Need a pistol for my apartment

[GotToyota?]

Panzercat - Thanks for posting about the Hi-Point, I am actually looking into getting a C9. The 9mm seems like a better option, however one thing that concerns me (and we discussed this on another forum) is the possibility of firing a rogue shot and it penetrating walls possibly injuring somebody else in another apartment. How would the 9mm compare to the .45 in this instance?

 

[biogenic]

Get a used shotgun. You rack that bad boy and the intruders will take off like a bat out of hell.

 

[PabloJ]

I am looking to buy my first gun, primarily a pistol. I would like to have something to protect me in my apartment in the event of a break in or an intruder. What would be a decent pistol around the $200 to $250 range? New or used isn't a big concern.

You need what is called CQB piece. Used LCP with quality ball ammo is hard to beat.

 

[ku4hx]

On the perp hearing and knowing where you are:

In a real world case, my wife had to deal with an intruder that broke the front door down one Friday morning while she was home alone. The sound of her raking the slide basically scared him and he turned tail and ran. Good thing too since my wife is rather good with her G23 and she did keep her cool. Until I got there anyway.

 

[Davek1977]

Use some frangible +P rounds and you are good to go.

You won't find many, if any, experts who recommend fragible ammo for self-defense purposes. I'm NOT an expert, but I certainly don't. The fact is that most ammo offering "enough" penetration is going to overpenetrate in the case of a miss. I'll take that risk over the risk of not putting my aggressor down in a timely manner.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Panzercat - Thanks for posting about the Hi-Point, I am actually looking into getting a C9. The 9mm seems like a better option, however one thing that concerns me (and we discussed this on another forum) is the possibility of firing a rogue shot and it penetrating walls possibly injuring somebody else in another apartment. How would the 9mm compare to the .45 in this instance?

If your worried about over penetration than forgot about a shotgun. Shotguns make one of the best home defense weapons but in a apartment it could turn out real ugly if something went wrong.

The hi point C9 is about the only pistol that you can get new in the 150 dollar range. I have a C9 I use for testing reloads and it works well but there have but a lot of reports both ways on this gun. The .45 on the other hand would penetrate less and you can mod the gun to take 1911 mags as 90% of all hi point problems are mag related. But like Panzercat said they do have the best warranty is the business so if anything is wrong they will fix it for free.

If I was going to buy a gun in that price range I would probably go with a used Surplus CZ 75 in 9mm they range between 250-300 on the low end and you could always have the gun refinished later or do it your self and make some money.

 

[keeplivnthedream]

I have been to a few local shops and asked this question myself before. What is the best gun for apartment use. (I live in a one bedroom apartment. i.e. poor college student) and the first words out of every single one of their mouths were get a shotgun. You can find this on many forums too. Any 9mm might go through the walls. Just dont miss. I got my mossburg 500 for around 180 here in NC and have loved it since the day i bought it. yeah its a skeet model, but i will use it for self defense if i have to. I get multiple uses out of it and it works fine. As for a site that has the prices that are pretty good prices. Around here we have Hyatt gun shop. It helps me look up all different kinds of guns. I don't know about the prices where you live. But i believe that this website might give you a look at which guns cost more and what you could maybe be looking at.

Pistols

http://www.hyattgunstore.com/pistols/?sort=price

as you can see there arent many semi autos in your price rance. Which isnt that big of a deal. For what its worth there isnt a large chance of you getting into many spraying gunfights in your apartment. Not enough space and there is only one way in or out. the robber will more than likely just flee when it gets a bit hairy since he will be next to the door anyway. As for semi-autos, at least here in charlotte nc, your a no go. And please dont buy that hi-point 9mm. Ill post a few videos at the bottom of this post to show you why. they arent safe and fail to work. AKA: Not a very good self defense gun. Just saying if it were me, i wouldnt buy it.

On to revolvers.
http://www.hyattgunstore.com/revolvers/?sort=price

If you scroll to page three. i think youll find your best pick in the taurus model 85. and you cant beat the reliability of the revolver. its about 30 dollars out of your price range. and I realize this. but you just wont beat the preformance of this gun for the price. Its a great all around weapon that is still sub $300 which i think your finding out slowely that there isnt really a such thing as a "NEW" sub $300 home defense handgun. :banghead: I know it sucks, but life goes on. The taurus is chambered in .38 special. while this is good stopping power, year it could go through the walls. Hollow points that have low velocities are good for what your looking for. They break on contact so the bullet wont fly as well after it hits that wall. but it could still be potentially dangerous. As would all ammo at such close range in an apartment setting. You just need to know the layout of the apartments around you. if its nighttime dont shoot towards a bedroom. and if its daytime, take note of who is always around and who is at work. thats what i do.Call it weird, but i know that from 9am to 5pm the people around me are at work, all but for one elderly man that lives above me and the room next to mine is a woman with a child. so i need to steer clear of shooting in those general directions. as for night time know the floor plans of each apartment and keep bullets from flying to the bedrooms.

