Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Hi all -

I just received my pistol permit here in NY and purchased a S&W 9mm M&P.

My gun does not have a thumb safety but does have a magazine safety. A round in the chamber cannot be fired if the magazine is removed.

My question relates to my desire to have the gun "at the ready" at night and relatively safe during the day while I am at work.


If I elect to keep the gun with a round in the chamber and a mounted magazine at night can I simply remove the magazine in the am and leave it all day in that condition ? Can it damage the gun in any way? Is it good paractice?

Many TIA

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

A gun untouched is undamaged. But regardless, there are much large considerations to look at first. Any children or pets? Uneducated people? IMHO, if the weapon is out of your personal control, it need to be physically safed. Either in a pistol safe, or with a trigger lock.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

If you dont have any kids or anyone else running around your house, leave it loaded with one in the pipe day and night.

Wont hurt the gun one bit.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

When home and with you (the gun) have a full mag without a round chambered, that way you don't have to worry about an "accidental discharge" in one way or another. It only takes a rack of the slide and you're ready to :s10: if need be.
When away, I say get a safe or something of that nature. Not only to have a better chance against thieves, but kids or anyone else who it might present a danger too.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

how long to get a gun permit in nyc...i'm told 18 months minimum

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Here is what we have been doing for the past 40 years....this worked when I was a kid and my father taught it to me and it is the system we use in our home with 2 small children.

We have a gun out all the time. A semi-automatic. We have all ammo very well stored under lock and key....except for one fully loaded magazine for the gun. We hide this magazine away from the gun when we are gone, lock it in a small safe or take it with us. The gun is nothing more that a chunk of steel without this magazine.

When we go to sleep.....we fully insert the magazine into the gun. We do not chamber a round......figure if SHTF...it just takes a fraction of a second to chamber a round. In the morning we remove the magazine from the gun and put it in it's hiding place.....me and wife know where it is....kids do not and never will...but they are in the same room....think of putting it inside a sport coat/jacket/dress pocket in the bedroom closet (this was prior to our hotel safes....). Since we never chamber unless SHTF...no risk of the gun getting loaded...full magazine confirms where all rounds are......when we sleep it is under my pillow at night...only a rack of the slide to be ready to go......if someone sneeks in - they still do not expect a gun under your pillow....just slide it under sheets and give it a quick rack and blaze away.

Kids are not fasinated by the gun since it is out very often and they understand it is no touch without us. I let them hold it when they are interested......go to range and fill 1 gal window washer bottles full of colored water....blow some shit up big time...impress the kids with the power of the gun.....plus they see dead deer i kill in the fall and I show them the big wounds from rifles/shotguns...they understand death......they are 6 yo and 4.5 yo..... they respect the danger of the gun....but are not fasinated because we let them see the guns. This isn not macho....it is logical.

This system is perfect.

We also have 2 of thise electronic key pad hotel type safes.....one in bedroom closet bolted to wall...has more guns ready to go...keystroke we can open quickly in the dark.....have another one on other end of house where we spend most of our time....these can be purchased at Harbor Freight for under $40 each....on sale right now....ver secure and fast to open....

When I get home I put my CCW pistol in the safe or continue to carry on my person.

This is our system.

This system also keeps you from getting shot by a young, scared kid that may have broke in your home while you were away and found a loaded gun ....you come in of the small time criminal - he freaks out and shoots you with your home gun.

I strongly suggest this system.....esp is you have kids or kids visit.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

I agree with some that has been said, disagree with some.

No it will not hurt to keep a round in the chamber 24/7 but leaving a gun at home but not in a safe when you are gone is not a responsible act. Get a safe...even a cheapie and bolt it to wall studs. I would also store the mag separately.

When you are home one in the chamber and loaded mag...I would never keep the chamber empty and hope I wasn't woken by someone already in my bedroom and grappling with me. Tough to work that slide when you are half asleep and have an arm pinned. Also when is the gun is loaded it needs to be under your control, yes I do wear a holster in the house. If not holstered it is never further than arms length...you take it with you when you leave the room...even if just to hit the head.

I would add that if you have given copies of your house/apartment keys to friends now is the time to get them back...all of them. Last thing you need is a drunk buddy showing up at 3 am and letting his self into your home unannounced.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Thanks to all. Grown children; usually not at home.

I thought about keeping it unchambered and with a full mag at night.

