I keep my Rem 870 next to the bed, mag full, chamber empty, safety off.
Here's my reasoning behind that condition and the cachet given to the "CLACK CLACK" of a shotgun being racked.
First, the condition...already been addressed by another poster. I prefer to not trust the Rem 870 safety and sear with a loaded chamber.
Second, the sound.
If I need the shotgun by the bed when I'm in bed, it's going to be dark and someone will have broken into my house during that time.
Situation 1--the break-in is done by somebody looking for stuff and money, who mistakenly thinks the house is empty. The CLACK-CLACK is a loud, clear message that the house is occupied by an armed person. Gives potential thief chance to retreat. However, someone who doesn't retreat at that sound will probably have to be shot anyway..........
Situation 2--House is broken into by someone who is not looking for stuff or money, but looking for people to rape, kill, or otherwise brutalize. That person is breaking in precisely because it is late at night, and his intended targets are in bed, just where he wants them. The CLACK-CLACK is not a deterrent, but takes so little time, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter that the sound shows my position, as the intruder already knows my position...that's why he's breaking in when he's breaking in........Besides, the loud CLACK-CLACK is the signal to my wife in bed next to me to grab the .357 magnum that sleeps on her side of the bed on the nightstand.
Situation 3--House is broken into by a relative, or a drunken neighbor who shows up at the wrong house. The CLACK-CLACK gives a chance for the harmless intruder to yell out and indentify himself.
As for other sounds, some rifle bolts sound about as loud as a shotgun slide. The bolt being racked is about as loud.
None of my handguns sound anywhere as loud as the shotgun being racked.