Opinions on the perfect nightstand handgun.

S

Show Me

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Even though I'm into revolvers I always considered the Glock G17 to be a perfict dependable handful of firepower. Many awesome handguns to be had but in an emergency I trust a G17 with a hand held flashlight.
I'm old school and I'll bet there's a lot of better ideas out there. Sure is a lot to pick from.
 
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There can't be a "best" home defense handgun, only the best for the individual. THAT needs to be the most reliable gun you are most proficient under stress with. And since most people don't train under stress, movement, or differing light conditions it could be something different than what range time has lead you to believe. What you shoot under stress proficiently and reliably is best for you.

That's ignoring all the points about whether a handgun is the best choice, whether leaving the bedroom to bumble about the house in the middle of the night in the dark with a loaded weapon is your best choice, etc.
 
My nightstand gun has been and still is a SIG P229. I added a laser/light combo on it shortly after getting it. I like that the first shot is DA (it has the Short Reset Trigger) and that it has a decocker.
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Show Me said:
I'm old school and I'll bet there's a lot of better ideas out there. Sure is a lot to pick from.
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A lot of ideas or a lot of pistols? Folks have mentioned "nightstand" 7500 times (by actual count) on this forum. You are certainly correct that there are a lot of ideas to pick from, if that's what you meant. There aren't really that many good ideas to pick from though. Use a reliable pistol, with a light on it, and make sure you've got training in how to use it. Plan to spend at least what the pistol cost to get that training.
 
I agree with the EDC nightstand handgun. My 9mm Kimber R7 9mm is one of my carry pistols and quickly became my nightstand gun. I also carry a 442 a lot and it sits next to the R7 at night. With night sights and 11 rounds the Kimber is the go to.

It's less about the model or cartridge than comfort and confidence in the handgun you use.
 
bearcreek said:
A lot of ideas or a lot of pistols? Folks have mentioned "nightstand" 7500 times (by actual count) on this forum. You are certainly correct that there are a lot of ideas to pick from, if that's what you meant. There aren't really that many good ideas to pick from though. Use a reliable pistol, with a light on it, and make sure you've got training in how to use it. Plan to spend at least what the pistol cost to get that training.
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You are 100 % correct. Just fishing for something to talk about as subjects are badly needed.
If you have better subject idea I'd be glad to join in. Need some good reading around here.
I thought it was better than the "if you could only have one" topics. Or the not sizing properly so why won't this fit my chamber.
What do YOU think.
 
Show Me said:
the perfect nightstand handgun
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For me, the perfect nightstand handgun is the gun I can hit anything inside the house in low to no light while point shooting as fast as I can pull the trigger.

How to determine "the perfect nightstand handgun":
  1. Take all your guns to the range
  2. Put 2 to 4 dots on target and place at 5-7 yards
  3. With eyes closed, draw and shoot at dots as fast as you can (Or with eyes open, look past the front sight at target) like demonstrated by Jerry Miculek
  4. Gun that produces smallest groups at dots is your "perfect nightstand handgun"
  5. If your guns do not produce POI at POA, you may need different guns
  6. If you can't produce POI at POA with any gun point shooting, you may need training
Any questions? :)
 
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Yes, to avoid the ritual of taking your "nightstand gun" out of its steel safe every morning and night, the EDC makes great sense, as you will put it on and practice with it. Mine is currently a Sig P320C with a sunken Sig Roneo 1 Pro and tall Sig Tritium sights co-witnessed. It has a Baldor Mini light/ Lazer on the Wilson Combat grip module with Tecgrip rubber granulate applique. It has a Sig straight-lightened trigger with Gray Guns intermediate spring package. I EDC is OWB on a neat minimal Custom Kydex holster and wear Magpul Tejas 2.0 polymer belts, of which I have two. I am proficient on CQB courses of moving fire out to 25 yards with this combo and it weighs 2 pounds loaded all up . I use Winchester Ranger 147 not bonded grain ammo which I bought a lot of years ago for defensive use and train with 147 reloads I make with similar ballistics. I have used the Ranger 147 for a couple of decades now, I believe, and they worked very well when I had to slaughter livestock .

