Suggestion on Nightstand Holster/Bugout Configuration

[jayhway]

I am currently looking for a holster/bugout configuration for my nightstand handgun (Glock 19). Currently, my Glock and spare mag is sitting in my nightstand without a holster. I usually sleep in shorts and a t-shirt and was thinking the other day that I would have no secure way of carry the gun and mag if I ever had to bugout. Therefore, I think I need some sort of configuration.

Currently I've narrowed it down to following:

1) Chest holster

a) Survival Sheath's Chest Raider: http://www.survivalsheath.com/holsters/index.htm

b) Sportmens Guide Holster: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=213574


There are also similar chest holsters made by Wilderness Tactical, Blackhawk and Alaskan Sportsmen

2) Shoulder Holster: Since I wont be carrying the gun in this configuration very often, retention isn't as much of an issue. I was thinking about something like this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=333633


3) I know this is super Tacticool, but my mall ninja side has me looking at a "tactical entry vest" similar to this:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/VEST160-713-1572.html

Right now I'm leaning towards a chest holster as I feel it would be easy to store near my bed and can be used if I ever go out hiking. I really like the Survival Sheath's holster as it can carry a flashlight or OC, spare cell phone etc. The Sportsmen guide holster looks a little flimsy but is half the price of the Survival sheath.

I've never worn a shoulder holster, but I think it might be difficult to put on in a rush. Lastly, the "tactical vest" looks cool, but I'm not sure how logical a solution it is. While the vest can hold a lot of dohickey's it may be more than I need. I also don't know where I'd keep it.

Sorry for the long post, but I'd appreciate people's comments on my choices.

 

[symr00]

If you're gonna "bugout", I would think you'd have time to put a pair of pants on and if that's the case then slipping a clip on holster iside the waistband should do the trick.

 

[torpid]

An open fanny pack would work just fine for the situation you are describing, and if outside the house would look far less like, "HEY EVERYBODY, LOOK AT MY TACTICAL CHEST HOLSTER!"

Yes, yes... I know it's a fanny pack.

 

[Geronimo45]

Get one of the military shoulder holsters. They're cheap, and can hold a variety of full-sized guns. All you do is slip one strap over left shoulder, and wrap long strap around torso and up to metal ring in front. Very easy.

 

[sm]

I have "bugged out" in real life.

10th floor of a hotel and the fire alarm goes off shortly before 4am. Now I was out of town on business. The 12 ga pump in garmet bag, kicked under bed. I grabbed the clothes I wore that day, no socks, snagged a AA Mini-Maglight, my 1911 in its holster, and took my handkerchief I carry daily and plopped it into the ice bucket, to get it wet as I headed out the door.

Using stairs, assisting others, especially elderly and kids, we made it down safe.
Smoke did not come into play for us on the exit we took.

--

Flooded out of apartment, grabbed clothes, literally threw some stuff onto beds, counter tops, tables, CCW in my waistband and hauled butt out.

--

Armed Robbery, I hauled butt out the back unseen and called police from safe location 3 doors down.

--

Break in in a business while I was in it working into wee hours. I used a unknown landline, called police with problem, password to ID me, and I hide real frigging good with a pump shotgun , my CCW, and a hidden revolver on premise when I have to.

--

I am not opposed to running to a Fire Station or Police station and laying on the horn either when been stalked, and vehicles are trying to make me stop.
I "bug out" when more folks arrive, and get inside real good.
"Umm officer <lift my jacket> is this going to be a problem, if I run inside your substation?"
"You must be the good guy here, let me take it" and you go with the big guy with over there".
"Thank you sir"

Officers will take care of matters, give your gun back, and give escort to make sure you get to main road, and call ahead to other officers to make sure you are okay for bit...like the state line, 150 miles later.

--

Just me, but so far I have "bugged out" okay.

 

[Devonai]

My solution is a Bianchi M12 military flap holster. It fits every handgun I own and it can very quickly be clipped to a belt. It is certainly not a concealment holster but it works well on the small bookshelf I use as a night stand. I use it because I don't like the idea of leaving a pistol just lying there or getting dusty.

I used to sleep in a wood frame bed, which is now delegated to my guest room. For that arrangement, I hammered in a couple of nails and used the arrangement shown. For those not familiar with the M12, that's the normal belt clip that it's hanging from.

 

[jayhway]

Yes, yes... I know it's a fanny pack.

I actually thought about a fanny pack, but the stigma of them may have dissuaded me from considering them as a choice.

I actually have a couple of holsters for my Glock (IWB and Paddle) but am looking at a chest holster system because it would allow me to carry my sidearm and spare mag in one package.