My concerns were that racking the slide would alert a perp to our location/intention and that in my possible nervousess I might not fully chamber the round. I guess it is a matter of practice/confidence.

License took about 8 months to get. Glad to get it while the gettin's good. I wasn't sure it would be available in the years ahead. I guess we will see.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

You want the perp to know where you are and loaded - this is not a problem....but be ready for a gun fight and plan on winning. Any perp will avoid a gun fight and leave.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Off topic, New York state or New York city? upstate was less restrictive than downstate when I lived there.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Use 3 sets of locked doors.....primary home door......head of hallway to sleeping end of home also a locked door.....bedroom door closed and locked.....no freaking way will you not be awake and racking gun and mental ready by the time these 3 layers are breached.

An extra door on the hallway is the best thing you can do to a home....less than the cost of another gun.....you, wife/kids are in a very secure zone while we sleep....lots of warning prior to getting to you.

Build homes with closets protecting bedrooms.....closets are on the hallway walls....line both sides with 1" plywood prior to drywall to prevent overpenetration in a gun fight....don't want to kill your kids with a stray shot....this only adds a few hundred to construction costs....plus makes rooms very quiet.

You are not parinoid......be prepared.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

could you leave the slide locked back with the mag in? That way with one hand you can just release the slide to put a round into battery.

I also saw a video on youtube of a guy who got a strip of magnet maybe 1" wide 5" long, a slightly longer strip of 3mm or 4mm plastic. He got some heat shrink and put it over both. Heat shrank them together and then screwed that in various places. He would just hang his pistol off of that.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

The advantage of no chamber is that the gun is never dangerous even if you make a mistake and leave it out and a kid finds it.....unless he is strong enought to chamber a round....most kids can't ...a lot of women can"t - unless they are trained.

Not saying we rely on this .....it is backup safety if we make a mistake.

Chamber and unchamber is the most dangerous activity you can perform with a gun. This is where discharge can happen. Not crazy dangerous...but still the peak of danger.

The key is to have layers of entry warning to allow for you to chamber when SHTF. Add some door and some locks to the halls and bedrooms...you will sleep better.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

heck no, your gonna wake up from a nightmare and blow your own head off.. :SLEEP::s10:

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

I have to say it. Conversations like this is why I personally prefer a wheel gun.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

No need to "hate to say it", it's the truth. I'm a semi-auto man myself and always will be, but the simplicity of a revolver is great when talking about a "bed gun".

You're waken from a deep sleep, simply "point and click" just like a mouse!



I recommend if you're gonna keep a pistol like your M&P at the bedside have it cocked already with the safety on. Some people say the sound of racking the slide will scare off intruders but I'm not willing to find out...

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

http://www.gunvault.com/

Get yourself one of these and bolt it into your night stand. Keep your pistol loaded with a round in the chamber. Keep a spare magazine and a tactical pistol light (on pistol) or hand held tactical flash light in the safe with the gun. Rotate your magazines and check lubrication of your pistol on the first of every month.

Since your kids are grown up and gone you have no worries. If you had little ones like I do, expose them to shooting at an early age as to take the mystery out of firearms. Bx3

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Does that thing require batteries? Are there electronics involved?

I'll never trust my home safety to either.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Assume my protection handgun is ALWAYS ready to fire. It's loaded to the pipe and in arm's reach right now. I ain't screwing around with jackin' one in to scare 'em away. I MIGHT give them a warning shot from they don't know where, and if they aren't running in 2 seconds they will find one in their ass. I don't mind patching plaster.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

There are two different models. One with a quick combo and one with a finger print scan. I believe that they both require AA batteries. I have had two of the combo models now for about ten years. I change the batteries every year but once went for three years with no problems. There is a key if the batteries ultimately fail. Never had any or heard of any problems or failures with this product.

I agree that one should remove as many potential failures from the self defense system, however if we are talking about the potential theft of your unsecured weapon or a child getting a hold of it, some additional fire walls are worth the risk. In the end it is no different than expecting your brand of firearm or ammo from being 100% reliable as neither ever can be. Bx3

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

im with ya Wampum

if theres an intruder waking you up from a deep sleep, in the dark, at 3am......do you really think fumbling with a safety and/or racking a slide is a good idea?? no kids...no pets...no broad....point and click at my house.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Exactly what I was thinking. I've got dozens of handguns to pick from. Including the ones I use for IDPA. So lots of high speed state of the art semi-autos. But the little safe by the bed has two loaded revolvers in it. I bought myself my own 21st birthday present back in 1982: Ruger Security Six, stainless, six inch .357 Magnum. That's still the primary home defense gun to this day. If I jumped up at night, that's what I would grab. There is also a snubby Rossi 720 .44 Special in there and that's for the wife.

