I normally keep my S&W 65 next to my bed for home defense, but lately I've been thinking about switching to my Glock 23. I've read where some believe it's safer to have a bedside Glock in condition 3 (loaded magazine, empty chamber). The argument is that it can decrease the likelihood of an accidental/negligent discharge if you grab the gun after waking since it has no manual safety and has a lighter/shorter trigger pull than a DA revolver. The action of racking the slide to chamber a round is also supposed to "wake" you up.

I'm not completely convinced of this, so I'd like to ask the Glock (or similar pistol) owners what condition your pistol is in if you keep it by your bed.

I'd also like to know how it's stored: in a holster, in a quick-access safe, on the nightstand, under the pillow (j/k), etc.

Thanks in advance.



Edit: I've been reading too many 1911-related posts. The subject should read "Bedside Glock-Cond 2 or 3?" Apologies.

I have an XD 45 Tactical next to me on my night stand. Fully loaded with one in the chamber.

I have been awakened in the wee hours of the morning and grabbed my gun. I don't seem to have a problem. You may or may not.

Personally, all my self defense guns are loaded 24/7.

The most important thing to remember is to make sure you have some kind of early warning system. A dog, alarm system etc......

Above all make sure your house is secure and difficult to get into.

Do whatever you need to have time to clear your head.

I used to have a Glock as my bedside gun, but I switched to an XD with a thumb safety for some of the reasons you mentioned. Nothing against Glocks, but grabbing for one in the dark made me a bit nervous, and I don't think leaving the chamber empty on a gun that may be needed in a hurry is a good idea.

My G23 is condition 3 in the bedstand. Until I've had a lot of coffee I'm barely conscious, although I'm sure adrenaline would do wonders if somebody broke in. I also have a Surefire light there.

There are a couple of manual safeties that can be added easily to the Glock for those who feel a need for one, and here is a link to one:

The Glock Manual Safety

IMO, unless there's one in the pipe, I consider the gun unloaded. The only gun in the house that isn't in the vault that is kept without a round in the chamber is the Mossberg 500 in the closet. I would already have a loaded Glock in my hand by the time I get to it, and I want the intruder to hear me rack the slide. Cocking a pump shotgun is the universal language for 'get the hell outta my house.'

Its also the universal sign for "Here I am".
I prefer for intruders to get a surprise party.


Jim

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Big bullets leave big holes

Bedside Weapon:
Glock Model 22 w/full magazine and one round chambered
Next to Headboard:
Remington Model 870 12ga w/ magazine extention. Full magazine w/empty chamber. Ammo is #4 Buckshot.

Would it not be a question of competency/proficiency? If one is not comfortable with the manual of arms of a Glock or S&W–MP (with out the thumb safety) series pistol then it would be simply best to move on to a different firearm type.

If one can’t keep their finger off the trigger during a stressful situation how then are they able to operate/ disengage a thumb safety in sequence. This simply brings us full circle back to the question of competency/proficiency.

Put the Glock in a good holster, condition 1, and don't look back.

Emory

I agree. The last thing I want is a firearm without a round in the chamber while lying in wait for a bad guy. In that situation "point and shoot" is the only way to go.

The holster suggestion is a great idea. Or a combination lockbox.

Next to the bed are 2 1911s, 1 .44 snubby, 1 benelli 121-M1 12 ga semi auto, 1 TTN coach gun.
All are loaded and chambered... ready to go at the creak of a floorboard.

Hmmm... my .300 magnum is in there right now also... NOT the best for in the house work.


Jim

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Big bullets leave big holes

Gosh, all I have is an XD 45 Tactical and a Win 1300 next to me!

Jim's loaded for bear!

Well, the 1911 officers and the Benelli are my wifes and reside on HER side of the bed.
She has a lot more rounds at her disposal.
SHE is loaded for bear, then again I really want my back up ready for anything


Jim

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Big bullets leave big holes

That brings up another point. A good plan is a must.

A lot depends on your everyday 'situation'.

I live in a low crime neighborhood, have a perimeter security alarm system, and sleep upstairs... My PX4 is within reach and in condition 3.

However, if I lived in a neighborhood with a bunch of gang-bangers and slept on the first floor with a window open... I probably would do something 'more aggressive', but it would not be a Glock. On second thought, I'd move!

Glock in codition one. No children in the house.

A couple of years ago in a surrounding town a family of 4 arrived home after a school function. Unbeknown to the family, the daughter’s ex boyfriend was hiding in the parent’s bedroom closet. The father went to change when the ex jumps out and stabs him. The father was able to grab is Glock 21 discharging 3 rounds into the ex. When the police inspected the dead ex boyfriend’s car they found a shovel, plastic bags, rope and tape. Enough said for condition one.

