I keep my 9c in my CCW holster next to the bed in the open, fully loaded and chambered (just like I do when I carry). The only time it is there is when I'm sleeping, the rest of the time it is on me. I have 4 kids and there have been no problems.
Just curious, how serious is it to make a visit to Cali with one? Would we get in trouble (if discovered of course) on a vacation visit? Are there people LEOs inspecting guns for compliance at ranges and such?
I think you are fine to shoot it. I clean my guns after range trips, oil lightly where needed and then consider that good enough until after the next range trip. I've never had a problem.
That said, if this is your fist gun, you're probably running around the house doing commando drills and...
The thumb safety was the feature that convinced me to buy my new 9c. I love how natural it is to flip on and off. Much easier than my 1911. I use my for concealed carry and feel better with it.
My new M&P 9c does about half the time. More specifically, it has a harder time auto forwarding when I use full size factory magazines opposed to the compact 12rnd. Not sure what the difference is but it is more reliable on the comapact...by reliable I mean it is more likely to auto forward...