Thoughts on a bedside/nightstand/"go to" gun

[SpartanZeroOne]

While I can't claim to be an expert, I can state with authority - I LOVE MY GOVERNOR!!! I was testing out Winchester PDX1 410 shells and was very impressed with the pattern (approx. 21 feet).

While I'd had problems with birdshot rounds ballooning in the cylinder, the PDX1s ejected without fuss.

I perceive there is an "OH ****!!" advantage in that it's a very intimidating firearm.

I also thought the recoil was pretty manageable. My wife and mother-in-law fired .45 ACP, 45LC and the .410 rounds without complaint.

I don't know whether your state allows them for sale, however...

I have checked out the Governor and I like it... especially the versatility with ammo! However, at the present time it's a little out of my price range. I can't afford to spend more than $450 or so and new Governors go for $650+ even online.

 

[walkin' trails]

You don't have to invest in a new handgun unless you just want to. The pistols you have are more than adequate for defense. Stoke them with a good quality hollow point and fit a Surefire X300. Spend your 450 on the light, a class, ammo, etc. I am not a 40 fan, bimut it has nothing to do with bullet performance. With today's quality ammo such as Ranger Bonded, HST, Gold Dot, there isn't a significant difference in performance if the bullets are placed effectively. If you fail to obtain a good sight picture or jerk the trigger, don't expect anything to stop an attacker if it's a grazing shot at best. The legendary 357 Mag. 125 gr SJHP is. Still king of the hill, but only with good shot placement, but the recoil is so stout that it is not easy for the average shooter to control.

 

[mlapaglia]

I have the M&P 9FS, 9C, and 9Shield. My bedstand gun is the 9C with an X-grip adapter so I can comfortably use a 17 rnd mag. I know you can only use a 10 rnd but the X-grip does make the 9C even more comfortable to hold than it normally is. Consider a 9C with X-grip to round out your collection. You can even get it in a 40 if you really want a 40.

 

[forrestinmathews]

This is very simple. Buy a weapon mounted light for your M&P 9 with the money you were planning on spending on the extra gun. Mount the light before you go to bed and sleep in peace. The extra gun is not necessary with your limited budget. The light would serve you better as would some extra magazines as you're limited to ten rounds. Don't buy an extra logistical problem by buying another different gun on a limited budget.

 

[sarge1967]

My nightstand pistol is my M&P 9 FS Pro Series. It has night sights, I keep a Surefire flashlight next to it. I also have a Remington 870 with a TLR-1 mounted to it standing by if needed.

I agree with the advice of sticking with your 9 and adding a weapon light. If you choose to use a shotgun for HD, for God's sake DON'T use birdshot!
Do some research you will find that a heavy jacket can stop penetration of birdshot. At a bare minimum use 000 Buck.

 

[forrestinmathews]

I think some of the shotgun proponents in this thread are having great difficulty recognizing their ear from their elbow. I, in particular, have some twenty years experience killing things with shotguns with both buckshot and birdshot. Please consider the following for your education since you clearly lack familiarity with the practical capabilities of a shotgun.

•The shotgun DOES require proper indexing upon the target at all times to be effective. The pattern is not sufficiently expanded to be the great catch all for poor marksmen.

•Birdshot for use against targets which can potentially shoot back is ignorant and foolhardy. Be an idiot on your own time and do not advise others to follow blissfully.

•Buckshot is effective at ranges beyond 25 yards even in a cylinder bore choke commonly found on combat variants. The right choke tube can extend the effective range of a shotgun out to over 100 yards with buckshot.

•The further you intend to shoot with a shotgun the larger shot size you will require. This is true for choked and cylinder guns alike; a simple function of inertia versus air resistance.

•00 Buck(0.33" dia.) is likely the most effective size of buckshot for self defense and killing animals up to an including small bears. If you are petrified of over penetration use #4 Buck(0.27" dia.). You will get nine pellets in the standard 00B and twenty seven pellets in 4B.

•Shot fired through a rifled choke tube expands ridiculously fast and cannot be counted on for a reliable and uniform pattern.

• You will get 9, 12, 15, and 18 pellets in 2.75", 2.75" mag, 3" mag, and 3.5" mag in 00B.

•You will not notice any difference in shell length nor gauge when fired in haste or anger.

Okay my rant is over. Please feel free to blaze away clearing the world of scum with great blasts of birdshot. Ha!

 

[Krell1]

I would think a nice snubby would be all you need. Five shots ought to deter most any fool enough to break in. Those of you who want 17 rounds or more with multiple magazines must be expecting a zombie apocalypse. A nice .22 would work just as well, they make a lot of noise and would certainly scare the **** out of most anybody. If somebody were to point even a pellet gun at me Id be ducking for cover or running the other way.

