[Steve Smith]

I've noticed that many of you take a shotgun when you travel long distances.

1st question, why then and not when you are in town?

2nd, How do you carry it? Is it within reach or would it take 30 seconds to get to?

3rd, do you have a sidearm on at the same time, or within easier reach?



Reason I ask: I'm taking a road trip soon, across a Western desert. Seems like a shotty would be a good idea, but deploying it seems to be slow if you have it well hidden at the same time. I have a "crew cab" Tacoma and will be travelling with a partner. The truck has bucket seats and a console so no rom for a long gun under the front seats. Area under the rear bench seat and behind it is non-existant, with exception for the spot for the jack. IOW, the only place I could put the shotty in the cab would be in the rear floorboard. Alternatively, I could rig a holder on the inside of the hard tonneau cover, but I'd have to get out of the truck and lift the tonneau to get to it. It seems like a better loadout for me would be that each of us have good handguns with plenty of hight cap mags. Seems like bringing a shotgun with you insinuates that you are expecting more serious trouble, which I am not. It's not like I'm going to battle, I'm just taking a trip. Handguns and being alert ought to do it, I think.

Your thoughts? If you all would take a shotgun please help me figure out how.

[sm]

Well I had a good excuse-really:D
In a former life, before owing a p/u, It was "highly suggested" I keep a PG SG in my trunk. Persons doing what I did were prone to kidnapping and being tossed in trunk, so it was "hidden" but easily to access. I did carry sidearm (s) and being as I hate PG SG...I tossed another 1911 in the trunk.

Often in staying in at Motels, I carried into my room that spl pc of "luggage".

Steve Unlike you, when I later competed...I competed with SGs. So sidearms again were main defence, in the motel room...well...I had choices all right. :D

Got to hand it to you tho'...in your case, in a motel...your way ahead on distant targets...;)

I was reminded by Dr. Rob in another thread they do make and over the visor gun mount. Also Many competitors have something I'll do via PM...no offense just we do have lurkers that may no be friendly.

[Steve Smith]

Yeah, you know if I'm going somewhere and I expect a fight, I'll have a rifle in my hands. :evil:

[sm]

Yeah ,I'd heard that about you...:D
PM sent
Ha -your just jealous you can't slide a .223 "tube" into your .308 bbl...I cheated, I used a barrel set...didn't need to have to keep up with a derlin hammer. :p

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Funny you should mention it----heading out this weekend myself and have been contemplating if I should bring my 20ga Nova(mag ext)---currently loaded with 5 slugs and 3 buckshot loads---buckshot to be fired first-----not sure if I really need to bring it---but it is reassuring.

The 9mm goes everywhere----guess it boils down to traveling light or not.

[sm]

20 ga is *ahem* a "lighter" payload than 12 ga...now you see how my mind works...:p

[Steve Smith]

I shoot an M1A just as well...I don't need a .223. Not being arrogant. I'm just confidant of my skills with a rifle. I lack expertise with the other bullet slingin' gadgets though, and I'm goin to skool for that.

[sm]

Steve, you are anything but arrogant.
When one shoots a discipline as much as you, trains, practices and the like its called experience and confidence.
Just poking fun at each of us.
bullet slingin' gadgets

I like that! I really do. Thats says a lot. No matter what "gadget" one chooses, it needs to fit the shooter of course, be reliable everyime with its ammo. IT is the shooter whom must learn the tool, practice, and be trained in the use of said "gadget".

Excellent way of stating the facts Sir!

[Steve Smith]

I called DeeZee about the "Rifle-It" things. I'm not optomistic about it working with my truck and still having RAPID deployment of a pump shotgun from it. :confused:

I really like the idea, though (SG mouted above the windshield in a rack).

Anyone else have my solution?

How about the answer to my question regarding speed to the SG?

[sm]

Well having just played a "what if" stage in a vehicle with a police model 18" stocked, engaging targets...For me, it was not as quick as engaging with my sidearm. I'm talking situation right at the vehicle, darn near contact distance.
I was putting SG on seat, muzzle down, cruiser ready and had to exit to engage targets away from vehicle. Those better educated have better input. My thinking is one of you uses sidearm while the other went for the SG on back floorboard. Side of truck of threat determines whom goes for SG.

I was using my truck for this excersise...manipulating the SG safely was my concern.

[Poodleshooter]

1st question, why then and not when you are in town?
I carry my Glock, or a shotgun,not both. I only carry a shotgun when my pistol is illegal to carry (IOW, New York State)


2nd, How do you carry it? Is it within reach or would it take 30 seconds to get to? I have it cased in an open ended softcase, behind the passenger seat, with the openable end of the case and the buttstock pointing towards me in the drivers seat.
I keep ammo seperate in the cab. Proximity of ammo and shotgun wouldn't stand up to a search, I'm sure,but having to pull it out or use it wouldn't be 100% sure to leave me under arrest for a weapons violation.

