Do you keep a mag loaded at home near your gun?

[#1805]

Someone - John Wayne - once said something to the affect that "An unloaded and un-cocked gun ain't worth much!!!"

Of course, he was responding to a Defense Attorney so he, of course, considered it a stupid question. I was once asked the same question by the same type of 'Idiot' and when I didn't respond; the 'Idiot' was stupid enough to repeat the question a second time! I looked up at the Judge and he turned to the Defense Attorney and told him that he suspected that the Officer considered "the Question" to be rhetorical and thus didn't require an answer and "Neither do I!!!" Move on.

I suppose that since I'm sitting here at a Computer with not only one but TWO loaded guns on my hips it would or should answer your question about how I feel about keeping an "un-loaded" gun around.

 

[Knightrider03m]

Mines is always by my bed when I'm at home. Carry it on my hip when I'm at the house is just silly.

 

[C/O]

I keep my SP101 loaded with 2 speed loaders and 2 speed strips with it at all times, my 3913 will be loaded with an extra loaded mag near by.

 

[Miss Fire]

Every handgun in my house is loaded, spare loaded mags and speed strips are in the safe with whatever isn't being carried at the moment.
An unloaded firearm is about as practical as a brick, and the State of Michigan doesn't require a permit to carry a brick.

 

[destroyah87]

I have all 6 of my mags loaded, I find that if monsters, zombies, and aliens knocking at my door I will be ready. I keep my sw40ve loaded but not cocked. since it has no saftey I think cocking it wouldn't take that much more time so I play it safe mag in gun but gun not have round in chamber.

 

[RPM2DAY]

Full mag, not chambered, by the bed when I'm home. When I leave for work it goes with me. Degenerates try to break in during the day they won't find a gun, but my dog would sure make her presence known.

 

[VonFatman]

Yes...!!

One full mag in the gun (G-21), a round in the chamber and another full magazine (13 rounds) right next to the gun.

Bob

Oh, and a light too!!!

 

[bubbajoe45]

of course, and a flashlight, too. I keep a hi-cap .45 with a light attachment in the nightstand, a shotgun also with a light on it under the bed, and next to that a Surplus web belt with a quick clasp that has a holster & 2 mags for the .45, a pouch full of shotgun shells, a knife, some large zip-ties (restraints), and an extra flashlight. There's a SideSaddle on the shotgun, too.
So, even if I'm buck-naked I can quickly attach the belt, grab the shotgun and be mobile with the necessary tools to handle most situations. Other pistolas are stashed strategically on each level of my home.
I rotate extra magazines about every six months (necessary or not, I have a system and have been doing it for many years)

 

[Pook]

Under My Pillow

Hi all,

At night I keep a Walther P99, with loaded mag, one in the chamber, decocked, under my pillow. No kids or others around who could access it. I'm not sure what the risk is of criminal attack at home at night, but I feel better having it close, and if there were an immediate danger, I wouldn't have to fumble around to find it, load it, and so on. To me it's like a fire escape on a building; I hope I will never need it, but I'll be glad it's there if I do.

All the best,

Pook

"It is difficult to free a fool from the chains he reveres." --Voltaire

 

[bogey3737]

Full mag, loaded chamber - secured in a quick-access safe.

At least one spare mag on hand.

 

[Dan Cash]

I actually keep a loaded gun next to my loaded gun, best way to reload is not to have to, go to BUG and keep shooting

I am like you Crazy. Every thing is loaded and accessible while I am at home. When in town/on the road in motel, two are on my person until I get in bed. Then, it is where I can get it NOW.

The gun in your hand is the one with which you will settle the fight or die. Any idea of merely "fighting your way to another weapon" is delusional, defeatist and will get you killed.

 

[Southern Man]

Ma, have you seen my ol' 45, lately?

I strongly advise against having guns (loaded or unloaded) lying around your residence.

Why?

Lateley there have been reports of burglars using night vision devices - at least here in Europe. Who do you think is going to find your gun first? You still being half asleep feeling around in the dark trying hard to reach your gun before someone reaches you OR the guy who sneaks up to you with the element of surprise working in his favor as well as his night vision gear giving him perfect orientation? Come on....

What I'm saying is: You don't want to be shot with your own gun.

If you need protection - keep the gun on your person all the time (during the day). Get a GOOD holster. Don't scatter guns around the house for reasons stated above. At night, I'd suggest either keeping your firearm loaded and ready to fire (safety on!) in a holster in a vault close to your bed or somewhere out of sight but within immediate access to yourself. How about attaching a holster to the underside of your bedframe?

Mode of carry? Obvious: DA-revolvers should have all chambers loaded, at least two full speedloaders should be easily accessible. SA-pistols should be in condition one (full mag, round chamberd, cocked & locked), at least two more loaded spare mags. Guns shoud be holsterd - can't say that often enough. You don't want to accidentally brush or rub off that safety or get your finger into the trigger guard of your DA-revolver, causing an AD.

Use appropriate ammo. If your house is drywall construction - don't use hardball. You don't wanna kill your next door neighbor, do you? Use frangible, soft lead or hollow points. It's more effective, anyways.

Last but not least: Practice, practice, practice... You need to be proficient with what you use. Practice at least once or twice a month! For safety and effectiveness.

Just my ideas - constructive criticism is encouraged!

Cheers,

Helwig

 

[RandomMan]

When questioned about this Clint Smith said, "I load them all, so that I never think about a gun being unloaded, ever. If I pick it up, it's loaded, if I need it unloaded, I unload it, then reload when I'm done."

I do the same, every gun in the house is loaded. To be honest, they're pretty useless without ammo. Kind of like a flashlight without batteries.

-Rob

 

[Beaver]

All my handguns are always loaded. I keep two or three handguns around my house, high up in cupboards or cabinets. I have 30 or so in my gunroom loaded and locked up. My rifles and shotguns are usually unloaded, but I have lots of ammo ready for them. I was uncomfortable at first, but an unloaded gun when you need it is worthless. Keep your pistols loaded, a good dog on your bed, and your kids trained. When neighbor kids come over, I always tell them we have guns in the house and to leave them alone. I then always invite them to go shoot if their parents OK it. I've taken most of my kids' best friends shooting before their 13-15 years old.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Is IN it considered near it?

You and I think a like.

 

[PAPA777]

Can't recall where I saw it but the quote I like to use on occasion goes something like. "When seconds count and the police are just minutes away"

 

[madmedic1955]

Can't recall where I saw it but the quote I like to use on occasion goes something like. "When seconds count and the police are just minutes away"

Plus one to that, I know in our small town it can take way too long when someone is itending to dismember you. thats why I carry that and the fact that a policeman is way to heavy to carry but as someone else stated I grew up knowing every firearm was loaded, my children grew up knowing every firearm is loaded, and my grand kids know the same

 

[SJ]

If you have kids you must take care when unattended. But having an unloaded gun is useless if you need it!

 

[pact40]

I keep it loaded in an gun vault safe. Instant access with a finger touch. No children in my home, just a 4 year old rottweiler.

 

[vnmous1]

Of all my M&Ps the one I keep loaded next to the bed is my 9c with nights and CT. Hornady defense loads.

My "other" gun (don't want to call it my BUG because it may be my primary depending on where I am at the time) is a Judge loaded with 5 rounds of .410 with #7 shot.

That oughta handle it.

bj