Need help with handgun storage

[RoyalScam]

I own two handguns. I like to think one of them would help me in a middle-of-the-night home invasion situation, but I've read Mas Ayoob's book so I'm not under any delusions about my ability to think straight at 4am. But regardless, here's my question. I have an electronic keypad safe (Stack-On $70) in the dresser next to my bed. My wife prefers I keep the guns unloaded when stored in there. But I wonder what good the gun will do if it's unloaded if I need it. I have a revolver and a semi-auto. I suppose I could keep a magazine loaded out of the semi-auto. What would/do you do? By the way, I have small kids who don't know what's in the safe or how to open it.
Thanks

 

[Quentin]

Tough problem. Are you a deep sleeper, how do you wake up, groggy or ready to go? You've got to be on top of your game before drawing down on a shadow or thump in the night.

 

[TXHORNS]

My nightstand gun is a DA/SA semi auto and it stays loaded with the hammer down in my electronic safe. If I need it its good to go. I suppose a full mag next to the gun is better than nothing but you already have to open the safe which takes time. That just adds one extra step with seconds that could be critical.

But I do understand wives so I would try to compromise and keep a loaded mag in the gun with nothing in the chamber. Then all you need to do is rack the slide and this eliminates fumbling around with a gun and a mag at 4am in the dark.

Remember, a criminal is prepared to deal with you before they even arrive at your house. So you are already at a disadvantage.

 

[oneounceload]

Load the guns when you go to bed, unload them when you wake up - there is NO way you'll be able to open the safe, get the gun and mag, insert and get that gun ready in any kind of fast changing scenario. If you don't already have some form of barking dog, get one - that will get you the time necessary to get ready

 

[MrPeter]

The point of the safe is to keep your weapon safe. It trumps all other safties.
If it's not loaded and all saftied up with a lock through it in pieces all over the house requiring you to assemble it *** is the point of the safe?

I don't use all my guns for HD. My shotgun is for that. But when I store my guns in the safe, I store them all cocked and locked and ready to go. That's one of the perks of having a safe!!!

 

[hddeluxe]

It is somewhat of a problem. I agree with at the very minimum having the magazine loaded in the weapon, but without one in the chamber. As someone suggested, maybe you can convince your wife to keep it locked and loaded while sleeping at night and then change to unloaded during the day.
The children should not be a problem. I have always taught mine about weapons safety and weapon familiarity as soon as possible. You never know when or if a scenario would arise where you needed their assistance in an armed confrontation. I hope your wife is comfortable with handling and shooting the weapon also.

 

[RoyalScam]

Thanks for the suggestions...I forgot about the dog part. I do have a dog so this whole question is probably moot anyway. I think I'll keep the semi-auto loaded, but without a chambered round, and just not tell the wife. She won't know anyway. She's not a shooter yet, but she's open to it so I'll start teaching her in the near future.

 

[Birdmang]

I would keep the revolver loaded...seems easier and safer than trying to insert a mag, then chamber a round