 

[pjgiantsfan]

My FS M&P .45 is now a dedicated night stand companion.


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[686-380]

While I disagree with the delivery...

I think some of the shotgun proponents in this thread are having great difficulty recognizing their ear from their elbow. I, in particular, have some twenty years experience killing things with shotguns with both buckshot and birdshot. Please consider the following for your education since you clearly lack familiarity with the practical capabilities of a shotgun.

•The shotgun DOES require proper indexing upon the target at all times to be effective. The pattern is not sufficiently expanded to be the great catch all for poor marksmen.

•Birdshot for use against targets which can potentially shoot back is ignorant and foolhardy. Be an idiot on your own time and do not advise others to follow blissfully.

•Buckshot is effective at ranges beyond 25 yards even in a cylinder bore choke commonly found on combat variants. The right choke tube can extend the effective range of a shotgun out to over 100 yards with buckshot.

•The further you intend to shoot with a shotgun the larger shot size you will require. This is true for choked and cylinder guns alike; a simple function of inertia versus air resistance.

•00 Buck(0.33" dia.) is likely the most effective size of buckshot for self defense and killing animals up to an including small bears. If you are petrified of over penetration use #4 Buck(0.27" dia.). You will get nine pellets in the standard 00B and twenty seven pellets in 4B.

•Shot fired through a rifled choke tube expands ridiculously fast and cannot be counted on for a reliable and uniform pattern.

• You will get 9, 12, 15, and 18 pellets in 2.75", 2.75" mag, 3" mag, and 3.5" mag in 00B.

•You will not notice any difference in shell length nor gauge when fired in haste or anger.

Okay my rant is over. Please feel free to blaze away clearing the world of scum with great blasts of birdshot. Ha!

Raises the question: How fast/much do you want to stop an intruder? While birdshot probably won't kill an intruder, it'll give 'em pause The other aspect is how far you expect your potential target to be...

 

[Rastoff]

Raises the question: How fast/much do you want to stop an intruder?

Any answer to this other than "instantaneously" is wrong. If you're in fear of your life, warning shots and shots that will "give them pause" are a waste of time and ammo.

You don't shoot to wound. You don't shoot to scare. You don't shoot to annoy. God forbid anyone would shoot to give pause. The only reason to discharge a firearm at anyone is because the shooter believed they were if fear of losing their life or great bodily harm. If that's true, dispatch the assailant with impunity and without remorse.

If there is genuine fear of life or great bodily harm, that threat needs to be STOPPED right now. Anything less means you either didn't have to shoot or you believe their life is more important than yours.

 

[S. Kelly]

Since you're stuck with a 10 round capacity, get a M&P 45 or M&P 45c. That'll work.

 

[Smith357]

Go with what you shoot best, don't get something new and unfamiliar. The gun that resides in my night stand is a 6" K38 loaded with the venerable FBI load. I have put thousands of rounds downrange with it and the gun just fits me, it point's like my finger and I rarely miss the black. Some of the side benefits just happen to be simplicity of a revolver, no levers or failure drills to mess with in the dark when I might be groggy, the 6" tube with a .38 special loading helps keep flash and blast down to protect my night vision and hearing better than a snubbie or magnum. I figure six rounds is more than enough to fight my way to the shotgun and the rifle in my den.

 

[686-380]

I can't argue with that

Any answer to this other than "instantaneously" is wrong. If you're in fear of your life, warning shots and shots that will "give them pause" are a waste of time and ammo.

You don't shoot to wound. You don't shoot to scare. You don't shoot to annoy. God forbid anyone would shoot to give pause. The only reason to discharge a firearm at anyone is because the shooter believed they were if fear of losing their life or great bodily harm. If that's true, dispatch the assailant with impunity and without remorse.

If there is genuine fear of life or great bodily harm, that threat needs to be STOPPED right now. Anything less means you either didn't have to shoot or you believe their life is more important than yours.

'nuff said.

 

[Deadeye Dick]

I think some of the shotgun proponents in this thread are having great difficulty recognizing their ear from their elbow. I, in particular, have some twenty years experience killing things with shotguns with both buckshot and birdshot. Please consider the following for your education since you clearly lack familiarity with the practical capabilities of a shotgun.

•The shotgun DOES require proper indexing upon the target at all times to be effective. The pattern is not sufficiently expanded to be the great catch all for poor marksmen.

•Birdshot for use against targets which can potentially shoot back is ignorant and foolhardy. Be an idiot on your own time and do not advise others to follow blissfully.

