[shadecorp]

Yes,
with me it would be my 1911A1.

Originally Posted by gr8oldguy

It should be the gun you are most comfortable with and can handle in the dark.

[shorterj88]

I agreed with splitting the difference. In the end, shot placement > caliber as you probably should not just start shooting at noises in the dark- as tempting as that sounds

[Doc3402]

Originally Posted by alcoulter

Which do think is better to have next to you at night for home protection. A low capacity .45 auto (Springfield XDS 5+1) or a high capacity .9mm (Taurus 24/7 Pro 17+1)? Your thoughts are appreciated.

I favor my Sig 1911 for a couple reasons. The first is that it's the only defense capable handgun I own with night sights. The second reason is the sub-sonic rounds in an enclosed area. I know this doesn't fully address you low capacity question, and I apologize for that.

[hardluk1]

alcoulter Pick a handgun and caliber others in the familt can control well too. Grip can't be to large or trigger to heavy. Skills also plays into this. Girlfriend/wife or child needs to be able to use it well. Something like s&w sd9ve is afordable and easy for most hands to use well and cost is low. A 20ga mossberg super bantam with it anjustable stock lenght and light recoil and smaller size is easy to shoot by most any one in a house and less likely to damage a niebors home. The 9mm as most likely to blow through all your walls. 20ga with #3buck is a solid defence load. Cost of both a sd9 or 40ve is 300 dollars and a 20ga mossy bantam or super bantam is $269 at acadamey sports prices. About the cost of 1 glock or m&p 9 or 40. .

[dragunovsks]

I use the same gun i carry daily, my RIA .45. I can hit targets with my .45 so it doesnt bother me it only holds 8 rounds, my shooting tactics arent "spray and pray"

I have excellent night vision, i can see better in the dark than most people.

[AR10]

Originally Posted by dragunovsks

I use the same gun i carry daily, my RIA .45. I can hit targets with my .45 so it doesnt bother me it only holds 8 rounds, my shooting tactics arent "spray and pray"

I have excellent night vision, i can see better in the dark than most people.

My favorite t-shirt reads, You mess with me, you mess with the whole trailer court!

While funny, it does suggest confrontations are multiple in nature, which is often the case. One guy might break into your house armed with only a screwdriver as a pry bar, or it could be a car load of gang members with guns and knives, all druged up and pissed.

Good fortunes to you and your 8 rounds when MS-13 breaks into your house and you have that single stack mag.

I went with a Glock 20 with 1st gen non drop free mags, that hold 16, with plus 2 extensions. My holster holds an extra mag, plus I have three mags near by. I keep one in the pipe and one emergency round in the grip hole. That adds up to 38 rounds of 10mm on me, and 54 more rounds close by and ready. 5 ARs are in the safe, loaded and ready along with Joe Biden's shotguns.

[chloeshooter]

Originally Posted by dragunovsks

I use the same gun i carry daily, my RIA .45. I can hit targets with my .45 so it doesnt bother me it only holds 8 rounds, my shooting tactics arent "spray and pray"

I have excellent night vision, i can see better in the dark than most people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4roxM8hUMk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4roxM8hUMk

I grew up watching this cartoon. Late 60s/early 70s. Your super-human powers brought this to mind. All in good fun.

[JimRau]

Originally Posted by alcoulter

Which do think is better to have next to you at night for home protection. A low capacity .45 auto (Springfield XDS 5+1) or a high capacity .9mm (Taurus 24/7 Pro 17+1)? Your thoughts are appreciated.

No gun should be on the or in the night stand!!!!
You would not believe how many 'victims' I have talked to who have been awakened to find the 'criminal' in their bed room very near them!
1. Do you want the PPD visible to them on the night stand or anywhere else they would have immediate access to it while you are asleep???????
2. If it is a drawer in the night stand or dresser you can not get to it with out alerting the 'criminal' of your actions!
The PPD should be concealed on the side of bed between the bedding or any where you can reach it without alerting the 'criminal' of your actions.

[axxe55]

Originally Posted by JimRau

No gun should be on the or in the night stand!!!!
You would not believe how many 'victims' I have talked to who have been awakened to find the 'criminal' in their bed room very near them!
1. Do you want the PPD visible to them on the night stand or anywhere else they would have immediate access to it while you are asleep???????
2. If it is a drawer in the night stand or dresser you can not get to it with out alerting the 'criminal' of your actions!
The PPD should be concealed on the side of bed between the bedding or any where you can reach it without alerting the 'criminal' of your actions.

Jim, this is good advice and might apply to some. my situation is very different. there isn't anyway a BG couldbe in our home undetected. virtually impossible with our dogs. and that's if by some lucky reason they got past those outside the house. but my pistol stays in a holster i made that fits on the side of the bed. so mine is never more than an arms reach away at anytime.

[indy36]

"If I can't get to the Mossberg 500 mounted in my closet, I keep a S&W 686 in the nightstand."

^^^what he said^^^

The shotgun is decent for bumps in the night. The wheel gun is good for daylight door knocks and trips to the mailbox. Plus my wife can use the revolver. I also keep a small super bright LED flashlight with castleated front and instant on/off button on the rear right next to the gun.