The uncomfortable truth about walls
Interior walls in most American apartments are drywall over studs. Drywall stops very little. Independent tests, including the long-running Box O' Truth series, have repeatedly shown that common defensive handgun rounds and buckshot can pass through several layers of drywall. Some lightweight, fragmenting 5.56 loads have penetrated fewer layers than handgun rounds in those tests, which surprises many people, but no load that works for defense is "wall-safe."
That leads to the most important point on this page: the round that does not hit the threat is the one that endangers your neighbors. Accuracy and target identification matter more than any gun or load choice.
Plan before you buy
- Map your walls. Which walls are shared? Where do neighbors sleep? Where are children's rooms in your own home?
- Plan a defensive position. Many experts suggest barricading in a room with a phone and covering the entrance, rather than searching. Think about what is behind that entrance.
- Use light. You must see what you are shooting at. See our weapon light comparison.
Guns that are easy to shoot accurately
20-gauge shotguns recoil less than 12-gauge, which helps with accurate follow-up shots. Our 20-gauge guide covers them in detail.
Stevens 320 Security 20ga
20 gauge · 5+1 · low-recoil pump
Maverick 88 20 gauge
20 gauge · 5+1 · budget pump
Pistol-caliber carbines combine a handgun cartridge with a shoulder stock and longer sight radius. They are quieter and gentler than rifles and much easier to shoot accurately than a handgun. The Ruger PC Carbine is a popular choice; see our PC Carbine guide.
Ruger PC Carbine 9mm
9mm · 17+1 · threaded barrel
Choosing a load
Use a quality defensive hollow point from a major maker. These bullets are designed to expand, which slows them down in tissue. They still penetrate walls. Heavy subsonic 147-grain 9mm loads are quieter indoors, which is easier on your hearing in a small space.
Federal HST 9mm 147gr subsonic
Defensive hollow point, 300-round can
Avoid the idea that birdshot is a safe apartment load. Birdshot is designed for birds and can fail to penetrate enough to stop a threat, while still penetrating drywall. Our buckshot guide explains the trade-offs.
Hearing
A gunshot indoors is extremely loud and can permanently damage hearing. Some people keep electronic hearing protection with their home-defense gun. Suppressors, where legal, also reduce noise; see our sister site SuppressorReady.
Check your lease and local law
Some leases address firearms, and some cities have storage requirements. Know both. Secure storage also protects you from theft while you are out, which is a real risk in shared buildings.
Bottom line
In an apartment, your plan matters more than your gun. Choose something you shoot accurately, add a light, use a quality hollow point, and plan where you will be and what is behind your target.
Frequently asked questions
Will a 9mm go through apartment walls?
Yes. Defensive 9mm rounds can penetrate multiple layers of drywall. No load that works for defense is guaranteed to stop in walls.
Is birdshot safer for apartment home defense?
Birdshot can fail to penetrate enough to stop a threat and still goes through drywall. Most experts recommend buckshot or a proven hollow point instead.
Is a 5.56 rifle safe in an apartment?
Some fragmenting 5.56 loads have penetrated fewer drywall layers than handgun rounds in independent tests, but no load is wall-safe. Accuracy matters most.
What is the best apartment home-defense gun?
One you shoot accurately. Pistol-caliber carbines and 20-gauge shotguns are popular because they are easy to control.
HomeDefenseGuns earns a commission on some purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Availability and pricing change often — always confirm on the retailer's page. Firearms ship only to a licensed dealer (FFL); you are responsible for complying with all federal, state and local laws. Nothing here is legal advice. Get professional training before relying on any firearm for defense, and store firearms securely.