Doorbell rang after 1am in the morning... - Page 2

Longdayjake · September 3, 2009, 07:17 PM

If your town is small just call the fuzz. They have nothing better to do at 1 am and would love to go look around for some thieves. Unless I can hear someone in my house I don't open the door for anyone at 1 am. If they are breaking in then the door will open but at 1am it only opens from the inside out and it comes with some buckshot.

2cooltoolz · September 3, 2009, 07:23 PM

Mostly I think the OP did good. You turned on the outside lights and didn't go out. Don't call 911 right away, but have the phone in hand (or her hand).
I keep a SIG P226 and a flashlight in my bedside lockbox, as well as a J frame .38 for my wife. I don't really like mounted lights, but I have bright flashlights stashed all around the house.
I have a little, nervous dog to sound the alarm, and a big dog to back it up.

orionengnr · September 3, 2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

...after 1am in the morning

Is there any other kind of 1 am?

Okay, re: the GunVault...are you saying your 3-year old can get into it? If not, why is a round not already chambered? Don't you think the GunVault slows you down enough to begin with? You feel the need to handicap yourself further by having a locked pistol in Condition Three? Really?

Hmmm, maybe you want to add a trigger lock and slow yourself down a bit more, what say? How about having your wife handcuff you before bed (no, not for that

)

When the BG comes through your window, how many layers of self-imposed "safety" do you want to struggle through?

Guess you could always move to DC or Chicago and only own a weapon that is disassembled and locked up...or you could live in Britain and have to leave your firearm locked up at the Gun Club.

I guess I just don't understand your logic.

Yeah, I'm being kind of rough on you, but you really need to think about this a bit more. Please do so....soon.

Pbearperry · September 3, 2009, 08:18 PM

I would arm myself and go to the door and yell out loud"What do you want."
If nobody answered me I would be vigilant for 5-10 minutes and go back to bed.Why dial 911 just because the door bell rang? It may just be someone needing help or maybe the Cops themselves.

ZeSpectre · September 3, 2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Not every ring of the bell is a BG. Huge amount of paranoia here lately...

Well, only a quick study of "game theory" would show that
Armed+Badguy= probably best you were armed and prepared.
Armed+Neighbor in need = No harm, no foul
Unarmed+Neighbor in need = no harm, no foul
Unarmed+Badguy= serious trouble.

out of all those possibilities the only one that leads to trouble has "unarmed" involved.

Glockar-15 · September 3, 2009, 08:24 PM

orionengr, I see your point. I have thought long and hard about that decision. The honest truth is that shortly after getting my gunvault and glock, I got home from work one night and noticed that I left the door open on the safe. My heart sank and I got sick to my stomach. I totally did not remember leaving it open and I have never in my life done that with my rifle safe. The only solace I had was to know that the chamber was empty and that it would be close to impossible for a 2 year old to rack it. My fault I know... I still can't believe I did it. I am so thankful nothing happened and I will never let that happen again.

I compare that feeling I got to the half a second it will take me to rack it if necessary, and I'm confident in my decision. If I wake up with a BG on top of me, there's no way I'm going to be able to open the safe anyway. Spyderco is on my nightstand though...Powerlifting and martial arts helps too.

orionengnr · September 3, 2009, 08:28 PM

Fair enough.

I don't know where you live. Is having a CHL an option?

For me, any loaded pistol that is not in the safe is never more than arm's reach away (when I'm asleep). If I'm awake, it's on my person, so a lot of variables are eliminated.

Also, don't count on "half a second to rack" unless you are exceptionally well-trained and all goes in your favor. Files are rife with examples of people who forgot to disengage the safety while the adrenaline was flowing.

In the end, it's your call. As long as you are really thinking through the possibilities (especially the less attractive ones) and are comfortable with your conclusions, you will rest easy (and you will probably be fine). It is not my place to say you are wrong, only to give you something to think about...

wally626 · September 3, 2009, 09:10 PM

I do not keep a round chambered in my safe for one reason, I figure the most likely time I am going to grab the gun and grab the trigger is pulling it from the safe, by the time I get to the safe, open it and get the gun and spare magazine out, another second to rack the slide is not going to make a difference. When holstered, I would have a round in the chamber.

Rodentman · September 3, 2009, 09:30 PM

Last time that happened to me I was just getting ready to hit the sack. My wife was out of town. Doorbell rings, I stick the J frame in an IWB and answer the door. It was the police, so I am glad I didn't call them.

They were looking for my son, which is a long story. He now has his DL changed to his correct address.

Someone was trying to jam him up and the address on file for him was ours, not his.

Officer was not concerned at all about my being armed, which was good.

Glockar-15 · September 3, 2009, 09:35 PM

Btw, when carrying a handgun I DO keep one in the pipe. Just not in the safe. If I didn't have kids I certainly would though. I appreciate everyone's opinions...thank you guys.

dondavis3 · September 3, 2009, 09:41 PM

I wouldn't call the police just because someone rang my doorbell after 1 am, but I'd go to the door armed and with it showing.

Anyone coming to my door after midnight can expect to see me checking the door with a loaded (in the pipe) gun.

My wife would do the same thing, but would not open the door, but would speak thru the door.

Luckily we have some glass in the door, large enought to see thru, but not large enough to get thru ... if you know what I mean.

markj · September 4, 2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Armed+Badguy= probably best you were armed and prepared.
Armed+Neighbor in need = No harm, no foul
Unarmed+Neighbor in need = no harm, no foul
Unarmed+Badguy= serious trouble.

