Deanimator
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If they don't have an accompanying "no home invasions" clause they could bite me.
Apartment Defense: Specific Loads
- Thread starter Kylaen
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Vern Humphrey
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That's basically what I did to Motel 6. About 20 years ago, I was working a contract at Fort Sill, OK, and had a reservation there. They had a "no guns" sign. I went in and told them that they didn't tell me about that policy, so I wanted to cancel my reservation -- with no penalty. I also told them if I ever stayed at Motel 6 anywhere, they would have to guarantee my safety. I followed up with a letter to their headquarters. I got a polite, noncommittal reply, but the next time I went back there, the sign was gone.
ThatGuyHank
Member
Seeing all this talk about fully ambidextrous guns and semi-autos I'm surprised the Walther PPQ hasn't been brought up. I own an M1 in 9mm, and I purchased it specifically because I'm left-handed. The gun works flawlessly and has a great trigger compared to other's I've felt, very crisp with an awesome reset. They do produce one with a 5 inch barrel but it's only in the M2 style which has a reversible magazine release button instead of the two levers on the trigger guard. Walther also has a 45acp M2 style PPQ that just released recently. It holds 12 shots standard and has a 4.25 inch barrel.
Since you mention grip strength as an issue, I'm happy to note that changing the sights out on the PPQ to night sights is much easier than any other gun I've encountered and does not require the services of a gunsmith (in my opinion). Took me all of 5 minutes and almost no effort.
Since you mention grip strength as an issue, I'm happy to note that changing the sights out on the PPQ to night sights is much easier than any other gun I've encountered and does not require the services of a gunsmith (in my opinion). Took me all of 5 minutes and almost no effort.
Buck13
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If I had only one door and no easily accessible windows to worry about and really feared home invasion, I'd "bar" my door with a net of parachute cord that I could conveniently rig inside the door. Probably screwed semi-permanently in multiple places to a stud or two off one side of the door and hooked onto four or five big screw hooks screwed into studs on the other side. Less than fifty bucks for stuff from the nearest hardware store, and you'll probably need to learn a couple of new knots, so it's educational, too. Should take about fifteen seconds to attach it after you close the door. If someone kicks the door in, then finds they can only squeeze through it and are struggling behind a bunch of tough, springy cords, they won't be so hard to deal with. Nylon para cord isn't hard to cut, but it's virtually impossible to break. I doubt home invaders come in with scissors in their hands.
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Something like a G19 or similar mid-size 9mm with high capacity. Ambidextrous and re-loading isn't going to matter, the fight will be over one way or another with what is in the gun. I disagree with the revolver recommendations, less capacity, and a one-hand revolver reload under stress?
9mm for sure and in a G19 size gun or larger will be able to be shot fast and accurate one handed, less penetration that .45, cheaper practice ammo, and plenty of terminal performance. I don't even own a Glock, so my answer isn't biased to what I like.
9mm for sure and in a G19 size gun or larger will be able to be shot fast and accurate one handed, less penetration that .45, cheaper practice ammo, and plenty of terminal performance. I don't even own a Glock, so my answer isn't biased to what I like.
JTQ
Member
I agree with strambo. I don't own a Glock or any polygun, but the advantages of the double column, poly 9mm are many. They are lightweight, easy to operate, inexpensive, reliable, and they have high capacities.
Not in Maryland they don't -- magazine capacity is limited to 10 there. So a 6, 7, or 8 shot revolver isn't much different than a 9mm. I agree that whatever is in the gun should be enough, even if its a 5 shot. Most people breaking in don't want to be shot and will flee when shots are fired (unless they are out to specifically get you).
I would also disagree that 9mm penetrates less than 45. The 9mm tends to penetrate more because both calibers have about the same sectional density (e.g. 200gr 45 is same as 124gr 9mm, 230gr 45 is same as 147gr 9mm) but the 9mm is faster. Expansion can change things, but either caliber can expand or fail to expand.