1713891065918.png
 
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Gordon said:
Yes, to avoid the ritual of taking your "nightstand gun" out of its steel safe every morning and night, the EDC makes great sense, as you will put it on and practice with it. Mine is currently a Sig P320C with a sunken Sig Roneo 1 Pro and tall Sig Tritium sights co-witnessed. It has a Baldor Mini light/ Lazer on the Wilson Combat grip module with Tecgrip rubber granulate applique. It has a Sig straight-lightened trigger with Gray Guns intermediate spring package. I EDC is OWB on a neat minimal Custom Kydex holster and wear Magpul Tejas 2.0 polymer belts, of which I have two. I am proficient on CQB courses of moving fire out to 25 yards with this combo and it weighs 2 pounds loaded all up . I use Winchester Ranger 147 grain ammo for defensive you and train with 147 reloads I make with similar ballistics. I have used the Ranger 147 for a couple of decades now, I believe, and they worked very well when I had to slaughter livestock .

View attachment 1206130
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That handgun has a lot going on 👍
 
Gordon said:
Yes, to avoid the ritual of taking your "nightstand gun" out of its steel safe every morning and night, the EDC makes great sense, as you will put it on and practice with it. Mine is currently a Sig P320C with a sunken Sig Roneo 1 Pro and tall Sig Tritium sights co-witnessed. It has a Baldor Mini light/ Lazer on the Wilson Combat grip module with Tecgrip rubber granulate applique. It has a Sig straight-lightened trigger with Gray Guns intermediate spring package. I EDC is OWB on a neat minimal Custom Kydex holster and wear Magpul Tejas 2.0 polymer belts, of which I have two. I am proficient on CQB courses of moving fire out to 25 yards with this combo and it weighs 2 pounds loaded all up . I use Winchester Ranger 147 grain ammo for defensive you and train with 147 reloads I make with similar ballistics. I have used the Ranger 147 for a couple of decades now, I believe, and they worked very well when I had to slaughter livestock .
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Yeah....I just take one exactly like that.....thanks
 
Show Me said:
You are 100 % correct. Just fishing for something to talk about as subjects are badly needed.
If you have better subject idea I'd be glad to join in. Need some good reading around here.
I thought it was better than the "if you could only have one" topics. Or the not sizing properly so why won't this fit my chamber.
What do YOU think.
Click to expand...
As long as we're "just talking" here....how about this:
What about broadening the category of nightstand gun to include wilderness sidearm? Or vice-versa?
( I am looking for an excuse to dip my toe into the 10mm pool.)
A double duty 10mm glock 20 or SA XD with high cap magazine, light, and maybe a rmr......miiiiiight be a good bedside gun.
 
Armored farmer said:
As long as we're "just talking" here....how about this:
What about broadening the category of nightstand gun to include wilderness sidearm? Or vice-versa?
( I am looking for an excuse to dip my toe into the 10mm pool.)
A double duty 10mm glock 20 or SA XD with high cap magazine, light, and maybe a rmr......miiiiiight be a good bedside gun.
Click to expand...
I have Glock 20 & XDM compact 10mm
I don't think you can go wrong with either. The XDM 4.5 would be a nice option 👍
 
Armored farmer said:
As long as we're "just talking" here....how about this:
What about broadening the category of nightstand gun to include wilderness sidearm? Or vice-versa?
( I am looking for an excuse to dip my toe into the 10mm pool.)
A double duty 10mm glock 20 or SA XD with high cap magazine, light, and maybe a rmr......miiiiiight be a good bedside gun.
Click to expand...
Oh heck yes. Glock is the 350ci Chevy of the handgun world. Rough and tough and there when needed.
10 mm is as interesting as .357. Load hot or medium. I'd like to try one out. If you trade a rifle for a hand gun is that downsizing?
 
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