Best Vehicle Handgun?

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Isaac-1

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SW Louisiana, not near N.O.
Lately I have been rethinking my need to carry a gun in my truck (Super Duty F-250), my principal need stems from carrying the evening bank deposit to the bank from work on most days. The reality of the situation is it is mostly checks these days, but can still include several thousand dollars in cash occasionally, the perception of a fairly thick deposit bag is probably a bit more than the reality, and in this case I think the perception is the big issue. In the past I have just grabbed whatever was handy (note I live in a state where in vehicle carry is relatively unrestricted), often a semi-auto of some type, .45ACP, 40S&W, etc. I am now considering purchasing a gun just for the purpose, I want something that will resist corrosion (condensation is a problem around here certain times of year), be relatively cheap so if it gets stolen I am not out a lot of money (say under $500 used market), small enough not get in the way in the confines of a vehicle. Most likely carry position is the tray next to the ignition switch or by the seatbelt clip between the seats. What are your thoughts?
 
Try a Keltec or S&W Sigma or their SD line. or get yourself a shot gun, I always keep my Super Commanche 410 under my drivers seat loaded with 3in buck, only cost me $180 so it's no biggy if it gets stolen or scratched. Then of course I have my EDC on me as well.

Maybe get a SBS or short pistol grip or SxS keep it behind the drivers seat, put it behind back seat when not making deliveries.
 
I have a S&W Sigma .40 that I recently inherited, I can see it having good points for this sort of use, but does not fit my hand right, and the trigger pull makes me think the plastic trigger is going to break every time I touch it. I don't think theft is a large issue around here, but on the other hand I am not going to be leaving my Colt Python laying around in the truck. For the time being I think I will try carrying my 4 inch Colt Lawman Mk III until I find something in stainless that will hold up to the condensation potential better.
 
I would say a nice Ruger or S&W revolver. You can get a great S&W 442 for under $400. At least that is what they are going for around me. Great trigger, small compact and revolver reliability.

If you want a semi-auto, I'd take a look at a used Glock 23, 19, 27 or 26. I'm on a Glock binge right now and I don't why I never went that route before.

Just my two cents.
 
Ruger Semi autos can be found for relatively inexpensive prices. And they are reliable. The P 89, P 95, etc.
 
"what ever you want to carry and don't mind leaving out for someone to steal.... "
Shadow7D

That's why I have a cheap J&G Sales police trade-in Mod 64 as a "truck gun".

It's a dependable revolver that's not prone to rust with temp changes, goes bang everytime and if it get's stolen I'm out $225.

GGF
 
"what ever you want to carry and don't mind leaving out for someone to steal.... "
Shadow7D

That's why I have a cheap J&G Sales police trade-in Mod 64 as a "truck gun".

It's a dependable revolver that's not prone to rust with temp changes, goes bang everytime and if it get's stolen I'm out $225.

GGF
+1 to that...

When they first came out (and much less expensive than they are now) I bought the Taurus Ultra-Lite (shrouded-hammer) .38 snubbie for a glove compartment gun.
I DO take it out every time I make a range trip and shoot a few rounds through it - wipe it down with the silicon rag and back in it's hole it goes...

But I have that IN ADDITION to my EDC/CCW.
 
It ain't small, but when I go on long trips I keep a Taurus Judge under the front seat. That, along with the gun I keep on me, should be protection enough, imo.
 
I would say the prime reason that I don't like carrying any of my current guns is the corrosion issue, as most are blued or other finished traditional models, not stainless, plastic, etc, and simply put I am tired of picking them up and finding rust spots or the finish coming off. As to the CCW question I don't feel a need to carry concealed, I live on the gulf coast where it gets HOT and have to dress reasonably nice (business casual) for work so no baggy clothes, there are also too many places I go to that restrict carry on a regular basis (bank, post office, etc.), most of the time I have a gun in reach anyway in the truck, in my desk at work, etc.
 
Glock 19, with 2 spare G-17 mags. Can't hurt it, shoots great, small enough for concealment. If it is ever stolen I have zero sentamental attachment and can easily replace it with another just like it.
 
I would highly recommend to get your CCW then man, it's alot easier to carry a gun in the car too. There's many people on the Gulf, hell I'm on the panhandle along and I can be in a good fitted shirt and jeans/shorts, I don't do baggy, with an IWB Airweight 38 and forget about it til I sit down and the grip hits the seatbelt clicker. I mean if you're carrying some big time money, what's gonna protect you when you get out of your truck?

