10 Best Home Defense Rifles

Today, I’ll share my top 10 picks for home defense rifles. All 10 suggestions are actual rifles by legal definition, thereby inclusive for friends of ours living in places where SBRs don’t exist and pistol-braced shorties are regulated into single-shot paperweights. Most, if not all of these rifles are good to go or at least adaptable into compliant configuration where necessary, I hope to provide you with a relatively universal and solidly capable list of home defense options.

​​Before we get started, you may see me mention from time to time that I have tinnitus in both ears. Hearing damage like this is a never-ending battle without any cure I am aware of, and one that I hope you never have to fight. Leaving a headset near your home defense gun isn’t a bad idea, but emergencies have a way of ruining the best plans and that is just one more thing to fumble around with in the dark. Additionally, anything less than high-end electronic hearing protection will degrade situational awareness and put you at a tactical disadvantage.

Should you prevail in such an encounter I hope you never face, there’s the matter of family members to consider, as they are susceptible to a lifetime of incessant ringing even after a single discharge indoors. The one piece of safety equipment that can lower the risk and protect everyone in your home is a suppressor, and those of us fortunate enough to have access should invest in our well-being and that of our families, which is why most of us are here in the first place.

A high-quality suppressor from Silencer Shop attached to your home defense weapon is an additional layer of protection for you and your family, and the process of purchasing one has never been easier, especially with the good folks at Silencer Shop guiding you through the entire process. For that reason, we’ve taken the care to speak with them and together we’ve developed a list of suppressors to accompany each firearm on this list.

10. JP Enterprises JP-5 Roller Delayed 9mm Carbine

9mm is inexpensive, widely available, and less intimidating to shooters with limited experience. These factors can lead to more rounds downrange and increased training, playing a huge role in self-defense scenarios. Not just any AR9, the soft shooting nature, and lighter overall weight resulting from the roller-delayed operating system inspired by the legendary H&K MP5 make the JP Enterprises JP-5 easy to wield and control, getting rounds on target quickly. From the ability to train any household member on this platform to familiar AR controls and Glock magazine compatibility, the JP Enterprises JP-5 will stand out as the only 9mm on my list.

The CAT MOB Titanium was developed specifically for roller-delayed 9mm sub-machine guns, like the MP5 and JP-5 platforms. The unique DiVerge pressure system manages the flow of gases more efficiently, minimizing sound, gas blowback, flash, and felt recoil. Aside from sounding great, this lightweight suppressor is designed to reduce decibels without sacrificing performance or functionality under adverse conditions, making it a great choice for home defense.

I picked the Ruger LC Carbine for this list because I know my taste can run away with the debit card and I wanted to suggest a few more affordable options. It doesn’t hurt that the LC Carbine is available in 10mm either because you should never have to ask an intruder twice, making this model specifically number 9 on my list. While the LC Carbine comes ready to mount an optic, Ruger provides backup iron sights from the factory, a nice touch getting you running right out of the box. Ruger opted to feed the beast via commonly available, reliable, and inexpensive Glock pattern magazines, and the LC Carbine features an adjustable stock and MLOK handguard for mounting additional accessories like forward grips and the all-important tactical light for home defense.

The Rugged Obsidian 45 is a great choice for this 10mm carbine. The suppressor’s versatility lends itself to use on cartridges ranging from 9mm to .45-70 Gov’t. The modular design enables you to transform the Rugged Obsidian 45 from 8.6” to a compact 6.7”. One could describe the Obsidian as, well, rugged, providing durability and peace of mind for your home defense weapon, making it our choice for the Ruger LC Carbine.

The SIG MCX Regulator is based on the highly successful MCX short-stroke piston series of rifles, particularly the latest Spear LT. A fresh take on the “Ranch Rifle,” a category arguably dominated by the iconic Ruger Mini 14 for the past half-century, the MCX Regulator modernizes the concept with features like a full-length Picatinny top rail and MLOK handguard, allowing simplified out-of-the-box solutions for mounting optics, lights, and lasers. Further updates include an adjustable gas block and factory-threaded barrel, making the rifle a solid suppressor host. Chambered in either 5.56 NATO or 7.62x39, the MCX Regulator omits features found offensive by less knowledgeable individuals, such as a pistol grip, flash hider, and adjustable stock, making it a reasonably accessible choice for number 8 on this list. 

