Automatic Loaded

What is the best way to keep a semi-automatic pistol ready?

I want to keep a Colt Defender 45 ready (for home protection)for long periods of time under my bed. I prefer to have it as "ready" as possible, but my decisions are loaded, but not chambered and loaded, chambered and cocked w/ thumb safety on. Does this also apply to carrying?

I agree with you! I want my gun ready if I ever need it. But let me share an experience I had once on duty with you. My partner and I received fight call one night about 9:30 pm . Dispatch advised that the caller advised there were approximately twenty subjects involved, all drunk! As I arrived on the scene there were three different fights going on in a ten foot radius, beer bottles being used and several subjects trying to stop the fight. As I reached the trunk of my patrol car my partner pulls in and tells me to Waite for him. We both get our Remington 870's from the trunk. I hear someone from the crowed say "Oh hell, they got shoot guns". The six who were fighting never stopped fighting until we walked toward them yelling "Get on the ground now" and simultaneously chambered double al buck shot in the Remington's. If you haven't heard this sound before, you need to. Not only did the six fighting hit the ground, everybody there hit the ground. The reason I wanted to share this story with you is to kinda give you the ideal of what a mental picture it gives the subject when hearing a round chambered before them. It shows your intent. Now, sometimes you want have that option. Better to be unlocked and loaded, as us officers say. Being that you are speaking of a home situation it's probably better to keep it unchambered. This also serves as a safty! Sorry about the long story but I believe you get the whole ideal now.