[rhyno13]

For me personally, I prefer to use a Colt .45 as my home defense weapon.

[pioneer461]

Using modern self defense ammo, the only time over penetration presents a problem is when you miss your target. In that case, most pistol bullets will go through one or two walls, unless encountering a stud.

I have several to choose from, but my .40 XD is my go-to home defense pistol. My SD/HD ammo of choice is Hornady Critical Duty, but I live in a rural area, with no close neighbors to worry about.

Practice a lot at night with a tactical LED flashlight, or weapon mounted light / laser, to minimize the chances of a stray bullet.

That's my choice. Your mileage may vary.

[kiabe1]

I use a ruger p90 45acp with federal hst 230 hollowpoints and a 12 ga mossy 500 loaded with 00 but what works for you may be different

[JimRau]

Originally Posted by hq357

40 s&w, 45 acp, or 9mm? Also how many rounds should it hold? it will be by my bedside at all times so it will also serve as my get up and go emergency pistol to get to point a to point b if an emergency like a hurricane or something were to happen so what size should it be? A Full duty size? Compact? Sub compact? i live in condo/apartment kinda house. All of my neighbors houses are connected from left to right if i where to cut a hole in the dry wall id probably be able to see my neighbors. the walls are not thick at all. i do not want to over penetrate, which pistol caliber would be best to use? Right now im thinking a 45 acp with hollow point ammo so atleast the bullet will open up and slow down on contact. My primary would be a 12 guage loaded with.. Im not sure yet haha but can anyone share some input or advice? Please and thank you!

If you use the best ammo available on the market today there is no realistic difference in the terminal effectiveness on a human target between the 9, 357, 40, or 45.
The choice is yours!!!!
The 12 ga, no shot smaller than #2 bird shot or larger than #4 buckshot. BB size shot is about as good as it gets.
Again, the choice is yours!

[orangello]

That depends: If you want to avoid over-penetration, maybe a double-stack pistol in .380 with some nice hollow points would do the job without overdoing the job. Maybe a nice lil Bersa Thunder+ 380 would be your economical choice, 15 rounds of .380 in a nice safe lil package with a lovely satin nickel finish to match that new lamp you got. (Has a handy keyed internal locking system to secure it from use when you are away or there are kids about) People are always complaining about the lack of penetration on a .380.

Alternately, you could get some turkey loads for your shotty and just blast through the wall to the safety of a neighbor's house.

[Jagermeister]

I use a .40 cal magtech hollowpoint for my USP that is kept in my pistol safe. If I was in the states I would buy critical defense or duty. My handgun will get me to my other safe, which has my Mossberg 590 with 00 buck, slug, 00 buck, slug etc in that order. oh, I also also use Eco hollowpoints for my P226r (9mm). I am rethinking about using my Sig in the home due to wall penetration.

[orangello]

Didn't they make those old-school Glaser safety rounds to avoid over-penetration? That seems a bit extreme, though.

[Jagermeister]

I saw a picture of this guy with his lower jaw shot off with a Glaser a long time ago. He survived though. The round caused more serious injuries then death. It was a good round for snakes though.

[rockratt]

I would take the VP's advice and do the shotgun with a pistol grip since you specified a pistol. Just forget the warning shots!!!!! Ammo is to expensive for all that crap!!!

[Doc3402]

Originally Posted by hq357

40 s&w, 45 acp, or 9mm? Also how many rounds should it hold? it will be by my bedside at all times so it will also serve as my get up and go emergency pistol to get to point a to point b if an emergency like a hurricane or something were to happen so what size should it be? A Full duty size? Compact? Sub compact? i live in condo/apartment kinda house. All of my neighbors houses are connected from left to right if i where to cut a hole in the dry wall id probably be able to see my neighbors. the walls are not thick at all. i do not want to over penetrate, which pistol caliber would be best to use? Right now im thinking a 45 acp with hollow point ammo so atleast the bullet will open up and slow down on contact. My primary would be a 12 guage loaded with.. Im not sure yet haha but can anyone share some input or advice? Please and thank you!

.38 Special with lead wadcutters, but you better be real lucky with shot placement. If you miss your target anything will go right through drywall, especially if it's old drywall.