Freeloader Reloader
New member
I keep three of my four handguns in my house. My two main target guns (Ruger GP100 and 9mm Browning HiPower) are locked in a gun safe, unloaded. I do keep two loaded magazines in the soft case with the HiPower though). My EDC (Ruger LC9s) is always on my side...where it's supposed to be. When I retire for the night, I place it on top of my computer cabinet, out of reach and completely out of sight. I have no children in the house at night and there is no way that they would know it's there or be able to reach it if there were. I keep this gun in the same condition I carry it...loaded magazine, round in the chamber, thumb safety engaged. I sleep in the same room that my guns are located...and I am a light sleeper. All of this background leads up to my simple question:
Does it do any harm to a semi-auto handgun to keep it in a ready condition such as I described for an extended period of time? I'm not talking about the safety aspect, though it's always a concern, but strictly from the standpoint of potential damage or unnecessary wear on the gun itself. Sort of like the "Loaded mag or empty mag" question that always floats around.
Also, my doors are not the strongest in the land and I live in a rural area. That being said, I worry about home invasions especially when I read about them in the paper. Then add to that the terrorists that seem to be headline news more and more...and don't forget the Zombies either. Luckily, we don't have the laws that require legal citizens to have their guns locked in a separate location as the ammo. If the need ever did arise where my family was being threatened, it is ridiculous to think that you could go to the gun safe, unlock it, take out the gun and remove the lock from it, then run to another room, unlock your ammo, load your magazine and then....and only then...encounter the threat...if it is still in the vicinity.
Does it do any harm to a semi-auto handgun to keep it in a ready condition such as I described for an extended period of time? I'm not talking about the safety aspect, though it's always a concern, but strictly from the standpoint of potential damage or unnecessary wear on the gun itself. Sort of like the "Loaded mag or empty mag" question that always floats around.
Also, my doors are not the strongest in the land and I live in a rural area. That being said, I worry about home invasions especially when I read about them in the paper. Then add to that the terrorists that seem to be headline news more and more...and don't forget the Zombies either. Luckily, we don't have the laws that require legal citizens to have their guns locked in a separate location as the ammo. If the need ever did arise where my family was being threatened, it is ridiculous to think that you could go to the gun safe, unlock it, take out the gun and remove the lock from it, then run to another room, unlock your ammo, load your magazine and then....and only then...encounter the threat...if it is still in the vicinity.