Cold weather truck gun

[Phaedrus/69]

Hello, everyone. I've been contemplating the purchase of another handgun (surprise!), this time one to leave in the truck. I CCW but can't carry at work. It would be nice to have one that I could leave in the truck, something I would have access to not just on the way to work but after, for those stops on the way home. The criterion:

1) Relatively cheap. I don't want to leave a $1000 gun under the seat all the time.
2) Semi-auto. This isn't actually chiseled in stone, but this is the Autoloaders section, after all. I'm partial to autos anway.
3) Must work in the cold. Now SD isn't Siberia, but it can get cold here. We're heading into winter and it hit -20 with some regularity (coldest I can recall was -37 F).

Any suggestions? What lubricant is generally favored to lube a sidearm that must sit all day in very low temps?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Police trade-in Glock 22. A little anti-seize on the rails is all I would use on it in extreme cold.

 

[ugaarguy]

As for lubrication, I recently made this post in Shotguns, and the links in it should be helpful - http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=9170590&postcount=12.

 

[decoy562]

S&W 500 to get through all the clothes in the cold winter : )

Glock will be your friend; maybe a police trade-in to save money?

 

[bannockburn]

I would think something that was military surplus, or directly copied from such a design. Like a Tokarev, an RIA or SA M1911, an FEG or Argentine FM copy of the Hi-Power, or a Taurus PT-92. Most of these are still relatively inexpensive and based on a proven design adopted by the military.

 

[JTQ]

I'm not a Glock fan, but that sounds like a job for a Glock.

A plastic frame would be much more pleasant to grab bare handed (if you should happen to have your gloves off) than a metal frame. Glocks are also pretty rust resistant. That would be an advantage in a vehicle sitting around getting warmer and colder throughout the day.

 

[hentown]

Glock: Mobil 1 lube. (If you're talking about lower temps than about -60*F, then try something else.)

 

[MedWheeler]

In that kind of cold, size matters less, as layered clothing makes it easier to carry concealed larger guns. I don't get to do that often here.

The Ruger P95 would also be a good friend on such a mission. Recently discontinued (this month, actually), they're still running well south of four bills, and just north of three for used ones.

 

[doubleh]

If there is room under a seat buy a lockbox and then use whatever you want. I have one in my jeep just for that purpose. Although it has a hardtop now I still feel better with the handgun locked up when I'm away from the vehicle.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Used Glock
S&W Sigma
Ruger P-Series
Witness

 

[el Godfather]

Used P220, 229 or why not used usp!

 

[stressed]

it is a truck gun only or will be used as carry and truck gun.

I have a PPS43 pistol I use in my winter truck as a dedicated truck gun. Soviet WWII military design, probably could be used in Siberia not worried about it here. Reliable. Large size, stable with minimal recoil. Fairly accurate compared to a small handgun with 10" barrel. I sighted it at 50 yards. 35 round capacity, enough rounds when compared to a smaller handheld pistol. Small enough size to be maneuvered in a vehicle. Very cheap, for something just sitting collecting dust, if it were to be stolen I wouldn't be out a total loss. S&B FMJ Tok out of 10" barrel should have plenty of penetration for other vehicles and objects if need be.

Same could be said for an AK pistol with different trade offs. As long as you have a CCW it's covered. But they are not anything I would carry on my person.

 

[Teachu2]

My truck gun is a Glock 30 in a ConsoleVault in the center console, loaded with Gold Dot Short Barrel HPs, with two spare mags. I also can't carry at work.

 

[ugaarguy]

Phaedrus, Summit Gun Broker (I've never done business with him, but he has a good rep) has used Glock 22 pistols in stock right now. He has the Gen2 with a pair of 15 round mags for $339. I think his better deal is the Gen3 with a pair of 15 round mags for $369 because they'll have fresher night sights, and he's doing a free hand pick since he just got a fresh batch in.

Alternately, I'd check the big chains for a S&W SD9 or SD40. You should be able to find one of those NIB for $320. for the intended use a low cost but functional glove box gun any of those three would work.

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

My truck gun (or car gun, actually) is a hard chromed Zastava M57 (one of the new production ones) carried in a silicone pouch. Even if I don't hit anything, the "bark" will be enough to scare the dog poop out of somebody.

 

[PoserHoser]

it is a truck gun only or will be used as carry and truck gun.

