How to transport guns between Apt. and Car?

[marklbucla]

How do most of you transport your long guns between Apts/Condos and the car if the garage is far enough away that you'd have to be noticed? I was thinking I could stick them in a golf bag and put those fuzzy covers on them, but that's problematic since I know nothing about golf and would not be able to say anything if questioned.

 

[matis]

It's not very elegent, but in carrying my shotgun from the front door of my house to the truck in the driveway, I use two black garbage bags to cover the butt and muzzle ends.

(As for gun magazines, I simply hide them in the covers of porn magazines so no one will notice or mind.)

About the first paragraph above, I'm serious.


matis

 

[pdt203]

In plain view.

 

[c_yeager]

Guitar case? I've used an old leather "gig bag" to good effect. This was on a pretty short barrelled rifle though.

In plain view.

I once unloaded a car full of rifles (mostly C&R bolt actions) from the trunk of care across thirty yards of parking lot and up a flight of stairs to a friends apartment. It took about 5 trips with two-three rifles slung over each shoulder. All of this in broad daylight. I'm sure we scared the living hell out of all the neighbors but, we didnt have much choice. And oddly enough noone ever mentioned a thing.

 

[LynnMassGuy]

I know this answer is way out in left field, but what about pistol and rifle cases. You can't tell whats in the hard plastic ones. If anyone has to ask tell them its a clarinet. Nobody is afraid of clarinets. Crazy, I know. Myself, I prefer to carry rifles shouldered with the bayonet extended when I go from the car to the hose. Juggling also works well for me with pistols.

 

[Kharn]

I wheel my Starlight around and carry the hard-side pistol cases. While doing those I look for anyone visible, then my last run is the ammo cans.

Kharn

 

[Majic]

I just grab it and head out the door. Why hide it? You are not doing anything wrong. If my neighbors don't like it then tough. They need to mind their own business anyway.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

in some neighborhoods, its best if the locals remain clueless

A 25 dollar electric bass gig bag may also indicate fence-able goods to Joe Crack Head,
but Joe Six Pack should remain oblivious to your hobby.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

I always wonder what kind of neighborhoods people live in who ask these questions. I live in NJ of all places and NO ONE cares if I walk out the house with rifle cases or even a number of handguns piled in my arms. My neighbors all know I shoot and most of them own guns too. Now if only we could get South Jersey to seperate from North Jersey we might have a shot at some decent gun laws. :banghead:

 

[grislyatoms]

I take my AR to the car broken down in a toolbox. Other long arms get wrapped in beach towels and put in an old vacuum cleaner box. If I thought all my neighbors were trustworthy, I wouldn't bother.

Where I live is actually pretty nice now, there have been dirtbags there from time to time though. "Advertising" that I own guns seems to me like an invitation for Charlie Crackhead to pay a visit when I am not home.

 

[shep854]

It's a fair question. My apartment has been broken into twice, looking for guns. The first time, my lockers were torn open, and guns, ammo, etc. stolen. Fortunately, the perps were caught, and all the guns recovered, save one. The second time, I could see where the apt was trashed, looking for guns.

I tried to be discreet when carrying them out, but there are lots of eyeballs connected to wagging tongues, so somehow word got around. Now my longarms are stored at a pawnshop until I can get a house.

Believe me, you DON'T want that sinking feeling that comes when you have been burglarized.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Golf bags. If you're asked questions, tell them you hate the game and only do it to please the boss.

 

[ny32182]

I use one of my bushmaster hard plastic cases.

 

[Rimmer]

Pistols I carry in an oversized leather zipper bag. I can get 3 in plus ammo. Weighs a ton but with the shoulder strap it's not bad. Looks like I'm a business guy off to the office.... (serious business) Wallyworld for $17.95

When I lived in an apartment I carried my rifles to the car trunk in one of the cardboard box's they came in. I got foam rubber from Wallyworld and cut out the shape of the rifles with an electric carving knife so I could place 2 in the box without them touching. I pasted the top cardpoard portion from an old toy train box on the outside. I carried it flat so it didn't get the caboose turned upside down.

Occasionally someone would comment and I'd say I'm lending it to my Nephew to play with. (big kids and their toys )

 

[firebug]

I to have had my house broke into just so happens my guns were at my mothers house so they didnt get anything that i could not replace.I carry mine out either at night or early in the morning if going hunting.I have a crackhead neighbor who want work and likes to take whatever he can get.

