Motel Stay in CA - What Handgun to Bring?

[esq_stu]

I have a long-term job assignment in California. I've been spending a lot of time alone after work hours, and living in a motel near San Jose, and miss the comfort and security of being armed. I'm accustomed to my privileges where I live (Michigan), which include a carry license. I'm home right now and fly back to CA tomorrow.

I decided to being a handgun, which would be available to me basically when I'm in the motel.

I can't carry in CA because CA does not recognize my MI carry license. I've bought a steel lock box with cable to secure the gun in the room or car trunk and in the checked luggage when I fly. http://www.vlineind.com/html/compact.html

I've read the TSA and DOT and airline rules and THR for tips on flying with guns. I've got that covered.

I still need to decide what to bring (what I already own. Magazines are limited to 10 rounds in CA. That reduces my choices somewhat.

Since I am slightly concerned about theft, I don't know if value should be a factor, but I listed the candidates in order of decreasing value anyway,

Here's what I own that meet the 10-rd mag limit and fit in my new fancy steel lock box:

Series '70 Combat Commander (.45, nite sights, 8-rd mags)
Kahr PM9 (9mm, 7 rd mags)
Glock 26 (9mm, nite sights, 10-rd mags)
Ruger SP101 DAO (.357, 5-shot)
S&W 642 Airweight (.38 sp +P, 5-shot)
Makarov (9x18, 8 rd mags)

What would you bring? Why?

 

[elderboy02]

I voted for the Glock. It is lightweight and uber reliable.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Makarov. Least expensive in case you have to use it. It's going to be confiscated and held as evidence until you're cleared.

 

[ExSoldier]

I voted for the Commander 45. You want something that will feel comforting in the middle of the night under your pillow. But I really don't think this is a good idea unless you're going to take the weapon with you each and every day on the job. You going to leave a handgun available to every illegal immigrant (doing the job American's don't want to do) who cleans the rooms?

 

[Ed Ames]

All are decent choices. I'd go along with "whatever you least mind losing" but night sigts are a real plus.

I've been in similar situations and you can get very nice cable-equipped locking pistol cases (store-it I think is one brand) that will hold against all but the most dedicated cleaning staff, however, you'd probably be more secure keeping it in the trunk of your car when not in use. Just be careful to follow the locked/unloaded rules.

 

[silverlance]

I used to ascribe to the "throwaway gun" theory. but then I realized that it would be quite silly if, on the one occasion where I am forced to use a firearm to defend myself, my throwaway gun lives up to its nomenclature and fails on me. or, perhaps it doesnt fail, but my own performance is detracted upon by the lack of features found on my upper end guns.

I used to carry a bulgarian mak (legally). its a great gun, and I really like it. there are times when I need something very small but dead on reliable, and in those cases I still carry it.

but otherwise, i carry my p228 or p229. each is worth far more (especially after upgrades like CT) than my maks, but i am far more effective with them. higher capacity, better accuracy, superior sights, and safer operation.

for mine enemies, nothing is too good.

PS: not every visitor to CA is limited to 10 rnd magazines. I have several friends who came here in 1998, and purchased standard magazines. every year (with some years skipped), they have come back to visit family members. during those times, they simply retrieve their magazines from storage. the law is that you cannot bring new assembled magazines into the state. however, if you possessed them before 1999, then you can do whatever you want with them (other than sell, lend, give away, etc)

remember, the law does NOT ban possession of standard magazines. rather, it bans importation, sale, lending, and giving away of standard magazines.

 

[cyclist]

I couldn't vote for two, and any comments I'd make wouldn't be within THR parameters as to why I'd suggest bringing two. I picked the S&W as being the potentially most politically friendly one should the need arise to display or employ it. And +1 on the don't leave it in the motel room suggestion.

 

[Essex County]

I voted Combat Comander. The real answer is whatever You feel most comfotable with........Essex

 

[romma]

I went with the big ole' .45... Since you can't carry it concealed, might as well go for the extra power...

 

[Hot brass]

357 mag, if needed, hit them and hit them hard.

 

[packnrat]

never have a pricey $$ gun for protection, the leo's will take it from you and.....
...some how it just gets lost in the system.

do not want a blunder nine..thin walls.

a 45 will just knock down the wall.

357 in a cheep gun good.

just make sure it is on the ca aproved list before comming to ca.:banghead:

 

[Diggers]

You may want to look into the law in CA.

