Storage of handguns conversation

[71velle]

I started a thread on a holster that was on a special deal and a discussion was started about how pistols should be stored. The thread was originally posted in this forum and I did post in was moved. I understand why it was moved, my bad for not putting it in the correct forum in the first place.

Original thread Great deal on Glock holster

I believe as a community they are great conversations to have to help the responsible ownership of firearms. Also, we all need to be able to accept different systems people use may be best for them. When some one has a different system we all should think about it (open minded) and decide if there is an idea that that might improve our own. Yes, an old dog can learn new tricks, and young dogs can learn form old dogs.

For those who dont want to read the original threat, this was the post I was writing at the time the thread was moved.

At some point we need to accept the there is more than one way to have a firearm stored. IMO everyone in this thread has a good system!!

I do not use a lock box often, but when I do I do not use a trigger guard. The box is the trigger guard, but if some one wants to use both great!! My thinking is that when I take the pistol out of the box its no different than taking a pistol out of a holster. I accept that others may have a different system that they have thought through. Also, someone else might do things with their guns that I dont making my plan not good for them.

That said any loaded pistol in my safe is in a holster, and I never put a loaded gun in the safe that is not in a holster. IMO this is the safest way for me to use my system. I do this for a few reasons;

When I go into the safe I can not pick up a loaded pistol with an uncovered trigger, (of course I check and clear while pointed into the safe) Before any unloaded pistol goes into the safe it is checked and dry fired, that way when removed the next time I can visually see the trigger is back.

Loaded pistols are alway in a holster for a couple of reasons
Again, I wont be able to pick up a loaded pistol with an uncovered trigger.
I dont like to handle loaded pistol that have an uncovered trigger anymore than I have to. So when I carry I can take the loaded holstered pistol out of the safe and then attach the whole system to me with the trigger covered. When returning it to the safe same thing the holstered system comes off me with the trigger covered and into the safe.

I never ever store an unloaded pistol with a magazine in it.

I dont think my system is the best for everyone, but its best for me. I believe that one should have a philosophy in the way they handle their firearms and be consistent with it. Of course the basic rules should always be followed!!

 

[fnfalguy]

Mine is mostly stored like this.

 

[libertysnake]

I started a thread on a holster that was on a special deal and a discussion was started about how pistols should be stored. The thread was originally posted in this forum and I did post in was moved. I understand why it was moved, my bad for not putting it in the correct forum in the first place.

Original thread Great deal on Glock holster

I believe as a community they are great conversations to have to help the responsible ownership of firearms. Also, we all need to be able to accept different systems people use may be best for them. When some one has a different system we all should think about it (open minded) and decide if there is an idea that that might improve our own. Yes, an old dog can learn new tricks, and young dogs can learn form old dogs.

For those who dont want to read the original threat, this was the post I was writing at the time the thread was moved.

At some point we need to accept the there is more than one way to have a firearm stored. IMO everyone in this thread has a good system!!

I do not use a lock box often, but when I do I do not use a trigger guard. The box is the trigger guard, but if some one wants to use both great!! My thinking is that when I take the pistol out of the box its no different than taking a pistol out of a holster. I accept that others may have a different system that they have thought through. Also, someone else might do things with their guns that I dont making my plan not good for them.

That said any loaded pistol in my safe is in a holster, and I never put a loaded gun in the safe that is not in a holster. IMO this is the safest way for me to use my system. I do this for a few reasons;

When I go into the safe I can not pick up a loaded pistol with an uncovered trigger, (of course I check and clear while pointed into the safe) Before any unloaded pistol goes into the safe it is checked and dry fired, that way when removed the next time I can visually see the trigger is back.

Loaded pistols are alway in a holster for a couple of reasons
Again, I wont be able to pick up a loaded pistol with an uncovered trigger.
I dont like to handle loaded pistol that have an uncovered trigger anymore than I have to. So when I carry I can take the loaded holstered pistol out of the safe and then attach the whole system to me with the trigger covered. When returning it to the safe same thing the holstered system comes off me with the trigger covered and into the safe.

