The AK/AR are 200-300 meter rifles, the shorter barrels lose some efficiency and accuracy, so are more like 100-150meter weapons. In saying that, one must remember the BULLET DOESN'T KNOW IT'S RESTRICTED AND SO SAILS ON MERRILY FOR 1000 yards or more.
Pistols are 25 yard weapons. More can be done with them, but you and I are not those shooters and we don't have those pistols. Again, that BULLET DOESN'T KNOW IT'S RESTRICTED AND SO SAILS ON MERRILY FOR 500 yards or more depending on the recipe used.
Common modern drywall construction will NOT STOP a bullet . . . you can kill a kid three apartments away. easily.
Common modern interior doors are hollow core and will NOT STOP a bullet . . . your own kid can be killed easily. Common modern ceilings are, in fact, drywall construction . . . your apartment MAY have a concrete deck on the floor above. That MAY be enough to stop a pistol bullet or lighter caliber rifle bullet.
The typical householder is not going to go get serious training in self defense and will take as gospel, what he reads on the internet, or hears around the beer table. The typical American is a great believer in bigger and more is better . . . and so an AK or AR with a 30 round Mag touted by so many "gun writers" as the hot ticket item, is his minimum standard for protecting the single wide trailer he lives in.
Many drastic tales of horrors awaiting the hapless have been sold and told involving massed legions of beserk ISIS terrorists assaulting his front door, or vicious gangs of Los Zetas intent on raping his Poodle beating on his walls and doors, convincing him that only a small arsenal and ten thousand rounds, already loaded in magazines can be held sufficient security to repel these attacks.
The butt ugly truth is, you're far more likely to be attacked by your own government than any wild eyed Islamist maniac. But that aside, having a decent weapon and enough ammo is never a bad thing. One never really knows. And repellant bearded fanatics are not the only enemies you have to deal with. Ask any of the 896 Americans killed by the Police for no particular reason in the last ten years. Ask any of the thousands of whites killed by Black attackers every year . . .
Not to mention the rapists, kidnappers, home invasions, burglars, and assorted deviants and perverts frequenting our neighborhoods. So, as it was in the days of the Old West, a rifle by the door or pistol by the bedstead is a handy thing for your peace of mind. For millenia, it has been a man's duty, honor and privilege to provide for and to protect his family, fighting to do so when necessary. Modern foolishness denigrates and dismisses the instincts we're born with, as they also pick and choose whatever 'special' coloration they choose this month. Most women, whether they admit it or not, instinctively want that big, capable guy who can feed, clothe her and her baby; make fire and fight off the raiders and baby eaters.
OK, so I've had my rant, what sparkling gem of wisdom can I now lay at your feet? Well, here it is. Keep that AK/AR but get a good 12 gauge (or 20) pump shotgun with a short barrel (18 - 20"). Load it with 'Buck 'n Ball' cartridges with a slug or two in the mix. I keep mine set up with buckshot, buck 'n ball, slug in that order. It holds six, so I double the ration. Keep the butt stock on it, lock it under your arm against your side and level the muzzle at your intended target. Keep your 'off' hand firmly gripping the forearm, which drives the slide action. KISS! Don't load it up with all the 'cool' accessories, oddments, or paraphenalia. A lot of that crap just gets in the way and much of it won't work when you need it to anyway. YOU DON'T NEED A BAYONET, ok?
In my house, I have a backup pistol and She Who Must Be Obeyed has her own Revolver. Simple is good.
We have two dogs who share our bedroom. They know the Grandkids and so, we're not likely to shoot any of them. They're still at the age when they occasionally need Grannie's comfort, and I couldn't think of any simpler way to make sure we wouldn't cause a tragedy. They know that, like hot ovens, broken glass, power tools, and the bottles and boxes in 'that' cabinet, guns are "Big People" stuff, not toys for them to play with. The guns are always in plain view and there's no 'mystique' about them. They know what they can do, and what they're for. They're familiar with them enough to ignore them, like they do the radio, the calendar, the fire extinguisher, and flashlight.
Kids are like Puppies and Colts, they'll try you every which way they can. That's natural, they're learning ALL the time, and trying to determine the limits. You don't take care that the learn the right stuff, they'll damn sure learn the wrong stuff. My dog Beau is big, bold and protective. This is HIS house, HIS yard, HIS truck and these are HIS kids . . . he'll defend all of them to the death. Your yard is not HIS yard, he has no business being aggressive there.
Unless you start something. Very sober guy, is Beau. He wasn't born knowing all that, he had to learn it, accept it and live it. Same with kids . . . they become what you allow them to become.
--Dick
