How far is too far from your gun?

[Rupestris]

I recently came to own a Phoenix brand pistol safe. Its a digital, wall mounted safe that mounts between standard 16" wall studs and is almost flush to the wall. When the code is entered the door kinda flops down and the handgun is on a mount that swings out to present it grip first.

My problem is, the house I own is a bungalow built in the late 50's. The entire upstairs is one big bedroom with alot of decorating possibilities. Meaning there is no guarantee that the bed will stay in one place forever. (wife likes to move the furniture around for a change of scenery).

Second issue is that the walls are not drywall. They are horizontal knotty pine. The entire room has a log cabin look if you can imagine. I don't want to cut a hole in it.
The only place I can possibly put it is in a closet that is about 8' to 10' from the bed. Any non-friendlies will not be coming in through the up-stairs windows so I'd have to go down-stairs to "greet" them.

Is this too far? should I look for alternatives that will keep it closer to the bed?

Just for additional info, I have 2 kids (10 and 15). they know the rules. I'd just like to keep the HD gun secure yet available when needed and not have to worry about any theft or accidents.

Opinions please.

 

[reagansquad]

At night, I say that 5 feet is the maximum I would want to be away from my gun... Though if I live in a small place, when the dogs start barking because someone is inside, that gives me about 15 seconds if they come straight to the bedroom. It's going to take me at least 10 seconds to wake up.

 

[armoredman]

Call me paranoid, or whatever - mine is on me. Any distance is too far to run. At night it goes in a holster attached to the headboard - can't be seen, but i can get to it in a second or less.

 

[Nick1911]

Hows about 60 miles?



Living in Dorm's - fun!

Nick

 

[B36]

For me

If gun is not on my person, it must be within reach of my arm.

 

[pax]

A good, secure lock on the front door will buy you some time.

An equally good lock on your bedroom door will buy you that much more time.

What we've ended up doing is putting the gun into an open and unlocked safe at night. With the bedroom door closed and locked, the kids can't get to it while we're asleep. Unless the gun is in my hand or holster, the safe door gets locked before the bedroom door comes open.

Takes a certain commitment, but isn't a bad system.

If you think of a better one, let me know.

pax

 

[Rupestris]

What we've ended up doing is putting the gun into an open and unlocked safe at night

Thats what I've been doing as well. The Phoenix safe is a nice option but if I can't get it close to the bed another way I'll stick to the system I have.
As far as burglarys go, my biggest concern is getting between the BG and the kids.
I also keep a Rem 870 close but 'til I get a short barrel the handgun allows a little more movement around corners, which this old house has plenty of.

 

[ojibweindian]

My primary defensive gun is never more than a few feet of me, except while at work.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Just took my Kahr P9 off and left it on the floor beside the bed. Been wearing it IWB all day today since I haven't had to go anyplace I couldn't have it on. My 870 is propped in the small space (deliberately left) between the computer desk and a filing cabinet right now, within easy arm's reach. Not that I'm paranoid or anything, just careful. We are way out in the country and pretty much on our own, at least for the first 15- 20 minutes (assuming we get to call 911 at all, even carrying a cell phone). BTW, there's a jump box with serious first aid stuff by the front door (I was an EMT for 6 years), fire extinguishers on both sides of the kitchen and water hoses connected to all the outside faucets (will go into winter mode this week, hoses drained and faucets insulated)- you get the drift. Not all problems can be solved with firearms... .

Oh, and the wife's G26 is on her bedside table. She's careful too.

lpl/nc (no kids here...)

 

[Rupestris]

I hear ya Lee.
Fire extinguishers next to the dryer and stove. Both natural gas. cars both well equipt with blanket, BDU's for an extra layer in the cold, tools, light, etc.
Trained in CPR, First aid, and DeFib.
The phone next to the bed is an older corded phone that works even if the electrical power goes out. Even the cell phones failed durring the blackout.
The current safe that is opened at night is a Stack On two pistol digital safe bolted to the floor under the bedside table. The floors are hardwood but trashed and carpeted. I can't bring myself to violate the wood on the walls. There is nothing but studs behind it and I'd be hard pressed to find replacement boards.

 

[TrapperReady]

Just a thought, but could you install the safe into a piece of furniture which could be placed next to the bed, or somehow attach it to the bed itself? Maybe you could build a little side-table incorprating the safe, which (if you're not super-handy) could be covered with a piece of fabric, helping to camoflage things.

 

[sm]

Growing up I was taught " 2 seconds is too far" . Later on the Tueller drill and the 1.5 seconds were taught.

Meaning - if stuff happens I want the ability to respond quick. Like many I carry at all times , exceptions do occur , like I cannot carry on the College Campus, Gov't Bldgs...so I have to make "other arrangements'.

Many times I really don't go to bed, so my CCW is still on person as I nap on the couch. I do have a Simplex gun safe, there is another firearm in it, and is unlocked at night.

Currently , my situation at night varies - if around kids, my CCW stays on my person and I nap on a couch, dressed.

Rupestris,

Check your PMs

 

[HEiST]

three feet is too far away for me.

 

[Greymoor]

Right now I am about 3mi. from my guns My place of employment frowns upon weapons at work. So I guess I will have to live with it until things change.


Be well . . .

 

[jojo]

I prefer at arms length, but the maximum would be 6 feet.

jojo

 

[junyo]

Just a thought, but could you install the safe into a piece of furniture which could be placed next to the bed, or somehow attach it to the bed itself?

That's what I was thinking. Bolted underneath a bedside nighttable or if the bed's not a pedestal, to the bottom of the bedframe. A long skinny shelf fastened beneath the long rail, holding a nice shottie and bada bing! ...You'd have the deadliest dust ruffle this side of the Pecos.

 

[why_me]

Use the safe to store it

take it out put it on nightstand at night