Hell yea they are good for self defense. Two bbls flinging buckshot at a bad guy in a matter of a second. You can find some nice cheap stagecoach doubles.I think Stoeger and several other companies make compact double side by sides.I thinkshotguns make a great home defense weapon. Put a shotgun shell holder on the stock for extra shells and you can take on awhole gang of intruders. Nice thing about them too is that they don't jam.HCH