firearm access at night

[sandmanx408]

Hey everyone, just wanted some advice

usually when i sleep at night i have my m&p9 loaded code Amber on my desk next to my bed and im getting my 686+ on monday to be my primary nightstand gun

my girlfriend when shes spends tbe nights its usually not a big deal, but her daughter who is 5 has been spending a few night with us here and there usually just piles into the same bed with us when we go to sleep so ill take my 9 unload it and put it away. when she stays with us cause i dont know what else to do.

any advice would be great because an unloaded gun cant protect us if something happens.

when we move in together (and daughter has own bed and room) obviously ill have a safe/lockbox but what should i do at night in the meantime?

[davidb]

get a small quick access safe for your bedside and learn how to unlock it in the dark quickly so you can leave the pistol loaded but locked away when they come over.

should you ever have to use it, you'd be way better off than having to retrieve and then load it

[rob145]

what about leaving it loaded with the chamber empty. All you have to do is just grab the gun and rack the slide to load a round into the chamber. Same thing with a revolver. Leave the cylinder empty, that way you have to pull the trigger twice to fire a round.

[darmog]

Quick access safe or maybe a kydex holster mounted hidden behind your night stand or headboard of your bed.

[davbog44]

I think you pretty much have to go the quick access safe route. Here's why:

Let's assume for argument's sake a 5 year old can't rack the slide on your M&P, so you leave it loaded, but no round in the chamber. When my daughters were that young, they could not rack the slide on my SIG P228, and I know because I used to "test" them (gun unloaded, of course.)

But, even though the gun is, in theory safe, imagine if your GF's daughter somehow does get a hold of it. Your GF will likely freak out, and it'll all be downhill from there.

Plus the obvious; a quick access safe is THE safest way to stay armed and ready AND kid proof.

I know when it comes to home defense, people sometimes think they have to be able to get into action even if they're awoken from a sound sleep by Freddie and Jason standing over them. But in practical terms, hopefully your home is secure enough that you'd have at least some brief warning .... enough to get a quick access safe open in time, if the bad guys ever do come calling.

[rob145]

I think you pretty much have to go the quick access safe route. Here's why:

Let's assume for argument's sake a 5 year old can't rack the slide on your M&P, so you leave it loaded, but no round in the chamber. When my daughters were that young, they could not rack the slide on my SIG P228, and I know because I used to "test" them (gun unloaded, of course.)

But, even though the gun is, in theory safe, imagine if your GF's daughter somehow does get a hold of it. Your GF will likely freak out, and it'll all be downhill from there.

Plus the obvious; a quick access safe is THE safest way to stay armed and ready AND kid proof.

I know when it comes to home defense, people sometimes think they have to be able to get into action even if they're awoken from a sound sleep by Freddie and Jason standing over them. But in practical terms, hopefully your home is secure enough that you'd have at least some brief warning .... enough to get a quick access safe open in time, if the bad guys ever do come calling.

Good point! Didn't think about that one.

[fastpowerstroker]

Yep, get a quick access safe. I'm currently looking for something different than my current setup such as the speed vault from gun vault bolted to the nightstand.

We all know that a 5 year old cannot rack a slide, but personally this would not work for me. I've been accused of having OCD, and to many what if's for that to work for me, and for sure a no go with the revolver.

[rob145]

Yep, get a quick access safe. I'm currently looking for something different than my current setup such as the speed vault from gun vault bolted to the nightstand.

We all know that a 5 year old cannot rack a slide, but personally this would not work for me. I've been accused of having OCD, and to many what if's for that to work for me, and for sure a no go with the revolver.

Great suggestions guys! We are covering good points!

[XDJYo]

The wife and I just got Gunvault mini safes. One for each side of the bed. One has her Sig SP2022 with light/laser combo and the other has my 1911. Both have cables attached to the bed frame.

This is probably the best way to keep a loaded firearm ready-to-go within a few seconds. Since I didn't want to leave anything to chance, I got a battery operated motion detector light that mounts w/velcro right above the Gunvault. One swipe of the hand above the safe and I've got lights-on the finger pad of the safe to make sure I am pressing the right buttons. (In blind testing, I wasn't consistent). It automatically goes off in either 30-60 seconds. You can find them at OSH, Home Depot or Lowes.

The $100 or so you spend is more than worth it. Remember, being safe is number one.

Happy shooting and be safe!

[tbc]

Communicate clearly with your girlfriend about your HD setup.

Get a quick access safe as other posters suggested. It is a must when children are in the house.

The empty chamber/cylinder suggestion is not a bad idea but are you going to press check your semi and revolver every night?







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[Whatisthis?]

What others have said. Talk to your girlfriend and let her know the situation, then get a minivault safe or similar. It'll be ~$100 range and is more than worth it simply by your girlfriend not getting upset. I prefer the one that has the four buttons for a combo and NOT the finger print ones (finger print ones were finicky last time I tried).

OP, good on you for using common sense logic in your situation and knowing that being put away does you no good. A lot of people either put it away and never have quick access to it or they leave it out where the kid can get to it.

[pizzaman77]

I use the speed vault (2 children at home). My wife is happy and kids are safe. I practice opening at night with the lights off and it's only 2-3 seconds slower than a gun in a drawer. I know seconds are a lot but safety first.


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['ol shooter]

Gotta have a way to prevent the kids from accessing the gun. You could use a trigger lock, but a quick access safe would be the best by far.

[VectorScalar]

Obligatory off topic humorous video:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/8pU2IOTEZlU?autoplay=1

Back on topic: for me, loaded with nothing in the chamber and safety on if I have my pistol, but I mainly rely on my 12ga left in the same condition.....if my 4 & 5 year old children do manage to sneak in, for them to get to the shotgun, rack it, get the safety off, and fire would give me ample time to wake up.

[Che762x39]

any advice would be great because an unloaded gun cant protect us if something happens.

Not 100% correct. Being a lawman for 30+ years, I always had a CCW. So 98% of the time when you produced a handgun people give up or run away.

Do you expect something to happen?