 

[hexidismal]

Maybe you and I think differently, jayhway, or at least veiw a "bugout" situation very differently. Your chest rig idea.. it doesn't really seem the way to go.. to me anyway. Firstly, I veiw such a situation, as one in which I will need to prepare myself ( and possibly loved ones ) securely, and quickly. Now tell me, can you even imagine trying to get one of those chest rigs properly fastened and adjusted in an emergency ? Even if it stays fastened and you only have to slip it on.. you're still talking about, jumping out of bed and having to figure out which holes you're arms and head should be in. Also , theres a snag factor with anything with straps. Ok, Secondly.. in this situation, concealment IS an issue. The last thing you want to do in an emergency situation is to make things worse by attracting undue attention to your weapon, whether it be from loved ones, anyone you may be approaching for help, or worst of all by the authorities who's attention would be much better reserved for the situation at hand.
Now, it would seem all of the options you had listed, and not just the entry vest, might be just a little bit part of your self proclaimed "mall ninja" side. Please understand I don't say this to insult you, I've got some of that in me too, but I would hate to see you or your loved ones put in any smaller degree of safety simple for "cool factor", or the lack thereof.
So, unless you plan on sleeping in a chest or shoulder rig, clearly the optimal solution for a "bugout" situation would be a simple waistband clip-on holster which your gun already stays holstered in on your nightstand. Now, you mentioned your concern to have an extra mag availible, and confined to the same package as your sidearm. You certainly don't need any fancy rig for that. There are plenty of clip on holsters, which have an extra pouch, or pouches for mags and/or flashlights. For example...
I'm going to put a few pictures here of what is actually both my daily carry holster, and my nightstand "bugout" rig ( All I do is take it off, and put it down when I come in ). Not only is it effective, but it was quite inexpensive. Its a DeSantis N91 "Tuck This" model IWB holster. It comes with two clips, which I'll show in the pictures. One is a straight belt hanger for either small of the back carry, or for cross draw ( which is how I have it now ). The other Is an L shaped hanger to be used for strong side IWB carry. Both come off and are easily adjustable with the hex key. Also worth mentioning is that the clips are in "tuckable" configuration, meaning that they are made with the J hooks so that a shirt can be tucked in over the gun. The rig cost me just under $30. Shown holstered is my Ruger P345 D, with some Butler Creek slip on grips on it.

So anyway .. don't get something crazy, just stay simple and secure. Good Luck.

 

[Exmasonite]

i think "bug out" is different than "*** is going on in the middle of the night". Based on what woke me up, will determine if i'm bugging out vs in.

Now, i wake up and reach out to grab my XD .40 service w/ tac light (extra mag right next to in safe w/ car keys, safe is open at night, locked when i'm not home. car keys remind me to lock safe)

Now... my immediate bug out bag stuff would be a hunting vest hanging 4 ft away from my bed in my closet. There's a set of gloves, mini mag light, bandanna, extra mag of my .40 and 9mm (primary carry), 1 30 rd mag for my AR-15, cheap belt holster for XD in pocket, folding knife.

I also have a maxpedition jumbo versipack (over shoulder sling bag, highly recommended) that is usually on the chair by my bed or in the vehicle with me or on my person. In it is a full 32 oz nalgene, fixed blade knife, 50' paracord, extra mag for .40 and 9mm again, poncho, lighter/matches, pad/pen, toothbrush + paste, internal holster for pistol, 2 30 rd AR15 mags, 50 rd of .22LR, small first aid kit, extra cellphone battery, compass, map of michigan, deck of cards, LED Dorcy flashlight plus 1AAA mini mag lite.

So... i wake up, first thing is to grab the XD bedside and figure out what's up. ideally, i'd love to wake up, get the skinny and determine if i need pants, vest, bag. there's also a much larger internal framed pack (next to the AR and .22) w/ a store of food in water in that closet.

If i wake up a huge "BOOM" and smell smoke, i'd probably spring up, grab the XD and the sling bag and get the hell out of dodge. not sure if i'd go for the vest or not. probably come back for the long guns/packs if possible once assessment of situation is done.

 

[Exmasonite]

the maxpedition bags come in a variety of configurations...
http://www.maxpedition.com/product/catalog_versipack.htm
Jumbo is the best for a fullsized handgun, IMO.

i like that bag b/c it's easy to conceal the gun and not to raise alarm if you go running into public, etc.

your vest idea is probably ok. honestly, i wouldn't worry TOO much aobut a holster to put on, etc. If you're bugging in such a way that you don't have time to put pants on, your gun will probably be in your hand and for good reason.

 

[Magnum Wheel Man]

maybe too simple, but a "ready bag" ( small duffle bag ), under the edge of the bed, with several items already & always in it, & slip your CCW,cell phone, wallet & key's into it & out the door you go ???

 

[Exmasonite]

magnum-

actually, that sounds just about perfect. i just decided to go into every little detail... ha.

 

[slicknickns]

I've got a fishing vest, that works perfectly. All I'd add is a good solid handgun holster for the hip on a belt, plus a GLOCK 17 or GLOCK 21. Four more years. For a nightstand thing a GLOCK with an empty chamber and full mag.

 

[RedAlert]

bedside mount

for a secure ready access holster and mount to use bedside I found the following Forbus system to work quite well:

http://www.productwizard.com/fobusholster-universal-mount.html
Buy Fobus Holster: Universal Mount for Vehicles & Home

I just mounted the bottom securing point to the wall next to my bed. Ready at hand, yet out of sight between the nightstand and the bed.

RDF