•Buckshot is effective at ranges beyond 25 yards even in a cylinder bore choke commonly found on combat variants. The right choke tube can extend the effective range of a shotgun out to over 100 yards with buckshot.

•The further you intend to shoot with a shotgun the larger shot size you will require. This is true for choked and cylinder guns alike; a simple function of inertia versus air resistance.

•00 Buck(0.33" dia.) is likely the most effective size of buckshot for self defense and killing animals up to an including small bears. If you are petrified of over penetration use #4 Buck(0.27" dia.). You will get nine pellets in the standard 00B and twenty seven pellets in 4B.

•Shot fired through a rifled choke tube expands ridiculously fast and cannot be counted on for a reliable and uniform pattern.

• You will get 9, 12, 15, and 18 pellets in 2.75", 2.75" mag, 3" mag, and 3.5" mag in 00B.

•You will not notice any difference in shell length nor gauge when fired in haste or anger.

Okay my rant is over. Please feel free to blaze away clearing the world of scum with great blasts of birdshot. Ha!

Never said you didn't have to aim a shotgun. You obviously have to be able to hit your target. However, hitting something with a shotgun does not require the pin-point accuracy of a handgun. Simply put, a shotguns multiple projectiles increases the odds of getting hits. I have yet to see anyone busting clays at the skeet range or bagging doves in the field with a handgun. With your 20 some years of experience (only about 15 years short of mine) you should know it is much easier to hit a cantaloupe at 7 yards with a shotgun than it is with a handgun. Or perhaps you have very little experience with handguns.

Secondly, I would like to see how much fight was left in you after getting a face full of bird-shot from the muzzle of a 12 gauge at 10 or 12 feet, the typical distance across a bedroom. Even if you were high on meth and couldn't feel a thing chances are you wouldn't have any vision left to be able to continue the fight.

Thirdly, a single bullet from any caliber handgun is very unlikely to instantly kill or even incapacitate an attacker unless a direct hit is made to the brain or spine. Even a direct shot to the heart will take several seconds to kill someone allowing plenty of time for them to return fire. Whether using a handgun or shotgun the general rule is to shoot until the threat has been neutralized.

Why do you suppose the Armed Forces and many S.W.A.T. teams around the world still use shotguns in house clearing operations?

 

[forrestinmathews]

Raises the question: How fast/much do you want to stop an intruder? While birdshot probably won't kill an intruder, it'll give 'em pause The other aspect is how far you expect your potential target to be...

It's a twelve gauge. When I point it at them and subsequently pull the trigger whomever is on the receiving end is going to talk to Jesus next. The only pause I'll give is that necessary to chamber a new shell, reset the trigger, and assess if another load is justified.

Never said you didn't have to aim a shotgun. You obviously have to be able to hit your target. However, hitting something with a shotgun does not require the pin-point accuracy of a handgun. Simply put, a shotguns multiple projectiles increases the odds of getting hits. I have yet to see anyone busting clays at the skeet range or bagging doves in the field with a handgun. With your 20 some years of experience (only about 15 years short of mine) you should know it is much easier to hit a cantaloupe at 7 yards with a shotgun than it is with a handgun. Or perhaps you have very little experience with handguns.

Secondly, I would like to see how much fight was left in you after getting a face full of bird-shot from the muzzle of a 12 gauge at 10 or 12 feet, the typical distance across a bedroom. Even if you were high on meth and couldn't feel a thing chances are you wouldn't have any vision left to be able to continue the fight.

Why do you suppose the Armed Forces and many S.W.A.T. teams around the world still use shotguns in house clearing operations?

Great...the birdshot enthusiasts are back. Why do you suppose the armed forces don't use bird shot? It's a shame that in those fifteen years you had on me you didn't figure out bird shot wasnt for home defense. I have plenty of experience with handguns, but I can also read and the OP said he didn't want to go that route. However, when the mighty shotgun was painted as the room broom by someone who refuses to admit the truth about patterns inside 10 yards, I figured I'd speak up. I will admit this: I have no idea how many rounds a guy with a face full of birdshot can crank off before going into shock. The answer for the buckshot recipient: zero.

 

[Sgt 45]

I see a lot of advice on this gun or that, this cartridge or that, revolver, semi-auto. Keep what you have, practice with what you have and GET GOOD TRAINING, even if it means going out of state. Good training will benefit you far more than a new, different whatever for your night stand. Then get GOOD LOW LIGHT training. Use the gun you have, use the ammo that you are used to. New guns are fun, I love them, I love to shoot them, but beware the man with only one gun for he probably knows how to use it.

