In the car...

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Skribs

Skribs

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To be clear, I am NOT talking about a "trunk gun" or leaving a gun in the car (i.e. glovebox) 100% of the time. That has been hashed to death recently in this section and the general gun section of the forums. What I am talking about is this:

My current methods of carry are usually IWB, OWB, or pocket. When in the car, pretty much anything but a leg rig (either drop thigh or ankle holster) is going to be covered by the seat belt or the seat, and pocket carry is going to be very difficult to get to should I need my gun quickly. I knew it before, I just didn't realize it, that being in the car is probably my weakest point while CCWing because of the slow draw.

So my question becomes (and I know there's many answers to this question): what do I do to fix this vulnerability? I've seen ankle holsters mentioned by some, but in order to use an ankle holster I will have to change the way I dress entirely.
Another option I was looking at is getting a holster for my car, and transferring from my hip/pocket to the holster when I get in the car, and back to my person before I leave the car. The problem with this option is that it wouldn't help me if I am in someone else's car, and I am often the passenger (I hate driving).

I do realize that the generic answer is "why do you need a gun? You're in a car, just drive away!" Well, depending on traffic or the situation, you may not be able to just drive away.

What do you do while you're in the car to offer ease of drawing in that situation?
 
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Well, I'm a southpaw, so my normal carry is LH. But if I'm the driver, I will probably want to be able to use my right hand, especially if the perp is on the driver side.
 
It's difficult to draw from an IWB while belted into a car for me. It's not impossible. I think at some point it's just a reality that has to be dealt with by occasional practice.

As for an ankle holster, seeing one of the youtube vids of Southnarc's FoF training in a vehicle has me thinking I'd rather not bend over to expose my neck, the back of my head, and take my eyes off my attacker to draw. Or at least, its something to think about along those lines.

One time I was a passenger in a vehicle that was trapped in a traffic. The guy in front of us got out of his car, grabbed a tire iron, and came at the driver of my vehicle shouting threats. I had to go under the seat for my gun, and I hated having to take my eyes off the guy. Ended with no injuries, which was good.
 
As for an ankle holster, seeing one of the youtube vids of Southnarc's FoF training in a vehicle has me thinking I'd rather not bend over to expose my neck, the back of my head, and take my eyes off my attacker to draw. Or at least, its something to think about along those lines.
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Good point, and it makes me glad I brought this up. I was waffling on ankle carry anyway, but it seems that another option would benefit me more. Now to figure out whether that's crossdraw or a car holster.

Anyone use a holster designed to stay in the car, where you can just take the gun off your hip and put it in an easier-to-reach spot?
 
I personally don't have any aversion to leaving a gun in my car but I also use paddle holster or IWB clip on and as I type I am getting ready to head to town wearing one of the tee shirts with a holster under a shirt that is partially unbuttoned.
I dislike transferring (holstering and unholstering) in public mostly because it is IMO the time you are most vulnerable to a ND so aside from a second gun if I want to carry at the waist I like something that can come off and on simply and yet keep the trigger covered.
I know some hate the Fobus but for my purposes they work well and are the most comfortable paddles that I have tried. I have Blackhawk IWB clip models that I like as well and are simpler to transfer than the Super Tuck styles.
 
My favorite method is to place an IWB holster with loose retention characteristics in the pocket behind the front passenger seat. Then I just transfer my gun from my person to that easy to reach spot and reverse as I get in and out of the vehicle.

If someone was coming at me, I wouldn't have to take my eyes off of him/her/it, and I can reach for it easily and quickly. Obviously you want the right sized gun for this. Too large and you'll be banging the bbl into the roof or seat and could possibly fumble. I drive a pickup also, which makes this type of set up work well. Your personal vehicle may not work with this set up.
 
I like the idea, but I have a N87 holster (the same model holster as the one linked, except for IWB instead of car seat) and it...wasn't good. The holster itself was only moderately decent, and it collapsed on itself. The magazines kept coming out of the magazine section, and that's with it pointed up!

ETA:
I did find http://www.gumcreekcustoms.com/Universal-Vehicle-Handgun-Holster-Mount-p5.html this, and I'll look at other options, but this might be a decent one.
 
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Skibs I found that a few weeks ago and I am in the exact boat as you. I do like the setup, but I am more a revolver man myself and I never cared for those types of holster to begin with. I am thinking of going to a Big and Tall store to see if I can get a belt and try to make my own version with a holster I already have on hand.
 
