Bump in the night loadout?

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Snowblind

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As I've begun to accumulate more firearms clutter designed to respond to that "bump in the night" there's something that has sort of been on my mind-

Where am I supposed to put all this stuff? If I wake up in the middle of the night concerned enough to retrieve a firearm, I'm not going to have time to put pants on. Much less stuff the pockets with spare mags, flashlights, pepper spray, handcuffs, suntan lotion, six pack of Cokes, or whatever else I might have laid out for this 'scenario.'

Should I consider it 'good enough' to be ready with my one mag and my flashlight? Has anyone devised some way to realistically get yourself geared up in that short window you have to respond to a potential threat?
 
Plate carrier with your things mounted on it would work too.

Go from bare naked to combat effective in the time it takes to change a magazine.
 
Though I can't top RC Models picture, Clint Smith does talk about a similar thing you can toss over your neck with all the stuff in it. Loui Awerbuck used to talk about having a gun belt setup with all your bump in the nigh stuff on it n
 
While reading your post (1\2 way through) the dog went full beast mode, and ran to the back door, I dropped my tablet on the bed grabbed my nightstand pistol and a flashlight and ran after him in my underwear. Bump in the night needs swift response I don't give anybody extra time as I gussy up for tacticool response. I would not suggest chest rigs or anything tacticool. Imagine if it wasn't just a raccoon in the yard as in my case and you did have to defend yourself or family with that firearm. Imagine the jury hearing you were shooting at someone in full battle rattle vs them hearing he was left with no other choice but to fire his weapon, standing there at 1am in nothing but his underwear. Too many liberals where I live.
 
I think the plate carrier is right out. I'm sure many can be fast to put on but that's still a lot more time than it takes to just pick something up.

Would a backpack do? My range bag has Molle webbing on it that I could probably do a good number of mags across the front.

The issue I see there is that it's high profile. My current arrangement is fairly stealth. A burglar present when I am not would likely be far more interested in my tv and computer than digging around my nondescript bedroom. If I started leaving ye olde tacticool knapsack around, it's asking someone to look harder.
 
I too live in a fairly liberal area, and could even be labeled such myself *gasp*

I keep pepper spray with my pistol. I like having both options to end conflicts without loss of life or escalate as necessary. But, that's one less hand.

10 rounds in the gun is not much. I'd like to keep more, so the load out I'm realistically looking at is pistol (loaded with a mag) + 2 spare mags + pepper spray + phone.

Can a murse keep all that handy? What about dumping it in a backpack?
 
I have a Glock 17 with an attatched light I keep handy. I don't know why you would need more for a night encounter.
 
I could think of a lot of things.

You've got it a bit better with 17 rounds, but here in ban-o-rama-land I'm stuck with 10. I also have an attached light, so I've basically got the same setup with half the capacity.

I practice a lot, but I don't assume I'm going to make the same hits under stress and fatigue.

Plus there's the notion of appropriate escalation. If some kid breaks into my place I'd much rather take him down nonfatally with pepper spray than send him via express to his deity of choice. My life comes first, but all life is sacred.
 
Imagine the jury hearing you were shooting at someone in full battle rattle vs them hearing he was left with no other choice but to fire his weapon, standing there at 1am in nothing but his underwear.
Click to expand...

Hey! Built-in insanity defense right there! :D
 
I think the plate carrier is right out. I'm sure many can be fast to put on but that's still a lot more time than it takes to just pick something up.

Would a backpack do? My range bag has Molle webbing on it that I could probably do a good number of mags across the front.
Click to expand...

If you're still open to the possibility, look at something like a Rhodesian rig. Basically it's just the front half of a plate carrier with straps across the back. I can slide into one just about as fast as I can sling a backpack on. You can leave the shoulder straps fixed so you won't have to buckle anything. Some even have a pocket for a rifle plate if you have the armor, but it's not required by any means.

Another option is the "battle belt" which can be anything from a 8" tall abomination :)D) with webbing, or as simple as a belt you already have with your mags and a holster already on it.
 
If you think there is a need for more than a self defense weapon and a light to see what is going on, then you are much more concerned with how you look and how much tacticool stuff you bought than your safety. There is no need for 15 extra mags, 4 flashlights, 6 whistles, and a pack of beef jerky when you have a intruder in your house.
 
I use a simple police style duty belt with a holster, mag carrier,flashlight and pepper spray. The whole rig came in at $55. It is easy on and secure enough for a tumble.

Edit: I haveread the follow on posts andi need to clarify my plan. I have the duty belt by the bed and a loaded shot gun and an ar-1 by the bed. I will call 911, set the phone down on speakerphone, and ensure no one enters the room. I have a house key on a glowstick for the responding officer to use. I have no intention of "clearing my house" like some cop wannabe. I know my limits and try to not push my luck.
 
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notaglockfanboy said:
If you think there is a need for more than a self defense weapon and a light to see what is going on, then you are much more concerned with how you look and how much tacticool stuff you bought than your safety. There is no need for 15 extra mags, 4 flashlights, 6 whistles, and a pack of beef jerky when you have a intruder in your house.
Click to expand...
Did you read the OP? Because it feels like you didn't read the OP.

Or this bit:
"the load out I'm realistically looking at is pistol (loaded with a mag) + 2 spare mags + pepper spray + phone"

I pitched the question and am open to suggestions. Please reserve the judgement and be constructive, or show yourself the door.

To clarify, my issue seems to be the need for just one more hand. I'd like to be able to do the pistol, 1 or 2 spare mags, and pepper spray, but haven't found a doctor yet that could do a third hand for me.
 
