Bedside gun?????

[getafterit]

Whatever you pick, put it in the closet or a dresser, so you have to be at least 80% functioning before you start blasting. A friend had a Glock 22 in the night stand. He had a dream, pulled it out and shot his leg. Doctor said if it had been a 1/2" over, they would have amputated. You really want to know what's going on before you start shooting...

This is sound advice.

[JTROKS]

Whatever you pick, put it in the closet or a dresser, so you have to be at least 80% functioning before you start blasting. A friend had a Glock 22 in the night stand. He had a dream, pulled it out and shot his leg. Doctor said if it had been a 1/2" over, they would have amputated. You really want to know what's going on before you start shooting...

I'll vouch for that. When you're awaken from deep sleep a few seconds is needed to regain balance, to situate yourself to what's going on. Some folks take only seconds, but depending how tired or what condition of health you have will determine your response. I have 3 boys - 15, 11 and 9. I've observed them when I try to wake them up for school. The oldest boy takes about 5 minutes to even realize where and what time it is. The other two takes about a minute. I'm sure as they grow up they'll get better.

Back to OP: I voted Mossberg 500. Mine is 12 gauge 5+1 18.5" bbl. My backup for the shotgun is a Sig P6 with 3 mags.

[billped]

Very similar. Mossberg 500 12ga 5+1 18.5", backup is my Glock 19 w/3 mags. The Sig P226 Navy is my loaded-in-the-safe gun.

[Nrai2020]

So much truth to this. Doctor prescribed me something and one of the extreme side effects is hallucination, but since it only happens to .01% of people who take the drug they didn't tell me about it. Definitely grabbed my glock at one point, but I realized that it was my mind playing tricks and nothing bad was going on (kept seeing people in my house, but they were just shadows).

But to answer the OP question, I voted for a mossberg 500. It's less of a tactical decision, and more of a practical one. If you use a pistol, it is best to keep it chambered because racking the slide under pressure/grogginess from just waking up may prove to be difficult. You will statistically never have to defend yourself, but you're probably going to have guests over at quite a few points in your life. If you are like me, even your bedside gun goes in the safe when other people are over. If you unload it, it means that eventually all your rounds will suffer from set back and you will have to get a new set of home defense rounds. Shotguns don't have the same problem. I realize this is marginal when considering the overall costs of firearm ownership, but it seems like an easier solution to all of this, especially since you are not likely to have to use a gun for defense (god willing) in your life time.

Rounds suffer from setback? Whats that?

[penguinofsleep]

I'll vouch for that. When you're awaken from deep sleep a few seconds is needed to regain balance, to situate yourself to what's going on. Some folks take only seconds, but depending how tired or what condition of health you have will determine your response. I have 3 boys - 15, 11 and 9. I've observed them when I try to wake them up for school. The oldest boy takes about 5 minutes to even realize where and what time it is. The other two takes about a minute. I'm sure as they grow up they'll get better.

Back to OP: I voted Mossberg 500. Mine is 12 gauge 5+1 18.5" bbl. My backup for the shotgun is a Sig P6 with 3 mags.

^ could also just depend on what cycle of sleep someone is in. if it's the deep sleep cycle, it will take a long time to recover. if its between sleep cycles when you're sleeping shallow, it's almost like waking up on your own almost fully aware.

i vote for whatever gun, tool, or device you know best. even if you're a champ with a knife or edged weapon and you have tight living quarters (and say maybe a mediocre shot at best with no stress, etc), i'd consider that over a gun. just like if one of your kids can only shoot a 22 well and it REALLY came down to it, being able to get some rounds on target with a 22 is better than 0 rounds on target with anything else.
if you are equally proficient with all 3, mossberg 500 packs the most punch and is the most likely to stop an intruder if the shot connects. but by proficient i mean you won't short stroke, can shoot it from cover or various positions, and can move around your home without bumping into something every 3-5 feet.

[billped]

Compressed ammo. Some doubt its authenticity. Google it.

[timbo399]

Mossberg 590A1 5 ft away behind curtain when sleeping, eight 00's in the tube, safety off, unchambered.
Keep a semi handgun in bedside drawer- have HKs, Beretta's, etc but my go to is any one of my 3 1911's. Have taken all my handgun classes w 1911 and all 3 have never had one ftf in over thousand rounds in each w both JHP and FMJ, keep cocked and locked w 230gr Speer Gold Dot JHPs. Flashlight on bed stand and flashlight mounted on Mossberg.

Rarely have people over but when do Mossberg goes in the safe along w my 1911. No need to unload. Also, when leave for work in the morning both go in safe.

[philobeddoe]

I got a Gen2 G17 bedside.

Lotsa more options before a threat gets bedside.

Be surprised if a threat made it that far.

[klewan]

I have the Mossberg 500, 18.5" barrel hidden in the kitchen. Berretta 92 in the closet. I practice what I preach.

[MontClaire]

AK

[Deimos887]

go with what you know. the platform that has been cemented into muscle memory will be the one that you have the most confidence in and competence in using.

exactly what I was about to type... personally that would be a handgun, particularly one of my Glocks, I'd rather have the advantage of using what I know like the back of my hand and be out $5-600 pending investigation, than be at a disadvantage that could be life costing, to save a couple hundred dollars.

my vote is: N/A

[Oceanbob]

The one you are most familiar / proficient with.

This. Regardless of cost. ^^^^

I don't call 911 so all things being quiet, it's a blue tarp and trunk drive to Mohave in the morning.

[johnny_boy02]

G17 with Streamlight.


Sent from my VP9

This plus one extra mag. If I need more than that things have gone very very bad.

[XDJYo]

You have to consider your specific situation. Not just what you are comfortable shooting. The layout of your house, how big your house is, hallways, front/back yard size, proximity of neighbors, presence of children or visitors to your home etc. All of these things will matter in your choice.

And, to be 100% truthful, the right answer is: "It depends".

In my personal situation, I would not use a shotgun, even if I was proficient with it. I have a 1911 with 2 mags while my wife has a Glock 19 with 2 mags. Both are filled with JHP and a weapon-light. We also have electronic ears just in case we have time to put those suckers on (last step once we're both armed and ready).

Some say the sound of racking a shotgun is deterrence enough, some say that it is foolish to give away your position. 50/50 IMHO.

Hope this sheds some light on your situation. One thing to do is to practice and go thru the steps in a 'bump in the night' scenario.

Happy shooting and be safe.

P.S. Don't forget to incorporate a tactical-roll into your exercises! LOL! Just kidding!

[hambam105]

Bedside protection...

Not to much to worry about with a M18A1 or two properly situated.