Glove Box Gun

[shockwave]

How much good can a defensive gun carried in the glove box do you........really ?

It appears that the people having difficulty understanding the "glove box gun" concept are under the mistaken impression that the gun in question would be kept in the aforementioned glove box. It might be, especially for storage when you aren't in the car, but otherwise it could be anywhere in the vehicle you might want to put it.

The advantage, of course, is that this kind of gun can be more akin to your HD handgun, where size and weight aren't so important and you can have more firepower. This is not an argument for keeping a glove box gun, but some of the rationale for doing it.

 

[ilikepancakes]

Hey Boomm,

Why not get a seat holster? This way you don't have to bang up your gun, and it will be easier to access than in the glove box.

Although the downside of this is not getting a new gun so... maybe do both!

 

[christcorp]

rskent: Very good explanation. I think the phrase "GLOVEBOX GUN" is a general term. It like saying: "Give me a Coke, as a generic term for any soda". As rskent mentioned, it's not always convenient to get to your carry gun when you're in a vehicle. For the word "Glovebox", that can be the slot in my driver's door of my pickup. Or it could be in the center console of my Toyota Camry, which is very easy to reach. Or it could be literally in the glove box of my explorer or RAV4 if it's more for "Nature" than a car jacker. I.e. I work part time for friends on their ranch. Carrying a gun isn't always practical. If you do, it's usually open carry anyway.

Point is, there's a lot of legitimate reasons for having a weapon in the car/truck. Hell, it could be even for something as simple as having an additional gun for my wife/passenger if needed. Now, to answer the OP original question, the C-9 Hi-point 9mm is the perfect weapon for this. Highly reliable and dependable pistol, poly, durable finish, very inexpensive. This is exactly what I use my C-9 for. Truck, garage, backpack, boat, etc...

 

[CoRoMo]

I am only trying to understand the concept... It's really simple.

Would I rather have a gun in the glove box over no gun at all? Of course... There you have it. It's that simple.

...but it's a poor substitute for a gun carried on the body... Completely agree, but wouldn't you also agree that, one on the body and one in the box is better than just one on the body?

You might not agree, but that's the general concept, and to each his own, right? There are a lot of other reasons, scenarios, and specific whatnots, but that's basically it.

 

[gearhead]

Exactly. My "glove box gun" is in the vehicle I drive to work. Since I can't carry between the times when I arrive at work and when I leave work, I can either be unarmed from the time I leave home until the time I return or I can choose to be armed during those times. I have a 4 mile commute so I don't physically carry the "glove box gun" on my person unless I run an errand that requires me to exit the vehicle at some place where carry isn't prohibited.

When I use that vehicle on weekends or when my destination isn't my workplace I have my normal carry gun on my person when I go to the car and the "glove box gun" is still present in the vehicle as well.

 

[Boomm]

Christcorp explained it perfectly! It will be somewhere in my car, and I've been considering getting a holster for under the seat. But regardless of where it is, it will be in a holster.

If you want to think of it as a truck gun, then that would be accurate.

 

[hub]

I also felt I had a need or at least a want for a glove box gun.

Like some others here I can not carry at work so at least to and from I wanted something in the car with me just in case, also sometimes my carry gun is a small low capacity pocket gun, so I wanted something full size that held more rounds just in case of any possible shtf scenario. Always having it in the car gives me the option if I'm in a bad area which is pretty often due to the location of my work or if concealability is not so much of an issue I can switch to a full size instead of a mouse gun.

I ended up with a S&W Sigma sw9ve. I already own several handguns that would have worked, 1911, Sig p226, Glock 23, Ruger GP 100, but I decided on the Sigma.

It is what it is a budget pistol and I knew that from the get go. The trigger was heavy, full of creep and gritty as hell, the sights look cheap, and the slide release is stamped metal. On the other hand it has been totally reliable, I'm pretty accurate with it ecpecially after my zero cost 15 minute YouTube trigger job, it has a stainless slide and polymer frame. It only cost $250 including four 17rd magazines with the mail in rebate so no major loss if it is stolen other than it being in some dirt bag's hands. I keep it with a spare magazine in a bulldog holster along with the other two magazines in my locked glove box, in my locked car. When I'm in the car the holster rig fits snugly in between the seat and console.

I not saying this is the best answer for you just a suggestion but it works well for me so I thought I would share. I'm pretty darn sure I will never need the 64 +p 9mm rounds I have on tap in my car but I would rather have them and not need them instead of need them and not have them.

