I need a "truck gun" (and some opinions)

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I have used quite a few different handguns for my truck/utility gun, but I've always had to be careful not to get them scratched, dinged, etc. Like this weekend I kept a Ruger Single Six .22 mag behind the seat in a soft case but it's too nice a gun to be beatin' around in the cab of a truck. I want to buy a handgun that I can dedicate to this purpose. I don't want a peice of junk, but don't want to put too much cash into it either being as it will be used exclusively for "truck duty". I would like to keep the following criteria in selecting one:

1. Has to be a double action revolver
2. Would prefer .35 cal. or larger
4. At least a 3" barrel , no longer than 6"
5. Price kept below $300

If you have any suggestions or experiences for this gun please respond. I want to have something bought within the next 2 weeks.
 
1. Has to be a double action revolver
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Why? It's an incredibly easy thing to steal. This is why I prefer larger bolt action rifles or carbines as truck guns. The bolts can be pulled out for security and they're not exactly easy to walk away with.

If you're determined to limit yourself to a DA revolver, I'd suggest a Ruger stainless security six. They're inexpensive and tough.
 
I agree W/ cosmo

I have a ruger service six w/ four inch barrel in .357 and 2 speed loaders I paid 150 for. I find myself if going to the store or just making a quick trip out, not holstering up and taking my CCW but just putting the ruger in the back of my pants as I exit my truck.:)
 
cosmoline,
I'm just not a rifle person. I can get what I need done with a handgun. Like I said, I own more than my share of handguns but I don't want to have to "baby" them when I take them on trips around my property,checking fence lines, checking livestock, etc.

ProfessorK,
Those don't look too bad at all. I'll keep those in mind as I look around.Thanks for the link.
 
You should consider becoming a rifle person. The long gun is almost always going to serve you better than the short one, and the truck is an ideal place to stow one.
 
I have a couple that would make excellent utility rifles but that takes me back to the issue of not wanting them damaged. I agree that a rifle will serve most purposes better than a handgun, no argument here. It comes down to what one prefers, which is never what everybody agrees on. I understand you prefer a rifle, but, if you had to buy a new handgun based on the criteria I listed, what would you suggest? In addition to the Armscor that ProfessorK brought up I've also been looking at the Camanche III .357 mag. Any thoughts?
 
I've had a Ruger Security Six in my truck and car for years.
I've never seen any reason to use anything else, although I usually have another handgun in the glove box to.

Carbinetruckgun.gif
 
JAMES77257,
That's a nice gun for the price. That's something like I'm looking for. Thanks.
 
You should consider becoming a rifle person
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or shotgun person...

My picks for longarms?

Shotgun

Your choice of brand (be it Remmy 870, a winchester variant, or a mossberg (the Mavrick 88 is not bad either) or a chinese clone of same, as long as it is reliable (this means probably a pump action) and fits you well. Slugs and buckshot to take care of any problems...If you have any good pawn shops or good gunstores with good used selections, you should be able to get one for about $100-125. Hack the barrel off with a pipe cutter or hacksaw at 18.5 to 20 inches. (use a dowel down the barrel with the bolt closed, measure twice, cut once). Drill and tap for bead. Give it a good cleaning and greasing.

Rifle/Carbine

A .30-30 lever action rifle is a great option. Marlin makes excellent ones. Extremely reliable. .30-30 is everywhere. It is non-offensive to people, the quissential Cowboy's rifle. Same for the pistol caliber lever action carbines. I would say these would fit your bill because of reliability concerns, too. By indicating a revolver, you seem to want to ensure reliability over magazine capacity. A .30-30 still holds 6 rounds in the magazine while being short and compact. XS Sight systems makes a nice looking ghost ring sight set for it, along with a scout scope mount, if that tickles your fancy. I like mine just plain jane, with one of those buttstock cartridge carriers that holds 9 rounds. This being the end of deer season, you should be able to get one at a reasonable price range.

Sorry, I didn't see your posts as I was off the net while I was typing this...
I can't offer any suggestion as to revolvers, but I would go with a GP-100 with a 4-inch barrel. But that's just me. That is the first revolver I intend to purchase, too. That link that JAMES77257 posted looks like it would be perfect for you.
 
charter arms undercover 38

My wife carries a Charter Arms Undercover Special in .38 spl. Out of all the guns I own, she prefers her Charter Arms to carry. YES - She can shot it. YES she can hit someting w/ it.
 
I've heard it said that a pistol is the tool to fight your way to a rifle.

If you can hit a thing with a pistol you can hit it harder with a rifle.

For concealed carry we compromise : 'power' vs ease of carry , but if it's going to be in your truck there is no 'ease of carry' problem.

Think about a Big Damn Gun.
 
Taurus model 66, .357 magnum w/ 6" barrel.

I recieved it as a gift from my aunt who bought it like 10 years ago for $189

Solid and accurate.
 
I'd consider a used GP100, a Taurus 85, a new Rossi in .357...

Personally if I'm leaving it in the truck I'm thinking an M44 rifle. Cheap, heavy caliber, easily replaceable, hard for a thief to conceal, and if the bolt sticks just bayonet the perp...

:D

gp911
 
IMO, the ideal truck gun would be a Glock - you determine the caliber....how can you ding up an ugly duckling?
 
rock Island, FEG, FM, (both copies of hi power)norinco copy of cz 34, cz 52 is the real steel penetrator here, and they are beaters. Then there ir anything revolver, by Taurus. I think they , and a couple of other companies, make a 5 cylinder that fires 410 shells and 45 long colts interchangeably.
 
Perhaps your perfect truck gun...

Take a look around at as many gun shops as you can for deals on old police issue S&Ws. One of our local shops (Ocala Armory) has a number of used .38 caliber S&W 64s for about $180. In fact, Massad Ayoob bought one and won some IDPA championships with one (read below). I think one of these would make a perfect truck gun.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_8_52/ai_n16498969
In 2005, just to make a point, I bought one of many S&W Model 64 (K-frame, 4" heavy barrel stainless .38 Special) trade-ins on sale for $179.95 at Ocala Armory in Ocala, Florida. It came with Safariland fingergroove grips, which I left in place. I didn't do anything to it. I took some $1-apiece HKS speedloaders, also police trades, from the "used stuff' bin at another gun shop, and put them together with $5-apiece used holster and loader pouch.

With this gear, I won SSR at a local IDPA match. Encouraged, I splurged on a Blade-Tech Kydex speed holster and some Safariland Comp-III Speedloaders, and won the 2005 Midwest Regional IDPA Championship, SSR Category, at Havana, Illinois.
Click to expand...
 
One of the local gun shops has a DAO Ruger GP100 for $229. It is a police turn in in stainless and I don't see how you could hurt it.
 
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