I keep all guns in my safe when they are not on me or under my control. I don't want to arm any intruder(s). I keep a S&W M&P 9mm with nightsights and a white light on the rail on my nightstand. It is in "condition 3". Another full magazine is beside it. I have a .45 1911 with nightsights in that same condition under my pillow(I have been doing that for over 30 years. My wife has a M66-1 snub with nightsights and loaded in a dresser drawer within reach on her side. I also have a Mini-14 with light/laser with 30 mag and empty chamber in space between the nightstand and the bead headboard on my side. There are assorted knives and lights all around...a couple of sharp swords too. But, the best defense is the two large dogs that sleep on the floor at the foot of my bed. At the slightest noise, the go into full barking mode and charge out to the hallway. Our bedroom is at the end of the hall on the second floor. I feel pretty secure. Nightsights make finding the weapons in dim light easy.

I agree.

Maybe instead of 'bedside' you need to keep it across the room. At least you'll have to get up out of bed before you grab the gun when things go bump in the night.

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- Change it back -

[QUOTE=ContinentalOp;1261193]I normally keep my S&W 65 next to my bed for home defense, but lately I've been thinking about switching to my Glock 23. I've read where some believe it's safer to have a bedside Glock in condition 3 (loaded magazine, empty chamber). The argument is that it can decrease the likelihood of an accidental/negligent discharge if you grab the gun after waking since it has no manual safety and has a lighter/shorter trigger pull than a DA revolver. The action of racking the slide to chamber a round is also supposed to "wake" you up.





Sounds logical to me.

I've never pulled the trigger on one of my revolvers by accident... why would a semi auto be any different? My M&Ps or my Glock: one in the chamber.

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- The Federalist #46 -

Wow. I wasn't expecting such a good number of responses!

Thanks for all the advice and opinions. I've always managed to keep my finger off the trigger the few times I've had to grab my 65 during the night, so I didn't think it'd be much different with my Glock, as USAF385 said. I just wanted to see what others thought.

Thanks again!

We keep the house guns in condition 3.
The sound of the round being chambered, whether it's in the shotgun, or handguns is the only warning to anyone inside my house who's not supposed to be there is going to get.

That's not much of a warning to a determined attacker/intruder. It only gives away your location which leads them to you or your family.

If I am holed up or maybe looking around my house, the last thing I want to do is try to chamber a round. Especially if I just woke up from a dead sleep. Gun in one hand and a flashlight in the other leaves no empty hand to rack the slide.

You may have your reasons. But to me an unloaded gun is just a club. A small club at that.

My feelings as well. My bedside guns are always loaded - fully loaded, meaning one in the chamber as well, but they are also in a holster that keeps my finger (or any other object) from entering the trigger guard accidentally.

Be safe.

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Don't need no stinkin' sigline

My solution is one in the pipe, but the gun is in a Gun Vault right on top of the nightstand.

I need to be awake enough to enter the Gun Vault code to get at the gun. Takes only a second or two, but it's sufficient for me to assure that I'm fully alert.

well IDK about you guys but when I have to go clear the house/yard in my mickey mouses I am awake darn near instantly, my bedstand gun is my carry gun and is kept in the same condition, loaded with a full mag and one in the tube, you warn him you have a gun his gun warns you he has a finger

I use a Glock in condition 1. I purchased a Fobus holster and removed the paddle. I then attached the holster to the end of an 18" long 1 x 6 board. I slide the board under the mattress where the holster is between the mattress and headboard. I have to be awake enough to reach down and pull the Glock from the holster. This also makes it difficult for anyone else to get to my pistol.

If you are concerned about the trigger pull, why not install a New York #2 trigger spring for $2 or less?. It's now a Glock revolver. If a round is not in the chamber, IMO it's not loaded.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Glock 20 w/light on the rail, full magazine, one in the chamber. It is kept in the bed stand drawer with 2 spare mags. (No kiddies in the house.)

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He who angers you,controls you

I agree with this as it is what we do also. Everyone has to be comfortable with their own thing which may vary depending on where you are "planted".

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Lou

Round in the chamber ready to rock. If I'm too much in a fog to not handle the gun properly how am I supposed to remember to rack the slide?

Excellent point!

I keep my G23 "hot" with one exception. I use a tumbler/combination padlock behind the trigger in the trigger guard which prevents rearward trigger travel. When I apply the padlock I turn one of the tumblers 2 numbers off the combination. After years of doing this, I can open the lock in a second just by turning that one tumbler 2 clicks, even in the dark. While I can quickly remove it, my grandchildren, should they ever find the gun in its hidden location, would not be able to remove the lock. It is there for their safety, you can never underestimate their curiosity. As a theft deterrent it may only inconvenience a determined thief. But, if I'm not home, the gun is not home either. Being a polymer frame I am not worried about the metal padlock buggering up a nice finish. It comes off quietly and I don't have to rack a slide.

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Tony