Do you bring a long gun when you travel?

[MedWheeler]

I've considered it as of late, but only for the reason that I might find some chance to do some shooting. But, I've never actually done it.

My traveling is generally road trips. I bring my EDC (Kel-Tec PF9), my "deep-conceal" piece (P32), and a .22 pistol, usually a Taurus PT-22 or my FEG AP-22 (the .22 has been only for casual shooting, but so far has never been used while traveling.)

This summer, I may end up again on the road. If I do, I'll let either my newly-acquired pre-68 Glenfield M75, or my soon-to-be acquired S&W M&P15 Sport to come along (I'll have that latter one by mid-June.)

But I've never considered a long gun for defense while away. I'm either in a motel/hotel room, or at my mom's little trailer home in NC. Handguns are fine for those close-quarters environments.

 

[Joe Demko]

Anything other than my EDC handgun comes along only if I have specific plans for it as part of the trip. The chances of my genuinely needing the long gun are significantly outweighed by the chances of the long gun being stolen. When I travel, I do not have the option to arrange things so that I am either never out of sight of the long gun or always have access to proper facilities to secure it. I leave nothing in my car or hotel room that I would be distressed to have stolen.

 

[Ignition Override]

Only on a personal trip, because a few of them are Not via airports (business only). These trips are always within seven hours.

Among two personal driving routes to see family members, only when visiting my brother, because although he enjoys shooting, the other family members are not interested in any recreational gun sports.

 

[herrwalther]

When I know I am going to a bad section of town I will bring a pump shotgun, because I don't have an AR yet. I visit my mother-in-law 4 or 5 times a year in NW Florida and I usually bring a shotgun or center fire rifle with hunting ammunition. More preparation for a stranded situation than defense.

 

[ny32182]

I usually do on overnight trips assuming it is legal where I'm going. 16" AR broken in half with a couple mags helps fill up the extra space in my regular suitcase, so I bring it "for free" (it is not adding an extra bag, etc) so in terms of convenience, it is not a hindrance. If it was I probably would not bring it. I guess I don't have the same qualms as others about leaving it out of sight in a locked car or locked hotel room in a locked suitcase with the "do not disturb" sign on the door when needed.

Of course I do not think I will "need" it. The only situation I can think of where it could be useful or extra comforting to have available would be if there is some kind of event that occurs while I'm on the road that could lead to some serious upheaval that can be seen coming, and yet I still need to get home. Exceedingly rare, obviously. But so are the odds of needing a handgun. Normally when I'm on the road, it is broken down in my suitcase as stated. The only time I've had it put together and accessible in the car, was on the way back from a trip to central FL; I was driving right past Sanford the day after the Zimmerman verdict was announced.

 

[Hypnogator]

FWIW, I am currently traveling by vehicle in a major midwestern metropolitan area. I carry a .45 Springfield XDs IWB, have a 15-shot .45 SAR K2 under the console, and a "beater" AR-15 with 70 rounds in a case in the rear. If I can't get myself out of anything I get myself in to, it won't be for lack of trying.

 

[Warp]

FWIW, I am currently traveling by vehicle in a major midwestern metropolitan area. I carry a .45 Springfield XDs IWB, have a 15-shot .45 SAR K2 under the console, and a "beater" AR-15 with 70 rounds in a case in the rear. If I can't get myself out of anything I get myself in to, it won't be for lack of trying.

Idle curiosity...how did you arrive at 70 rounds?

First guess would be three mags, 2x20 and 1x30.

If so, what mags, and do you ever have any issues cleanly seating a new mag on a closed bolt?

 

[22-rimfire]

I have carried long guns many times when I travel, but in almost every case, there was planned shooting anticipated. In an RV, you wouldn't even know its there. In a vette, it might be kind of noticable. Not going to transport a long gun for self defense unless I have a darn good reason.

 

[Hypnogator]

Warp,

No magic number. Just grabbed the three mags I had nearest the door and put them in the case with the rifle. You're right, two 20s and a 30. All Lancer Advanced Warfighter mags, none of which cause me any problems seating fully loaded under a closed bolt.

 

[Warp]

Those are excellent magazines.

Word of caution though...the semi-clear ones you can see through...I bought five...they don't reliably drop free when empty or when they have 1...sometimes 2...rounds left in them.

The solid color ones though...love 'em to death.

 

[DammitBoy]

I think most folks, even gunny folks who say they travel with four firearms (as some here have contended) don't carry more than a spare tire along, and that's just because the manufacturer bolted it to the car for them...

I don't know why you'd think that of gun oriented folks. My truck is packed with gear and tools and I travel with four firearms. Some are more prepared than others.

 

[Warp]

I don't know why you'd think that of gun oriented folks. My truck is packed with gear and tools and I travel with four firearms. Some are more prepared than others.

I think he is correct.

I think most people don't have preps in their vehicles.

He was referring to all people in general...including gun guys who bring 4 guns.

 

[DammitBoy]

Not in my experience. The people I know who carry firearms are generally more prepared. First Aid kits, tool kits, jumper cables, hunting gear.

 

[jackruff]

I always take a long gun along with a half dozen loaded mags with me in the RV when we go somewhere. Of course the wife and I both also carry handguns as well.



This is my normal RV rifle:

So glad somebody used the word "take" instead of "bring."

