"Bump in the Night Carry" not what, but how?

[Dr.Rob]

Sadly I'm not at home enough these days to have a dog, and you are all correct a dog is the BEST alarm system/early warning system you can have.

Why a handgun? I can't figure out how to dial the phone, use a flashlight and a 2 handed weapon at the same time.

 

[Onslaught]

OK guys, I know that a handgun isn't going to lift anyone off their feet like it always did in "Magnum P.I.", but some of you sound like all pistols are .22's, while the shotgun is a cannon!

For bumps in the night, like the thread starter stated, I don't feel a BIT undergunned with 10+1 of 230gr .45 that I can fire accurately SA just as fast as I can pull the trigger.

If I put on a jumpsuit and threw on a holster then grabbed my Winchester every time I got up to see what the neighbor's cat knocked off my back porch table, I might as well sleep with it on. (stupid cat )

I do keep a shotgun in the closet, which I'd head to (HK in hand) if, say, a window smashed, or the front door got kicked in, or some significant sign of trouble, but I'm just checking bumps... usually outside, that just don't warrant a two-handed response. I also wouldn't call what I do "house clearing" in the tactical sense... I just have my HK at my side when I walk to the side of the window to peek out and identify the noisemaker (stupid cat ) But no matter whether it be a bump or a smash, it's better to stop an attack BEFORE it makes it through the door, rather than hide in the bedroom and call the CPD... especially now that we have an infant in another room.

if I knew I was going to be in a fight I would want a rifle, etc.

Well, yeah, if the BG called ahead, I'd want my AR-15, but again, this is bump-in-the-night stuff, not home invasion/SHTF/EOTWAWKI stuff.

But of course, to each his own.

 

[doctorj]

Cheap Shoulder Holster

If for some reason you don't want to investigate with the weapon in hand, a cheap shoulder holster is good enough; maybe throw a robe over it. In my situation nobody could sneak into my apartment without me knowing. I'd be more concerned about somebody banging on my door in the middle of the night. One thing to consider is that if somebody's been in a legitimate emergency and needs help they may not be thinking rationally. I wouldn't want to further traumatize them by meeting them with a drawn pistol. "But if they're not legit, they better quit!"

 

[coonan357]

luckily nokids yet , but bump in the night gets investigated by Me and MY lda , with the 14 rd mag full .

 

[Bainx]

Ajacobs....
Congrats on NOT having to have a damn permit to carry your handgun!

I am so jealous!

 

[Mannlicher]

I have never had to 'clear' my house. I keep a Smith & Wesson Model 25-5 by the bed. Tritium sights. I have the Mossberg near, so I guess I am set. My house is never really dark. Outside street lights, filter into the house.

 

[JeepDriver]

95 # Black Labrador clears the house. She is always on alert. There has only been one time to date that I have picked up my handgun (686 4' barrel w/125 gr Gold Dots). If the dog does not bark there is nothing to worry about.

She sleeps at the foot of our bed, if she barks I'll wake up, and God help anyone that comes in. Once she is done with them the 686 will not be needed.

 

[556A2]

There is a nightlight in the hall upstairs so I don't worry about carrying a flashlight due to the geography of getting upstairs in the house. When I did get up one night to check about the motion sensor light outside my window going haywire one night (ending up being squirrels) I just took my CZ in hand with me since I like the idea of IF I would have to use it, I wouldn't have to fiddle with a holster.

 

[Onslaught]

There is a nightlight in the hall upstairs so I don't worry about carrying a flashlight due to the geography of getting upstairs in the house.

Oh yeah... that's another thing that I think really helps. I need TOTAL darkness to sleep, but the hallway, kitchen, family room, infant's room all have light sensing night lights. So if I'm sneaking out of my pitch-black bedroom, my vision's gonna be GREAT looking down the hallway.

 

[benEzra]

If I just need to check the house out to make sure everything was OK, I'd take the 3913 9mm in one hand in a retention position and small, bright flashlight in the other, turned off for a few seconds while I move into a position of cover to dominate the hallway. Wife is backing me up with her Glock 26 w/tritium sights, and is cool under pressure. (I love having a tactical wife. )

If we really thought someone were down at the other end of the house, we'd take position to dominate the hallway and call police. (Kid's rooms are off the hallway.) Wouldn't go "clearing" if I thought someone were actually there, unless they were between me and a family member.

bE

 

[BigG]

Since I'm usually in my skivvies, I take a two-handed hold - on my 12ga dbl bbl'd shotgun. You asked!