So if you wanted to live in a van....

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Seymour380

Seymour380

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I have been following the vanlifers for some time, and I while I would like to adopt the lifestyle and have the freedom, my significantly-better half wants nothing to do with it. I defer to her, but I can still imagine what one handgun (pistol or revolver) in 9mm or 22lr/mrf would work best for that lifestyle.

My guess is that 9mm or 22lr would be the best calibers for van life just based on ammo availability. There's not much room to reload 9mm in a van.

My ideal van life handgun as of now would be a 9mm Smith & Wesson high-end revolver, or a compact semi-auto like a Sig 365/S&W Shield since space constraints would dictate only having a single handgun. Moon clips for a revolver would be ok by me.

What would be your pick for one handgun in 9mm or 22 to provide for self-defense, fun, and frugality if you were a vanlifer? (pictures welcome).

For any vanlifers out there, please chime in as to what handguns you keep, as you are the experts, and you know what works best for you.

Thank you!
 
Seymour380 said:
What would be your pick for one handgun in 9mm or 22 to provide for self-defense, fun, and frugality if you were a vanlifer?
Click to expand...
Wife and I actually considered doing the full-time RV thing for retirement and bought new 29' travel trailer with full solar set up. And I actually drove over 30,000 miles last year coast-to-coast 3 times with another trip to midwest in our Chrysler Pacifica minivan that folds seats flat down to the floor with some success as "part-time" RV mostly set up for sleeping (As I showered and used bathroom facilities at truck stops).

While our RV plans have changed (Our son/fiancée really wanted the trailer so they got it) and we are now looking at Class B/Sprinter/ProMaster van conversion, if I were to set up a reloading press, it would likely be Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro/Pro 4000 due to compact size and ease of caliber change using quick mount plate system.

As to pistol for RV, my choice would be Glock 23 but Glock 19 would do as well (And I would use 40-9mm conversion barrel for cheaper practice).

Seymour380 said:
There's not much room to reload 9mm in a van.
Click to expand...
Unless you reload with a hand press ;) - https://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press.html
 
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LiveLife said:
Wife and I actually considered doing the full-time RV thing for retirement and bought new 29' travel trailer with full solar set up. And I actually drove over 30,000 miles last year coast-to-coast 3 times with another trip to midwest in our Chrysler Pacifica minivan that folds seats flat down to the floor with some success as "part-time" RV mostly set up for sleeping (As I showered and used bathroom facilities at truck stops).

While our RV plans have changed (Our son/fiancée really wanted the trailer so they got it) and we are now looking at Class B/Sprinter/ProMaster van conversion, if I were to set up a reloading press, it would likely be Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro/Pro 4000 due to compact size and ease of caliber change using quick mount plate system.

As to pistol for RV, my choice would be Glock 23 but Glock 19 would do as well (And I would use 40-9mm conversion barrel for cheaper practice).


Unless you reload with a hand press ;) - https://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press.html
Click to expand...

LiveLife, I only car camp right now about once a year, so you are way ahead of me on the van life. I imagine I might be able to move my RCBS Rockchucker to a van if I let something else go. Of course there is still the matter of getting a van as well right now.
 
Whatever pistol you felt most comfortable in all around use. From a bear in the woods to a deep conceal in a city that may or may not legally allow for it.

I think I would probably go with a S&W model 13 with a 3 inch barrel. I would load it with hardcast 38+p from Buffalo Bore and maybe two full powered .357 Mags in the cylinder.

If I was carrying a pistol it would be a Sig 239 in 9mm loaded with the hottest +p rounds that it would reliably cycle.

Knowing me I woult probably choose the Model 13.

If van life became my thing, and I watch a lot of those videos too, actual recreational shooting would not be at the forefront of my plans and would probably rarely happen. It woult go with the golf clubs.
 
Seymour380 said:
I have been following the vanlifers for some time, and I while I would like to adopt the lifestyle and have the freedom, my significantly-better half wants nothing to do with it. I defer to her, but I can still imagine what one handgun (pistol or revolver) in 9mm or 22lr/mrf would work best for that lifestyle.

My guess is that 9mm or 22lr would be the best calibers for van life just based on ammo availability. There's not much room to reload 9mm in a van.

My ideal van life handgun as of now would be a 9mm Smith & Wesson high-end revolver, or a compact semi-auto like a Sig 365/S&W Shield since space constraints would dictate only having a single handgun. Moon clips for a revolver would be ok by me.