I didnt know BGs knocked.. Regardless I do not answer the door with a handgun in my hand. I have a kid or two and at times wierdly enough, their friends may drop over at odd times. Now that isnt to say a weapon isnt close to me, I just dont have it in my hand ready to shoot until I know it is needed.

Geez dont anyone have perimeter defenses and bouncing betties ready to deploy?

Skans · September 4, 2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Okay, re: the GunVault...are you saying your 3-year old can get into it? If not, why is a round not already chambered? Don't you think the GunVault slows you down enough to begin with? You feel the need to handicap yourself further by having a locked pistol in Condition Three? Really?

I keep my gun in one of those minivaults, and I don't keep a round chambered. Why? Because it's a Glock - if it was a DA/SA I'd keep a round chambered. I shoot it quite a bit, put it in my car, pull it out of my car, put it back, bang it, drop it...- lots of handling. It's just safer for me to never keep a round in the chamber - too easy to NDS.

In fact, this is the reason why I want a different gun for Home Defense - I want a DA/SA that holds 20 rounds and is every bit as indestructabel and reliable as my Glock. If My Smith 659 held 20 rounds - I'd have the backstrap professionally shaped and go back to that.

September 3, 2009, 07:23 PM	#27
2cooltoolz Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2007 Location: Lake Conroe, Texas Posts: 1,059	Mostly I think the OP did good. You turned on the outside lights and didn't go out. Don't call 911 right away, but have the phone in hand (or her hand). I keep a SIG P226 *and* a flashlight in my bedside lockbox, as well as a J frame .38 for my wife. I don't really like mounted lights, but I have bright flashlights stashed all around the house. I have a little, nervous dog to sound the alarm, and a big dog to back it up. __________________ What me worry

September 3, 2009, 08:28 PM	#32
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,173	Fair enough. I don't know where you live. Is having a CHL an option? For me, any loaded pistol that is not in the safe is never more than arm's reach away (when I'm asleep). If I'm awake, it's on my person, so a lot of variables are eliminated. Also, don't count on "half a second to rack" unless you are exceptionally well-trained and all goes in your favor. Files are rife with examples of people who forgot to disengage the safety while the adrenaline was flowing. In the end, it's your call. As long as you are really thinking through the possibilities (especially the less attractive ones) and are comfortable with your conclusions, you will rest easy (and you will probably be fine). It is not my place to say you are wrong, only to give you something to think about... Last edited by orionengnr; September 3, 2009 at 08:35 PM.

September 3, 2009, 09:30 PM	#34
Rodentman Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 38	Late night doorbell... Last time that happened to me I was just getting ready to hit the sack. My wife was out of town. Doorbell rings, I stick the J frame in an IWB and answer the door. It was the police, so I am glad I didn't call them. They were looking for my son, which is a long story. He now has his DL changed to his correct address. Someone was trying to jam him up and the address on file for him was ours, not his. Officer was not concerned at all about my being armed, which was good. __________________ A Korth is a Korth, of Korth, of Korth.

September 3, 2009, 09:41 PM	#36
dondavis3 Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Location: Dallas / Fort Worth Area Posts: 678	I wouldn't call the police just because someone rang my doorbell after 1 am, but I'd go to the door armed and with it showing. Anyone coming to my door after midnight can expect to see me checking the door with a loaded (in the pipe) gun. My wife would do the same thing, but would not open the door, but would speak thru the door. Luckily we have some glass in the door, large enought to see thru, but not large enough to get thru ... if you know what I mean. __________________ Don Davis

September 3, 2009, 07:17 PM	#26
Longdayjake Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2009 Posts: 619	If your town is small just call the fuzz. They have nothing better to do at 1 am and would love to go look around for some thieves. Unless I can hear someone in my house I don't open the door for anyone at 1 am. If they are breaking in then the door will open but at 1am it only opens from the inside out and it comes with some buckshot.

September 3, 2009, 08:18 PM	#29
Pbearperry Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 283	I would arm myself and go to the door and yell out loud"What do you want." If nobody answered me I would be vigilant for 5-10 minutes and go back to bed.Why dial 911 just because the door bell rang? It may just be someone needing help or maybe the Cops themselves.

September 3, 2009, 08:24 PM	#31
Glockar-15 Member Join Date: May 7, 2009 Posts: 19	orionengr, I see your point. I have thought long and hard about that decision. The honest truth is that shortly after getting my gunvault and glock, I got home from work one night and noticed that I left the door open on the safe. My heart sank and I got sick to my stomach. I totally did not remember leaving it open and I have never in my life done that with my rifle safe. The only solace I had was to know that the chamber was empty and that it would be close to impossible for a 2 year old to rack it. My fault I know... I still can't believe I did it. I am so thankful nothing happened and I will never let that happen again. I compare that feeling I got to the half a second it will take me to rack it if necessary, and I'm confident in my decision. If I wake up with a BG on top of me, there's no way I'm going to be able to open the safe anyway. Spyderco is on my nightstand though...Powerlifting and martial arts helps too.

September 3, 2009, 09:10 PM	#33
wally626 Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2009 Posts: 642	I do not keep a round chambered in my safe for one reason, I figure the most likely time I am going to grab the gun and grab the trigger is pulling it from the safe, by the time I get to the safe, open it and get the gun and spare magazine out, another second to rack the slide is not going to make a difference. When holstered, I would have a round in the chamber.

September 3, 2009, 09:35 PM	#35
Glockar-15 Member Join Date: May 7, 2009 Posts: 19	Btw, when carrying a handgun I DO keep one in the pipe. Just not in the safe. If I didn't have kids I certainly would though. I appreciate everyone's opinions...thank you guys.