Is the AR-15 good for home defense? Does it have advantages over a handgun or shotgun for the same role? This debate is as old as the rifle itself. Let's go over the advantages of using the AR-15 in 5.56 NATO/ .223 Remington in a home defense role.

Ease of Use

Anyone can master the AR-15 with great proficiency. Even the smallest statured individuals can comfortably handle the mild recoiling 5.56 NATO round. Shotguns firing suitable defensive loads have considerably more recoil than the AR-15. AR-15 controls are located near the firing hand and are sometimes ambidextrous. Reloading the AR-15
 is very fast and easy since magazines insert straight into the magazine well (not rock and lock like an AK). The less you think about how to run your rifle in a stressful situation, the better your chances of success in a home defense situation.

Capacity

Any home defense shooting is a worst-case situation. Regardless of one's level of training or expertise, it is quite easy to miss your target under stress. To make matters more difficult, one might be up against multiple attackers. Because of the threat of more than one intruder, a larger magazine
 size is always appreciated. Most full-sized handguns carry 15 to 18 rounds. These handguns can carry more ammunition, but the magazine awkwardly extends well below the grip. Shotguns usually have a 10 round capacity at most. Standard capacity AR-15 magazines hold 30 rounds of 5.56 NATO/ .223 Remington and larger capacity magazines can be utilized if needed.

The 5.56 NATO Round

The 5.56 NATO/ .223 Remington round particularly shines in the short-range distances of home defense. From 55 grain M193 ball to high-tech open-tip rounds, there is a type of 5.56 NATO cartridge to fit your needs. Ultimately, the terminal ballistics of 5.56 NATO is superior to any pistol round other than large-caliber magnums. Shotgun rounds can possess greater terminal ballistics but at the expense of harsh recoil and decreased range. The 5.56 NATO round falls between handgun rounds and shotgun shells in terms of power and is a great compromise for close-quarters shooting. Shop a wide variety of 5.56 NATO.

Ideal Cartridge Loadings

Over penetration is a serious concern when shooting inside of a structure. Pistol bullets tend to crush through building materials and hit unintended targets due to their weight and lower velocity. Most 5.56 NATO projectiles fragment or tumble when they impact building materials due to their lightweight construction and high velocity. These characteristics mitigate the risk of over-penetration. The 5.56 NATO/ .223 Remington round will keep you safer indoors.

Accuracy

Rifles are much easier to shoot proficiently than handguns due to the increased contact with the firearm. When one fires an AR-15, their body contacts the rifle at the grip, forend, and stock. These additional points of contact provide more stability and accuracy. Pistols have two points of contact (your hands) at most and require considerably more training to shoot accurately. Life and death situations demand rapid and accurate fire. One needs all the help they can get when things start to go sideways and the stability of an AR-15 helps improve accuracy.

Handiness

The AR-15, which usually features a 16-inch barrel, is handy in the close confines of the home. Yes, handguns are smaller, but that's where the tradeoffs end. With practice, one can easily maneuver inside the home with their rifle. Additionally, AR-15 pistols
and short-barreled rifles (SBRs) with sub-16-inch barrels keep most of the advantages of larger AR-15s while offering ultimate compactness for home defense.

Customization

One can easily customize their AR-15 to make it anything they need it to be. Optics can be added to the m1913 rail atop the upper receiver.
Most current AR-15s utilize handguards that can accept a multitude of accessories. Red dot sights and flashlights are essential force multipliers for the home defense AR-15. Slings can be added to your AR-15 to keep your rifle close by and out of the hand of a potential attacker.

Cost

We live in the golden age of the AR-15. These rifles are more available and affordable than ever. Complete rifles can be purchased for under $500 and offer a lot of bang for the buck.
 The low cost and availability of the AR-15 put it within reach of almost anyone.

Conclusion

When lives are on the line, it's important to use the best tool for home defense. While no firearm is perfect, the AR-15
 provides the best combination of control, accuracy, and firepower. If you hear a bump in the night, don't grab Uncle Joe's shotgun, reach for your AR-15. Do you think the AR-15 is the ideal home defense firearm? Let me know in the comments.