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The solution is easy.
Sleep with all your gear on.
You won't be caught with your pants down, 'cause you'll be wearing them.
The real question is how to go to the bathroom wearing all that stuff?
Or in the shower?
 
GBExpat said:
Snowblind, so ... your general, fundamental plan is to be leaving your bedroom with pistol in one hand (light attached?) and pepper spray canister in the other?
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That's the idea as of now.

But that doesn't leave me anywhere to hold an extra mag. Or a phone.

I've even toyed with the idea of going full garage-mod and just gluing two magazines together end-to-end.
 
I just keep two flashlights on my nightstand, in case one of them happens to be dead when I turn it on. In the nightstand drawer is my Glock 17. If anything would ever miraculously sneak in without my dog waking up the whole neighborhood, I feel pretty well prepared with the way things are.

Soon I'll have a 12 gauge pump that holds 9 rounds, and when I eventually put a light on it I'll use that as my go-to gun for a quick emergency.

Contrary to what someone else said, I'd keep a round chambered in a pump shotgun. If someone would enter my house, I don't want to give away my location, let alone alert them to the fact that I'm armed. The less prepared they are, the better. I'm not giving anyone that "scare away" pump to chamber a round… If someone comes in my house they aren't gonna be leaving anytime soon.
 
I'm reading these posts and LMAO!
We're all right & all wrong, on top of it!

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Too many variables. Do you live in the rural country, a suburb, or urban city? Dangerous neighborhood, or gated community with night time security? Children in the house ever? How hard do you sleep & how fast do you wake up? Got a dog or alarm system that'll give you some advanced warning?

We each have to answer those questions and prepare firepower and readiness accordingly. I live in a rural subdivision in a peaceful community in a gun living state with a wife that sleeps lightly and an old dog that can't hear & has cataracts with only grown up kids that sometimes come in late at night...and i sleep like a log! I have a small handgun (EDC) & flashlight near the bed, a pump shotgun locked but loaded in the bedroom and a 9mm w a 17 round mag plus spares in the closet in a "quick-vault". EDC stays on me till I go to bed.

If anything bumps in the night, I'll most likely hurt myself when the old dog gets under my feet in the dark - he'll think I'm making a late night kitchen trip!
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GBExpat View Post
Snowblind, so ... your general, fundamental plan is to be leaving your bedroom with pistol in one hand (light attached?) and pepper spray canister in the other?
Click to expand...

That's the idea as of now.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't do this. This is a free (and extremely valuable service) offered by most police departments. If someone is in my house, I am hunkering down and waiting for the police to do this for me.

Which do you think is more likely to cause a burglar to run: (1) a gun pointed at him, (2) a homeowner calling 911 and describing him, or (3) a homeowner pointing a can of mace at him. Pick up the two you feel are the scariest and leave the other in the drawer. I would go 1 & 2 myself.

Plus there's the notion of appropriate escalation. If some kid breaks into my place I'd much rather take him down nonfatally with pepper spray than send him via express to his deity of choice. My life comes first, but all life is sacred.
Click to expand...

Do you really want to use pepper spray in your own home? Cleaning it up might be almost as painful as getting hit with it. I sure don't want to have to find out.

Loui Awerbuck used to talk about having a gun belt setup with all your bump in the nigh stuff on it
Click to expand...

If you do this test your stuff out. I tried the belt setup, and discovered that the holster I used was too stiff, so if the belt did not go through belt loops I wound up yanking the whole belt up into my armpit when I tried to get the gun out.
 
I would look into the "vest of evil" concept (sort of like the "bag of evil" but you wear it)

I have a 5.11 "tact" vest that I wear for matches, you could literally fit all your kit in the pockets, to include spare mags, 1st aid, etc. (and yes, even pepper spray). The sides (inside the vest) have Velcro spots for one of those Velcro attaching holsters. Load it up the way you want it, hang it on the bed post, slip it on when you need it. It will also give you a place to conceal your pistol so you're not out on the front lawn wearing bunny slippers waving a pistol around when the Cops arrive.

Now in my situation, I use a S&W M&P with SureFire light/laser in a V-line vault with spare handheld light and magazine. No pepper spray, if something bad happens I'm just going to have to skip the escalation of force drill and go right to lethal if warranted. IF I have to go outside, I'm carrying a carbine cause I've got at least an 80 acre "free fire" zone and about 30 minutes till a Deputy arrives.

Chuck
 
IMO, Chuck R.'s vest idea sounds like a good one for those who insist on carrying extra crap with them.

FWIW, I would not plan on discharging pepper spray at someone in my house ... heck, or anyone's house, for that matter, considering that I would have to be in close proximity to the target.

I have my alarm system configured with a separate master control panel/annunciator by my bed. I also have it setup so that upon being triggered, the floods surrounding my house and the core lights in my house flash. I can also activate these lights manually (no flash) at the touch of a button.

When the sirens & flashing lights (or just lights manually activated) come on, my sincere hope is that if there is one or more miscreants involved they will take that as a sign that they should quickly leave.

My bedroom is in a position at the end of an unlit hallway where I can easily hunker down in the doorway (looking in the direction of some of those "core lights") in defense mode and await the arrival of the cavalry and/or moving, partially-blinded, backlit targets.

In the middle of the night, the one & only thing that I know about someone who has broken into my house is that they have broken into my house in the middle of the night.
 
I pitched the question and am open to suggestions. Please reserve the judgement and be constructive, or show yourself the door.
Click to expand...
Who are you to tell me "show yourself the door"?? The last time I checked this is still a open forum, and you are not a moderator, so tuck your lip in and get over it. See if the wife has an old purse that you can use for all your "gear". Is that constructive enough for you? :p
 
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