My daughter just moved into a one bedroom apartment living alone. I'm thinking a shotgun would be the best option to prevent live fire from injuring/killing someone in an adjacent apartment unit, plus it's hard to miss with a shotgun.

Is there a better option? What say you Outdoors?

The best answer is almost always: What is she comfortable and competent shooting?

Anything worth using for self defense has the potential to penetrate and be an issue.

This isnt something one gun over another will fix. Training, understanding where other people may be in relation to your apartment and the ability to make competent hits without missing are what matters here.

malenurse said:

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The best answer is almost always: What is she comfortable and competent shooting?

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She's experienced with shooting handguns and shotguns. I'm just thinking in a high stress situation, a shotgun is the best option.

Less likely to accidently shot herself, or someone in the adjacent apartment units. More likely to hit her target.

The only downside I see is the perpetrator has a better chance of surviving. I'd prefer he had "no comment" for the police.

Halon system and a scuba tank?

Maroonedinaustin said:

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malenurse said:

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The best answer is almost always: What is she comfortable and competent shooting?

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She's experienced with shooting handguns and shotguns. I'm just thinking in a high stress situation, a shotgun is the best option.

Less likely to accidently shot herself, or someone in the adjacent apartment units. More likely to hit her target.

The only downside I see is the perpetrator has a better chance of surviving. I'd prefer he had "no comment" for the police.

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So, what does she prefer?

Maroonedinaustin said:

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My daughter just moved into a one bedroom apartment living alone. I'm thinking a shotgun would be the best option to prevent live fire from injuring/killing someone in an adjacent apartment unit, plus it's hard to miss with a shotgun.

Is there a better option? What say you Outdoors?

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Shotgun ammo used for self defense such as 00 buck will penetrate into adjacent units and still be lethal. And its untrue that it's hard to miss with a shotgun. There's plenty more "hard-to-dos" with a shotgun than with other options.

BenderRodriguez said:

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Anything worth using for self defense has the potential to penetrate and be an issue.

This isnt something one gun over another will fix. Training, understanding where other people may be in relation to your apartment and the ability to make competent hits without missing are what matters here.

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I agree understanding how to use the tool correctly, but, unless you've been in a high stress situation like this, you don't know how you'll respond.

I'd think a spray over a single bullet would be more likely to hit the intended target. Especially if you're scared ****less.

As for collateral damage, I don't know how lethal the shot would be after it goes through the sheetrock. Unless you're shooting slugs or a #3-#4 shell at point blank of the wall, I don't think there would be much of an issue. What an I missing?

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I'd think a spray over a single bullet would be more likely to hit the intended target. Especially if you're scared ****less.

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At close ranges, shotgun loads don't "spray". They stay fairly concentrated.

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As for collateral damage, I don't know how lethal the shot would be after it goes through the sheetrock. Unless you're shooting slugs or a #3-#4 shell at point blank of the wall, I don't think there would be much of an issue. What an I missing?

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Bender's posted numerous studies on here previously showing that buckshot penetrates drywall even more than do .223 bullets, I think.

You're missing all the good advice that has been shared here.

Very few people here are as experienced as Bender when it comes to home defense and competitive shooting.

Training is the key.

Shotgun "spray" is how innocent people get hurt. Don't overthink the issue. Shotguns help with accuracy but bring other problems to the table. A simple striker fired handgun is very easy to bring into action

There is not one solution. Which is why we have these "best gun for...." discussions almost daily on this thread.

A husband.

Katana sword.

Booby traps!

I'm definitely listening. Sounds like the best option is to let her decide what's she most comfortable using, and to make sure she has adequate training.

I was, more or less, debating myself as to whether a shotgun would make more sense in an apartment, so that's why I asked for y'all's input.

Thank you for the feedback!

Mas89 said:

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A husband.

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She's only 20, so maybe not just yet.

Ar-9 would be my choice in your shoes

You're welcome. Sorry if I came across as a bit of a dick. I'm at work and grumpy as usual.

Let her decide…within reason. Better bet is to decide on a minimum set of baseline qualifications that the firearm needs to meet for the situation, and then choose what she is most comfortable with. An even better bet is to choose the tool that best meets those qualifications and get training so she is comfortable using it in that situation.

For an extreme example, maybe the firearm she's most comfortable with is a six shot, single action .22 revolver. Or a break open single shot .410. Those are objectively terrible choices for almost every self defense situation, but there is always someone who will defend that choice because it's "what they're comfortable with".

For an example of minimum qualifications:
15 round capacity
Easy availability of dependable self defense ammo
Detachable magazine
Ability to attach an unmagnified optic
Ability to mount a weapons light

Those would be my bare minimum qualifications. A Glock 19 would meet them. So would any number of ARs or hundreds of other firearms. A shotgun would not. A .22 would not. A revolver would not.

Nock gun.

Put a trained attack rot willer in the house

If you use a shotgun, use buckshot. The pattern from a cross a room is bigger than a single handgun round, but it's still very tight.

When my girl moved out I gave her my 20 gage shotgun and some #4 shell. She's married now and has never had to shoot it but she's pulled it out on occasions when there were fights in her old apartment complex. She said she felt safe the whole time.

BenderRodriguez said:

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Anything worth using for self defense has the potential to penetrate and be an issue.

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I miss Ursus and his bear spray apartment defense stories from the old days.

Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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Ar-9 would be my choice in your shoes

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Yep. A reliable PCC.

Maroonedinaustin said:

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My daughter just moved into a one bedroom apartment living alone. I'm thinking a shotgun would be the best option to prevent live fire from injuring/killing someone in an adjacent apartment unit, plus it's hard to miss with a shotgun.

Is there a better option? What say you Outdoors?

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Two large male roommates that have a room closer to the balcony and front door.

If she's comfortable w a handgun, I'd go w a semi auto 9. 15 rd mag minimum. Rail light, plus or minus red dot as they require training to learn how to quickly acquire sight picture. And as bender said, Lots of range time and shooting under stress. But right there with that answer is an AR or PCC.

Large dog

Chinese throwing stars. Because they won't go through walls and they're almost as cool as a bow staff

Also work on making the door less penetrable. There are multiple jamb/wedge options on amazon

Chat with neighbors on how to improve security for each other as a whole.

If she goes with a handgun, Glaser safety slugs were designed for this kind of scenario. I have no experience with them but I believe they're what sky marshals use on airplanes.

https://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/Glaser-Personal-Defense-Ammunition.html

McInnis said:

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If she goes with a handgun, Glaser safety slugs were designed for this kind of scenario. I have no experience with them but I believe they're what sky marshals use on airplanes.

https://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/Glaser-Personal-Defense-Ammunition.html

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Looks similar to rat shot.

Sig P250 Compact .380 Still holds 15 + 1 capacity but half the recoil of 9mm.

fullback44 said:

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Put a trained attack rot willer in the house

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Unfortunately her work hours prevent this from being an option; otherwise, our Doberman would live with her.

Highly recommend simple pistol. Wheel gun is good.

After firearms selection, go here:

https://www.krtraining.com/