what is best night stand gun

[9mm+]

Best night stand gun? IMHO, a S&W Model 10 loaded with 110 gr. Hydra-Shoks. Skip the +P rounds -- you don't need that if you're in close quarters and the flash will blind you for any follow up shots. The lower recoil of this load will make grip easier (nice if you're half-asleep) and expansion is good in soft tissue. The Model 10 feels really, really good in your hands in the dark and the SA/DA is good to have. The hammer is nice and big and your thumb will find it with no trouble.

Of course, the Model 10 was not one of the options listed, but I thought I would throw it in there anyway...

 

[glock36]

I figure which ever you have most handy at that moment you have the hair on your neck standing on end putting you into condition red

 

[lebowski]

Any of those would be excellent, including the Henry.


Personally, I keep a handgun on the nightstand and a long gun (remington 870 tactical in my case, but I've thought about using my AR) close by. IMO a handgun makes more sense on the nightstand since it fits easier, w/ a long gun somewhere like up against a dresser.

 

[DougDubya]

I'd use a catapult to shoot nightstands.

(Any of the firearms you mentioned would work well.)

 

[TravisB]

My Henry U.S. Survival Rifle, disassembled and packed into the stock.

I like a challenge.

 

[Hanafuda]

I keep an M&P9 handy now, but I've been giving the USP45 some thought for this role. Keep it loaded and decocked like you would a Sig220 or double-action revolver, ready for a heavy double action pull (everyone gripes about the HK double action, but I would only use it for such an occasion - doubt it'd bother me much then). Once the gun's in-hand and you're awake enough to be alert, engage the safety and manually cock the hammer - now you're cocked & locked and ready for a single-action first shot. Pretty versatile gun. The newer & possibly improved HK45 model looks nice too, but they're charging even more of a premium for it because it's new and hot, and at the same time it loses 2 rds to its older brother. (HK45 is 10+1, USP45 is 12+1).

 

[jpwilly]

Flame Thrower and hand grenades...works for me anyway.

 

[jeepmor]

My carry gun works just fine.

 

[chieftain]

Your primary Home Defense weapon should any of your three Shoulder weapons you feel most proficient with, and any of the handguns should be the back up.

Remember a hand gun IS ALWAYS MORE DIFFICULT TO DEPLOY than a shoulder weapon, and vastly less effective.

Follow the advice of the professionals. Use a shoulder weapon.

Keeping in mind that handguns generally offer poor incapacitation potential, bullets with effective terminal performance are available in all of the most commonly used duty pistol calibers—pick the one that you shoot most accurately, that is most reliable in the type of pistol you choose, and best suits you likely engagement scenarios.

-- Keep shooting until the threat is neutralized; absent CNS hits, incapacitation is very frequently DELAYED until blood loss is sufficient to cause the onset of hypovolemic shock--this could be seconds, minutes, or hours...

-- If you are in a potential threat situation where you are feeling unusually suspicious, your senses are on high alert, you have "alarm bells going off" in your head, etc... if at all possible, it is time to employ a long gun instead of a handgun.

--Dr Gary Roberts Leading American terminal ballistics researcher.

* * *
The cogent advice by Urey Patrick of the FBI FTU should be routinely heeded:

“Experienced officers implicitly recognize...when potential violence is reasonably anticipated their preparations are characterized by obtaining as many shoulder weapons as possible.”
and
“...no law enforcement officer should ever plan to meet an expected attack armed only with a handgun.”

Go figure.

Fred

 

[Shadow 7D]

I would hesitate to use a high powered rifle round, even a 223 would be likely to easily penetrate my neighbors house though BG and 2 walls. I put my carry gun on the night stand, I am comfortable with it and I check it the most often.

 

[chieftain]

I would hesitate to use a high powered rifle round, even a 223 would be likely to easily penetrate my neighbors house though BG and 2 walls. I put my carry gun on the night stand, I am comfortable with it and I check it the most often.

Actually the 5.56 NATO with lighter bullets will be both VASTLY more effective on target AND will not penetrate building material as much as ANY effective handgun bullet.

