Nightstand Gun

[HealthyGunz]

I wanted to hear your guys' thoughts on nightstand storage. I have a SIG P226 that I keep in the nightstand, but I usually keep it in it's box unlocked, unloaded but with a full magazine of JHP next to it inside the box.

I don't live in a high-risk area and I'm up late a lot so I figure the most likely circumstance that I'll have to use my gun in the house, I'll have some warning (I have very good ears and awareness of my surroundings). For example, last time I pulled the gun out for a possible scenario is when a group of drunk guys started beating on our front door and screaming at 10:30 at night. I had plenty of time to get my gun and load it and set up. Turns out, those guys were drunk and looking for a party at my neighbors house.

We do not have children in my house; it's just my mom and I. We also do not have many different visitors; my house is low-traffic. I've been on the fence about storing it outside of its case just to remove a step but I see no reason to store it loaded. I also have pepper spray, several smaller knives and a 12 inch war dagger at my disposal which I feel may arguably be better to grab if someone's made it to my bedroom already because it is extremely intimidating and sharp.

Arguments as to why I don't store a full-on loaded gun next to me at night is as I said, I don't live in a high-risk area and I'd like to prevent mistakes be it from myself, an earthquake, family member somehow, etc... Although it's a great battle pistol, I mainly purchased my gun for the range.

Those of you that do store in the nightstand, what do you guys do and why? Thanks.

[unltd]

What: I keep a P226 in my nightstand as well. I keep it with a loaded mag inside, empty chamber, and 2 spares next to it in the drawer. Not in its box, but not loose either: it's in a holster.

Why: Because I'm comfortable with it. I too live in a not-dangerous situation, so I feel keeping 1 in the chamber is unnecessary. As it is, with the mag in all I have to do is rack the slide, but I feel a little better knowing that the gun is "empty." In reality, I think the P226 is about as safe in a holster decocked with a loaded chamber as it is without a loaded chamber.

[moosegun]

whatever makes you comfortable.
Only senerio where you will not have time to load your mag is if you were sleeping and you open your eyes and see a stranger by your bedroom doorway..not very likely senario.. I was stretching it a bit.. besides you have your knife and pepperspray so I think you are fine.

[rifle man]

Sig P220R with hollow points, one in the throat and ready to rock.

[DasBoost]

I keep my M&P with a loaded mag but empty chamber in the S&W hard case between my bed and nightstand. It has a trigger lock but is removed anytime I am in the house, but put on anytime I leave. A buddy scoffed at that once but I'd rather be safe and take the 5 seconds than have it stolen with 20rds of PDX1... In terms of my neighborhood and such, I'd say it is like the OP's description.

[racky]

a shotgun and a beretta. my vid shows the condition i keep em. the handgun is chambered, the shotgun isn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVn4iPRPm-I

[Can't buy anything here]

You don't have to worry about just burglars...a friend of mine had a new heater installed in his home last month and when they left, his laptop and wife's rings were gone...he eventually got them back after calling the owner who had his employee return them under threat of jail...my point is, it's a good idea to have some kind of safe or mounted lock box to at least keep opportunity theft down...also, it's a good idea in case you or your mom have a visitor over who has small children....you can get a small gun vault for around a hundred bucks...good peace of mind for that price..

[drunktank]

Nightstand storage varies for me. Shotgun unloaded with loaded side saddle in locked locker in closet. Quicker and easier to get to for menthan it sounds. Unloaded G19 in container with loaded preban next to it. Gun comes out before bed and goes back in after I wake up. I got two little ones and they are still in "cave exploration mode" so I have to be extra careful. House has enough early warning indicators to not worry about a BG standing next to me undetected.

[clcolin81]

I keep my 1911 in the nightstand, but we have kids, and even though they are well educated on gun safety, and know not to touch my guns unless I let them, I got this nifty little device.
[IMG][/IMG[IMG][/IMG]

The brass slug stays in the chamber and connects to the red plug. Impossible to chamber a round. a simple "key" unlocks disconnects the rod from the slug and all you need to do is pull the slide, slug ejects, live round feeds. I just make it my nightly ritual to unlock it, then lock it up again in the morning.

[NOTARPilot]

I'd like to prevent mistakes be it from myself, an earthquake, family member somehow, etc... .

Can you elaborate on what a mistake from an earthquake is?

[WWDHD?]

Ruger SP-101 with 5 rounds of .38+p HP. I'd prefer to keep my S&W 4013 loaded and close by but the wife doesn't practice much and likes/shoots the revolver more. Also keep a Stramlight Polytac HP flashlight (150 lumens) next to the gun. Crazy bright!
I keep all this locked in a Fort Knoxs table top pistol box bolted to my dresser. Has a simple push button lock (no electronics or batteries). I'm not sure if they still make this anymore but I like it. Seems pretty tough. If I'm going to be out of the house for more than a day I lock up the gun with all the others in the Sturdy safe.
V-line makes a nice pistol safe that can be bolted to almost anything. Cabelas has them. Its nice to have a place to secure your HD gun quickly and away from kids and other nosy critters.

[all torque]

I bought a small gun safe from walmart for $40. It's made by Winchester and has a key pad with a key lock as back up. My main concern is keeping my kids from it, not it getting stolen. I keep it loaded with a round in the chamber and a spare mag. It's bolted down to my nightstand drawer.

[bsg]

imo you are putting too much faith in the virtues of your neighborhood. i understand the confidence that statistics can bring, but the stakes are very high when it is your ticket that gets punched.

good to see you asking others regarding home safety.

[drifts1]

G19 in a holster ready to go at all times, mag inserted/round in the chamber. We dont get to pick when an intruder will strike. They may not wait until weve slipped into our PJ's and removed all our neat safety devices. ANY extra steps only benefits the intruder, no need to help him out. High crime area is irrelevant, what does it matter if its the 1st or 1000th crime in your neighborhood?

[GettoPhilosopher]

Can you elaborate on what a mistake from an earthquake is?

I think he's worried that it'll hit the floor and discharge.

Buddy? From one Sig P226 (.40) owner to another.....that's not something you should be worried about. It won't go off if you throw it. I don't know all the proper terms, but the hammer's natural rest point is not in contact with the firing pin, it locks at that slightly forward position, and there's a firing pin lock that keeps the firing pin from moving even were you to take a nail and hammer and hit it; the trigger has to be pulled for it to fire...and those are just the safety features I've found by playing around with it (unloaded).

It's your call what condition you want to store it in, but don't worry about earthquakes setting off your handgun. Personally, I've always been told there are few things more useless than an unloaded gun, and I don't see how I could possibly make a judgment call like "there will never be a HD situation where I'll need to get to my gun faster than I can (half-asleep, crap in my eyes, nervous, with shaky hands) pull my Sig out of the box, put in a mag, and rack the slide".

So yeah. Mine's got a loaded mag full of JHPs, one in the chamber, TLR1s and CrimsonTrace ready to go, and an extra mag next to it. There's also a loaded M16A4gery (featureless) nearby. (as soon as I pick one up, M16 will be replaced by a loaded S12)

Your decision, but that's my reasoning.

EDIT: Forgot one. Personally, if there is an intruder in my house, I don't want him to know I'm there until I'm ready. Now, my house is too small for me to hear someone in my living room and start clanking around. *clunk clunk* box open *rattle rattle, clink smack* mag in *chu-CHINK* round chambered....you get what I mean. Only noise I'll make (besides my annoyingly cracky ankles :P) is pulling the hammer back, and I don't even *have* to do that if I don't want to.