 

[shyflyguy]

When flying I'm lucky to check a pistol, never bother with long gun. Being a former bag thrower had something to do with that though.
When driving I only take one when going to an area where I'm going to get a good chance to shoot it (like parents ranch), but not for self defense, no.

 

[shiftyer1]

If i'm in one of my trucks, I have a 12 ga and a 22 rifle.

 

[Malamute]

Originally posted by DammitBoy I don't know why you'd think that of gun oriented folks. My truck is packed with gear and tools and I travel with four firearms. Some are more prepared than others.

I didn't know we were supposed to give a full accounting. I'd just as soon not give an itemized list, but I have the main items covered normally, as per my perceived usefulness of them. People joke that my truck is usually prepared for an arctic expedition. Camp gear, change of clothes, dog food, cold weather gear, spare ammo,....

The takedown model 12 only goes when I travel in civilized areas and want to be relatively discrete.

 

[asia331]

Anytime outside of the local area there's a carbine in the boot;usually an AR or lever action 30.30, in addition to the EDC sidearm.

 

[JohnBiltz]

I'll tell you from experience, you watch one of your cars catch fire once and you will always own a fire extinguisher.

 

[Old Dog]

Do you bring a long gun when you travel?

Of course. Flying or driving, it's not difficult.

 

[Trent]

I'll tell you from experience, you watch one of your cars catch fire once and you will always own a fire extinguisher.

^^ THIS.

Earlier I posted a picture of my "vacation kit" - the further I get away from home, the more cartridges I bring.

But on the way back from Knob Creek machinegun shoot one year, I was hauling a 14' enclosed trailer full of stuff. I had 8,000 rounds of 7.62 NATO surplus, 4x100 pound kegs of 50 BMG powder, 12,000 50 BMG pulldown projectiles (spotter tracer, API, APIT, Tracer, Incendiary), 6,000 50 BMG cases, etc. (Basically a lot of reloading components, tons of gunpowder, and ammunition...)

We get driving down the interstate and about an hour in I smell something "hot" inside the cab of the truck. Knowing what I'm hauling, and having my two sons and wife in the truck, I immediately pull over and have them get out. I get out my side when traffic clears and walk back, hoping something bad wasn't about to happen....

The emergency brake on my old pickup truck had seized, and didn't allow the emergency brake pin to release on the rear left wheel when I released the brakes. I didn't realize that it was dragging - was hauling a lot more weight leaving than when I showed up, so I didn't "feel" anything wrong...!

Anyway the damn brake drum was RED hot and billowing smoke. The gas tank on those Chevy trucks isn't TOO far from the brakes, and hauling what I was hauling on the trailer, I was seriously concerned about "causing a major issue" on the highway.... Not having a fire extinguisher handy I did the only thing I could do to try to cool it off.... relieved myself on the thing.... Boy did that smell horrible. Got a couple of lively honks from passers by as well...

Once it had cooled down enough I slowly drove to the next exit ramp, found a parking lot that was mostly empty, crawled under there, and removed the brake line and steel sleeve with a pair of side cutters. Took me about an hour of cussing to get through the steel sleeve and line with that stupid side-cutter, but was the only tool I had on hand...

I always carry a fire extinguisher in my truck now. Whether I'm hauling gunpowder or not.

(Also in the winter I pack all of our vehicles with a "cold weather survival kit" since it could take a couple hours to get help in a snowstorm, out in the boonies where we live; and I keep a full toolkit in the trunk of each vehicle. Came in handy when I changed the starter in my truck in the parking lot at work once...).

 

[Kurt S.]

Not when I fly, which is rarely.
Road trips, one or more .22s and maybe a beater single shot 12 gauge or even my beater .410 bolt action. I'm with the "you never know when you'll get an opportunity to do some plinking" crowd here

 

[tuna]

I've done something similar to Malmute's idea. Instead of a Winchester, I took a Savage 520. This link is not mine (mine has the "suicide" safety instead of the tang mounted) but is pretty much identical. http://ravelingroup.com/wordpress1/nifty-take-down-stevenssavage-520-shotgun-wards-western-field-model-30/

Easy enough to toss in a duffel bag, suitcase or backpack. Blue steel and wood, so it doesn't look scary to sheep.

Benefit of the Savage over the Winchester 12? I only paid $100 for the gun. Still a JMB design.

 

[Ignition Override]

How about a traffic stop involving a gun carried for unplanned, uncivil disturbance (Memphis, LA, Cincinnati, UK cities' riots etc)?

Even in the "free states", a loaded magazine is supposed to be kept in a separate part of the vehicle, is it not?
At least you have access to it, if you can safely get out to open the car trunk.

 

[Warp]

How about a traffic stop involving a gun carried for unplanned, uncivil disturbance (Memphis, LA, Cincinnati, UK cities' riots etc)?

Even in the "free states", a loaded magazine is supposed to be kept in a separate part of the vehicle, is it not?
At least you have access to it, if you can safely get out to open the car trunk.

Where are you getting that?

I have checked the state laws of many states prior to driving through them, and none of the "free states" I have ever looked up/driven through had such a law that I could find.

I routinely bring my rifle with me, on the passenger side floor/seat, with a loaded magazine inserted, when going to certain ranges/shoots/functions, etc. When traveling with the rifle I keep a magazine in it as well, inside of a case that is accessible quickly from the rear driver side door, or slowly from the driver seat/front.