It is those damned Facts that keep blowing such Myths apart. This ain't the movies or TV, this is real life. :banghead:

I would always choose a weapon that penetrates walls and such LESS than any effective handgun bullet, more effective on target, and easier to deploy. That means shoulder weapons.

Have any authority, LEO, Military, civilian trainer, scientist, etc.... that would recommend any handgun over a shoulder weapon for home defense?

Once again, please listen to the pro's. There is a reason they do know what they know. Again, This isn't the movies or TV.

Go figure.

Fred

 

[9mm+]

There is no question that a shoulder-fired weapon is more accurate and effective if given the time and space to deploy it. When I think of a "night stand" weapon, I think of what can be retrieved and deployed quickly in the dead of night with a BG coming into my bedroom. For me, that is my S&W Model 10. If given the time and space, I would get up and retrieve my Rem. 870 and secure the house.

 

[bryskee]

I personally have a 20 Ga next to my headboard and a glock in the night stand. Might not be thinking clear if it happens out of a dead sleep so I want to be covered. I like the shot gun bc the spread and will certainly stop/slow one enough. Better odds in dark sleepy oh crud conditions! Course the glock has 17 rnds too sooo..

 

[Pilot]

My current nightstand gun is a Browning Hi Power, however, I'm considering switching to a hicap .45 ACP like my HK USP Tactical.

 

[winston smith]

I have a Walthers in a pistol vault screwed upside down under the top of my nightstand. Also holds money I don't want the cleaning woman to get!

 

[gunnerjones]

i think the 1911 is best

 

[Artiz]

The one you are good with. Also think about some kind of ear protection if you want to use .357 magnum, or you'll just hurt yourself more than the bad guy. Loud guns inside your house isn't a great idea if proper ear protection isn't used. You could stick to handgun calibers such as 9mm and be done with it.
No, don't call me a pussy for not having the balls to shoot .357mag inside a house, it's just darn stupid without hearing protection, just like a 12 ga buckshot load, it will blow everything in it's path, your ears included, you could put some tampax in your ears to stop the bleeding tho...

 

[Lakeshore]

Just wondering if the nightstand is the best place to keep a gun? Anyone have experience with those holster attachment devices that slide between mattress and box spring?

 

[Artiz]

^^ Why not putting your own holster in there? Would certainly work.

 

[bryskee]

The most reliable one...

 

[LancerMW]

nuke it from orbit, its the only way to be sure.

seriously though, the most reliable gun that yyou shoot well. out of the listed i would use the 1911 with 230 gr hydra shock, but thats me.

 

[chieftain]

Shoulder weapons gentlemen, shoulder weapons.

Why would you not choose a 22 LR rimfire, although you shoot it well, and it is inexpensive, and convenient. But most would choose a center fire 9mm/40S&W/38spl/45acp etc. Why? Because it is more effective. Not withstanding most of the center fire handguns will over penetrate the walls in most newer homes.

Why justify for handguns that do over penetrate than for shoulder weapons that do not? Science has already proved shoulder weapons with the proper ammunition, will not over penetrate as much as those same center fire handguns?

Why still insist on using them as your primary?

Every professional, trainer, gunfighter I know will go for the shoulder weapon. Every time.

But some folks don’t. Why? What is the rational?

Sounds like some folks on the Titanic, “yea, it hit an Iceberg, but it’s unsinkable. Someone said so.”

Where do you get your fighting advice from?

Shoulder weapons gentlemen, shoulder weapons.

America, where we are free to prove Darwin Correct.

Go figure.

Fred

 

[LRaccuracy]

Hmmmm... If you are equally good with all of them, you may want to give them equal time. However, I believe the best gun for self defense is the one you have in your had at the time it is needed.

 

[9mm+]

Chieftain -- I agree that shoulder-fired weapons are best given the time and space to deploy it (please see my previous post). If a BG is coming into my bedroom and I am caught off-guard, I am far more comfortable reaching under the bed, retrieving my Model 10, and squeezing off a few rounds one-handed while still recumbent. If the BG is in the house and not by bedroom, I will reach for my 870 and clear the house.

 

[middy]

Stick a flashlight on that AR, that should be all you need.

Though, you might want to keep a set of Peltors handy....