Dedicated "nightstand" guns

fdw · Jan 12, 2015

upstaterebel said:
I prefer a slow fat .45 ACP and for me, in a 1911. If you are turning corners in a dwelling a long barrel is a disadvantage. If you are starting from your front door, that is a different issue but the question was about a nightstand firearm, so I would stick with the pistol.

A 357 magnum penetrates too much. In the pistol calibers no other round surpasses a .45 so the logical solution is the .45.

I won't be turning corners, won't be going anywhere so length won't matter. I like the 45 and have one but first pick would be the shotty and yes I have taken defensive shotgun courses and I've even stayed in a Holiday Inn recently...

As far as what the question is about, I don't keep anything on or in my night stand but two feet away in a corner and in a drawer. I want to have to make at least one very conscious move when waking from sleep before my hand goes on a gun.

686-380 · Jan 12, 2015

I too prefer the Governor

Ranger98 said:
S & W Governor

I have a 410 defensive load to start. After that, if they're still set upon continuing with their assault, I get serious. It's time for some heavy duty 45 colt defensive rounds...

fdw · Jan 12, 2015

upstaterebel said:
FDW, we may have an age or situation difference here. I have three hounds, a perimeter alarm and an home alarm system. I will be in motion toward the point of entry if there is a breach. I may not get there in time. I realize I am reacting but I think we will meet in the middle. I'll take the pistol there over the long gun. I don't say this is conclusive but I have friends that have cleared houses in the Middle East and they rely on their sidearm in close quarters. Agree to disagree, my friend.

Not disagreeing just pointing out a different strategy. I have a hound too but would not go looking for trouble. My wife and I would stay put as we wait those long minutes for the police to arrive...she with her Glock 17 me with my 12 gauge and 9mm.

PS-I would think the first choice in the ME would be an automatic rifle...

Ranger514 · Jan 12, 2015

The bedside handgun is a tool that can buy time to get to a better defensive weapon--a shotgun. Assault on Precint 13? If someone or multiple intruders break into my home, I'd rather have the firepower of nine 00 Buck and a wider spread pattern at close quarters than any handgun. A good quality, affordable pump shotgun like an 870 or a 590 is hard to beat for home defense. I agree with fdw: hunker down and let the intruder(s) play their hand while the cops are on the way.

luangtom · Jan 12, 2015

Nightstand has my Model 65 three-inch and the corner has my Remington 870 Police Magnum with 4-buck. The wife is very arthritic and has her Taurus 94 with Stingers on her nightstand. Of course, the four-legged alarm is our first-line defense.

zeke · Jan 13, 2015

M29 Mt Gun with 180 jhp's at 1250 fps. Years ago changed from 1911 for more deliberate trigger pull upon waking up.

Arik · Jan 13, 2015

Ranger514 said:
Assault on Precint 13? .

It was a movie. Basically the cops arrested someone who was a very bad guy and other bad guys (assassins) were willing to storm and seige a police station to kill him. Lots of bad guys, lots of firepower!

This is not a typical burglar. They don't cut the power, cut off all escape routes and send in waves of henchmen to get you.

gunnut44 · Jan 13, 2015

Whatever you have on your nightstand imo should have a rail mounted light. Clearing a hallway or house sounds great and everyone is up to it now but how about 2:30am after working 12 hrs when the back door gets kicked in and the dogs are going nuts? Just remember you are sleeping and the robber already knows what he wants and is wide awake. You have seconds to grab your weapon and light up a pitch black house. Night sights have their purpose and so do lasers but do no good if you can not see what you are aiming for.

sgtsandman · Jan 13, 2015

Well the shotgun has a light with a hand guard switch. The other two don't have anything but as long as the living room light is one, that shouldn't be a problem.

Ranger514 · Jan 13, 2015

Arik said:
It was a movie. Basically the cops arrested someone who was a very bad guy and other bad guys (assassins) were willing to storm and seige a police station to kill him. Lots of bad guys, lots of firepower!

This is not a typical burglar. They don't cut the power, cut off all escape routes and send in waves of henchmen to get you.

Yeah, Arik, I saw the original movie as well as the remake. I was simply responding to another poster's sarcasm. He doesn't consider using a shotgun for HD to counter a possible multiple intruder threat much more than a joke. Besides, he has his beloved 1911 that will magically overcome any threat. Never mind that folks were using shotguns for defensive purposes long before Mr. Browning invented his iconic handgun

gunfighter48 · Jan 14, 2015

Colt or STI 1911 45ACPs are my night stand/home defense guns. My carry guns are either a 1911 or Shield 9mm. When my back is having problems the Shield is my carry gun of choice!

Rintimtin · Jan 14, 2015

M&p 40 and a 12g pump, that i kinda want to attach a bayonet to now cant figure out why.

HorizontalMike · Jan 14, 2015

Mine is a .357 686 4". My plan is aim, blink tightly closed as I fire, blind the intruder with the muzzle flash (if I missed), open eyes, aim again, blink and fire, etc.

Stevens · Jan 14, 2015

Colt Agent, and a Glock 17 in a lockable drawer, open at night, flashlight on top.
Steve W

schgsd · Jan 14, 2015

Roadtrip for work. My Steyr L9-A1 is on the fine faux oak finish of whatever is next to the bed in the hotel room tonight. Next to a beer and a bag of pretzels.

Ore 696 · Jan 14, 2015

Alarm system, labrador and Springfield xdm 45 with Streamlight tlr2 laser light combo

hkcavalier · Jan 15, 2015

Two big dogs (although one is old with a bad leg). Glock 34 with Glock light and Trijicons is the primary bump in the night gun. Backed up with my EDC, a Glock 26 with factory plastic fantastic sights. We (wife and I) have a couple flashlights handy though. Spare 17rnd and 10rnd mags (one each) in the bedroom.

My house has a narrow hallway, my Mossberg 500 20" is kind of hard to manage but does come out when there is a power outage overnight. Some guys wait for these "windows of opportunity". Why not all the time? I don't have a safe or locking cabinet in the bedroom, and don't like under the bed storage. My kids like to play under the bed!

.45mtngun · Jan 15, 2015

Sig 229 DAK .40 loaded with 165 Ranger, spare mag, and 9P Surefire flashlight. Also a Boston terrier with better hearing than I have.

2hawk · Jan 15, 2015

Wilson KZ45:

Its been doing bedside duty for a couple of decades now. 10 + 1 rounds of .45 caliber goodness.

The Benelli and AR are secured, but within arm's reach. And the 95 lb. Rottweiler mix at the foot of the bed is probably a guarantee that I won't need any of them.

hkcavalier · Jan 15, 2015

2hawk said:
Wilson KZ45:

Its been doing bedside duty for a couple of decades now. 10 + 1 rounds of .45 caliber goodness.

The Benelli and AR are secured, but within arm's reach. And the 95 lb. Rottweiler mix at the foot of the bed is probably a guarantee that I won't need any of them.

That is a phenomenal handgun. My only worry is, if I had to used it to defend the home and castle, would be turning it over to the police until everything legally shook out. Suck to have a $1500 handgun bouncing around an evidence locker!

Dedicated "nightstand" guns

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