I like the little push button safes but they are noisy with all the beeping. So what I like to do is push the buttons and open it when I come home. Leave the guns in there but leave the safe open. Usually I open the big safe in the bedroom as well but that's mainly because I just like to pull something out to look at it. In the morning I close and lock all safes as part of the locking the house routine.

There are other loaded guns in other places in the house but they are far from obvious. A couple of AK's. A side by side hammer 12 gauge. And my CCW revolver (S&W M296 .44 Special) if I'm home.

I agree with leaving guns out in plain sight so that they just become part of the furniture to little kids. Mine are 9 and 11. We have a standing rule that they can look at any of Dad's guns but they have to ask first. If they want to hold it, ask me. If they want to shoot it, ask me and we'll take it out to the pasture right now. So there is no forbidden curiousity.

Gregg

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Oh and the three locked doors thing reminded me of how we are different. We only lock the outside doors. But there is a Great Pyrenees out there to watch the front gate off the road. If they somehow make it to a house door or window, then the fun really begins. Nine Belgian Maliniois sleep in the house. Plus two barky little weiner dogs. The idea of "sneaking into" my house is insane. We've never even had an intruder on our 90 acres. Certainly not in the controlled area up by the house and garage. Most people see all those dogs and go somewhere else!!

Gregg

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

I have two locked doors to go through plus an alarm system. They won't get near me without me knowing. I have an ar15 at the ready.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

I have my pistol on my person 9/10th of the time and when Im asleep I keep it under my pillow. Thanks to living in the hood for 20+ years, Ive kept it under my pillow for years. Ive moved out of the hood and still keep it there to this day. If someones going to pull a home invasion on me whilst im asleep, ill be damned if ill be fumbling around with pulling it out of my dresser or where ever.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

I've found that if I sleep with the crown of the barrel lodged in my ear it helps me sleep a little lighter.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

I'm a new gun owner as well.. I do have younger kids in the house, and I have a couple of dogs.. Not big enough to really attack anyone, but certainly loud enough to make sure I know if someone is messing around at a door or window.

I personally chose to get a biometric (fingerprint)wall safe to keep a loaded but unchambered pistol in. From my bed to the safe w/ gun in hand and slide racked takes about 6-7 seconds. Im counting on the dogs to give me that amount of time. Some would argue that it should be closer and more ready, but the peace of mind knowing my kids or neighbor kids cant easily get to the gun is worth that extra 3 seconds.

Yes, the kids have been exposed to the gun, know what their rules and limits are and I trust them to obey them, but why tempt fate?

IMO only

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Take the kids out and let them shoot a plastic gallon water jug, then explain, what would happen to anyone shot in the head. Had both of my sons shooting by the age of 5
more scared of them finding a gun when staying at a friends house, by teaching them at an early age it takes the magic out. When asked what do you do if you find a gun they say leave it alone and tell an adult. They are both over 17 years old and good shots.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Most home invasions occur when entering or exiting your home- so unless you are carrying you're in trouble. If I get a gun pointed at me and don't have any other options, I'm telling the perp I have cash where my gun is- when we get there it is as simple at point and shoot.

If your keeping your piece in your night stand you might want something to place over it so if the said scenario occurs you can cover it as you pull it on him. I like to keep a pack of PM handling gloves to throw over it. Buys you a little more time. Also might want to keep a diversion like a money clip or some coins to throw over your shoulder onto the bed. While he's turning his head to look your turning your hand and gun.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Pistol is shitty home defese weapon. Make a bed holster for your 12 gauge. Pistols are for Concealed Carry & open carry/backup guns.

Until then: on night stand in condition 3/revolver/ da/sa with one in the chamber and hammer down/half cocked.

When you wake up: seperate the magazine & put the gun in a good hiding place:(burglars tend to pull drawers out of dressars/look under mattresses/check the bedroom closet/den/kitchen.)

