Glovebox Gun Ideas

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HGM22

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Thinking about possibly getting a gun to keep in the car. I'm heavily leaning towards an auto pistol. My other criteria are it has to be cheap (under $300ish, but $200-250 even better) but reliable and preferably in 9mm Luger/Para/NATO/etc., though this is not a must. Something fairly concealable would be an added bonus. Some ideas I have now include:

Ruger P-series 9mm (used)
CZ82 9x18
Hi-point 9mm Compact
Kel-tec
S&W Sigma
S&W 59, 5904, etc.
Argentine FM90 Hi Power 9mm

I'd be more than happy to get your opinion on my choices, as well as any ideas you think would fit this bill well.

Right now I'm liking the Ruger the best - its cheap, in 9mm, and rugged (overbuilt though - no concealability). CZ is nice too, but 9x18 self defense ammo seems to be hard to find. Don't really know too much about the S&W's other than the later models are much better. Don't know anything about the Argentine FM90 HP either. Definitely could use your thoughts!
 
I did something similar, however I did hard mount a Galco Matrix holster to keep the gun in the same place all the time. It's not in the glove box, but it is in reach and out of sight.

My price range was a tad higher so I went with a Glock 36 which can also be carried concealed on me pretty easily. Personally I like polymer guns for car guns just because I don't mind scratches on polymer guns so much.

If I had to start from scratch right now, I'd look seriously at the newly released S&W SD pistols. http://www.gunblast.com/SW-SD40.htm
 
To easy to steal in a glove box . Could end up being another stolen gun on the street.
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I wished all the people who post "No Weapons on Premises" signs knew this also. The gun is much safer on my hip than in my car. And to be honest i rarely leave it there unless its a Courthouse or bank if they have it posted that is.
 
The car has no need to be armed...any carry piece should be carried on your person.

I had one of those lock boxes when my Avalanche was broken into one night. I had never used it, but had it there just in case I ever found a need to disarm. They tried to cut the cable and couldn't, but they did get the box open.

I'm hoping that when they got it open, they realized that *I* had the gun and was only 30' away.
 
What state do you live in? If you live in a humid state, I say whatever gen used g19 you can find, for the rust resistance. If humidity isn't a concern, a cz-82 would be an easier, and likely cheaper, choice.
 
Given the guns on your list, I'd go for the Sigma. It's a reliable weapon and you don't have to feel bad about it getting beat up.

The Sigma is like the chunky girl at prom...she might not be much to look at, but at the end of the night you know you're going to get EXACTLY what you're looking for.
 
And now the bad guys know that there is a chance that there may be another gun in "that car over there" and if they feel the need for another gun in a hurry or some extra cash, your car might be the first target.

Is there a place more open and obvious to park your car? The company knows your car wsa broken into so they would understand your wanting to park close to the entrance door or some other more visible area. Could you get to work earlier to find a choice parking spot?

If you have a center console could you cut a piece of suitable material that fits, then place your gun on the bottom of the console and the concealing cover over it? They open the console and see it empty, nothing there but mayby a road map, and keep searching other areas of the car.

Good luck, and if it's a good job I wouldn't bother moving, the bad guys are all over the place.
 
Bad guys are going to break into cars whether the cars have guns or not. If anyone finds they happen to need to carry a gun in their car, they ought to remove any gun stickers (including NRA stickers) anywhere from the vehicle.

Any visible valuables will make a bad guy break into a car and if they find a gun, that's just a bonus for them. Keep the techno gadgets out of sight and figure out a way to hide the gun if you have to leave it in the car. Thinking like a smuggler will come up with some creative ideas of how to hide something when you are out of the car and can't carry. Car break ins are typically over within a couple minutes, if the bad guy can't find what you hide in that time you've minimized your loss.

Car theft on the other hand, well everything's gone. Laptops, GPS, tools, and of course the car. I do understand people that don't want a gun to fall into the wrong hands, but some people in certain cities have to make the choice of taking that chance.
 