3rd, do you have a sidearm on at the same time, or within easier reach? No, see response to 1. If I expected that much trouble, I wouldn't go out, or I'd have a AR or AK with me. Trick is,when Mr. Rural Sheriff asks "What's in the case?",the answer "My shotgun-doing a little trap shooting at my destination." is much more palatable of an answer than "My AK-47.".

Take your pistol, and check www.packing.org for appropriate laws before you go. No point to shotguns unless handguns are verboten.

[Rupestris]

It you go to the Automotive page at Cabelas.com (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jhtml?id=cat20121&navAction=jump&navCount=1&parentId=cat21412&parentType=category&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fcategory-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21412) You can find several options for pick-ups including the over the windshield type.
Rupe

[Steve Smith]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/horizontal-item.jhtml?id=0018866225699a&navAction=jump&navCount=5&indexId=cat20121&podId=0018866&catalogCode=ID&parentId=cat20121&parentType=index&rid=&cmCat=MainCatcat21412&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=http%3A%2F%2Fa1460.g.akamai.net%2Ff%2F1460%2F1339%2F6h%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2FPod%2F01%2F88%2F66%2Fp018866ii01.jpg&hasJS=true



I could keep it there all the time and it would make going to matches easier. Sould just load a shotgun when I needed it.


Black, of course, not camo. :rolleyes:

[Steve Smith]

Umm... hello? Any other ideas or comments?

Maybe subjects like "look at my bling bling pistol grip" are easier to comment on, but this is a practical SG question folks. If you're a SG type I'd appreciate some info.

[farscott]

I really do not like those products that allow one to mount a rifle or shotgun in the vicinity of the visors. In a former life, I designed supplemental restraint systems (read "air bags") for one of the Big Three. One thing I learned from reviewing crash test data is to make sure there is nothing hard in the vicinity of the visors or rearview mirror since these objects tend to break free during an event. Rather than get too graphic, I will just say that the addition of objects to the visor area often resulted in a fatality, even when the occupants were properly belted. As such, I would not recommend stowing a rifle or shotgun in one of those visor mounts since your chances of an automotive accident far exceed your chances of being involved in a situation where a rifle or shotgun are needed.

I am not sure if a shotgun can be stored in a compact pickup in a safe manner yet be accessible during a crisis. Perhaps it might be possible to mount a shotgun vertically in the rear seat area, similar to a front-seat cruiser mount. I have almost no experience with the Tacoma, so I really cannot provide a definitive answer.

[Steve Smith]

Good reply, farscott! Thanks for the very important information. Taht is something I hadn't thought of.


Ya'll keep responding! Whaddya think about that behind-the-seat thing?

[Jeff White]

Steve,
You might try a Big Sky roof mount. They sell a lot of them for police cruisers. They make them to fit various rifles and shotguns.
HTH

Jeff

[Correia]

Steve, no idea at all. Since I carry a pistol I always just throw the shotgun in the trunk. And I usually don't keep a shotgun in there, I just stow it when I'm planning on using it. I haven't really carried a long gun in my vehicle since I lived on a farm. :)

farscott, thank you for posting that. Holy moly I would never have even thought about that! But I can't imagine eating an 870 receiver at 70 miles an hour being a good thing.

[Dr.Rob]

I wouldn't store it there doing 70mph either.. but if I wanted a place to stow a back-up rifle that was out of the way while drving on jeep trails..


Steve that thing looks interesting.. also looks like something that you can OVERLOAD with stuff, and it hampers the between seat access to the rear of thecab.. if you needed it.

I don't generally take a shotgun unless I'm planning on using it (IDPA, Clays, Hunting) and most often when I take my SG as a back up its disassembled in a bright green remington factory carry box. The box fits nicely behind the seat of a jeep or pickup.. nobody seems to recognize it as a "gun case'. Of course it's not a rapid deployment platform either.

If I'm travleing.. I'm usually just taking a pistol.

[Steve Smith]

looks like something that you can OVERLOAD with stuff, and it hampers the between seat access to the rear of thecab

Yup, Already thought of that. :(

Looks like the only possible thing I'll go with is the Big Sky thing over the rear passenger area. Might not do it at all. We'll see.

FWIW, this thread has brought something to light. Many will say something like "and a shotgun on long trips" but this has basically shown that those folks are full of it.

[sm]

This thread got me to thinking. Some very good input and insights. As I stated before my need for a SG was different/but similar to Mr. Smith's. As much as I hate the PGO, that is what I had secured in trunk of a sedan. concerns of being tossed into my own trunk, car trouble, staying in motel/hotel etc.

