EDC piece vs Nightstand gun

[Lord Samwise]

Riddle me this-

My EDC is an LCR loaded with 125 gr +P from Double Tap. I'm familiar with the gun, with the way it handles, etc, and with that load it is very controllable (at least I find it to be). I have no doubt that it is a capable load at SD (or HD) distances. There is certainly some muzzle flash, but that much more than other, longer barrelled guns? Not sure about that. Also, I can shoot it one handed (it's the only way I practice with it). Loud in a hallway? Sure. What gun won't be.

I'm not convinced I need a separate night stand gun. The LCR is always with me, in a pocket when I'm hanging out around the house. When I go to bed, I put it on the end table next to my flashlight and a couple speed loaders. I am having a hard time really justifying another gun. I do have a Blackhawk .357 loaded with 135 gr Gold Dot's just in case, but I really don't think I would reach for that gun, just for 1 more round and a little more power. In reality, those loads kick less than the LCR, but not by much, and have less muzzle flash. Noise in a hallway I'm sure would be debilitating with either firearm. Now I realize that the Blackhawk, being single action, is hardly the ideal Nightstand gun, which is why I don't really use it for that. But would a DA .357 be any better, even one of the 8 round S&W's that I keep drooling over? I hear a lot of people say they keep .38 +P in their HD guns, which in my mind defeats the purpose of the .357. Might as well just use a .38, especially a small one you can shoot one handed. If I need more gun, the Remington 870 loaded with 00 buckshot is very close by.

Thoughts? Looking for discussion here, mostly.

 

[Mikhail Weiss]

I'm not sure what you're asking, but I'll take a go at this.

Since you like the LCR and shoot it well, you're all set for EDC and nightstand duty. Having the shotgun makes you even more all set.

So if you're looking for a reason to justify purchase of another gun (the one you've been drooling over, for instance), know this: You don't need one. Having the desire and the ability to pay are justification enough.

 

[General Geoff]

But would a DA .357 be any better, even one of the 8 round S&W's that I keep drooling over? I hear a lot of people say they keep .38 +P in their HD guns, which in my mind defeats the purpose of the .357. Might as well just use a .38, especially a small one you can shoot one handed. If I need more gun, the Remington 870 loaded with 00 buckshot is very close by.

The point of a nightstand gun is to be accessible at a moment's notice. Your LCR seems to fit that bill just fine. As Mikhail Weiss said, you don't need to justify a gun purchase. Desire is reason enough.

 

[BossHogg]

You're good to go for HD with the .38 / shotgun. The .357 is just a want gun. People like the power but it's costly to shoot often. Like you say most run .38's in them anyway. But I do have a soft spot for the .357, always looking for a reason to buy one. Really don't need one, but want one.

 

[Rexster]

I don't have a separate night stand handgun. I have more than one P229, and more than one SP101, outside the safe, that cover my serious handgunning needs quite well; duty, personal-time carry, spare, and backup., None of them, in particular, is a bedroom security gun; any of them will do. If I hear a bump in the night, that requires investigating, I put on pants with pockets, and roll with the same weapons I use when working night shift police patrol. If I have an idea that it is more than my elderly FIL trying to escape again, I have a shotgun, too, my duty 870P.

Just to be clear, I do not advocate one-man house clearing. Some of us have too many bumps in the night, however, to call the police for every one of them, lest we be placed on the frequent flier list.

 

[Doug S]

The only reason that I can see for a dedicated house gun, is that you can get a larger firearm with higher round count, that is easier to shoot well (longer sight radius, better sights). That said, I think you're fine with what you have. I wouldn't feel badly armed with my 642 if that is all I had, but I do think of it more as a contact range gun, whereas in my home I can think of a few scenarios that might require a longer shot.

My CCW guns are a Glock 26 and a Smith and Wesson 642. My house gun is a Glock 17 for the reasons mentioned above. If I didn't have the G17, I wouldn't feel poorly armed with the CCW guns, but given the choice I'll take the G17 for HD stuff.

 

[Eightball]

The only reason that I can see for a dedicated house gun, is that you can get a larger firearm with higher round count, that is easier to shoot well (longer sight radius, better sights). That said, I think you're fine with what you have.