As I'm totally missing where you asked whether or not you should keep a gun in your car, I'll only answer the "which gun" question. I'd go with the Ruger out of that list. I've heard nothing but good about them.
 
Ruger P95 for sure. Heck, new ones are $309 or so...last time I looked anyway.

Mine is the mose accurate 9mm I've had...which kind of shocked me really. The trigger is kind of odd though. Despite the somewhat chunky grip (double-stack) the trigger pull such that it if very hard for me with big hands to use my finger tip. I pretty much have to get it with the middle joint of the index finger. Pull weight and all that is just fine...just an odd geometry. Nevertheless, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat and I really want the 97DC if I can ever find one (.45 decocker).
 
For that use, I'm going to vote for the Hi-point 9mm Compact ; as they flat out work and obviously there is some risk of loss and the price is "right" for this purpose IMO .
 
I use my Springfield XD9sc as a "car" gun on occasion. Small, reliable, fairly inexpensive, and lots of capacity. Perfect.
 
I know you said auto but there are a lot of used DAO 4" Smith & Wesson .38's available right now. My dealer has them for $200 out the door.
 
I have a Astra A80 in 45 ACP in the glove box. Simple, cheap and of no importance if it gets banged around or rusts. Although I do wipe it down every two weeks or so. A star Firestar in 45ACP would be good too and a bit smaller.

Since they are not made anymore and it was under 300 for a 45 ACP if its stolen...ehhh!

If I could get Sigma's at around $250 I would use those.
 
I stash my Polish P64 in the car while I'm at work and wherever I need to disarm to run an errand. It's small, inexpensive, reliable, and it's my pocket carry pistol so it just makes sense.
 
Since they are not made anymore and it was under 300 for a 45 ACP if its stolen...ehhh!
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Well now, that's a very cavalier attitude about another handgun appearing on the streets for who-knows-what usage.

As to the glovebox concept....

Whenever I get into my car, a gun suddenly appears in there.

And when I leave my car, the gun just as suddenly vanishes.

Why.... it's almost like magic!


:cool:
 
I think maybe I should explain the situation better; I cannot conceal carry. If I could conceal carry, I would not have started this thread, but since I can't conceal carry I was thinking the next best thing is having a gun in my car for the limited number of scenarios where it might help.

This gun is intended to be unloaded and encased in the vehicle, and carried on the way to and from work (I work in a bad area). This is certainly not an ideal situation, but I believe it is the best I can do lawfully (need to double check the law first though). I know that in most cases my best option is going to be to drive away from any confrontation I might encounter, but for that limited number of scenarios where I have no other options, I think it might be a good idea to have a gun that's somewhat readily accessible. If you think otherwise please share your opinion, I'm all ears.

Now, for those thinking it might get stolen, well, it might, but that's highly unlikely. The only time the gun will be in my car unattended will be when the car is parked in a fenced-in parking lot with security guards and cameras. Otherwise I will take it out of the car when I am home (even if I forgot to take it out I live in a good neighborhood and my car is old with no valuables, not even loose change, visible).

Now, if anyone has problems with this plan, please share; I know it is not ideal. Otherwise, some ideas for a cheap, reliable pistol are in order.
 
I cannot conceal carry. If I could conceal carry, I would not have started this thread, but since I can't conceal carry I was thinking the next best thing is having a gun in my car for the limited number of scenarios where it might help.
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As you stated, you should definitely check the laws in your area. I doubt that if you cannot carry concealed, you can carry in your vehicle on an everyday (or otherwise) basis - traveling away from your locale not included.

Otherwise, I think the KelTec P11 would be a fine choice.
 
As you stated, you should definitely check the laws in your area. I doubt that if you cannot carry concealed, you can carry in your vehicle on an everyday (or otherwise) basis - traveling away from your locale not included.
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If he's in any of the states in my area then you'd be wrong. Even those of us who don't have licenses are allowed to carry a loaded handgun in our cars as long as they're not sitting open in the vehicle. This is how I "carried" before I got my license.
 
A`used S&w 59, or 5906 would fit your needs. Totally reliable and very modestly priced on the used market.
 
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