Appartment Defence Pistol?

Slowbalt

Slowbalt

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Hey all,
Ok, before everyone and their mothers jump on me, I DO know the issues about self-defence in Kanuckistan but curiosity took me over. I am moving from my deep-in-the-bush-house to a small appartment in town. So
I wondered what you guys would choose in this situation :

You live in a small appartment, with other people around ( not in your room but all around you ), and wish to carry at home ( unloaded I know ). So what would you choose? Dunno what the walls are made of but I really don't think they're bulletproof... .22lr ? 9mm? .45Auto? Tell me what you'd pick and why!!

P.S. I know you can carry in your house but can you in your appartment? ( I live in Quebec if that changes anything, ex: we can't shoot in gravel pits here :()
 
The law says handguns must be locked up when not in use. Where you live doesn't matter. Carrying an unloaded firearm in your home, isn't carrying. It's playing with it. You're not alone doing that.
"...in your apartment?..." That is your house.
"...don't think they're bulletproof..." That depends on the building you're moving into. If you're moving into a very old building(built before the current fire codes were written. 30 plus years ago) or an apartment in an old house, you may have walls that a handgun bullet will penetrate.
If you have roomies changes things too. Playing with your firearms with roomies around isn't a good idea.
Modern apartment buildings are big, hollow, blocks of reinforced concrete stacked up. The internal walls aren't concrete. They're dry wall. No handgun bullet will penetrate reinforced concrete. The door, windows and internal walls won't stop a butter knife.
 
The risk is the same either way you look at it. You shoot a bad guy and are forced to explain yourself in court. You shoot your neighbour after shooting a bad guy and still have to explain yourself in court.

Personally, I see it this way. I would sooner take the risk of shooting my neighbour at the benefit of defending myself and my property, than let some dirt bag gain the advantage of attacking an unarmed citizen. Last I checked I was the LEGAL OWNER of said home and property, which in my books makes the scumbag fair game. That being said, it don't matter what calibre you choose. For an apartment, a good load of number 5 or 6 shot from a 12 ga does real nice at close range, yet loses potential upon dispersion.

TDC
 
Dunno how old it is, and even less the composition of walls... But as I shot many things with different calibers in my ( short ) life, I'll consider those walls to let a bullet through pretty easely. No roommates, but neighbours, so bullets need to have a very low penetration and a massive energy transfer to reduce risks. A few people I really care for are behind those walls so I really don't like even the possibility of them getting hurt or worse... ( If after reading the last sentence anyone feels like saying : Well then don't get guns in there, please re-read this last sentence. )
 
Slowbalt said:
You live in a small appartment, with other people around ( not in your room but all around you ), and wish to carry at home ( unloaded I know ). So what would you choose? Dunno what the walls are made of but I really don't think they're bulletproof... .22lr ? 9mm? .45Auto? Tell me what you'd pick and why!!
Click to expand...

I understand firearms cannot be used in self defense in Canada. These are my thoughts about home defense in countries where legal...

1) Shotguns take far too much time to load if properly stored unloaded in a safe. I don't believe there is any tactical advantage to a shotgun over a handgun in CQB. IMHO, the best gun for CQB would be a M4 type rifle. With that said, there are far more quick access safe options that allow for responsible storage and fast access at the same time.

2) Any handgun round that is effective enough to take down someone that is presenting an imminent danger to your life will go through several walls of sheetrock. If a round cannot even go through 6 or 7 half-inch sheets of wallboard, it isn't going to be effective at neutralizing a serious attack.

3) A well placed 9mm shot is going to be just as effective as the same shot from a .45 ACP. If you have to use a gun, use the one you are most comfortable with and train regularly. Hitting your target with a .22LR will do more for you than missing with a .44 magnum.

If you haven't checked out the Box 'O Truth, they have done some interesting testing with wallboard penetration...

Handgun rounds

Shotgun rounds
 
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Very interesting testing... Makes me think twice... But then maybie a low-powered large hollowpoint .45 round fit the bill... What do you guys think?
 
Only problem is most pistol bullets will penetrate walls. You MUST be concerned about collateral damage. #7.5 birdshot will not penetrate walls as readily.....why not buy one of Dlask's 8.5" Remmy 870's?:nest:
 
Buy a Taurus "Judge" and use .410 shotshells.

4410TrackerSS.jpg
 
sunray said:
...Modern apartment buildings are big, hollow, blocks of reinforced concrete stacked up. The internal walls aren't concrete.
Click to expand...
Not true. Many apartments/condos have 8" concrete shearwalls within the suite and not always at demising walls.
 
Ballox said:
Tazers were made for apartments .:runaway:
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Tazers are prohibited weapons in Canada, have a limited range, are less than pinpoint accurate and are single shot attempts.

As for the neighbour comment. You could be living next door to a crack house, where I'm sure several residents are armed and whacked out. Take your pick. If you don't like the chances of nasty neighbours, move into the country and buy an acreage. Oh wait, most of us can't afford that.....Tough sh*t then.

TDC
 
Magnum Research sells their BFR revolver in a configuration that fires .45 long Colt and 3" .410 shotgun shells. .410 slugs or even birdshot should do the trick.

Sharptail
 
Slowbalt said:
I am moving from my deep-in-the-bush-house to a small appartment in town. So
I wondered what you guys would choose in this situation :

You live in a small appartment, with other people around ( not in your room but all around you ), and wish to carry at home ( unloaded I know ). So what would you choose? :()
Click to expand...

if you have to ask this question... the real answer is PICK ANOTHER PLACE TO MOVE TO
 
Lots of wrong info here as usual.
Do a search , this topic comes up a lot.

Personally a 12.5"-14" shotgun, ammo in side saddle (00 or 000), trigger lock on (Combo lock) when asleep. Unlocked all other times.

If you have to shoot, make sure of your target no matter what.


Ballox said:
I;m glad i'm not your neighbour.:rolleyes:
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You prefer he roll over and let his family be raped and or killed?


Travis said:
I understand firearms cannot be used in self defense in Canada.
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You understand wrong.Been proven over and over in court that you can.


These are my thoughts about home defense in countries where legal...

1) Shotguns take far too much time to load if properly stored unloaded in a safe. I don't believe there is any tactical advantage to a shotgun over a handgun in CQB. IMHO, the best gun for CQB would be a M4 type rifle. With that said, there are far more quick access safe options that allow for responsible storage and fast access at the same time.
Click to expand...
You don't have to store a non-restricted weapon in a safe.
2) Any handgun round that is effective enough to take down someone that is presenting an imminent danger to your life will go through several walls of sheetrock. If a round cannot even go through 6 or 7 half-inch sheets of wallboard, it isn't going to be effective at neutralizing a serious attack.
Click to expand...
Yup but will it do so after penetrating a human? Be sure of your targets.

3) A well placed 9mm shot is going to be just as effective as the same shot from a .45 ACP. If you have to use a gun, use the one you are most comfortable with and train regularly. Hitting your target with a .22LR will do more for you than missing with a .44 magnum.
Click to expand...
Yes but 9mm ball penetrates more than .45 ball.

If you haven't checked out the Box 'O Truth, they have done some interesting testing with wallboard penetration...

Handgun rounds

Shotgun rounds
Click to expand...

Box of Truth rocks! Read it all.
 
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