 

[ben1]

I have many pistols available. I carry a Sig 229 40 S&W. I keep an old 1980 Remington Wingmaster 870 Police 12 ga. shotgun close in the house. 18 inch, extended magazine with 000 buckshot. Inside a room it will get the job done. Look for an older Wingmaster 870 police shotgun and you will not be disappointed.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I've read most of the replies and some of what I say may be repetitive. Just a few thoughts and a few opinions.

First, bird shot is for the birds and birds only. Many tests have proven that bird shot is an extremely poor choice.

But since you're reluctant to use a shotgun then you must use what you have. IMO you are over thinking things. Don't. The guns you have are more than adequate to protect your home.

Also, you mentioned something in 40SW. There is the possibility that your wife may need to use that gun. Maybe it was close at hand. Closer than her gun. Maybe she picked it up after you dropped it because you were shot or were attacked. She may not like to shoot it or be able to shoot it. Especially if it's a compact 40.

Hand held lights and gun mounted lights must be practiced with. Have a home defense plan and discuss it with your wife. Make sure things are clear as to what your roles are.

Finally, IMO a full size gun is best for home defense. You already have a good one in the M&P. Save your money and buy more ammo.

For the record, my home defense guns are as follows but I do have other guns.

A youth model 870 20 ga with slugs. An M&P 9 full size with Crimson Trace lasergrips. And a S&W 19 with 38 +P. And three handheld lights strategically placed. Both my wife and I can shoot each gun effectively. We have a plan.

 

[forrestinmathews]

I have many pistols available. I carry a Sig 229 40 S&W. I keep an old 1980 Remington Wingmaster 870 Police 12 ga. shotgun close in the house. 18 inch, extended magazine with 000 buckshot. Inside a room it will get the job done. Look for an older Wingmaster 870 police shotgun and you will not be disappointed.

With 2 3/4" chambers! Change out a few worn parts and its ready to go another 100,000 rounds. Best part: somebody else broke it in for you. Slick as glass!

 

[vipermd]

To the OP: Sound 357-164.3 Db,9mm 159.8 Db, 12 ga 161.50 18" barrel, no you will not go deaf from firing one or the other, I have and I am not deaf, YET.
Birdshot: I am not sure what size your talking about , but 4,5,6 shot form a 12 or 20 ga at 30 ft or less will provide instant stops with a center chest. I am not aware of any research that shows a "heavy leather jacket" will stop "birdshot", I would love to see the "research". My experience is in the ER and autopsy table, 4-6" ragged hole without heart and lungs proved fatal, immediately. That said I use a semi 12 with 00 buck, I have no penetration anxiety, ( I could 7.62 steel core and not hit anyone). I do not believe there is any benefit in the universal pump sound when someone is at my bedroom door, since at that point they broken into the house, have killed both of my Rotts and are not there for breakfast. 9/40/45 with effective bullets, with good shot placement will all work assuming you have enough light to see, night sights a must. My edc is a sigma 40 f, I own SD40, MP40,glock 22,23,27, plus a few 357 sigs to round that out.there is a 15 rd mag and one in the chamber, a spare next to the light and gun, 2 more mags in the open drawer. Hanging on the wall is a ranger belt ready to go with another loaded sigma and 2 mags,knife, cuffs, etc. Next to the belt is an AR in 300 blk with a can, these are mine, my wife has her own weapons on her side. Last timed response from local sheriffs office was 45 min to shots fired call and they were 8 miles closer, big county , few deputies, not their fault.
Unless you use a suppressor all will be loud. If you want another gun by another spare of your edc or spend the money on ammo, training, and lights.
As stated above this is serious, life changing, treat you tools well, make sure they work, train hard, you are fighting for your life. Do not forget MURPHY!! Be Safe,

 

[vipermd]

Note: approximate decibels for different firearms can be found with quick search ( sound levels of firearms) all sights I saw where =/- 1.5 db. Be Safe,

 

[SpartanZeroOne]

I've read most of the replies and some of what I say may be repetitive. Just a few thoughts and a few opinions.

First, bird shot is for the birds and birds only. Many tests have proven that bird shot is an extremely poor choice.

But since you're reluctant to use a shotgun then you must use what you have. IMO you are over thinking things. Don't. The guns you have are more than adequate to protect your home.

Also, you mentioned something in 40SW. There is the possibility that your wife may need to use that gun. Maybe it was close at hand. Closer than her gun. Maybe she picked it up after you dropped it because you were shot or were attacked. She may not like to shoot it or be able to shoot it. Especially if it's a compact 40.

