Nightstand Duty Dilemma

[Plan2Live]

The answer partially depends on your training and mindset. If you train to "shoot to the ground" you will probably need the pistol with the highest capacity. If you train to double tap and asses you can probably get by with less capacity. If you practice deterrence through hardening your home and practice situational awareness coming and going and toss in a little luck for good measure you may never have to find out which would have been best.

 

[Hanzo581]

I train and am in the mindset of "shoot until the threat is over". Double tap and asses sounds like something in a movie.

At any rate, I am not crazy, I know the likelihood of having to my firearm in defense of my life or my family's life is practically nil, but if something did happen, I've always been in the better to have and not need than need and not have camp.

 

[adcoch1]

Pick which one shoots best for you. Both your guns should be very good shooters, and any imaginable scenario would offer you a mag change if you need more than 10, let alone 14 or 20. But if more ammo in the gun helps you sleep, go for it. No wrong answer here.

Sent from my LGLS740 using Tapatalk

 

[gotboostvr]

Try and compare them head-to-head in some drills.
I shot glocks pretty well at static targets on the range, but it of the holster and transitioning to a few targets, I struggle with.
I'm anxious to stretch my new CZ on a more dynamic setting to really get a feel for it.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

How big is your nightstand?

Unless it's really dinky, the answer to your question is obvious: put BOTH guns on/in your nightstand.

 

[Hanzo581]

Haha, I only have room for one pistol in my GunVault.

 

[tarosean]

I am loving the "if you need more than X rounds in a gunfight" comments. It is amazing how many people assume they will shoot the same under extreme duress as they do at the range on a lazy Sunday. That's a deadly mistake.

Yet its your home where you know every square inch.. The robbers will not be privy to that.

 

[csa77]

pick the gun you shoot most often

 

[bannockburn]

Hanzo581

Practice with both, choose the gun that is the most comfortable and reliable to use. Maybe buy another Gunvault for your wife to keep the other gun in.

 

[FAS1]

I just ordered a CZ P-09. I am starting to think I'd rather have that by my side, considering its 20 round capacity. But then I go back to, well 14 rounds of .45 is pretty good, so I don't know.

Keep both available. Here is one way to do it.

I get asked a lot if there is room for a second gun in the FAS1 since the primary gun is holstered and swings open with the gun in order to present it to you when needed.

Most people assume that they only will hold one gun when all will hold at least two. This pic is a FAS1-Magnum size safe. The door is swung open all the way and is above the camera so you can't see it. There is a 1911 in the holster and these two Glocks sitting in the bottom, one on each side of the 1911 when the door is closed.

There is room for several spare mags in the bottom and I usually place two standing up under the catch for the door. The primary gun has to be removed from the holster to get access inside the safe as the door doesn't open this far when the strut is connected.

It's getting more common to have an HD weapon inside and at night place your CCW in there as well. Your wife could roll over and grab the CCW to back you up.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Either is plenty of gun to protect your home. Shoot both and compare. If one proves more reliable, use that one. If they are both completely reliable, then choose the one you shoot fastest with reasonable self defense (center mass) accuracy.

I used to keep an FNP 45 in my nightstand. It started malfunctioning due to spring failures and I lost confidence in it. I replaced the springs and got rid of it. I chose an HK45 instead. I gave up 5 rounds of capacity. A lot of folks would view that as a bad decision.

But the bottom line is that the HK45 felt best in my hand, and I shoot it well. It has been 100% after a whole lot of rounds. Reliability HAS to be the first thing you asses. Your skill with a particular gun has to be next. Capacity and cartridge has to come third in my mind.

 

[Hanzo581]

Absolutely, my XD has proven itself, I'll be sure to run the CZ through it's paces. I'd never bet my life on something that doesn't prove itself mechanically sound.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Back to my "simple solution" theme...

Since you say you don't have room in your GunVault, simply pick a pistol and go with it. If capacity is a concern, that's why extra magazines are on the market. Drop one or two extra loaded magazines in with it and be done. Easy-peasy.


Remember...there is such a thing as over thinking this. The purpose of a gun in a nightstand isn't as your first line of defense...if it is, then you're failing right off the bat. It's part of a holistic approach to your overall home security.

We could discuss what all else constitutes a comprehensive home security plan, but in a nutshell it's a combination of passive and active security measures. Exterior lighting, well trimmed lawn which keeps bad guy hiding places to a minimum, pets, alarm systems, evacuation plan, home phone, cell phone, kids toys scattered all over the place, weapons of opportunity throughout the house (such as sporting equipment like baseball bats, kitchen cutlery, garage tools), and any firearms. Pick and choose amongst these, and other options, as you see fit.

Firearms are a small part of the overall plan. The single most important aspect to having a firearm as part of a comprehensive home security plan is....having a firearm. (Next is being proficient in its use and understanding how to use it for home defense.)


Either choice you have is suitable. Since you say you only have room for 1 on your nightstand, then pick one for whatever reason(s) suit you and go with it.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

It's part of a holistic approach to your overall home security.
.

The kinder, gentler side of home defense, and more hippie like side of RetiredUSNChief finally comes out. Kidding of course.

You're absolutely right though. A gun is only one part of protecting your home, and it needs to be viewed in a broad sense, that includes many variables.

 

[Schwing]

Either will serve just fine. My bedside safe holds my 92fs with a 17 round magazine. I have a basement office safe that holds my XD .45 with a 13 round magazine. Both guns have proven to be 100% reliable and I don't much care which one is in which safe.

While I too would run the CZ through the paces before trusting it, I can almost guarantee you will be happy with it.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

The kinder, gentler side of home defense, and more hippie like side of RetiredUSNChief finally comes out. Kidding of course.

