[Jester]

For those who may use their M&P's as their home defense weapon of choice, how do you keep your gun handy in case the worst happens? Nightstand? In a small gun box/safe?



Been slightly covered in other topics, but never its own that I can remember.



I keep my pistol handy in 2 ways.

1. on the weekend and in the evening I keep my pistol on me.

2. I keep it in the gunvault in the nightime unlocked so I have quick under bed access.



I can't carry during work so sometimes I leave my pistol at home depending on the rigors of the day, and keep it locked in the gunvault till I get home.

 

[matt7184]

Someone is usually home, but when someone is not, my nightstand gun is put in a safe secure location.



Nightstand: M&P Full 9mm with TLR-1 in a cheapie Taser Holster that also has a spare mag pouch. If I have a few extra seconds, I also have an AR I would rather grab for anything.

 

[MP4ME]

Keeping it in a holster in the nightstand at night seems like a very good idea. I like that.

 

[FastSS]

I dont own an M&P yet... (waiting on buds to put the 9mm full caps with no lock or mag safety back on discount)



Basically i keep my pistol (USP Compact .357sig) in my pocket. If I'm wearing pants, I have a pistol on me.



If I'm not wearing pants, I have more than enough time to walk over to my closet and grab my 870.



The only time I've ever had an unknown in my house was at my old apartment. I heard someone walking around on the main floor and my desert eagle .50 happened to be sitting right there on my desk so I racked it and headed upstairs



The guy was probably just drunk and stumbled into the right apartment but the wrong row.



However, my M&P will not be a primary handgun for me except in combination with a primary long gun. I much prefer a nice double/single hammer fired pistol with a mechanical safety (hmm sounds a lot like an HK USP doesn’t it)

 

[MP4ME]

Why do you prefer the hammer instead of a striker fired gun like the M&P for home defense?

 

[FastSS]

Entirely personal preference



I’ve never been a big striker gun fan in general, although my first and probably favorite gun was a Walther P99 which is still a double/single. If I have to blast someone, I like knowing that I have to present the weapon, take it off save, and move through a long heavy double action pull in order to send them on.



I can’t bring myself to appreciate DA or “1.5 action/LEM/Glock/whatever” action guns. The whole reason for the hammer with decocker and safety is just for options. You cant just use your thumb to go from double to single on a striker gun. Also, on a double/single, if you have a weak strike or hard primer, you don’t HAVE to tap rack and roll. You can just pull the trigger again and see if a second strike will touch it off, or if a clearance is actually required.



No worse feeling in the world than running a drill or course and finding yourself distinctly lacking in “bang” and knowing that you have no other options than to hurriedly go through a malfunction drill. Of course having this happen when you actually NEED the weapon is far worse, but you get the idea.



I'm buying an M&P for a very short list of reasons



I’m heading into the LEO world and for the initial time period, I must furnish my own gear, which will likely be one of my USPs. I want to whore a superior product out that is still pocketbook friendly in an attempt to rid the department of glocks before I have to carry one. I have deep rooted dislike for glocks in every aspect except that they, generally speaking, go bang every time. Its not that it’s ergonomically unpleasing to me, it’s that it’s ergonomically agitating! My natural point with a glock lines up the top of the rear sight with the front of the ejection port. This issue, while mostly personal, could be hazardous to my health. The M&P is a better gun in my opinion, with lest cost and an excellent ergonomics package.



The 9mm ammo is far cheaper than the other ammo I shoot (.45, .357sig, .40, .50AE) and will allow me to have much less expensive practice sessions.



Also, since it uses equipment I already own (Surefire X200) and works with gear I’m already familiar with (safariland 6004 and so on) there is less of a learning curve.



$404 in hand is good enough for me.

 

[PENS-66]

I have a M&P compact and like to keep it between the mattress and box springs of my bed right under my head...I have small children and can't just leave it in a nightstand. I also have a digital gun safe right under my nightstand but sometimes when you get up and have to remember your code or when the safe beeps when you're punching in your code may be heard by the wrong ears.I'd like to wear a holster right in my PJ's

 

[tjq]

In a holster, in the nightstand. If I ever need it, I want to have it in my hands quick. I do not have kids at home anymore, they are grown and gone.

 

[jtaliani]

I keep my M&P right by my side during all at home hours. When I'm not, it is safely locked up.

 

[markh]

I keep mine in a holster on top of my dresser (out of reach for my 3-year-old).

 

[FastSS]

If you were a 3yo that wanted to get somewhere, would you be able to pull out a drawer and climb it like a step ladder?

 

[swingset]

If you were a 3yo that wanted to get somewhere, would you be able to pull out a drawer and climb it like a step ladder?

If you were the parent of the 3yo, would you let the child wander without supervision, to such areas as under the sink where chemicals lie, to the utensil draw (knives), near tall stairs, allow to go unsupervised around animals, or have access to electrical outlets or appliances?



Keeping an eye on your toddlers is easier than making the world 100% safe for them and allowing them to harm themselves. When they're older to play unsupervised, they learn responsibility and what they are NOT allowed to touch.



Just my .02.



BTW, my home protection pistol is in a quick-access wall safe beside the bed. Loaded AR15 is in the safe, at all times.

 

[rjhauser]

old but relevant, but why is your personal protection pistol not ON YOU when you are at home, why is it on a dresser?



does me no good there if I need it, mine never leaves my side.

 

[targetsup]

I keep mine in a top drawer by my bed with one round chambered with the mag out but next to the pistol. I have a mag release safety. Works pretty good, just open drawer insert mag and make bad guy lay on ground.

 

[MP4ME]

Looking through this thread again, I have to ask (and please take no offense), why do you guys keep your guns like this? I live in a big city, and I have never felt the need to carry one on me while I am at home at any time. I don't have an M&P yet (but plan to get one or two thanks to you good folks), but my .45 is my HD gun. She sits unloaded in a safe place. Mags are loaded, and ready though. But actually having it with me all over the house seems unnecessary? If I did that, I would feel like I am paranoid. What gives?

 

[Jester]

Looking through this thread again, I have to ask (and please take no offense), why do you guys keep your guns like this? I live in a big city, and I have never felt the need to carry one on me while I am at home at any time. I don't have an M&P yet (but plan to get one or two thanks to you good folks), but my .45 is my HD gun. She sits unloaded in a safe place. Mags are loaded, and ready though. But actually having it with me all over the house seems unnecessary? If I did that, I would feel like I am paranoid. What gives?

I do this for child safety, also to keep it on my person if I go out on errands. I don't like to keep the pistol in the safe while I'm home in case I need it.



Really I forget its on when I come home sometimes.



Call me paranoid, but more than once did I hear a bump in the night, and wife leans over to ask "Do you have the gun?"



I pray I never have the need, but with 2 little girls that are the treasure of my life, I woln't take any chances.

 

[MP4ME]

Oh, I don't think you're paranoid at all. I was just curious because I've never felt the need to do that. There have been times where things did go "bump" in the night. Before I had a gun, all I had was an aluminum bat. Not very comforting. After getting my .45, if I hear something out of the ordinary, it's close and I can get it ready easily.