, ergonomic grip configurations, natural point-of-view controls, and substantial magazine capacity. Its ability with standard red dots and its compatibility with extended mags make it versatile to suit various users’ requirements and home environments. A well-honed shooter with a proven 9mm, like the Echelon, can be very effective in defensive work.
1. FN 510 Tactical 10mm Pistol — Raw power with updated features
For optimal stopping power in a pistol package, the FN 510 Tactical is difficult to beat. Carried in 10mm, it provides magnum-level performance with still-familiar modern ergonomics — optics-ready slide, suppressor-ready, and with great magazine capabilities. It’s a larger gun to handle than a 9mm, but for those who value energy on target and feature-laden design, it’s the home defense champion.
All of the above options have advantages and disadvantages. Non-lethal devices minimize legal and ethical danger but demand discipline and familiarity with their limitations. Cartridges and carbines provide stopping power and control but necessitate training to employ safely at close range. Handguns are convenient and readily utilized, but operation is highly dependent on training and practice. Choose a platform that is both suited to your home, your state’s laws, and — above all — the one you’ll be counting on when it counts. Adequate training, safe storage, and a solid plan for domestic protection are as important as the tool you select.