What would be your pick for one handgun in 9mm or 22 to provide for self-defense, fun, and frugality if you were a vanlifer? (pictures welcome).

For any vanlifers out there, please chime in as to what handguns you keep, as you are the experts, and you know what works best for you.

Thank you!
Click to expand...

If you decide on the van life would you live down by the river?
 
Agsalaska said:
Whatever pistol you felt most comfortable in all around use. From a bear in the woods to a deep conceal in a city that may or may not legally allow for it.

I think I would probably go with a S&W model 13 with a 3 inch barrel. I would load it with hardcast 38+p from Buffalo Bore and maybe two full powered .357 Mags in the cylinder.

If I was carrying a pistol it would be a Sig 239 in 9mm loaded with the hottest +p rounds that it would reliably cycle.

Knowing me I woult probably choose the Model 13.

If van life became my thing, and I watch a lot of those videos too, actual recreational shooting would not be at the forefront of my plans and would probably rarely happen. It woult go with the golf clubs.
Click to expand...

Thanks Agsalaska, I was thinking an SP-101 .357 mag with a 3" barrel might fit the role like your Model 13.
 
Years ago a buddy of mine did the van lifestyle for a couple of years when he was getting on his feet after college. He stayed in his van. Had a gym membership for exercise and showers. That was in the early ‘80’s in Southern California so weather wasn’t really an issue.
His gun of choice? S&W Model 10

Me? I would have a Mossberg 500 and probably my S&W 327 Night Guard .357 Magnum…and a really bad attitude because I was stuck living in a van. ;)
 
I think the typical medium-framed .38 or .357 would be a good choice, personally.
If you are into 9mm for the ammo availability and cost, then your favorite 9 should be fine.


Being the .22LR fan that I am, I actually think a revolver might work well here.
A Single Six would be simple and durable.
Plenty of room in the van for a couple bricks of bulk ammo and a couple of specialized boxes.
 
Van Life, brings back memories of the 60s and 70s staying on the beach for days living out of a van. Surfing and fishing was the way to go. We had no need for weapons but I digress as times have changed. One of my .38/.357s would be with me now days...
 
Pat Riot said:
Years ago a buddy of mine did the
Click to expand...
tubeshooter said:
I think the typical medium-framed .38 or .357 would be a good choice, personally.
If you are into 9mm for the ammo availability and cost, then your favorite 9 should be fine.


Being the .22LR fan that I am, I actually think a revolver might work well here.
A Single Six would be simple and durable.
Plenty of room in the van for a couple bricks of bulk ammo and a couple of specialized boxes.
Click to expand...

Tubeshooter, my biggest concern with .38 special and .357 is lack of availability in the stores like we have seen the last few years. Two of my favorite calibers though, and I currently reload both of them.

Along the single action theme, maybe a Ruger Bearcat would work?
 
tubeshooter said:
Being the .22LR fan that I am, I actually think a revolver might work well here.
A Single Six would be simple and durable.
Plenty of room in the van for a couple bricks of bulk ammo and a couple of specialized boxes.
Click to expand...

takes the words out of my mouth. ruger single six is simple, easy, robustly built. 22lr for fun, 22wmr for business. if traveling in unfree states then a 22lr rifle, perhaps with hunting license.
 
Mrs and I were traveling home from San Antonio and headed straight east to the TX coast. We hit the gulf south of Galveston and drove on a deserted section of beach for probably 5 miles. We saw very few people...it was surreal. We are accustomed to the Florida coast that is packed.
I know 5 miles is some beach....:cool:, but honestly...it could have been more like 10 miles. It was unreal to us. Cattle on one side of the state highway....gulf of Mexico on the other!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: . There were several scattered rv campgrounds along the way. A few buildings on stilts...and that's it.
Here's a pic taken from the passenger window of Mrs ' f150 while driving ON THE BEACH. 20220227_141214.jpg

Along the stretch of beach we struck up a conversation with a newly retired couple from Wisconsin. They travel in their (really nice) camper van. They belong to PLANET FITNESS and go there for showers every few days or so.
Mrs and I have talked about seeing Alaska this way some day. Just getting a hotel room every few nights for a real shower and bed. It seems I'm more interested than she is.....;).

As for firearms, I would be pretty content with my sr9c 9mm with weapon light and a few holster options and my 12ga 870 loaded with three #4 buck and two slugs.