I never ever store an unloaded pistol with a magazine in it.

I dont think my system is the best for everyone, but its best for me. I believe that one should have a philosophy in the way they handle their firearms and be consistent with it. Of course the basic rules should always be followed!!

Even though I intellectually know all my firearms in the safe are stored with empty chambers and magazines, I still, out of habit, always double check. It's the first step of taking hold of any firearm. Clear it / know the state of it. Finger is always off the trigger unless you absolutely know what you're doing / have cleared and checked the firearm and are function testing or something.

The only thing loaded is in the vault tek, and I expect it to absolutely be loaded. It's meant to be quick access.

 

[Saltwater60]

I have no problem storing my pistols in my safe loaded in or out of a holster. The ones that don’t have some sort of safety o do store in a holster.
I have two 1911 style guns loaded and ready to go in my large safe. One in a holster one not. I have two guns loaded and ready to go in my bedroom safe. My ruger LCLII is in a holster but my Springfield is not. It has a grip safety. I’m comfortable with it. I keep my fingers off the trigger unless ready to fire.
I agree to each their own.
My long guns are not loaded with a round in the chamber but when the protests of the BLM scum was getting close they had full mags just nothing in the chamber.
I argue loading and unloading them could be more of a risk in my opinion. Thoughts on this?

 

[Cleck]

Gun in the bedroom is in a safe, loaded.

Pistols in the other safe near where I am are loaded always. That way I can just open and grab one if I ever need to. Bolt gun not loaded, AR not loaded, but there's a loaded loader nearby, ready to go.

I use safes because I think they're safer and make the guns harder to take. I also have kids in the house, but they've grown up w/ me having guns. They have no interest. I'd like a loaded rifle hidden in the bedroom, but I don't know how the wife would feel about that. She probably cares more about aesthetics more than anything. So maybe I just need to get a nice wall piece or something

 

[71velle]

I argue loading and unloading them could be more of a risk in my opinion. Thoughts on this?

That is a point I brought up.

My thinking comes from some unscientific research I had done when first getting into pistols. I found that many accidents occurred when loading and holstering. So, I figured the less I do those activities the less chance of a mistake.

Other advantages I have found form this system is with pistols I like a plus 1 loading. I only have 1 mag for a pistol I use, its a little cumbersome to drop the mag, put the pistol down to top off the mag. Some say that if a round is chambered many times that the bullet can be pushed back into the case some, I have not measured to see if true.

Lastly, when I am trying to get out of the house I could be in a hurry with other things on my mind, so the pistol in the holster ready to go is less to think about. I could see being lazy on the way back in and not unloading.

For me consistency to the system is key, so reducing steps helps me stay consistent.

I dont believe my system is magic, but at this point its best for me. I will continue to listen to what others do and evaluate all new ideas.

 

[fresch]

Mine are all loaded all the time, just check for yourself.
We were raised that all guns are loaded at all times, proper gun handling, we could look at the guns anytime only they then had to be cleaned inside and out; I didn't pull them from the open racks when my buddies wanted to look at them. (They were not loaded, yet ammo was under them in ammo cans)

 

[Saltwater60]

That is a point I brought up.

My thinking comes from some unscientific research I had done when first getting into pistols. I found that many accidents occurred when loading and holstering. So, I figured the less I do those activities the less chance of a mistake.

Other advantages I have found form this system is with pistols I like a plus 1 loading. I only have 1 mag for a pistol I use, its a little cumbersome to drop the mag, put the pistol down to top off the mag. Some say that if a round is chambered many times that the bullet can be pushed back into the case some, I have not measured to see if true.

Lastly, when I am trying to get out of the house I could be in a hurry with other things on my mind, so the pistol in the holster ready to go is less to think about. I could see being lazy on the way back in and not unloading.

For me consistency to the system is key, so reducing steps helps me stay consistent.

I dont believe my system is magic, but at this point its best for me. I will continue to listen to what others do and evaluate all new ideas.

