My little situation

OK, can we please stop calling the CZ-82 a 380? It's a 9x18, or 9mm Makarov. It's not the same round as a 380 (9x17, 9mm Short, or 9mm Kurz), just like it's not the same round as a 9mm. [/rant]

OP, I have a similar situation. I live in a rented townhouse with neighbors on both sides. I also feel your pain at trying to find quality 9mm Makarov defense ammo locally, and am getting ready to bite the bullet (te he) and order some online.

For me, I believe in a layered HD firearm selection. I keep handguns close at night, but I also have a long gun behind the bed (at one time a 10/22 loaded with CCI Stingers) and a 12 guage in the closet, with shells close by. The shotgun is a family gun, otherwise my HD shotgun would be a Rem 870 youth model 20 guage that I had for a while. Right now, my "behind the bed" gun is a 9mm Carbine. Whatever you use, don't consider it an "either-or" question. Have both handy, because the need to check something in your apartment may warrant using the CZ, while barricading yourself in your bedroom may warrant a long gun.
 
Drummer101, get the Mini14. They are great rifles. Just be aware of their limitations. They aren't known for great accuracy. If you aren't planning on doing any long range shooting, don't worry about it!
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To help qualify this some, I had no problem taking a deer with a Mini-14 at about 80 yards prone with iron sights. It was an easy shot.

That said, she's really only good to 300-500 yards max depending on the size of your target, the rifle, and your skill. There is room for play in these numbers.
 
OK, can we please stop calling the CZ-82 a 380? It's a 9x18, or 9mm Makarov. It's not the same round as a 380 (9x17, 9mm Short, or 9mm Kurz), just like it's not the same round as a 9mm. [/rant]
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While I was confusing the CZ-82 with the CZ-83, ballistically they are so damn close that they are going to perform the same. They shoot the same size bullet (unless you want to nitpick about .355 vs .364), with the same weight, with the 9x18 having about a 50-75fps difference on average. Using comparisons of the .380 for the 9mm makarov isn't totally out of line.
 
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What you need is some practice time to help you develop your confidence in your firearms and your abilities when using them. Practice transitioning back and forth between the shoulder weapons and the pistol. Get that down pat until it becomes a real smooth movement system.

The more trigger time you have the better you will feel about your weapons and your tactics. What's also nice is that you'll also gain more knowledge as to what your firearms will and will not do for you. Using a hollow point round in a .223 caliber rifle isn't a bad idea at all in an urban situation. That's what a lot of the SWAT teams do because the hollow points expend their energy almost as soon as they strike something solid.

Depending on where you live, you might ask some of the local tactical cops what they use for ammo and why they use that particular type of ammo. But no matter what, keep in mind that any round that you fire will always have the potential for over-penetrating which means that somebody beyond your target could be wounded or killed. Over-penetration is that ghost that people fear but it very rarely shows up in any police related shootings. The Police Training Institute, which is a part of the University of Illinois, has taught for years that over-penetration is something that so rarely happens that they don't even worry about it at all. They do, however, encourage police trainees to be aware of what is beyond their targets or beware of the backstops beyond what the officers are shooting. The FBI's FTU, Firearms Training Unit, also urges caution when shooting at a target and to be aware of what's beyond your target but they also indicate that over-penetration is a rare event too. So to eliminate concerns for over-penetration the best thing would be for your shots to hit the target but, under stress, you're right, not all of your shots will hit home with 100% accuracy. But practice, forethought and training can help reduce much of the problems associated with the dangers involving tactical shooting situations.
 
Redesign your tactics, if possible

Sorry, if this has already been addressed.

If your defense plan involves sheltering in a designated "safe room" and awaiting reinforcements (e.g. police, via 9-1-1 call), you COULD 1) identify your field of fire and 2) reinforce those walls against penetration. (e.g. bookcase filled with books, Heavy mirror backed with 3/4" to 1" plywood or other stout stuff).

For example, my primary defensive location is my front door which looks out ont the street. No protection for innocent bystanders there except distance.

Second defensive position is at the top of the stairs. Backstop that will catch misses is my front yard. There is very little ricochet danger.

Third defensive position if my master bedroom, through the doorway into the hallway. Any stray rounds would have to pass through no less than three interior walls, all at oblique angles. Very difficult for any round to penetrate.

Analyze your response plan and your physical environs. Keep in mind that no plan is perfect or will be enacted exactly as you envision, but if you control the variables well enough, you will reduce the risk to your neighbors considerably.

Good for you for thinking ahead. Thanks for reading.

Lost Sheep
 
If you are that concerned about over penetration you may want to consider Glasers. The bad thing is that not too many other manufacturers have pre-fragmented in 9x18.
 
in the moment when my life is in peril, I am sure to be more concerned with what happens if I don't shoot rather than what happens if I do. When I lived in an apartment I made a plan to always [try] to put myself in very low position shooting at upward angle. Its not perfect but it was best I could do under the circumstances and being on the top level of the apartments.
 
Got my mini 14 today ($639 so not bad). I really like the controls being I shoot rifles lefty because of my eyes. Very satisfied with it.
 
Not boring or safe

Quote "(I live in a pretty safe boring area of Houston)."

There is no such place! Boring, maybe - Safe not always.
 
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