I love a great factory suppressor option. The SIG NG556 and NG762 fit that bill and are both available now at Silencer Shop. As a shooter who runs several of these Clutch-Lok QD suppressors, I can say from experience that they are the easiest to use and provide solid reassurance that your investment isn’t going to back off when you least expect it. 3D-printed Inconel technology delivers top-tier durability, and flash reduction, allowing gasses to vent efficiently, resulting in a cleaner and more enjoyable shooting experience with excellent sound reduction.

The FN PS90 is my first compact rifle on this list, achieving that with its bullpup design, pushing the action rearward behind the grip and allowing for a 16” barrel while maintaining an overall length of only 26.23”. The ability to maneuver in tight spaces can be important in a home defense situation, an area where the PS90 shines. Hopefully, you’ll never need all 50 rounds of 5.7x28mm that fit in the available magazine, but there’s no denying the warm and fuzzy reassurance they provide in a gunfight. With relatively low recoil and excellent handling of the FN PS90, it is also a great firearm to train household members on, and my number 7 pick on this list.

Since we’re already running respectably short with the FN PS90, I’d look at a HUXWRX FLOW 22 TI on this one. This titanium flow-through suppressor is rated for 5.7 cartridges with no minimum barrel length and adds a mere 3.9 ounces to its host. It’s not breaking any banks either at $399 on SilencerShop.

I’m a SCAR guy, and this is my list! The FN SCAR 16S comes in at number 6 as a short-stroke piston 5.56 rifle for home defense. For those of us with suppressor access, piston rifles have the benefit of minimizing the amount of gas blown back into your face while shooting. The SCAR is a relatively lightweight platform with all familiar AR controls and is one of the few rifles on this list that comes with iron sights from the factory, great ones in fact. With plenty of Picatinny rail space for optics and accessories, the SCAR 16 is a reliable and accurate rifle with low recoil that is smooth and fun to shoot.

The FN SCAR is a great platform, but it’s known for being back pressure-sensitive. For this reason, we’re recommending a hard-use SilencerCo Velos LBP. Inconel and stainless steel construction ensure unmatched durability while designed to drastically reduce noise, recoil, and gas blowback for a comfortable shooting experience, making the SilencerCo Velos LBP a great option for your SCAR 16S.

This list needs an ultralight AR15 and the Faxon ION-X Hyperlite hits the spot at number 5. Faxon is well-known for its quality components, accuracy, and reliability. While some jokers cut corners and still try to pass off lightweight ARs for double the price, the Faxon ION-X Hyperlite is the most affordable production ultralight AR15 on the market. The rifle also comes with a number of out-of-the-box upgrades, including an ambidextrous charging handle and safety selector, Gunner lightweight bolt carrier group, Hiperfire EDTDM trigger, and more. At 4.93 lbs and finely tuned for soft recoil the ION-X Hyperlite is fast and will encourage shooters of smaller stature to get out and train with it.

In keeping with the lightweight design and sleek maneuverability of the Faxon ION-X Hyperlite, the 6.9-ounce CAT WB Titanium is a great choice that punches way above its sound reduction weight class despite its compact size. Like the CAT MOB Titanium, the Surge Bypass System manages the flow of gasses more efficiently, minimizing sound and felt recoil without sacrificing durability.

Going back to a bullpup at number 4 for all the same reasons as the PS90 but with the umph of a rifle chambered in 5.56, we have the Styer AUG A3 M2. Yes, there are other great bullpups out there, but this is my list, and Die Hard is one of my favorite Christmas movies. At a hair over 28″ in overall length, the AUG is less than an inch and a half longer than a 10.3” barrel MK18, but with the advantage of a 16” barrel and the convenience of purchasing a rifle. As an added bonus, the AUG is also one of the easiest rifles to service, requiring no tools to strip it down to all main components and even change out barrels. While the AUG wasn’t John McClane’s Nakatomi Tower gat, that doesn’t mean you can’t “yippee ki yay” your way to clearing your home of things that go bump in the night.