If you have a CCW: that simplifies the issue because when you wake up: the gun goes on you.

I'd like to second making sure that the bedroom door is a proper barrier. A handgun by your nightstand is just a less painful death if the burglar can get inside the bedroom without waking you up.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

start with why have a gun if there no ammo in it , ask yourself if someone in your home how much time do i have to load a gun before they enter the room i am in , or they already in the room

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

"...the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."





There's your 'permit'.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

NYS Penal Law:

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/me...MMONQUERY=LAWS

Article 400 - (400.00 - 400.10) LICENSING AND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO FIREARMS

4-a. Processing of license applications. Applications for licenses
shall be accepted for processing by the licensing officer at the time of
presentment. Except upon written notice to the applicant specifically
stating the reasons for any delay, in each case the licensing officer
shall act upon any application for a license pursuant to this section
within six months of the date of presentment of such an application to
the appropriate authority. Such delay may only be for good cause and
with respect to the applicant. In acting upon an application, the
licensing officer shall either deny the application for reasons
specifically and concisely stated in writing or grant the application
and issue the license applied for.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

There are millions of people who have actually used a pistol for successful home defense who would disagree with you, myself included.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Sure: any gun is better than no gun, but your argument could be used on an AK47 as well.(I'm pretty sure that's undisputedly a poor choice for home defense.)

Shotgun wins in all categories I care about.

-overpenetration
-sight radius
-stopping power
-hit probability
-ammo selection
-cost of practicing

Why did you choose pistol over shotgun?

I've never had to use any of my weapons, so I respect your input.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

A rifle (even AK47) could be a better home defense weapon (with the right ammo) for a number of reasons:

- Depending on ammo, a shotgun blast could over-penetrate more than a rifle round.
- Accuracy/precision; much more difficult to "call your shots" with a shotgun, especially if you use the "point and shoot" approach. What if you have to engage a perp that's standing near your kid/wife/etc?
- Better maneuverability (with both handgun and rifle) in tight spaces
- Ability to shoot with one hand, in case your other hand is injured, or you need to use it for something else. It's very difficult (if not impossible) to operate a shotgun with just one hand, especially if it's a pump.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Screw handguns.

I use my Saiga 12 as my home defense gun. I keep it next to my bed with none in the chamber and a 12 round mag loaded with #7.5 shot.

It will do plenty of damage to most perps at home defense ranges and has minimal risk of over-penetrating through walls.

Re: Is this a safe way to keep my pistol at my bedside?
 

Let me start by saying that I am a fan of shotguns (and have a couple readily available around the house). To say that a pistol is shi**y however does not acknowledge all factors.

-over penetration: Both shotgun and pistol ammo are capable of over penetration. There are brands and types for both weapons platforms that minimize over penetration. Sometimes over penetration can be a good thing IMO.

-sight radius: Generally a plus at medium to long range distances. In tight quarters ie..rounding corners in your house or hallways, the smaller package of a pistol has undeniable advantages.

-stopping power: No question that most shotgun ammo hands down is a better stopper than almost any type of pistol ammo. But......the high ammo capacity of most modern pistols can double or even triple the number of rounds available. While it may generally take more pistol rounds than shotgun rounds to stop a threat, maybe it won't.

-hit probability: This is a myth at short range. Most people who do not aim their shotgun are just as likely to miss as with any other firearm as shot patterns do not open up significantly within 7 yds (most indoor ranges).

-ammo selection: As stated before, most shotgun and pistol ammo now comes in a wide variety of loads, some meant for penetration and some not. The added advantage of a shotgun would be less lethal ammo which for me is not a consideration for home/self defense.

-cost of practicing: nothing beats my .22 conversion kit on my primary carry/self defense pistol.

Some additional factors in favor of a pistol: single handed operations so I can utilize a phone, a flashlight, open or close a door, turn on a light switch, carry my kids to safety, continue to engage with a wounded hand/arm, quicker re-loads........

I highly recommend to all GIMers that if you have never practiced clearing your house in daylight and night that you give it a try. The biggest advantage you may have over a threat is your knowledge of the floor plan. Next, do this with a pistol and a long gun (rifle or shotgun) and then figure out which one is easier to handle in the confines of your house.

Again, I have a couple of shotguns readily available throughout my house but my pistol(s) will be what I grab first. JMO. Bx3 :coolbeer: