Home defense small apartment
Posted by Logical_Type7157@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 46 comments
I live in a big city in a small apartment about 450 sq ft.
I own a Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 9MM.
What should be my first attachment/modification?
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night sights
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Flashlight ( blinding)
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Laser
I think a handgun is probably best. A full size AR or similar weapon is too big for my apartment.
MajorProphet90@reddit
Red dot sights are the best night sights
BigBoarBallistics@reddit
Flashlight first, night sights second, forget the laser. The Streamlight TLR-1HL is probably what you're looking for light-wise.
Due_Guitar8964@reddit
Think about your self defense ammo. You're in an apartment with plenty of people around you that your range ammo will kill or maim when it goes through multiple layers of drywall. There are many types that will fracture or become imbedded in that second sheet of drywall. I use Norma NXD. Take a look around and see what makes sense to you.
Logical_Type7157@reddit (OP)
Currently I own jacketed hollow point, but yeah let's be honest apartment building walls are not thick at all. If a fist can punch through for sure a round could penetrate and hurt someone. Good to think about neighbors lives are important.
DashMcGee@reddit
You really, really need to consider over- penetration. 9mm can go through your wall into the next apartment. I have proof; I am sitting 12 feet from a wall that has a bullet hole in it. It went through a body, out the other side, and then through two sheets of drywall.
Get frangible ammo. You have a right to protect yourself and your neighbors have a right to live.
Logical_Type7157@reddit (OP)
I own federal premium HST jacketed hollow points. 124 grain.
meleemaker@reddit
The light should be the only thing purchased and then maybe a dot. Half of your life is at night.
RegardedCaveman@reddit
My choice would be shotgun loaded with birdshot, devastating at close range but lower penetration.
Deeschuck@reddit
People seem to be missing the context that OP is in a small apartment. Overpenetration is a significant concern, and any shot OP takes will almost certainly be within 5 yards.
ShoopdaYoop@reddit
Never use birdshot as defense ammo.
Deeschuck@reddit
Relevant video.
Remember that OP is in a densely-occupied apartment complex.
RegardedCaveman@reddit
Go watch Paul Harrell (RIP) and learn something instead of spreading wives tales
ShoopdaYoop@reddit
When your birdshot fails to stop an attacker who returns fire with their hi-point and puts you down like a rabid dog, I’ll be the first one to shit in your coffin and play my horn at the funeral.
Underwater_Karma@reddit
I've seen birdshot knock over beer bottles without breaking.
Unless you're defending against birds, birdshot is useless for defense
RegardedCaveman@reddit
Choosing to stay ignorant is an interesting use of free will.
VinnieSixFingers@reddit
4 buck is generally the smallest shot size that meets fbi penetration standards.
RegardedCaveman@reddit
buckshot is obviously more effective, the problem is risk to your neighbors especially in an apartment.
I don’t think anyone is walking away from #4 birdshot at point blank, but it’s your shotgun load what you want homie.
Logical_Type7157@reddit (OP)
HELL FUCKING YEAH BROTHER! CQB ALA RAINBOW SIX SIEGE OR READY OR NOT.
RegardedCaveman@reddit
Also a weapon light is the most important attachment IMO
GSDTippyTappies@reddit
Of those 3 def the light. For a small apartment IMO your light should be high lumen and low candella (flood) vs the opposite which would be a centered intense beam.
Logical_Type7157@reddit (OP)
Isn't the idea to blind the target with the light lol?
GSDTippyTappies@reddit
That's what a flood pattern will do it lights up the entire room, as long as the gun is pointed in their general direction they're going to be blinded by a flood. If you get a high candella/low lumen version of the same light, you're going to shoot a very concentrated centered beam towards them and if it's not right in their face they may still be able to see you, high candella is better suited for longer range illumination and since you stated you're in a small apartment a flood will work better. Go watch some YT vids on WML's with the different lumen/candella configs, you'll see what I'm talking about.
Logical_Type7157@reddit (OP)
I will check those vids out.
GSDTippyTappies@reddit
Mr Gunsngear does nice ones
achonng@reddit
Claymores
Logical_Type7157@reddit (OP)
Lmao
coldafsteel@reddit
As others have said don’t just look at the gun. You should be looking at ways to harden your existing avenues of approach (doors & windows). There are a lot of small cheap upgrades that make a big difference.
Don’t get night sights. In the dark you’ll have your light on, and the dim glow of night sights will be washed out.
Get a good weapon light Streamlight or Surefire. Pick one that fits your gun well and has “switcholigy” that you like.
Ok_Muffin_925@reddit
Focus on doors, windows, and alarms/monitors to alert you of an entry. Within reason for your lease agreement. Does not have to be intrusive.
Train with your M&P.
Have some pepper spray discreetly located throughout your apartment. And maybe a baton or knife.
FortunateHominid@reddit
Buy ammo and practice.
eatmybeer@reddit
Most effective
thechatchbag@reddit
3 inch screws around your doorframe.
Everyone loves a good what-if scenario, but your question reeks of 'I'd like to buy something'.
Logical_Type7157@reddit (OP)
So?
Yeah, I want to buy an attachment that could be good for home defense.
Your post reeks of edgy Reddit Keyboard warrior.
thechatchbag@reddit
So say that. Don't tell us about how small your apartment is or how big the city you live in might be when it's irrelevant to the conversation you want to be having.
Are lasers worth it? (No.)
Are night sights worth it? (Basically no.)
Are flashlights worth it? (Yes.)
Shoddy-Solution4815@reddit
This. Better screws on your kick plate and a better deadbolt will do far more for home defense than anything else in an apartment that small. By the time you:
It’s way too late
Logical_Type7157@reddit (OP)
It's an apartment. I purchased a Master door jammer bar. Anything else might be considered too much modification.
Shoddy-Solution4815@reddit
Change the screws. They’d never know, and it’s a huge improvement
Logical_Type7157@reddit (OP)
Will look into this. Thanks!
Black_CatLounge@reddit
Has anyone suggested a holster yet?
Huntrawrd@reddit
Buy the light. Lasers are extremely overrated. Night sights are useful but secondary to the light.
Train. Train. Train. And then train some more.
Learn to "point" and shoot. Learn to shoot one handed. Since you are opting for a pistol you can use your free hand for other things, like calling police, manipulating doors/barricades, etc. Learn to function when you wake up, thats the hardest part to train. It can take critical seconds to recognize why you woke up.
Have a plan. Door bar is a good start, you can also get an alarm that goes off when the door is opened. Have escape avenues planned. Know state laws. Get insurance or a find a good lawyer.
OmericanAutlaw@reddit
NODS
gstevo12@reddit
Light for sure
Competitive-Key7940@reddit
Skip the laser. Keep the flash light. Maybe an extended magazine or just a +5 baseplate. Nothing too unwieldy. Extra mags. Maybe a door alarm and beef up security where you can. Red dots not really necessary for the purpose being up close and dirty. Id almost say a stand off device but then you usually don't run a light on those too. Night sights are always an upgrade.
HeadlessThompsonGunr@reddit
Whatever you are the most familiar with
AD3PDX@reddit
Laser is useless.
Night sights aren’t very useful
A weapon mounted light should be the priority though that comes after and isn’t a replacement for an appropriate handheld light.
After the light(s) a red dot if the gun can accept one.
Southern_Planner@reddit
Laser shouldn’t be a purchase period. I think a flashlight is the best addition to a home defense weapon.
Main_Firefighter1593@reddit
A weapon light, incase of some long term power outage scenario where people in a small apartment complex in a city would go nuts after a few days