I think a shotgun is a great choice for you.
http://www.hyattgunstore.com/home-defense-tactical/?sort=price

These are home defense shotguns. Small, lighter than field guns. And pump actions are so reliable they cant be beat. There is no better sound than a pump. believe me. The sound of a shell getting chambered in a pump shotgun will hit any robber like a sack of bricks. no one and i mean no one wants to be hit with a gun. But when you get into the reality of dealing with multiple bullets instead of just one you will run away no matter how much PCP you just took.

Like I said earlier I own a field model mossburg 500. It costs 30 dollars more for the field model. but you will get a few more uses out of it. I skeet shoot with it and it stays right next to my bed. Thats just personal preference.

If it were me. I would not hesitate in getting a shotgun. lots of fun at the range and deadly with the right shot size. and you can read on many different forums what the best shot size is for apartment use. Its a hotly debated topic. I just have birdshot for skeet but put it in for home defense. some swear by buckshot. its a personal preference.

Im about done here. If you have any questions feel free to PM me. I am no expert but i will always give you my opinion.

Like I promised here are some of the Hi-point 9mm videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPWtXMm68Fg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FoWpog5KU4

This guy says its dangerous and unreliable he even racks the slide with only one hand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tlkgqmp6AtM



Oh and check out buds gun shop and gallery of guns. both will ship to your Local gun shop.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php

http://www.galleryofguns.com/

When you get to gallery of guns, click on gun genie.

 

[Tim37]

Panzercat - Thanks for posting about the Hi-Point, I am actually looking into getting a C9. The 9mm seems like a better option, however one thing that concerns me (and we discussed this on another forum) is the possibility of firing a rogue shot and it penetrating walls possibly injuring somebody else in another apartment. How would the 9mm compare to the .45 in this instance?

i am no expert and i may get shot down for saying this but my guess would be a 9mm and .45acp would be very similar in penetration.

You rack that bad boy and the intruders will take off like a bat out of hell.

big plus with a pump ever body knows what that sound means. and there are several on the market in your budget.
i like the mossberg 500 you if you want you can get other barrels fairly cheap. get a 18.5" barrel for the house then a slug barrel a muzzle loader barrel and a long barrel and you pretty much have a gun for anything from sd hunting to sport shooting.

 

[FAS1]

Here's some additional information for you about home defense from an expert if you are now considering a shotgun. While I do keep a Beretta 1201FP loaded in my safe, my primary is a Glock 17 secured in a handgun safe at my bed side. Keep in mind even with no kids that it is easier to secure a handgun next to you than a shotgun. Who else will be in and out of your apartment? Friends? Maintenance man?

Massad Ayoob - Shoot To Live - 6/8

 

[Zerodefect]

A used Ruger P95 fits your price range and is a great pistol to start with. Run whatever ammo you want for plinking, but use hot Federal +p+ for defense.

What kind of pistol experience do you have?

If you're experienced or ready for training soon, then a Glock 19 and a Raven Concealment holster is a far better palce to start. It may be wise to drop your budget if possible. Any decent gun will last longer than you, so It may be wise to up you budget.

$500 for a pistol is more reasonable.

 

[SpentCasing]

S&W 910/915

The best budget priced handgun ever IMO.

 

[GLOOB]

I have a fascination with good bargains. I'm always picking up (then later selling) all kinds of cheap handguns just to try them out. So even though I have a couple "full price" handguns in 9mm and 40SW, I will someday probably buy a Sigma SV, a Ruger P, and/or a Ruger SR.

But the High Point doesn't make the grade for me. I tell myself it's the lack of firing pin safety, the wonky field strip procedure, and the fact it ejects rounds with the firing pin. But let's be honest. They're ugly.

 

[dnilson]

this has been mentioned so many times in many threads, so I don't wish to argue or tell you that you are wrong or anything, just going to say, if the hypothetical 'bad-guy' hears you rack the first round into your shotgun, he now knows exactly where you are, as you just gave him that information. Something to consider at the least.

I completely understand what you're saying, but the truth is, I WANT him to know where I am what I have! I don't want to have to shoot anyone and if hearing that I have a shotgun makes him "run for the hills", I'm fine with that. At least that's the advice I was given by one of our local sheriffs. Besides, the way my bedroom is situated, I'd see him before he saw me.

 

[Byrd666]

In your price range, I would suggest a Hi-Point pistol, a Keltec .380 or .32, a Diamondback .380 and possibly some of the trade-ins at the local gun shop. Or any number of brands of shotguns. If I had to choose only one home defense weapon, it would be a pump shotgun of 12 or 14 gauge. There is nothing more bone chilling than hearing the sound of that shotgun being racked.