Hand held lights and gun mounted lights must be practiced with. Have a home defense plan and discuss it with your wife. Make sure things are clear as to what your roles are.

Finally, IMO a full size gun is best for home defense. You already have a good one in the M&P. Save your money and buy more ammo.

For the record, my home defense guns are as follows but I do have other guns.

A youth model 870 20 ga with slugs. An M&P 9 full size with Crimson Trace lasergrips. And a S&W 19 with 38 +P. And three handheld lights strategically placed. Both my wife and I can shoot each gun effectively. We have a plan.

I appreciate all of the advice but when it comes to a shotgun, if I was going to use one, I would definitely use 00 buck. No offense to those of you who prefer bird shot... I say go with that if that's what you prefer. As for me, I want to make sure the threat is neutralized and I KNOW 00 buck (or pretty much any size buck) should do the job. It comes down to noise... I do not want to blow my ear drums out. In the unfortunate event that I'm forced to use a gun to defend my life or my family at home I would much rather have to fire a .38 or .45 in my home... or even a 9mm or .40 as I do not think it would be anywhere near as loud as a shotgun. Also, I doubt that too many assailants, even those all hopped up on drugs, would continue to advance after receiving a couple well placed hits from a 180 grain .40 or a 230 grain .45 round (especially if that round is a well known, reliable HP). I know, I know... it has happened... I'm not looking for a litany of cases where a guy has to be shot 8 times by a .45, etc., etc. because I know those stories exist..... all I'm saying is I'm sure that for most home defense situations, a handgun in .357, .38, 9mm, .40 or .45 will get the job done. To be honest, from the limited research I've done, it seems like in about 70% or more of the cases, the home intruder flees as soon as they find out (through sight, sound, etc.) that the home owner(s) is/are armed.

 

[NCavi8tor]

To the OP: Sound 357-164.3 Db,9mm 159.8 Db, 12 ga 161.50 18" barrel, no you will not go deaf from firing one or the other, I have and I am not deaf, YET.
Birdshot: I am not sure what size your talking about , but 4,5,6 shot form a 12 or 20 ga at 30 ft or less will provide instant stops with a center chest. I am not aware of any research that shows a "heavy leather jacket" will stop "birdshot", I would love to see the "research". My experience is in the ER and autopsy table, 4-6" ragged hole without heart and lungs proved fatal, immediately. That said I use a semi 12 with 00 buck, I have no penetration anxiety, ( I could 7.62 steel core and not hit anyone). I do not believe there is any benefit in the universal pump sound when someone is at my bedroom door, since at that point they broken into the house, have killed both of my Rotts and are not there for breakfast. 9/40/45 with effective bullets, with good shot placement will all work assuming you have enough light to see, night sights a must. My edc is a sigma 40 f, I own SD40, MP40,glock 22,23,27, plus a few 357 sigs to round that out.there is a 15 rd mag and one in the chamber, a spare next to the light and gun, 2 more mags in the open drawer. Hanging on the wall is a ranger belt ready to go with another loaded sigma and 2 mags,knife, cuffs, etc. Next to the belt is an AR in 300 blk with a can, these are mine, my wife has her own weapons on her side. Last timed response from local sheriffs office was 45 min to shots fired call and they were 8 miles closer, big county , few deputies, not their fault.
Unless you use a suppressor all will be loud. If you want another gun by another spare of your edc or spend the money on ammo, training, and lights.
As stated above this is serious, life changing, treat you tools well, make sure they work, train hard, you are fighting for your life. Do not forget MURPHY!! Be Safe,

Great response!!!

NC

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[fdw]

Sorry if I'm repeating, haven't read all the posts but if you like your 9 FS and shoot it well then that's your bedside gun. It's mine, actually my wife's, since mine is a shotgun.

More power? Again if you shoot the 9 well, that's all you need cause shot placement is king... caliber is queen.

Now if you just want another gun, then get the shield.

On an aside, if you want more power, great accuracy and a piece of history, get a 1911 GI, I recently did and love it

 

[mjsmith1223]

In general, the best gun is the gun you have and know how to shoot.

In practice, you will have to find what's comfortable for you. Kids vs. no kids in the house will guide your choices somewhat. If you just want to go buy a new gun, then by all means, go for it. We all understand

I use a M&P 9c as my EDC. At home I have a Mossberg 930 (gas semi auto) 12 ga. with the 18.5" cylinder bore barrel set up. It gets loaded with 2.75" 00 buck. I also use it for clay shooting (with a longer barrel) so I stay familiar with it. I have been thinking about picking up a Mossberg 590 for home defense purposes, but the 930 has been rock solid with any ammo I run through it.