I CCW-ed with a BUG as first line of defence, the SG was secondary, in the motel it became primary.

farscott brings a great point to the discussion. I spent time working in an OR. Umbrellas, books, coffee cups, etc....anything "loose" or not secured is a "projectile", in the event of an accident. Visors are flat dangerous in themselves. Seen too many folks "scalped" when visor tipped toward driver/passenger. Tip the visor toward windshield--I actually have gotten to where I rarely use mine, I do use the clip -on sunglasses for my frames ( Eddie Bauer Frames, the sunglasses match, just clip on, even tho my script changes, I can still keep frames for new script, sunglasses not scripted so that expense is saved).

I had forgotten about the LEO whom just tossed his shotgun onto back seat. This Captain, was involved in an accident, his head injury was from the PGO SG flying forward...

Good thread, many thoughts for all to consider and adapt accordingly--safely.

Ranch, Farm for short trips I see the behind the seat being the safest, the over the visor the least. For a long trip the security "out of sight-out of mind" for getting broken into,or various jurisdictions IMO applies.

My current vehicle is a P/U, reg cab, bench seats. I can put items out of sight/out of mind back there. I have carried my lon guns there for range, short hops...not for my long travels.

Bench seats getting more rare, I can put a SG behind mine to run to a situation as I have before ( loaned to /aiding somone babysitting his business getting new front glass at wee hours )...

Thanks all, I learned some stuff...reminded of others.

[Deepdiver]

Steve,

I sometimes slide a full stocked 12ga defender under the back seat of my Expedition when I am going into the mountains for a weekend (camping, fishing, etc..) or something - but that wouldn't work for you due to the seat arrangements.

Quick access - it ain't - but thats not what its there for.

I typically have a handgun on me or in the console, so I never thought much about having a SG that I could get to while driving.

Sorry - no creative ideas from me.

DD

[Steve Smith]

Ya'll stay tuned, I'll see what I can do this evening.

[willyjixx]

i just did a semi cross country.

took thw SG an the sidearm pistol.

M500 stayed under the blanket behind the seats of a dodge ramcharger.
pistol stayed between me an the conbsole or was on me at all times.

one thing i did was obey traffic laws! that helps alot with the legal part!

i did happen to ask an officer for directions once an did not have to be searched (SP?)

i ialos got on packing.org to find the state laws.

BTW the mossberg was a stock one with a 20 in bbl an the synthetic stock. unweildy yes but it was there

[Josh]

I've been pondering the same scenario as you and appreciate everyone's thoughts.
I'm with the fellas that keep the glock IWB for fighting their way back to their 12 gauge which is stored unloaded in the trunk to comply with rules designed for people who need to be governed.
If I'm in the car and I can't fight my way out with the .45, my first instinct is to drive on. If we're outside the ride and bad trouble finds us, then we proceed to follow the rules of the gunfight. Bring guns, long guns, and friends with guns, and lotsa ammo.

Bon voyage on your trip.

Let us know how it went?

Josh

[Steve Smith]

I must admit that traffic laws give me fits. I use a Valentine One and am installing a Beltronics laser jammer and a TRD supercharger on the truck. As much as I drive, I like to get there fast and stealthily.

[Mannlicher]

I carry a Remington Wingmaster, with a 20 inch barrel and a Scattergun Tech 2 + extension. It rides in the floor, back seat, with a blanket thrown over it. Easy to get to. If I carry an AR type, or AK, it rides in the same place. No gun in the trunk is going to help you much.

[Red Label]

Gee, and I only take my shotgun to shoot some clays in the evening because I get bored in the hotel room:uhoh:

[Cameron Lamont]

I have tucked my Winchester Defender on the front passenger side of my SUV. Barrel to the floor, stock along side the center console.
Cruiser ready and its legal here in Colorado.

I like the look of the behind the seat racks in cabelas.

Gun Rack (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/horizontal-item.jhtml?id=0017127225635a&navAction=jump&navCount=24&indexId=cat20121&podId=0017127&catalogCode=XD&parentId=cat20121&parentType=index&rid=&cmCat=MainCatcat21412&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=http%3A%2F%2Fa1460.g.akamai.net%2Ff%2F1460%2F1339%2F6h%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2FPod%2F01%2F71%2F27%2Fp017127ii01.jpg&hasJS=true)

That one looks good to me (for the way my vehicle is laid out.

Cameron

[Gordon]

Just came back from 2 weeks in a motor HOME, and if the thing is registered as a housecar, I believe you have homeowners gun rights in most states. Although varying fom state to state cops can't search any part except drivers area without a warrant. I have a hand recognition pistol safe in living room and an 870 and rifles in closet (which has lock and chain screwed to frame to chain up guns when your out). Disposible S&W Sigmas in .40 & 9mm under pillows.:)