This about sums it up. I have an M1 Carbine currently doing "long-gun HD duty", and alternate between my 5" Kimber 1911 and S&W 620 (7-shot L-frame, 4"), for nightstand duty. However, my 638 comes off the hip and goes onto the nightstand (if it doesn't go elsewhere in my room as needs dictate). The main reason I have a different handgun than my EDC piece for nightstand duty is the longer sight radius, it's easier to control, and I have more rounds available. IMO, that's worth the extra expense--I mean hey, it's just your life that might be on the line at 3AM once you're awoken from a deep sleep, I mean how much worth could there really be in having a few extra shots, or a better grip, or a more accurate firearm, in a more powerful caliber?

YMMV.

 

[Fat Boy]

There is probably some error in my logic, but I like the idea of having one gun; it prevents my needing to think through "which gun I have" in a situation where things are tense, and adrenalin levels are off the charts. In other words, I will have enough to think about without trying to be sure the safety is on/off or if the gun has a manual safety at all, how many rounds I am starting with, and so forth. And I think the LCR is a good choice, if a person works with it and develops proficiency-

 

[Daizee]

You could get a used DA 6-shot .38spl and use the same ammo. You'll get less blast, noise, and flash indoors. You'll get more power, accuracy, and speed.

I think there's a lot to be said for the one-gun philosophy, particularly under stress. However, a snubbie would be the last all-around gun I'd choose. I think a 3" barrel and a few more ounces would be the best compromise for me.

I haven't traded in my model 10 for an SP101, but I think about it occasionally.

-Daizee

 

[woad_yurt]

I carry a P3AT because of its convenience. I want to be comfortable when I'm out and about. When out with the Kel-Tec, I'm awake and alert and can operate the Kel-Tec proficiently.

When I'm in bed sleeping, however, I want something that shoots and points naturally for me; that's a K-frame. I keep a Model 64 by the bed because, if I'm ever awakened from a dead sleep and have to grab a gun, I want it to be the one I can shoot the best without too much thinking.

 

[oldfool]

yes, with same load shorter barrel always more muzzle flash than longer barrel
that flash/noise difference is anywhere from significant to dramatic depending on load power

nothing wrong with your EDC for whatever,
but considering a longer barrel revolver (4" to 6") would be a prudent for indoor lowlight bang-n-boom

if you have never fired a 357 mag round from a 6" barrel indoors, in low light, do yourself a big favor and "do NOT try this at home" !
(not without extra good hearing protection, doubled up... and expect some temporary, momentary vision impairment even if ears real well protected)

38+P indoors/in dark is pretty "impressive" also

 

[Fiv3r]

For a long time I only had one bedside gun, my father in laws old .38 spec. snub. These days, as my collection has grown, I keep a .45 in the nightstand. It's still small enough to be packable as an EDC when I'm in the mood, but I really bought it as a Bump in the night pistol since it has a little more thump than the .38. I also have an 870 close at hand should the need arise.

That said, more often than not the little j-frame Model 36 gets plopped in my pocket or on my hip as an EDC often. I certainly don't feel undergunned with it.

My next piece is going to be a chunky big bore revolver of some kind, methinks.

 

[FAS1]

I prefer to keep my Glock 17 in my bedside lock box and my carry gun (G26 or P3AT) seperate. That way I just open the lid of the lock box when I sleep so the gun is accessable right next to my pillow. Simply close it in the morning so it is locked. I never have to think if my gun is in the box. It just simplifies the process a little for me. I am very comfortable with the G17 and that's why I chose the G26 for EDC. The Keltec is used when pocket carry is the best option. I know I have a much better chance of hitting my target with the G17 since I have shot it so much over the years.

 

[oneounceload]

You might, as a backup idea, get a second LCR in the event one needs to get fixed, or for some other reason it becomes unavailable to use. That way you have the gun that you're familiar with

 

[Lord Samwise]

Funny you should say to get a 2nd one for if it breaks... mine did break! At the time my wife wasn't carrying, so I borrowed her Taurus 85, and kept my .6.5" .357 Blackhawk on the nightstand.

I'm thinking about some sort of pocket-rocket for BUG, my buddy got an LCP last week and I want to try it out, might be the next addition to my collection.