I also have a sweet little '94 Winchester in 30-30 that would probably get to tag along...
20220410_112326.jpg
 
Seymour380 said:
Tubeshooter, my biggest concern with .38 special and .357 is lack of availability in the stores like we have seen the last few years. Two of my favorite calibers though, and I currently reload both of them.

Along the single action theme, maybe a Ruger Bearcat would work?
Click to expand...


A very valid concern. In normal times it isn't much of an issue, but I notice that whenever ammo supply gets the least bit soft here lately then .38/.357 get missing pretty quickly. A victim of it's own success, I suppose.


A Bearcat would work just fine for most of the same reasons, but I suspect a Single Six will fit most adult male hands somewhat better and generally be easier to shoot. Plus you get your Mag cylinder. For a do-it-all, the extra barrel length would be worth it and a 5.5" would bring a lot to the table I would imagine.
 
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tubeshooter said:
A very valid concern. In normal times it isn't much of an issue, but I notice that whenever ammo supply gets the least bit soft here lately then .38/.357 get missing pretty quickly. A victim of it's own success, I suppose.


A Bearcat would work just fine for most the same reasons, but I suspect a Single Six will fit most adult male hands somewhat better and generally be easier to shoot. Plus you get your Mag cylinder. For a do-it-all, the extra barrel length would be worth it and a 5.5" would bring a lot to the table I would imagine.
Click to expand...

Ditto that on the longer barrel.

Along the 22 magnum line, I like the option of a S&W 351PD double/single action revolver, but they are pricey if you can find them on Gunbroker.
 
Armored farmer said:
Mrs and I were traveling home from San Antonio and headed straight east to the TX coast. We hit the gulf south of Galveston and drove on a deserted section of beach for probably 5 miles. We saw very few people...it was surreal. We are accustomed to the Florida coast that is packed.
I know 5 miles is some beach....:cool:, but honestly...it could have been more like 10 miles. It was unreal to us. Cattle on one side of the state highway....gulf of Mexico on the other!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: . There were several scattered rv campgrounds along the way. A few buildings on stilts...and that's it.
Here's a pic taken from the passenger window of Mrs ' f150 while driving ON THE BEACH.View attachment 1084573

Along the stretch of beach we struck up a conversation with a newly retired couple from Wisconsin. They travel in their (really nice) camper van. They belong to PLANET FITNESS and go there for showers every few days or so.
Mrs and I have talked about seeing Alaska this way some day. Just getting a hotel room every few nights for a real shower and bed. It seems I'm more interested than she is.....;).

As for firearms, I would be pretty content with my sr9c 9mm with weapon light and a few holster options and my 12ga 870 loaded with three #4 buck and two slugs.

I also have a sweet little '94 Winchester in 30-30 that would probably get to tag along...
View attachment 1084572
Click to expand...

I like your plan for using the gym for showers Sir. Beautiful beach picture!

I like the looks of the SR9c. Is recoil ok on yours? I have some hand issues.
 
Just two things, have you checked gas prices lately?

When my job working for the state was in jeopardy last year over shot requirements, we were looking hard at van or camper life...fuel costs were a concern, and they weren't creeping up to six bucks a flipping gallon then.

Second, I get space would be limited but two is one one is none.

If you have one pistol and it is broken or lost or you actually have to use it, how many do you have then?

Could your (significantly) better half, as you say, also have one? Even if not I fan I still suggest two.

In your case (and I'm a revolver guy) I'd go with the 365 you mentioned for yourself. Get at least five mags, they're small and easy to store and they do wear out over time.

For a second I'd get a Ruger Wrangler or something like that. Affordable and reliable, and now you have the two most common and affordable pistol calibers in the country- 9mm and 22lr.

I'd keep a couple boxes of jhp your choice and a couple of fmj. Could probably store 1k for the wrangler no problem at all.
 
Personally I wouldn’t give up one or the other. I’d have a 22 and a centerfire. If you’re planning to reload, then caliber makes no difference as they all load about the same cost. I’d then go 357 magnum. Gp100. And for the 22, personally I like the single six but anything that floats your boat will suffice. Then a 12 gauge for all the hunting opportunities. Having 2 handguns isn’t that much more extra. The 22 gives you store bought ammo when you can’t find 357/38 and don’t feel like reloading. And I would go with a hand press.

What you really need is a friend or two that will let you use their reloading stuff when you come by. So that you can pick up powder and primer and work out new loads easier. Then use dippers for your charging. A place to cast and store a few moulds and a stash of bullets. And use the hand press on the road.

Oh, and two handguns only makes more sense if there is two of you.
 
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