 

[Boomm]

To all those who think having a gun in the car is a completely horrible idea:


If I'm in gym shorts and I want to go get some Wendy's, I want a gun (in a holster) that I can grab from my house and put in my car. Whether it is under the seat, on the passenger seat next to me, or in the actual glove box, it doesn't really matter.This gun would stay in my house and go with me when I leave the house. If I need to get out for 5 mins and don't want to take it with me, then that is a risk I am willing to live with. I know something MIGHT happen that one time, but the fact of the matter is it probably won't and I'm willing to take the risk of not constantly being armed 24/7. Everyone here takes more of a risk when they drive to work in the morning in their car.

To all those who gave me a suggestion on which firearm to get:

Thank you! I have looked up every gun you guys have suggested and will continue to do so!

 

[Onward Allusion]

Weird - Identical setup down to the round count...

hub
I also felt I had a need or at least a want for a glove box gun.
<SNIP>
I ended up with a S&W Sigma sw9ve. I already own several handguns that would have worked, 1911, Sig p226, Glock 23, Ruger GP 100, but I decided on the Sigma. <SNIP>

 

[CoRoMo]

How much good can a defensive gun carried in the glove box do you... really?

...useless if you're not in the vehicle...
...you're never going to get to it.
...can't reach it in time...
...its a really stupid idea.

If the 'truck gun' or 'glove box gun' doesn't make any sense to you, Google 'Assistant Principal Joel Myrick'. Just one of the many reasons.

 

[snooperman]

CoRoMo- you said it best and...

these types of situations occur more often than people realize. Last year a man , who has no conceal carry permit, saw a crime being committed and went back to his car to get his Glock 9mm from his golve box. He killed the robber who was armed in the store and was haled as a local hero for his actions. This happens , and even though I carry a concealed 9mm or 38 special snubby, I almost always have an extra gun in my farm truck and one in my car between the seat box as well. When I am riding around on my mule , I carry an extra gun with me on the saddle , and one in a special holster on the tractor as well. Most often it is the same gun that functions in all situations , the Ruger SP101 or the Ruger Blackhawk. Most all the farmers around these parts do the same with handguns and shotguns as well.

 

[mcdonl]

How much good can a defensive gun carried in the glove box do you........really ?

Well, that depends.

If you're not actually in your car when you need it, you're never going to get to it.

Under this rationale, you would be opposed to having a gun in your home for defense right? If your not there, what good would it do?

If you drive up on something and think, "Hey, I might need my gun over there," then why not drive away and call 911 ?

Excellent point. If you can drive away, do it.

If you're the victim of a carjacking, you still can't reach it in time to do anything about it.

I assume you keep your car doors locked and windows rolled up right? I do, and I do not live in the kind of place where there are frequent car jackings, but I have had one circumstance where I was approached from each side of the car by young men at the corner, and all I did was reached into my center console and they backed away. My doors were locked, and if they tried anything I had my hand on my "truck" gun.

Also, you will notice I said center console not glove box. I agree, a gun in the glove box is pretty useless in some situations, but one in the center console can be much better.

 

[Harvey]

Depending upon your State Laws, in lieu of your glovebox, check this out:

http://www.quickdrawgunmagnets.com

A handy little device that really works.

 

[Wyo_F-A]

hmmmm...inexpensive, goes bang and ugly as hell already - HI POINT!

I will buy one of these all day long at sub $200 to abuse rather than spend more on a 'nicer' gun.

I duracoted an older 9mm pink for my brother on his b-day. The pistol is his 'truck/glove box' gun.

 

[David E]

...but it's a poor substitute for a gun carried on the body... Completely agree, but wouldn't you also agree that, one on the body and one in the box is better than just one on the body?

Not necessarily. It depends where the gun-on-body is carried and what it is. For instance, a NAA mini-revolver in a pocket holster sucks when seated anywhere, including in a car. A Glock in a shoulder rig would be quicker than reaching over to the glovebox, opening it, etc.

One big problem with a "glove box" gun is that when I'm not in the car, the gun does me no good. And, if the car is stolen, I just gave them a gun to go along with it.

If the 'truck gun' or 'glove box gun' doesn't make any sense to you, Google 'Assistant Principal Joel Myrick'. Just one of the many reasons.