With the AUG coming in just a hair longer than the FN PS90, I’d tame that 5.56 crack while taking advantage of its compact bullpup length. Many home defense situations are likely to take place inside the home so a suppressor is a wise move when weighing up what your go-to home defense rifle is going to be. The AUG features adjustable gas settings and several gas jet sizes are available to fine-tune the rifle for any suppressor. For the AUG I’m going to keep it short and contribute to the unique nature of the rifle by going with a YHM Fat Cat 5.56 suppressor. The Fat Cat features reduced blowback, performing well by making up for volume with a little extra girth, earning its name. The YHM Fat Cat is available at SilencerShop.

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My 300BLK slot on the list would have taken the cake if the rules allowed me to take advantage of a shorter barrel. I still find it a strong choice, especially loaded subsonic with a suppressor, as tinnitus in both ears reminds me constantly that hearing damage is real. I’m choosing long-stroke PSA JAKL because, ideally suppressed, I like my ears and lungs. Since its release, the JAKL has demonstrated impressive reliability and performance, with review after review continuing to build upon its growing reputation. I’m also a “life starts at .30 caliber” type of guy, so a 220gr welcoming committee just feels right for uninvited guests. I appreciate the ability to switch magazines to supersonic as well, allowing you to stretch out a bit if your home includes some acreage. Familiar AR15 controls and readily available magazines make this an easy rifle to slap an optic and a light on and call it a day.

Let’s check the list, shall we? 300BLK. Subsonic. Adjustable gas… you see what I’m getting at here. I’m suppressing the PSA JAKL as well. You can pick up a PSA JAKL in a 16” or a pinned and welded 14.5” configuration, both considered rifles, and PSA includes Dead Air KeyMo muzzle devices on some models, making the Dead Air Sandman-S my pick for the JAKL.

Look, I wanted to pick an actual AK here, I really did. While import prices soar through the roof, US manufacturers are getting better and better at producing them, so this category is up for grabs, but the IWI Galil ACE II is always solid, making it my number 2 pick for best home defense rifle. The Galil is available in a variety of calibers, but I’m focussing on 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39 here. The Galil is an extremely reliable rifle and modern updates including an MLOK rail and Picatinny dust cover provide factory out-of-the-box mounting solutions not available on traditional AKs. I’m also a fan of the left-side charging handle and the closed recoil system keeping dust, debris, and Cheerios out of the action.

The battle-proven Galil requires a suppressor worthy of its hard-use heritage, making this an easy recommendation for the Rugged Razor in either 5.56 or 7.62. The Razor reduces gas blowback, is belt-fed rated with no rate-of-fire or barrel length restrictions, and features a Dual-Taper locking system. When you pass this durable suppressor to the next generation, remember you found it at Silencer Shop.

You knew an AR15 was going to take the number 1 spot. This is America’s rifle, and while many manufacturers make great AR15s, BCM offers pricing that is middle of the road for quality control that is second to none. I also chose the BCM 14.5” MCMR because you can get it with a 14.5” pinned and welded muzzle device, giving you a legal length of 16” and rifle status, but taking some weight and overall length off the platform. Over the years, BCM AR15s, in general, have earned a reputation as no-frills, straight forward dependable rifles you can trust, which is why they have earned number 1 on my list of top 10 home defense rifles.

Keeping with the old faithful theme, I love the rugged reassurance and battle proven performance that comes with a Surefire SOCOM RC2, making it my personal choice to suppress the BCM. This popular suppressor can sell out often, but they are available now at SilencerShop.

Conclusion

I had runners-up for almost every selection, some of which were very close. Most of these rifles fit into overall categories with excellent alternatives, but I didn’t want to be that guy who sat on the fence and refused to pick one. These were my choices, but I’d love to hear some of yours. Let me know what you’d omit, or replace, and where you think I missed an opportunity to mention a great home defense rifle.

TFB is proud to partner with Silencer Shop as our preferred vendor for all of your NFA needs. Whether you are searching for a new suppressor, SBR, or trust, Silencer Shop is here to provide a seamless and fast service for your next NFA purchase. Head over to www.silencershop.com to begin your NFA journey.