 

[justin146]

What about a High Point carbine? A .45 (or even 9mm) out of a 16" barrel packs a heck of a punch. I use a Kel-tec Sub 2000 in 9mm for a home defense weapon.

 

[Joereg]

You are a lucky Texan..

You are lucky because you live in texas. Check ou www.texasguntrader.com it is a good place to find a used gun at a reasonable price.

Since you are looking for home defense nothing comes close to a 12 gauge shotgun. Especially if you live in an apartment. With a pistol you could miss and kill your neighbor. With a shotgun it will punch a big hole through the sheet rock but it's not likely to kill anyone. Look for something that has an 18" barrel and can hold 6 rounds.

If it is a pistol that you want then look at a Keltec PF-9, brand new they're around $270. Stick with a 9mm, no .22, .32 and such

Good luck

 

[Panzercat]

Panzercat - Thanks for posting about the Hi-Point, I am actually looking into getting a C9. The 9mm seems like a better option, however one thing that concerns me (and we discussed this on another forum) is the possibility of firing a rogue shot and it penetrating walls possibly injuring somebody else in another apartment. How would the 9mm compare to the .45 in this instance?

Any caliber reasonable enough to stop a person will more than likely "over" penetrate. Much as I hate to say it, that's the price of doing business. Even a 9mm will. You can minimize it but you start to face stoppage risk in doing so unless you're one-shot, one kill king with a .22lr at 3am in the morning.

I say choose based on mission first and try to find ammo that will lessen the risk of over-penetration after the fact. Frankly, you'll trip over ammunition designed specifically for indoor environments no matter what you choose

 

[Tipro]

I am looking to buy my first gun, primarily a pistol. I would like to have something to protect me in my apartment in the event of a break in or an intruder. What would be a decent pistol around the $200 to $250 range? New or used isn't a big concern.

I live in an apartment, and just got my first pistol last week. Not the most qualified, but I can speak about my Kel Tec p11.

Got it brand new for $230 at a gun show last week, and for that price range I really don't think it can be beat. 9mm, adequate for home defense, carries 10+1 (can find flush 12 capacity mags as well, but they don't come with the gun), conceals like no one's business (which it isn't), and shoots like a dream. Well, maybe not like a dream, but it's pretty good. Long trigger pull and small/light frame gives for some kick, making quick follow up shots off target, but, like I said, I got this thing last week, not enough time to become proficient. Lifetime warranty as well.

It's not a beauty, and it's nothing to show off, but I think it's a really good choice.

 

[toejamm]

Davek1977,

QUOTE
"You won't find many, if any, experts who recommend fragible ammo for self-defense purposes. I'm NOT an expert, but I certainly don't. The fact is that most ammo offering "enough" penetration is going to overpenetrate in the case of a miss. I'll take that risk over the risk of not putting my aggressor down in a timely manner. "



I don't use frangible ammunition for personal defense either, but then again I don't live in an apartment copmplex. The OP made it clear that they live in an apartment. If I was using the weapon for defense "At home" in the apartment, I would have to give the consequences of overpenetration at least SOME consideration.

Drywall is different than cinder block. Plywood sub-flooring is different than docks-plank. The construction has to be considered as well.

I know that if I lived in an apartment with walls made of 5/8" drywall and plywood floors, I would certainly hope my neighbor doesn't have a 5" S&W 629 loaded with 240grain FMJ in his night stand.

 

[STL73]

Plus one for the shotgun

 

[nwilliams]

I would look for a used Ruger or maybe a S&W Sigma. You could also look around for a CZ-52 or CZ-82, they are great guns and would work fine for home defense. The CZ-52 in particular fires the very nasty round 7.62x25 which is a more than adequate man-stopper!

Here's mine...

 

[Pilot]

The CZ-52 while and interesting firearm would be one ot the last pistols I would use for apartment defense. The 7.62x25 round is a nasty PENETRATOR.

Pistol calibers I would use, none of which would be +p:

.38 Spl
9MM
9MM Makarov (9x18)
.380 ACP

 

[GotToyota?]

If I were to get a 9mm which type of round would be best for home defense in an apartment? Or rather which would do less damage if over penetration were to happen?

 

[Pilot]

I would use standard velocity 124 grain hollow point of some type.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Really, if you could up your budget by about $100 (and I know how money can get tight) you open yourself up to a world of pretty decent handguns. Police trade in Glocks or new budget shooters like Ruger P95s, Stoeger Cougars

+1 Cougar was accurate and a great shooter. I just sold it because I don't like the .40 S&W cartridge. P95 sounds like a good option too.