What do you do while you're in the car to offer ease of drawing in that situation?
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If driving in my car I often take the gun and place it, while still holstered, in the arm rest. This is both comfortable and relatively quick to get to. One of these days I'm going to rig a holster just for inside the arm rest. If I keep it on (IWB) is just move the holster up toward the front of my body on my hip to make for a faster draw and keep the grip from digging into my kidney.

Drawing from inside the car has it's limitations. Don't expect to be quick draw Mcgraw. Practice it and find ways of making it faster, such as keeping only one (or no) cover garment over it while driving. Instead of trying to draw around the seat belt disengage it first. Learn to rock your hips in a way that makes accessing the gun easier. With some practice you should be able to draw with adequate speed under normal sea belted settings.
 
I carry in the appendix position. Oddly enough, after losing my belt overhang and finding my abs again...appendix carry is the most comfortable for me. It just so happens that I can draw when seated and wearing a seatbelt from that position.

Prior to that, I kept a holster mounted between the seat and the center console. When I got in the car, I simply moved the gun to the car holster. It worked, but it was a big pain in the rear.

Edit, I also kept a triggerguard holster in the car. I looped one end around seatbelt buckle and just wedgeded it between the seat and the console. Simple, but effective.

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For me, it's a Tommy's or Ka-bar gunpack at 12 o'clock. You simply put the lap portion of the belt under the pack. A more accessible access to your handgun while driving doesn't exist.
 
My method is rather simple, if I feel I can't draw my CCW from a seated position (4 O'Clock), then I place it under my left leg on the seat. Easy to conceal and lightening fast on the draw.;)

LD
 
I find myself thinking about this occasionally. One of my vehicles is a Miata; trying to draw my 1911 from its IWB holster while wearing that car (you don't get in it, you put it on) would be pretty much impossible, and in a convertible you're more vulnerable than you would be in an enclosed vehicle.

The solution I'm toying with is a pocket-sized gun that would ride holstered in the center console or glovebox or possibly wedged between the driver's seat and transmission tunnel while I'm driving and go in a pocket when I get out of the car.
 
Second gun, next to me in the center console. That's the method I use during the one night each week I deliver pizza. I admit I don't use that option at other times, though I usually do have it with me in addition to my primary EDC.

I'm also a southpaw, so it is a little easier for me to draw my primary when seated, but it does put it on the "rougher" side of the vehicle to defend from.
 
I unholster my gun and keep it in either my double cup holder, or under my leg. I've been thinking about getting one of them "Kingston" holsters from DeSantis, though.

I really hate the idea of keeping it in the glove compartment, and can't see why anyone would think it's a good idea. It's way too difficult to get to, and has the potential to spin around. I think people who "carry" a gun in their glove box think of it more as a talisman, than a tool.
 
If you move the weapon off of your person then make sure you carefully check and verify all local laws regarding carrying inside a vehicle. It's my understanding that in SC you either have to have it on your person and concealed or in a "closed container". Glove compartments and center consoles with doors qualify as closed containers if closed. Under the seat will get you in trouble so I imagine having it stashed anywhere else except in a closed glove box or closed center console could get you in trouble here. I'm fuzzy on having it in the open on the seat beside you. I thought I read this was allowable but can't be certain without looking it up. Which underscores my initial comment. Always make sure you are on the right side of the law.
 
Almost forgot, did anyone else notice we made it all the way to post #13 without Glock being mentioned? That might be a record! :neener:
 
If you move the weapon off of your person then make sure you carefully check and verify all local laws regarding carrying inside a vehicle. It's my understanding that in SC you either have to have it on your person and concealed or in a "closed container". Glove compartments and center consoles with doors qualify as closed containers if closed. Under the seat will get you in trouble so I imagine having it stashed anywhere else except in a closed glove box or closed center console could get you in trouble here. I'm fuzzy on having it in the open on the seat beside you. I thought I read this was allowable but can't be certain without looking it up. Which underscores my initial comment. Always make sure you are on the right side of the law.
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In WA, it's pretty strict how you can carry in the car if you don't have a permit, pretty lenient if you do.

Almost forgot, did anyone else notice we made it all the way to post #13 without Glock being mentioned? That might be a record!
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And you ruined it! You should have waited until a Glock was mentioned and then posted "post N was the first post about Glocks, so we had N-1 posts without Glocks, new record!"
 
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