Do you take your gun out of its holster when you get in the car? Yes? I need advice.

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.cheese.

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The question says it all.

I ask for 2 reasons:

1) I've always wondered with the shirt draped over and the seatbelt on, how fast (or slow) I'd draw. I've practiced a few times - seems ok.... but could stand to be better. You never know if something could happen to you while driving. Especially if going through a bad area.

the second reason is a new one

2) I posted a week or so ago about a lockbox for a Toyota Avalon as I was going to purchase one. The deal didn't work out unfortunately, so after looking around again I ultimately went with an Infiniti G35. Nice looking car, and bought it for a good price, but I noticed today as I drove it home from the dealership that it is as many reviewers have said, "A snug fit.".... not tight.... but snug. It's comfortable, but - I can't possibly see having my gun on me in the driver's seat as I'm a slightly larger guy (trying to lose weight - of course).

Naturally, I was a bit concerned when I realized this. I didn't think about it when I test-drove, because I carried a snubby in the pocket (which is still possible). However, my typical Glock 23, I can't possibly see carrying without it being trapped between my side and the plastic center console.

Prior to this car, I drove a Honda Accord Coupe, which did have the necessary room to carry.

Anyways, I don't think this is the end of the world - but for those of you who do take off your gun when you get in your car, where does it go? Do you have some alternative setup in the car that can be accessed quickly? Also, how do you get the gun from the holster to whatever carrier is in the car without people seeing?

Thanks. A bit of an oversight on my part, but surely it can be rectified with some creativity. On the other hand, plan B is just to lose more weight faster.
 
I have fixed a holster to my center console. It's concealed enough so the guy in the lane next to me won't see it but I can draw quickly and easily.

I used to worry about pulling it when I got into the car. Eventually I realized that people just don't watch that close and I simply don't worry about it.
 
Never. My gun goes in the holster when I put it on, and only comes out when I'm back at home putting it away. IMO, you need to get comfortable with wearing and being able to draw it while driving your car. How much faster will it be to draw if you have to think about where it is in the car orwhat position the grip will be in for you to get it in hand properly. And what if you have an accident or an "emergency stop" situation after which you need your pistol only to find it has moved who knows where inside your car? Other opinions may vary, but I've been ccwing for over twenty years and have always kept mine "on body". Good luck.
 
I carry my pistol in the same place all the time. I practice weapon acquisition from various positions, including seated in a car. Any method chosen by anyone, won't work well without practice. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
It varies with where I'm going and how far I'm driving.

Sitting in your car, can you easily reach your ankle? I have an ankle holster for driving because the gun's within reach for me there. I kkeep it on my left ankle and reach for it with my right hand.

Driving somewhere scary? I sometimes put my gun under my left thigh with the grip accessible between my legs.
 
If you're in the car a lot (professional driver, etc), off side butt forward carry (i assume you are right handed) works a lot better. It puts the handgun toward the window (where the threat is most likely to be), and is out of the way of the seat belt.
 
I use an Uncle Mikes LH clip-on that is clipped onto the inside of the door tray on my Chevy Z71. Stays secure, within easy reach, and out of sight. A gun on the waistband becomes, for all practical purposes,unavailable for fast deployment while seated in an automobile. :( Sure don't want to be in second place in a gunfight.:eek:
 
If you're in the car a lot (professional driver, etc), off side butt forward carry (i assume you are right handed) works a lot better. It puts the handgun toward the window (where the threat is most likely to be), and is out of the way of the seat belt.
Click to expand...

not a professional driver.... but cross-draw is an interesting idea.
 
Depends on what I am wearing for clothing and for a holster. If front-carrying, no. If side-carrying, yes, because the seatbelt gets in the way.
 
Since i'm not old enough to CCW, I keep my XD 45 in an uncle mikes sidekick, with the retention strap removed and the IWB clip on the right side, then I clip the holster to a tray under the console of my 2005 GMC sierra, secured and easily accessible from the drivers seat. Josh

55.jpg
[/IMG]

That tray under the cigarette lighter
 
I'm 6' tall and I weigh 190. I drive a 35 series Infiniti. Sometimes I carry my pistol strong side, which will be very difficult to draw if needed. I suspect that pocket carry will a disaster, no matter what you weigh, due to the sides of the seatback. It's not easy to get into your pockets in that car.

Mostly when I have to run errands in the car, I use a DeSantis fanny pack and a Model 36. People can say what they want. I know what it's really for.

Also, if you have to go into a prohibited place, you pop the trunk, put the fanny pack inside, and lock it. A few people who carry regularly will realize what you're doing, but so what? It's very discrete. You're never actually presenting a firearm, only the bag that contains it.
 
all depends on where your going range, out to eat, or going to 711 to get a pack of smokes. when i go out to the range i bring my guns in the case with the trunk locked, going out to eat where taco bell or dinner, taco bell i would carry a small .380 or .32 im not getting in a gun fight with bin ladin with his ak 47 im going to get a taco put the .32 in your sweater pocket easy to access no draw or anything just hello johhny. i love sig but i couldnt imagine carrying around a p226 every where. maybe a p239 but thats still too big for comfort. unless your a LEO with open carry go for comfort first. i go to college cant bring a gun on campus (which is shame god forbid something happen). dont know about NY laws but in FL 3 steps, keep the clip in the glove box and rifle in the trunk 1 2 3 bang bang. people think you need to be a army of one to protect your self all you need is a semi compact gun with maybe a xtra mag. cops carry full sized sig's and glocks because they get in big fights, rifles fights and pistol fights the biggest fight i'll get into is they gave me sprite instead of coke.
 
:rolleyes: One of the lessons learned in the FBI's infamous, 1986, 'Miami Shootout' is that the pistol should always be on your body until you are ready to engage.
 
A good high ride thumbsnap holster cross draw to the left works just fine. last resort if the gun is light enough use a clip on inside belt holster on the sun visor.
 
When I move somewhere with less stupid and infringing laws, I'll be using an idea I got from someone else: sew together a holster with covering flap for the front seat of the vehicle, so that the holster is secured to the front of the seat and the flap falls neatly over the top of holster and firearm.

Greatly increased draw speed and/or readily-available BUG. :)
 
I duno cheese - as nice as the laws in FL are on how to carry in the car, I'd go with a backup in the glove box or console, or like the other posters said with the under-seat mount. That way you could always have a backup, and it can be ready to go, then your carry position is irrelevant and you could even go full-size high-cap... you know for those midnight drives to the Krispy Kreme or that Subways in Plantation...
 
if you have two guns :p have one in the car and one on you...


if not...well one more reason to get another gun i guess
 
I would keep it in the holster. I can just imagine being in a hurry in the car, jumping out to do something fast, and forgetting the gun in the car. Not good.

All the best,
GB
 
It depends. If it is a larger gun sometimes I will sling it over the seat back of the passenger seat or put it in the center console. Either way I prefer clearly visibile. I am not a LEO either. I just live in a state now that is sensible towards open carry.
 
You need to work out a system that works for you. If you can't access your firearm that's on your person while in the car then transfer the firearm to where you can, preferably on your person.
 
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