A home defense shotgun does not need to cost much. The Stoeger P3000 Defense is a pump-action 12 gauge with an 18.5-inch barrel and a 5+1 capacity, finished in black for roughly three hundred sixty-seven dollars.

Pump shotguns are simple, and the P3000 follows the usual layout. An 18.5-inch barrel is the common length for defense guns, giving you a handy size for hallways and doorways. Five rounds in the tube plus one in the chamber is a generous load for a gun that is meant to stay at home.

A shotgun at this price may not have the fine finish of a pricier brand, so expect basic machining and a plain look. What it offers is a working gun at a low price. Take it to the range with the shells you plan to keep in the house and see how it patterns. Learn the safety and practice loading the tube until you can do it smoothly. Store it safely, away from children, and keep ammunition separate if kids are in the house.

This shotgun is new. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer of your choice for the background check and transfer.