I would also disagree that 9mm penetrates less than 45. The 9mm tends to penetrate more because both calibers have about the same sectional density (e.g. 200gr 45 is same as 124gr 9mm, 230gr 45 is same as 147gr 9mm) but the 9mm is faster. Expansion can change things, but either caliber can expand or fail to expand.
CapnMac
Member
I have a long background building, in architecture, in multi-family architecture, too.
So, I've built a few apartment buildings. Stood up some sample sheetrook walls out in the boonies to see what shoots through and how much. Turns out a very long distance within typical apartments is 21 feet--7 yards. 10 to 12 feet is far more common.
Turns out bullets (and shot) will sail through the very empty spaces in stud-frame construction with ease. There are 4 1.5" studs in 48" or wall--14 1/2" of empty space between those 16" O.C. studs, so, any given square foot is a void.
While the encapsulated shot rounds are somee what slowed by gypsum wall board, they have a problem of being ludicrously expensive. And, really, you need to practice with the round you use, as in dire straights is a bad time to discover that those glazers or magsafes shoot a inch or two (or 6) differently than the rounds you practice with.
Now, one option that has not been brought up in shotguns is a 20 gauge auto-loaderr.
For a handgun, what you really need is a .455 Webley top break revolver. No "handing" bias for reloading, and a big, slow bullet at mild velocity. Sadly, that's not a practical answer.
Which brings us back to where we've been trending--a left-hand 1911, or perhaps something striker-fired in .45gap
As to flimsy apartment door security--that's the nature of the beast.. They generally are loathe to allow any tenant to make substantive changes to their buildings. Occasionally, you can "get away" with improvements like replacing hinge screws with some 3 1/2" screws that will grab the studs and not just the pre-hung door frame.
So, I've built a few apartment buildings. Stood up some sample sheetrook walls out in the boonies to see what shoots through and how much. Turns out a very long distance within typical apartments is 21 feet--7 yards. 10 to 12 feet is far more common.
Turns out bullets (and shot) will sail through the very empty spaces in stud-frame construction with ease. There are 4 1.5" studs in 48" or wall--14 1/2" of empty space between those 16" O.C. studs, so, any given square foot is a void.
While the encapsulated shot rounds are somee what slowed by gypsum wall board, they have a problem of being ludicrously expensive. And, really, you need to practice with the round you use, as in dire straights is a bad time to discover that those glazers or magsafes shoot a inch or two (or 6) differently than the rounds you practice with.
Now, one option that has not been brought up in shotguns is a 20 gauge auto-loaderr.
For a handgun, what you really need is a .455 Webley top break revolver. No "handing" bias for reloading, and a big, slow bullet at mild velocity. Sadly, that's not a practical answer.
Which brings us back to where we've been trending--a left-hand 1911, or perhaps something striker-fired in .45gap
As to flimsy apartment door security--that's the nature of the beast.. They generally are loathe to allow any tenant to make substantive changes to their buildings. Occasionally, you can "get away" with improvements like replacing hinge screws with some 3 1/2" screws that will grab the studs and not just the pre-hung door frame.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Very good post.
I prefer a shotgun for home defense for two reasons:
1. Intimidation factor. If your knees are shaking and your teeth are chattering (and they will be) and you have a handgun, the message you're sending is, "You can take this gun away from me." If you have a shotgun, the message is, "This thing is about to go off!"
2. Pointability. Shotguns are designed to be pointed, not aimed, and you have four points of contact with the gun (shoulder, cheek, right hand and left hand) that tell you where it is pointed, even in the dark. With a handgun, you have only one point of contact.
I prefer a shotgun for home defense for two reasons:
1. Intimidation factor. If your knees are shaking and your teeth are chattering (and they will be) and you have a handgun, the message you're sending is, "You can take this gun away from me." If you have a shotgun, the message is, "This thing is about to go off!"
2. Pointability. Shotguns are designed to be pointed, not aimed, and you have four points of contact with the gun (shoulder, cheek, right hand and left hand) that tell you where it is pointed, even in the dark. With a handgun, you have only one point of contact.
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