I already said that if the choice is a gun in the car or no gun, then the gun in the car is better. I also said that the gun in the car is a poor substitute for a gun carried on the body. If that principal had one on his body, he could've ended it sooner.

Under this rationale, you would be opposed to having a gun in your home for defense right? If your not there, what good would it do?

Um, if I'm not there, I won't need it to defend myself! Houses are not as easily stolen as motor vehicles. The gun safe would be harder to defeat than a glovebox. If I'm attacked in my driveway or in the parking lot, then it doesn't matter if I have an arsenal in the car or house.

Going back to the OP, it seems that many people are applying THEIR habits to that of the OP. Some of those habits are far more thought out than those of the OP. (IE; the "car gun" as a secondary placed somewhere more "tactical" than the glovebox.)

But the OP basically said he want's a glovebox gun because he's too lazy to put a gun on, especially if he has to change clothes.

He further clarified:

If I'm in gym shorts and I want to go get some Wendy's, I want a gun (in a holster) that I can grab from my house and put in my car. Whether it is under the seat, on the passenger seat next to me, or in the actual glove box, it doesn't really matter.

He can only use that gun if something happens while he is in his car. He wouldn't be able to carry it if he went into the 7-11 wearing gym shorts. Should he walk into a robbery, the gun in his car won't do him a bit of good. If he sees the robbery is taking place before exiting his car, he should drive away and call 911

Stowing the gun in one of at least 3 places isn't a smart way to do it, either. Under serious stress, he probably won't remember which of the 3 places he put it. Consistency matters.

 

[mcdonl]

Good points David. Good debate.

 

[Old John]

If I'm dressed & leaving the house.........

I have a Ruger SP101 .357 mag. in a Strong side holster on my belt. If I get out of the truck, it's going with me.

My "truck gun" is a "Beater" 12 ga., behind the seat, generally an old Mossy pump gun picked up at $200 or less. It'll be loaded with 00 Buck. I always drive a pickup. It's what I have.
I've also had a 12 ga. single barrel, behind the seat, with a shell in it. My "truck gun" is there just in case, I might need something extra.
Have Fun.

 

[CoRoMo]

I don't think there is a whole lot to debate here. This is a subject of preference. Some people prefer to do this, some don't. I'm sure each person's reasons for or against the idea will vary. My reasons to have a gun in each of my vehicles won't apply to the next guy. I think I would ALWAYS recommend carrying on your body; everywhere you go, whenever you can. I won't always recommend having a dedicated vehicle gun, but I see the advantages to it.

Old John brought up another point. I carry everyday/everywhere, and a long gun in the vehicle is a good option too. The Clint Smith doctrine that my EDC can help fight my way back to my truck, where a long gun can be accessed.

 

[Mp7]

matter of preference and available cash i´d say.

a used revolver should do.

... if money is no prob .. a HK P7 would
do nicely due to the grip-cock mechanism

 

[Guillermo]

plus 1 on the J&G Smith

As to the SP101, why do they even produce a 38? The 357 is more versatile and has better resale value

I do not keep a "truck gun" or "glove box gun" but I do have a full size handgun in my bug-out-bag. When I go into the house it comes with me.

 

[Boomm]

Good lord, all I wanted were some suggestions for a gun. Not a complete and thorough analysis of the consequences carrying a gun in your car might entail and all of the possible situations where a glovebox gun is inferior to having one on your person.

No one has mentioned this yet, but police leave shotguns and full auto M16's in their cars on a regular basis.

 

[CoRoMo]

Good lord, all I wanted were...

Yeah well... welcome to The High Road.

 

[Mp7]

giggle....

( do not mention hi-points or Zombies )

 

[VegasAR15]

I was just about to say the same thing Boomm. I keep either my Glock 19 or my Taurus 24/7 in my glovebox or center console. I also keep a holser with it, just in case I get into a car accident or something and my truck it towed, I dont want to have to carry around the gun, some people may take offense to that. I am finally getting my CCW this Saturday, but even after I can conceil carry, I will probably keep my 24/7 in my truck for a backup and for when it might be too hard to quickly draw from my pocket or an IWB holster. If you were to go buy one specifically for the truck, I would go Glock, their finish is real tough, my 24/7 has some glovebox wear showing. If not a glock, I would go with something in stainless. Or how about an AK pistol, that could be fun.

 

[frankiestoys]

The SP is a great choice, i often use it as a truck gun.