I have a PPS43 pistol I use in my winter truck as a dedicated truck gun. Soviet WWII military design, probably could be used in Siberia not worried about it here. Reliable. Large size, stable with minimal recoil. Fairly accurate compared to a small handgun with 10" barrel. I sighted it at 50 yards. 35 round capacity, enough rounds when compared to a smaller handheld pistol. Small enough size to be maneuvered in a vehicle. Very cheap, for something just sitting collecting dust, if it were to be stolen I wouldn't be out a total loss. S&B FMJ Tok out of 10" barrel should have plenty of penetration for other vehicles and objects if need be.

Same could be said for an AK pistol with different trade offs. As long as you have a CCW it's covered. But they are not anything I would carry on my person.

Any Pics? Who makes them?
Really cant go wrong with a ruger P series.

 

[Inebriated]

A G31 in 357 Sig sounds like the ideal cold weather gun to me.

 

[119er]

In Texas I'm not too worried about low temps, but if I were there I would use a dry lube to avoid liquids gumming up and/or attracting dirt riding around in the truck.

Personally, I CC a 9mm Sig but I keep a Witness in 45ACP in the console with a spare magazine. Many people are not fans of the Witness pistols but the 45 has proven itself accurate(after EAA sent me an adjustable sight) and reliable.
My reasoning is this:

The witness was cheap. $450. If it is stolen it is not the end of the world for me.
Being in a vehicle the likelihood of shooting through glass and sheet metal is greater. I believe a full size 45ACP is better than a compact (P938) 9mm at that task.
I happen to really like the grip and the way the Tanfoglio(EAA) pistols fit my hand. I shoot them naturally and this will be of great benefit if I have to defend myself.
A steel frame will be cold to grab onto but maybe a thin slip on grip would reduce that.

 

[RussellC]

Have no personal cold temp experience, but was told by someone who does that G96 was what he trusted as a ultra cold weather lube. As to the gun, I would choose Glock. Reliable to a fault. Not very expensive either, new or used.

Russellc

 

[RussellC]

Phaedrus, Summit Gun Broker (I've never done business with him, but he has a good rep) has used Glock 22 pistols in stock right now. He has the Gen2 with a pair of 15 round mags for $339. I think his better deal is the Gen3 with a pair of 15 round mags for $369 because they'll have fresher night sights, and he's doing a free hand pick since he just got a fresh batch in.

Alternately, I'd check the big chains for a S&W SD9 or SD40. You should be able to find one of those NIB for $320. for the intended use a low cost but functional glove box gun any of those three would work.

Thankyou, Thankyou, thankyou! I am about 20 mins from this guy, and have never heard of him before.

Russellc

 

[Dudedog]

Makarov Maybe

A little Russian Makarov might work well for you. Sometimes you can find them for under $300. Reasonably small for concealment. Russian military pistol so I would imagine that it would have to work well in the cold. (Otherwise the designer would have been chilly in Siberia) Some are 9mm Mak, not to be confused with 9mm Luger. Others are .380. 9mm Mak has slightly more power, the trade off is ammo is a bit harder to find, but not that hard. Factory hollow points are available and S+B comes with nice reloadable brass cases. Missouri Bullet Company makes cast bullets for 9mm Mak if you have reoladable brass cases. I have over 3000 rounds thru mine and it goes bang every time and seems to feed anything I but in it well including all the steel cased Russian stuff. .

http://www.gunbroker.com/Makarov-Pistols/Browse.aspx?Keywords=Makarov&Cats=978

 

[PabloJ]

You will need something with plastic frame so it will not be too cold to touch. I would go with Glock over S&W, XD or Ruger.

I picked up old S&W 10mm pistol (old highway patrolman's clunker I was told) which will serve this purpose, but I live in much warmer environment then you. In terms of combat worthiness it's not G20 but the price was too good to pass up and it can be used as battering ram which the Glock can't.

 

[History.Doc]

The CZ P06 and P07 are both designed to be shot with gloves on. Good guns. I don't have one but I've shot a P07 and it was pretty nice.

 

[Coyote3855]

I bought a well-used Ruger p94 for under $300. It lives in my '87 Chevy 4x4. Goes bang every time.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

At one point I had a Hi point c9 and it was a good little gun for somethings, a truck being one of them it's a 150 dollar gun that works. So through it on the floor in the tool box and don't worry about it, if it gets stolen you won't be upset. Tho mine worked well if I was going to do it again I would get the 45 model and run 1911 mags with .45 super or super ammo loaded to 460 rowland specs.