Whatever works safely for you is great. I just figure the less I manipulate things the better. People make mistakes. I keep mine loaded because I don’t want to forget to chamber a round when I need it or maybe that round won’t actually chamber that one time. I agree I +1 my gun as well as an additional check to make sure the round in the mag chambered. I also also do a press check even though I have a loaded chamber indicator and a striker indicator. I check that as well. Better double check than screw up.

I wouldn’t change what you’ve been doing if it works for you unless you see a major flaw or safety hazard.

 

[Cooolone]

My pistols, my knives, bats, tasers, sword, baton, chucks, sai's, Bo staffs, escrima sticks, bats, knuckles, black Jack's, chemical agents, kitchen knives, umbrellas, liquor bottles, etc... Are all out in the open. Some strategically placed and done so to get me to the next/better weapon. All my magazines are loaded and ready, all pistols condition 1, locked/cocked... Some holstered while laying there, some not. I know where they are, and I know how to grab them if needed.

Everyone else knows not to touch my shit unless necessary! I won't sacrifice a moment of hesitation, when and if, the need for "life preservation" may require it. This is not irresponsible, it's actually called preparedness! Irresponsible action would be allowing anything that these implements were intended to mitigate, to succeed... Either by delay, inaccessibility, inoperability or being behind a lock. And as for the "why so many" question? Well, I'm also a student of "expect" nothing, but "prepare" for anything. I don't hypothesize about what may or may not happen, or even predispose how I would react. I only provide to possibility to react as necessary when, or heaven forbid, if required.

Reminds me, I gotta check those batteries in my 625kV taser keep them fresh you never know!

Good Luck!

 

[71velle]

I just figure the less I manipulate things the better.

My thoughts exactly. I may carry a pistol 30 times without loading, unloading or holstering.

Periodically I will take a carry pistol to the range and take it out of the holster and shoot it till empty. That way I know if the pistol would work in the conditions I expose it to.

 

[zorro]

Gun in the bedroom is in a safe, loaded.

Pistols in the other safe near where I am are loaded always. That way I can just open and grab one if I ever need to. Bolt gun not loaded, AR not loaded, but there's a loaded loader nearby, ready to go.

I use safes because I think they're safer and make the guns harder to take. I also have kids in the house, but they've grown up w/ me having guns. They have no interest. I'd like a loaded rifle hidden in the bedroom, but I don't know how the wife would feel about that. She probably cares more about aesthetics more than anything. So maybe I just need to get a nice wall piece or something

here you go

 

[spat]

Carry guns are stored in the safe mag loaded chamber empty. It's the most fault tolerant way. Everybody makes mistakes, make sure your system doesn't require perfection.

If you need one in a hurry, you rack the slide when you get it. If you screwed up and left one in the pipe, you end up with one on the ground, not a big deal.

Just getting it out for maintainence, well rule #1 says it's loaded, so you immediately unload it. If it was stored properly you find out that was unnecessary. Also no big deal.

If you store them with one in the pipe, Murphy says the one time you need it it won't be loaded. Better to assume you need to load it when you retrieve it.

So, basically rule #1 with a little expansion. Always assume guns are loaded when you want them unloaded and assume they are unloaded when you want them loaded.

I should add, that's just for stuff that might be used for self defense.

My Arisaka for instance is stored unloaded, and the ammo is in a can in the other room. If I'm every in a situation where I need *that* rifle in a hurry things are very very bad.

 

[libertysnake]

Just getting it out for maintainence, well rule #1 says it's loaded, so you immediately unload it.

Absolutely agree. Even if you put down your pistol while working on it, to take a piss, and return -- check again. The moment your hands leave the weapon, when they return, assume it's loaded.

 

[Saltwater60]

My thoughts exactly. I may carry a pistol 30 times without loading, unloading or holstering.

Periodically I will take a carry pistol to the range and take it out of the holster and shoot it till empty. That way I know if the pistol would work in the conditions I expose it to.

I do about once per month take my guns and mags apart to clean and oil them.