My bedside handgun changes on occasion but for the past three or four months, it has been a gen3 Glock 19 which is in full battery (loaded and chambered). For many years, I have a system I follow with handguns left out in the open for SD in the home (there are two currently with the other one being the one I carry on a daily basis when out and about). What I do is use one of my carry holsters, the same make and model that I actually carry, to hold my bedside gun. This holster has frictional retention and therefore takes a concerted effort with two hands to remove the pistol. It is also more than a completely easy reach away, but can be reached with a small amount of effort while still in bed.

This keeps me from getting the gun accidentally when awakening from a dream. It has worked for many years. And our children are grown and gone so it's just me and my wife.

My current bedside firearm is a Bersa 380 with loaded magazine, but not one in the chamber. Now, I know I should keep one in the chamber seeing how my gun has a manual safety. However, I have practiced many times my "emergency" plan should something arise in the middle of the night. My wife and daughter have both been taught the proper ways to handle guns, so as of right now I don't keep my weapon in the safe once I'm in the bed. It is within one step from my bed so I actually have to get up to get it. I have timed myself many times and I can be out of bed with my gun in hand and a round chambered in under 5 seconds. Seeing how all of our bedrooms are upstairs, that is more than enough time to get ready. There is only one clean entrance and one clean exit into our home. Otherwise the bad guys are going to be breaking stuff trying to enter or escape. And by the way, don't feel bad about the .22. I actually have the exact same gun. While its not a powerhouse, it is better than a stick, or nothing at all.

Do you keep your bedside firearm locked up? No

Do you keep a loaded magazine with your gun? Yes Do you keep it loaded? Yes Do keep one chambered? Yes


all situations vary but since i live alone and have no kids in my house ever, i can keep what i want, wherever i want, in any condition i want.

i have never been of the camp that keeps my SD firearm "5 seconds from useful". when i pick it up it had better be ready to go or it is just another hunk of metal/plastic/wood that is not doing its job.

I sleep with a Glock 19 fully loaded in a holster under my mattress topper with a .357 mag as backup.

Originally Posted by new guy

My current bedside firearm is a Bersa 380 with loaded magazine, but not one in the chamber. Now, I know I should keep one in the chamber seeing how my gun has a manual safety. However, I have practiced many times my "emergency" plan should something arise in the middle of the night. My wife and daughter have both been taught the proper ways to handle guns, so as of right now I don't keep my weapon in the safe once I'm in the bed. It is within one step from my bed so I actually have to get up to get it. I have timed myself many times and I can be out of bed with my gun in hand and a round chambered in under 5 seconds. Seeing how all of our bedrooms are upstairs, that is more than enough time to get ready. There is only one clean entrance and one clean exit into our home. Otherwise the bad guys are going to be breaking stuff trying to enter or escape. And by the way, don't feel bad about the .22. I actually have the exact same gun. While its not a powerhouse, it is better than a stick, or nothing at all.

Our home is also a two story single family and our master bedroom is in an excellent position from which to monitor any attempts from anyone trying to scale the steps. This also puts them in a precarious situation in that they would not only be a fine target for me, but their back would be to me the last eight steps. This makes it awkward for them to turn in my direction and fire.

Three and a half years ago, we had occasion to put our "plan" into play when our alarm system suddenly, and very loudly, awoke us. This was not the first time we used a plan, but it was the first for this house. Thankfully, it was a false alarm and all worked out. 911 was called and an officer did show up.

Bedside gun is Sig P220 kept in a GunVault clam shell type safe. Cable is linked to the bed frame making it impossible to steal unless they take the bed apart. Access to the gun is in seconds.

My bedside gun is a 1911 .45 ACP in condition 1. I have a GunVault safe anchored to the bedside table. A 3 digit finger combination pops the cover open. I also have deadbolt locks on all the doors and a monitored alarm system, for the intruder's ultimate protection.

This is a really good thread, thanks guys.

Whats better for a beretta px4 storm, 9mm:

One chambered with safety on, or safety off without one chambered for bed side storage?

I'd probably say, one chambered with safety on?

This really depends on your situation. What other people are in the house? Children? What is the layout of the house? Is overpenetration a serious concern?

Regardless, the gun needs to be ready for near-instant use but still not laying out where any intruder can can grab it up and use it against you. In my opinion, that means loaded and for a pistol a round in the chamber and cocked and locked if single action. IMO, a revolver has advantages for the bedside: just pull the trigger (no safety, no slide rack, no need to remember if a round is/isn't chambered).

