Gun Security in Car: Poor Man's Method

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jakemccoy

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This thread was inspired by that other thread about a guy who got his gun stolen from his car.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=468331

Here's a poor man's method to get relatively good security today:

(NOTE: I no longer recommend this method in pic 1. I'm keeping the pic here because people have already talked about it. See the other method I added below.)

344wksk.jpg

That cable is homemade of materials that cost me less than $3 from my local hardware store. I homemade it because I couldn't find cable that thick that came ready-made.

Remove the magazine. Empty the chamber. Wrap that cable around your seat post and padlock lock your gun to it. Stuff the gun under your seat out of sight. Then, place poopie pants on the floor in front for added security.

I believe this method keeps the gun about as secure, or more secure, than that lock box you can find at Amazon.com for $30.

http://www.amazon.com/Secure-It-Secure-It®-Handgun-Storage-Safe/dp/B000HBB15U/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_img_c

EDIT:

Here is a better option inspired by some comments below:

2dj9amh.jpg
3133hqu.jpg
 
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Interesting. This would be more convenient than a lockbox as well...my current car doesn't have enough room under the seat for a lockbox and thus I haven't been carrying to work...(couldn't leave gun in the car unsecured all day)...this would solve that problem too. One concern might be that you cannot leave the gun loaded. Also...in theory they could load the gun and still pull the trigger and shoot someone if the cable was too long.

You might want to keep a soft holster or case or something to keep the gun in while under the seat so that it doesn't fill with dust/bugs/whatever lives in your car.

I am interested to read other people's thoughts.

~Norinco
 
I hate to be a party pooper, but I think "always keep your finger off the trigger" also apllies to cables. I would not recommened this method with a revolver or any other firearm (like your Glock) without an external safety, even still, you can't trust external safeties either. If you did use this method you would have to carry chamber empty, which many people wouldn't go for. I suppose you could get the cable behind the trigger but it would still be too risky for me. If a criminal grabbed your gun and tried to pull it out, it would go off.
 
I am interested to read other people's thoughts.
Click to expand...

1000 times better than nothing that's for sure.

Wouldn't want to use it on a loaded and ready to fire weapon though. Not me personally anyway.

Norinco says what I was thinking, that someone could still potentially fire the weapon or, more likely, have a ND while locking it up.
 
Also, on a side note... I studied as a locksmith, and how ever far fetched it may be, a masterlock like yours can be picked in litterally seconds, as few as 2 or 3. I would suggest purchasing a higher quality lock.
 
Also, on a side note... I studied as a locksmith, and how ever far fetched it may be, a masterlock like yours can be picked in litterally seconds, as few as 2 or 3. I would suggest purchasing a higher quality lock.
Click to expand...

You are correct. Especially with all of the bump keys and stuff out now.

When I was a kid my 12 year old cousin would show off to me how fast he could pick a lock. For some he would just get really really fine wire and keep pushing it in until it set off all of the points.

~Norinco

p.s. I understand that this is no substitute for a lockbox but what about people like me that cannot fit a lockbox under their seats? (nowhere to put the lockbox behind the seat either really...)
 
looks good to me.

Clear chamber! b4 locking it up.

Best would be a lil sign fixed to the cable that says: "CLEAR CHAMBER!"
 
EDIT: See original post for updated method.

=====

The padlock is there as an example. A different padlock will work.

Keep in mind that this is a poor man's method inspired by that other thread. It's intended to be much better than nothing. The guy's life is basically upside down right now. I think this simple device would have prevented the gun from being stolen, based on the way he described the theft.

As noted in the original post, the gun is intended to be "unloaded". This device is for when you have to leave the gun in your car. This device is easily taken with you to different cars.

Obviously, there are better methods, but this works in a pinch for little money. It would be great to suggest alternative methods that you think are better, instead of just saying this sucks.
 
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Zwetschgen said:
I hate to be a party pooper, but I think "always keep your finger off the trigger" also apllies to cables. I would not recommened this method with a revolver or any other firearm (like your Glock) without an external safety, even still, you can't trust external safeties either. If you did use this method you would have to carry chamber empty, which many people wouldn't go for. I suppose you could get the cable behind the trigger but it would still be too risky for me. If a criminal grabbed your gun and tried to pull it out, it would go off.
Click to expand...

Reading is fundamental.

From the original post:
jakemccoy said:
Remove the magazine. Empty the chamber. Wrap that cable around your seat post and padlock lock your gun to it. Stuff the gun under your seat out of sight. Then, place poopie pants on the floor in front for added security.
Click to expand...
 
I'm not a big fan of constantly unloading and loading handguns in parking lots - its an accident or a brandishing charge waiting to happen IMHO. If its legal to leave the gun loaded, a lockbox is better
 
I would say that with a short cable (say...a foot or two like you made it with) this would be a very decent poor man's firearm security system. Most criminals don't carry around various calibers of ammo with them so if you secure your ammo separately (carry it with you or lock it up in a different place) the gun would be pretty secure.

~Norinco
 
You could also consider adding a smaller cable, locking the slide back, putting the cable through the mag well and putting both ends of it through the lock on the trigger guard along with your current setup. That would make it more difficult for someone to load and fire it while still attached and would help mitigate NDs. It would also make more trouble for the bad guy if he were to cut through your trigger guard. Of course, it wouldn't work for wheel guns.
 
I'm not a big fan of constantly unloading and loading handguns in parking lots
Click to expand...
You know, this is a very good point that ought not be glossed over. Most ADs occur while either holstering or loading/unloading. For this reason, if I have to leave a gun in the car I tend to want to take the holster off, leaving the gun inside it, and store it as a package.

It also makes it easier to put it all back on when I return to the car - just put the holster back on (I favor paddle holsters for this reason) and go.
 
Quote:
I'm not a big fan of constantly unloading and loading handguns in parking lots

You know, this is a very good point that ought not be glossed over. Most ADs occur while either holstering or loading/unloading. For this reason, if I have to leave a gun in the car I tend to want to take the whole holster off and store it as a package.

It also makes it easier to put it all back on when I return to the car - just put the holster back on (I favor paddle holsters for this reason) and go.
Click to expand...

I use an XD45 compact in a supertuck... wouldn't I need a really really big lockbox to keep it holstered? It doesn't fit into the XD gear box (not a real lockbox).

~Norinco
 
hmphargh said:
You could also consider adding a smaller cable, locking the slide back, putting the cable through the mag well and putting both ends of it through the lock on the trigger guard along with your current setup. That would make it more difficult for someone to load and fire it while still attached and would help mitigate NDs. It would also make more trouble for the bad guy if he were to cut through your trigger guard. Of course, it wouldn't work for wheel guns.
Click to expand...

Good idea!

More pics coming soon...
 
What if you were being pursued back to your car by bad guys needed your pistol in a hurry? After all you are not likely to need your pistol while driving, you will need it when you are getting in and out of your car. I think a better solution would be to hide it in plain view like in a cereal box on the front seat. I keep a relatively inexpensive .44 Special revolver in my vehicle so that if it is stolen I'm not out too much. If I carry my customized 1911, it stays on my body.
 
While this option would not work for me (suv -no trunk) for those of you with a trunk why not have a padded zipper bag in the car, put the gun in it and then drop it in the trunk. When you return - get the bag, get back in the car, and reholster?

If, as someone pointed out above, you are being chased - you could probably get in the truck faster than under the seat - especially if you have a trunk release button on your keychain.

As for me - get past the locked doors, car alarm, camera's were I work, and a lot of employee traffic and you've earned what you find... if anything.

If you want to be less obvious - use a paper bag.
 
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