You're absolutely right though. A gun is only one part of protecting your home, and it needs to be viewed in a broad sense, that includes many variables.

That's me...Mr. Kinder and Gentler!

Can't get the hippie-hair, though...it gets to where it touches my ears and starts bugging me until I get a chance to visit the barber again.

 

[I6turbo]

I would go P-09 (but if you feel more comfortable with the XD45, stick with it) and most importantly I'd add a Crimson Trace green laser. I have had night sights and flash lights, but after trying the green CT Rail Master laser I have no doubt which I'd rather have in low light conditions. Some will toss out possible disadvantages but I'm entirely unconvinced. The laser is what I'll use because IME it's a much, much better aiming system for dark or low-light conditions. If not green, then red, but it's going to be a laser instead of open sights.

Here's the Rail Master on my 75 P-01. Fits perfectly with the on/off switches (the little wings on either side of the trigger guard) very conveniently positioned.

 

[Buzznrose]

Simple thoughts...

1. One never knows how many bullets will be needed to win a gunfight.

2. Unless you are the instigator of the gunfight, you cannot pick your adversaries skill level or quantity

3. Drugs can alter a bullet's effect, so if your assailant is on salts, PCP, etc., a bullet to the chest may not suffice

4. I cannot imagine waking up at zero-dark having to use a firearm and being at the top of my accuracy game...

5. How long will it take for a LEO to arrive?

Ultimately, I say use what works best for you. My bedside is a Glock G17 with an AR15 across the room. Wife has a G19. We live in a rural area. I have no experience in actual gunfights....but I am confident few winners ever complained about bringing too many bullets....

YMMV




Take Care,

Buzz

 

[hdwhit]

...within the limits of a bedroom you won't have time to shoot all that lead!

Shortly after I moved out of South Florida in the late 1970's, there was a rather infamous home invasion that was caught on audio tape by the police dispatcher who the home owner had called. In the end, the home invaders and home owner got into a gunfight in the master bedroom. Each exhausted their ammunition. The home invaders retreated to get more and resumed shooting. I don't recall the total number of rounds expended, but it was way more than a couple of magazine's worth.

In a high-stress situation, even at short ranges, even well-trained people may not be able to hit the broad side of a barn. Just ask the two Carrollton, Texas, police officers who expended 42 rounds at a stationary suspect illuminated by his own front porch light and only managed to hit him seven times.

While it is true the majority of gunfights last only seconds, there is no general rule for how long you might have to engage a determined adversary.

 

[bannockburn]

I6turbo

Thanks for the advice about the Crimson Trace Rail Master on your P01. Looks to be very compact and a great fit on the gun's rail. Might get one for my P01. Currently I have a SIG STL900L on my SIG P229R. In addition to the red laser it has a very blinding white light with the option of using it in a strobe setting.

 

[I6turbo]

I6turbo

Thanks for the advice about the Crimson Trace Rail Master on your P01. Looks to be very compact and a great fit on the gun's rail. Might get one for my P01. Currently I have a SIG STL900L on my SIG P229R. In addition to the red laser it has a very blinding white light with the option of using it in a strobe setting.

That should work just fine!

Regarding the CT Rail Master, the good people at Optics Planet had $50 off plus free shipping on them recently, so their already good price of $159 for the green one was $109 delivered.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/crimson-trace-cmr-203-rail-master-universal-green-laser-sight.html

 

[Plan2Live]

Hanzo581 said:

I train and am in the mindset of "shoot until the threat is over". Double tap and asses sounds like something in a movie.

Thanks for the enlightenment. I’ll mention that to my instructor. After all, their credentials are certainly circumspect. They only include; NRA Training Counselor holding numerous NRA certifications, South Carolina CWP Instructor, North Carolina CHP Instructor, member in good standing with the International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers (ILEETA), personal friend of a nationally recognized touring trainer and his wife and has assisted this couple with their classes on numerous occasions, has trained under most of the nationally recognized trainers including a recent trip to Memphis. Next time we train together I’ll mention this lapse in their knowledge base.

Keep in mind my original post wasn't suggesting the shoot to the ground mentality was wrong, just that it has an impact on your capacity decision. If you want to train to empty half your magazine into an attacker's ballistic vest with no visible results then have at it. I prefer to fire a two or three round well placed volley then assess the results to decide if I need to alter my aimpoint or other tactics. To each their own, both are valid approaches.

 

[JohnBiltz]

My experience is most bedrooms are dark when you are sleeping. I don't know about all this aiming in the dark and assessing in the dark.

Sure it might start in your bedroom but that doesn't mean it is going to end there and it might not even start there if you have a dog.

It doesn't hurt anything to have lots of rounds and not having them might get you killed. If you hear a bump in the night and investigate are you sticking a spare magazine in your underwear? Because my off hand is going to have a light in it.

The thing about the 3 rounds in 3 seconds at 3 feet saying is that they use that to say you don't need a lot of rounds, it also means they don't have to have a .45 either.

 

[JTQ]

The question is why is 14 rounds not enough, but 20 rounds is enough?

Everybody's got to determine what their own "magic" number is. Is it a barking chihuahua, or a ball bat, or a 5-shot revolver, or 1911, or Beretta 92, or a G17 with a light and laser, or a shotgun, or an AR with a couple of 30 rounders. At some point, in some scenario each will be insufficient, and in some scenarios, if you "what-if-it" enough, having all of them, and enough buddies sleeping over to carry them all, you won't have enough.

Pick something you like to shoot, are good with, and move on.

 

[Pheasant Plucker]

I just had a picture of someone breaking into my bedroom and me grabbing my defensive weapon and firing at shadows or into the dark over my toes. OUCH!