I think there is too much focus on specific firearms and not enough on planning and training when this subject is discussed. Alarms, lights, escape plans, communications, rejoin points, etc. are all more important than the firearm. You may need a pistol safe (depending on your situation) but, IMO, the "nightstand gun" needs to be loaded with a light and spare ammo (magazine, speed strip, or speed loader) immediately adjacent.

Supplement: Oh yeah. My bedside gun is a 357 revolver (7 chambers, all loaded) with two speed loaders. The shotgun (20 ga pump with full mag extender and side saddle but empty chamber) is in the safe room on the wife's side of the bed. Flashlights and cell phones at both stations. We live in a rural area. The bedroom is on the ground floor. There are no others in the house. Our plan is simple: Call 911 and take defensive positions until the cops arrive (probably 10-30 min). Engage if needed after careful target ID. If necessary, there are front and side windows suitable for escape.

Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

This is a really good thread, thanks guys.

Whats better for a beretta px4 storm, 9mm:

One chambered with safety on, or safety off without one chambered for bed side storage?

I'd probably say, one chambered with safety on?

OMG, i think you just answered your own question!

there may still be hope for you yet.

Originally Posted by Scott9mm

This really depends on your situation. What other people are in the house? Children? What is the layout of the house? Is overpenetration a serious concern?

Regardless, the gun needs to be ready for near-instant use but still not laying out where any intruder can can grab it up and use it against you. In my opinion, that means loaded and for a pistol a round in the chamber and cocked and locked if single action. IMO, a revolver has advantages for the bedside: just pull the trigger (no safety, no slide rack, no need to remember if a round is/isn't chambered).

I think there is too much focus on specific firearms and not enough on planning and training when this subject is discussed. Alarms, lights, escape plans, communications, rejoin points, etc. are all more important than the firearm. You may need a pistol safe (depending on your situation) but, IMO, the "nightstand gun" needs to be loaded with a light and spare ammo (magazine, speed strip, or speed loader) immediately adjacent.

True. The firearm is only a part of the picture, though a very important one. Having a plan of action, well thought out and discussed, that will work in your specific environment is your best bet and should work in concert with your firearm. As I said above, we had the opportunity to put our plan for this house into effect in August 2009. The plan worked in that we did what we had rehearsed and fortunately, it turned out to be a false alarm... though we didn't know it when our alarm system went off.

We also had an opportunity to put a plan into effect we had in our last house; a single family, single level home. That too turned out to be a false alarm but the plan worked in that it was executed. Single level homes pose an entirely different set of "rule" and situations on your planning than do two story homes. One should always think things out very carefully and leave the doors open to the unexpected as well when formulating a plan of action in your home.

Originally Posted by Broondog

OMG, i think you just answered your own question!

there may still be hope for you yet.

Don't shine me on hoss.

Thanks for the all the insight guys, I think the bottom line would be to keep one chambered, safety off, hammer cocked back and ready to ROCK!

Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

Thanks for the all the insight guys, I think the bottom line would be to keep one chambered, safety off, hammer cocked back and ready to ROCK!

Would you feel comfortable carrying that way? If not, why not?

Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

Thanks for the all the insight guys, I think the bottom line would be to keep one chambered, safety off, hammer cocked back and ready to ROCK!

We're still talking about a gun at home.......right?

If so, no need to have the hammer cocked back, safety off and ready to rock.

Originally Posted by paratrooper

We're still talking about a gun at home.......right?

If so, no need to have the hammer cocked back, safety off and ready to rock.

WHen would this be appropriate?

Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

WHen would this be appropriate?

Probably never.

I see it in the movies...

Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

I see it in the movies...

Did you see the part in the movies ,,when they put the gun to their own head,, and pull the trigger???

Try it, but be careful.

Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

I see it in the movies...

I see lots of crap happening in the movies.

Need I really say more?

Never, never, base your life on what you see in the movies.

I keep mine loaded with one in chamber. No kids at my house anymore so no worries about that. Sits in a sleeve between mattress and boxspring at night. On me the rest of the day. I'm not paranoid or anything weird. I just carry all the time because of my job.

I was paranoid all the time.
I now carry a 1911 and a glock backup..no more paranoia

I keep a SIG P250C (.40 cal.) with a StreamLight TLR-1 mounted to it, in the top drawer of a bedside file cabinet.

Full mag with one in the tube. Since it's DAO, no safety to be concerned about.

Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

... the bottom line would be to keep one chambered, safety off, hammer cocked back and ready to ROCK!

Depends on the gun, IMO. Revolvers: all chambers loaded, decocked. Hammer-fired SA/DA: chamber loaded, decocked (or half cock) , safety off. Striker pistols: don't use one for home defense.