HD ammo: Plaster and Slat Wall Apartment

General Firearms Terminal Ballistic Information
1

Hi all,

I live in in an apartment building constructed in the 1900’s with thick plaster and slat walls. I live in Kentucky, so home defense laws are very good, but I do rather like my neighbors and consider any risk of hurting them with a missed shot to be unacceptable. The weapons I have available that I would consider suitable for home defense are a Glock 19, Remington 870, and Accurate Arms AR15.

What loads would you recommend for home defense in this scenario? I’ve seen little or no info about what the penetration resistance of plaster walls are. Luckily many of the angles I might conceivably by shooting at would have to pass through two walls and space between them before entering another apartment, but let’s assume we’ve packed the hallways with innocent bystanders.

Thanks!

2

Having been in the same boat before my first choice would be the AR with one of the heavier fragmenting rounds.

Shotgun with standard type #4 buck shot.

9mm with Federal 124gr +P EFMJ

3

You want to read up on this topic in ballistics section here. 5.56 and .223 are the best choices where over penetration is a concern.