 

[Peetmoss]

I carry my rifle's to the care in a hard rifle case. My handguns either in the same case, or in range bag rapped in teeshirts, or concealed on my person.

Now what is real interesting is when happen to buy a used handgun unexpectedly. I usually end up mexican carrying those in.

 

[Telperion]

I use a padded shipping box that will have to do until I find a golf bag that works for me. It looks fairly generic. Another thing I do is move my car as close to the door as possible and load them out early in the morning when fewer people are milling about.

 

[Typhoon]

My neighbors are late sleepers. The only other early raiser already knows I am a shooter.

The better question is: how best to get them back to the apartment once you are tired?

Edited for spelling: raiser? riser? OK - person who gets up early...

 

[jdkelly]

I don't wish my neighbors to know....

I live in an apartment and I don't wish my neighbors to know I own guns. To that end, I transport my rifles in a telescoping box bought at the "Mailbox" (or something) store. I've taped the box to the length I've wanted and am looking for a handle. I don't shoot long guns much so this works for me.

For handguns I use an Uncle mikes range bag, with no shooting patches attached, and if asked, I say it has some equipment in it. I carry my chronograph and camera stand in a softball bat bag. The bat bag and the range bag make it look like I'm a softball player, or perhaps camera nut.


Respectfully,

jdkelly

 

[TechBrute]

I carried one of my shotguns, uncased, out to my truck when we were going on a trip. I lay it between the seats, which is legal in Texas. One of our neighbors saw me walking out with it and asked what I was going hunting for. I told him "carjackers." He laughed and told me to have a safe trip.

I too, wonder about the neighborhoods where people feel paranoid about carrying a gun case to the car.

 

[MarkDido]

I considered loading them into my old accordian case...

Then I realized that my neighbors would be far more afraid of me knowing that I played the accordian rather then just having guns!

 

[Dionysusigma]

Usually just use soft-sided cases for most, and a hard-sided one for the scoped Swede Mauser.

On a side note, I bought the Mauser without a box and, for the first (last) time in my life I carried a gun openly in public. I was as careful as I could be, walking out of the store with the muzzle pointed up and the top of the barrel resting on my shoulder. It was pretty nerve-wracking until this nice ol' guy in a Cowboys hat complimented/got annoyed with me. Turns out he was on his way back into the store to buy it for himself but instead said, "That's a nice rifle, so take good care of it. I guess I'll have to buy me a Remington or something. "

Never seen him since, but that gun's still in as good a condition as when I bought it.

 

[Bart Noir]

MarkDido, nice comment about the banjo!!! Could say the same about bagpipes.

I am in that situation. Live in apartment, and have lots of ways of getting pistols, in boxes and softcases, in and out. Smuggled in an Enfield rifle and need to do the box trick you guys brought up. Thanks for the tips.

Bart Noir

 

[jdkelly]

...would you still not attempt to conceal your firearms?

I too, wonder about the neighborhoods where people feel paranoid about carrying a gun case to the car.---TechBrute

TechBrute,

When I lived in my own house, I never worried who saw me come and go with a firearm. After all, pretty much only my neighbors of 10, 20 and 40 years would see me load my trunk for the range or walk across the street to shoot my .22 in the woods.

But now I live in an apartment that is part of a four building complex. When I come or go now, the residents of perhaps some 100 apartments could see me. And, I just don't think it's a good idea to let several hundred strangers and their friends, know where they can find firearms. I think that's just being prudent.

Now this is not a bad area, and being a small town, I would think this area has a much lower crime rate then found in the DFW area.

But let me ask you this, if when you left your home that possibly several hundred people you don't know could see what you are carrying and from where, would you still not attempt to conceal your firearms?


Respectfully,

jdkelly

 

[whm1974]

I always wonder what kind of neighborhoods people live in who ask these questions. I live in NJ of all places and NO ONE cares if I walk out the house with rifle cases or even a number of handguns piled in my arms. My neighbors all know I shoot and most of them own guns too. Now if only we could get South Jersey to seperate from North Jersey we might have a shot at some decent gun laws.

Do you know everyone within walking distance of your house? Thieves love to steal guns because they have no trouble getting cash for them, it's real easy to find someone who's willing to buy a gun. Put this in another way, if you had a million dollars in in your house would you tell just anyone about it?

-Bill