Both guns can be versatile. The most versatile version of that Mossberg shotgun, however, would involve multiple barrels. I suggest an 18.5" or 20" barrel, RIFLED, for both home defense (with buckshot, and you want the rifling to spread the buckshot pellets out at across-the-room distances) and for deer or hog hunting.
Then get a 24" or so length smoothbore barrel with screw-in choke tubes. That will cover you for small game and birds and clay target range work.
If you had that kind of Mossberg shotgun in mind, I think it would be a toss-up.
The 12-gauge would be better for close-range hunting, while being "acceptable" for home defense (great stopping power);
but the AR would be better for
--home defense (faster firing, higher ammo capacity)
-- hunting beyond 100 yards,
-- target shooting at the range (plinking with a semi-auto is fun).
Ultimately, you should have both of these kinds of long guns in your collection.
One sporting shotgun, and one semi-auto rifle or carbine that is good for both hunting and defense / unorganized militia use.
Then get a 24" or so length smoothbore barrel with screw-in choke tubes. That will cover you for small game and birds and clay target range work.
If you had that kind of Mossberg shotgun in mind, I think it would be a toss-up.
The 12-gauge would be better for close-range hunting, while being "acceptable" for home defense (great stopping power);
but the AR would be better for
--home defense (faster firing, higher ammo capacity)
-- hunting beyond 100 yards,
-- target shooting at the range (plinking with a semi-auto is fun).
Ultimately, you should have both of these kinds of long guns in your collection.
One sporting shotgun, and one semi-auto rifle or carbine that is good for both hunting and defense / unorganized militia use.