Invest in a cheap plastic for ~$300ish
 
Unless you have a safe bolted to the floor of your truck, THIS IS A REALLY DUMB IDEA. The OP states that he wants a cheap gun in case it gets stolen, Come on, that is not a way to look at this situation. We want to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and really worry if a gun gets stolen. Unless you can come up with a way to keep it from getting stolen do not do this. Just putting it in the console or glove compartment is not securing a gun the way it should be.

I would rethink this into "How can I carry a gun so that I have ready access to it while I am driving?"
 
I would say the prime reason that I don't like carrying any of my current guns is the corrosion issue, as most are blued or other finished traditional models, not stainless, plastic, etc, and simply put I am tired of picking them up and finding rust spots or the finish coming off. As to the CCW question I don't feel a need to carry concealed, I live on the gulf coast where it gets HOT and have to dress reasonably nice (business casual) for work so no baggy clothes, there are also too many places I go to that restrict carry on a regular basis (bank, post office, etc.), most of the time I have a gun in reach anyway in the truck, in my desk at work, etc.
Ahh so you already have one within reach in your truck -

Which one? Isn't it suitable? If not - why not?
 
Buy a CZ 82 ($200) and search around for some for decent hollowpoints. They have one of those sprayed on epoxy finishes, so they're relatively corrosion free. Drench the internals with Eezox.

A always thought a great idea would be to buy a cheap AM/FM radio and use the cover to create a hide where the stereo would normally go. No thief would be tempted by that. Of course, I never actually get around to doing this in my own car, but one of these days...
 
Thanks for the ideas, they have brought up a few points that I have not considered, as to the concern about the gun being stolen, and armiing criminals. I live in a relatively low crime area, my main theft concern would be from petty theft not from break ins. (Gun being left in the truck while in the shop, etc.) As of today the gun in the truck is a 4 inch Colt Lawman Mk III, it is a little long for my planned carry slot, has a blue finish so I concerned about corosion, but will work until I find something better. I may end up getting a CCW permit, I just hate to waste the money on it, which including the various expenses amounts to about $50 per year, and sitting in a class room for several hours every 4 years, plus requalifing (which I don't count as a burden). The finish on the CZ-82 does give me an idea, I do have a CZ-75 (original built in 1985 model) with a similar finish, I may carry it, but it is a gun I would not want to loose.
 
My idea of a vehicle or house gun is something bigger and more powerful than my carry gun. I want something that stands a good chance of going through a car door and still stopping the person inside.

I have two stainless .357 Security Six Rugers.
 
I agree with Mr. Williams. Get a safe and bolt it to the floor board under the console or seat and carry whatever you like.

A 44 mag or 357mag revolver or 10mm auto with heavy-for-caliber solid projectiles is what you want for penetration. Remember, you may have to shoot through your window or door and make it through the attackers' in an average SD senario which is never ideal. Good thinking going with a designated truck gun. With my lifestyle at least, the chances are greater I'll be near my truck if the SHTF. I live and work in a nice area but drive through crap constantly. Road rage is when I see most people lose it, both druggies/drunks and sober doctors, attorneys, etc. with a lot more to lose. Vehicle's change peoples normal temperment and MO, most times for the worse from my experience.

I bought a safe made just for my truck that fit's perfectly in the lower (below middle front seat) console. I keep my truck in the garage at night and at work and I'm confident I'll at least make a police report before the scumbags get to my gun (3" 686+ w/ DT 180 HC) if my truck is stolen in a public lot. Don't put gun/pro 2nd stickers on your vehicle either. I had a great pro 2nd sticker on for a while and took it off for security reasons unfortunately.
 
I use something inexpensive with large magazine capacity

In my old truck, I used a BERETTA model 84 in .380ACP. I bought it for $300.00, so it would not be a be loss. Remember, that besides theft, if you ever use it, the gun will be collected as evidence and probably left to rust on some shelf.

It has a large magazine capacity which is important as I may not be able to get to a reload. Night sights and a good trigger with a large enough grip to allow accurate shooting.

In my car, since I am usually carrying concealed or wearing my duty gun, I just keep an old 5 shot .38 Special.

Jim
 
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