I generally switch out home-defense weapons every few months (partly to save on magazine spring wear, sometimes for novelty).
I always keep the magazine loaded, but never a round in the chamber for my home defense weapon, for a variety of reasons (prevent accidental/negligent discharge, cooking off in a fire), plus it doesn't take much to bring a weapon into action as long as the magazine is loaded.
I have an M1 Super 90. My question is, what is the best condition to keep it in for home defense? Currently, I have it set up where all I have to do is pull back on the bolt-handle ("charging handle", I am use to M-16s from military training), and then turn off the safety. Is this a good set-up?
My only concerns are that in the middle of the night, I might forget to turn off the safety. (Previously I had a Sig220 set up for home-defense, but I like shotguns much better. I have a double barrel which I don't want to use for a) limited ammo capacity, and b) in order for the weapon to be ready quickly, ammo has to be kept chambered. I have a Benelli Nova, but the 26" barrel is quite unwieldy in the confines of the house).
Also, does anyone have any experience with lights or rails on the M1? I am looking at the Brugger and Thomet rails to mount a TLR-2 on, or buying the Surefire grip/light, as well as adding tritium sights.