i have thought about this so many times. i almost always keep my 1911 carry gun, with me even in the house. at night i put my sig 226 .40 & a extra mag on my night stand. but i usually leave my rifles put away, which means that i do not have quick access to them. for awhile i would bring my mini 14 and extra mag out every night, then secure them every morning, which got old very quick. after reading this i believe i should just start doing this agin. the little bag i used held an extra mini 14 mag in it, plus a small flashlight, knife, my p226 and an extra mag for it. this way it was all handy and secured at my right side with a shoulder strap, to keep my hands free for the mini 14. however i think an m1 carbine would be better for home defense(at least where i live). now if i lived in a more rural area, it would be the mini 14 for indoors and an m1a for outside work.