I'm not saying this as FACT ,however I believe I read some where that in CA the HD laws DO NOT apply to hotels /motels. Best look into it.

The law in CA of when and where you can posses a firearm is pretty strict.

For instance, I know that it is not legal to drive around with a firearm in your car unless you are going to or coming from a range, or such things as hunting, fishing and camping trips.
Ofcouse all firearms in cars have to be unloaded and locked away in a case.

Take a look at the law before you bring a gun to CA, there may legal issues that prevent it.

 

[silverlance]

Protecting One’s Home
A person may defend his or her home against anyone who attempts to enter in a violent
manner intending violence to any person in the home. The amount of force that may be
California Firearms Laws 2005 31
used in resisting such entry is limited to that which would appear necessary to a reasonable
person in the same or similar circumstances to resist the violent entry. One is not bound to
retreat, even though a retreat might safely be made. One may resist force with force,
increasing it in proportion to the intruder’s persistence and violence, if the circumstances
apparent to the occupant would cause a reasonable person in the same or similar situation
to fear for his or her safety.
The occupant may use a firearm when resisting the intruder’s attempt to commit a forcible
and life-threatening crime against anyone in the home provided that a reasonable person in
the same or similar situation would believe that (a) the intruder intends to commit a
forcible and life-threatening crime; (b) there is imminent danger of such crime being
accomplished; and (c) the occupant acts under the belief that use of a firearm is necessary
to save himself or herself or another from death or great bodily injury. Murder, mayhem,
rape, and robbery are examples of forcible and life-threatening crimes.
Any person using force intended or likely to cause death or great bodily injury within his
or her residence shall be presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of
death or great bodily injury to self, family, or a member of the household when that force
is used against another person, not a member of the family or household, who unlawfully
and forcibly enters or has unlawfully and forcibly entered the residence and the person
using the force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry had
occurred. Great bodily injury means a significant or substantial physical injury. (Penal
Code § 198.5.)
NOTE: If the presumption is rebutted by contrary evidence, the occupant may be
criminally liable for an unlawful assault or homicide.
Defense of Property
The lawful occupant of real property has the right to request a trespasser to leave the
premises. If the trespasser does not do so within a reasonable time, the occupant may use
force to eject the trespasser.

 

[ArmedBear]

Diggers is incorrect about the legality of keeping a loaded firearm for self-defense in a temporary residence.

Here's the DOJ's booklet on line: http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/Cfl2007.pdf

Any person over the age of 18 who is not prohibited from possessing firearms, and if otherwise
lawful, may keep and carry a firearm or have a firearm loaded at his or her place of residence,
temporary residence, campsite, or on private property owned or lawfully possessed by the person.
(Penal Code §§ 12026, 12031(h) and (l).)

California has no "duty to retreat", though there is a "reasonable force" requirement. It isn't egregious; it just means that you probably will be charged with a crime if you do something you wouldn't ever do, like kill a lost 5-year-old for shaking a fist at you. Read the booklet for details.

Also from Diggers, and incorrect:

For instance, I know that it is not legal to drive around with a firearm in your car unless you are going to or coming from a range, or such things as hunting, fishing and camping trips.
Ofcouse all firearms in cars have to be unloaded and locked away in a case.

It's true that firearms must be unloaded while in the car. Otherwise, this is not accurate.

See: http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html#05 and http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/travel.php

Handguns need to be in the trunk or a locked container other than the glovebox or console. A "locked container" can be a gun rug with a luggage lock on it; there's no standard for security. The legislature just wanted it to take more than a second to grab, load and fire the gun.

Also, according to the CHP: "Ammunition may be kept in the same container or trunk, but the handgun must remain unloaded with no rounds in the cylinder and no loaded magazines in the magazine well." Note that this does not require locking the ammo separately, or prohibit carrying loaded magazines or speedloaders with the gun. Many Californians think it does.

Long guns can be stacked on the passenger seat, for all CA state law says about it. The thing to be concerned with are "brandishing" laws that some cities have passed so that the cops can apprehend someone seen carrying a gun around. It's best to have the gun in a soft case when taking it into the hotel room, just to avoid trouble.

Provisions for hunting, fishing, camping, target shooting, whatever, are limited exemptions to these laws, not general requirements for transporting firearms.

 

[Ed Ames]

For the record: The ca approved list applies only to importations for sale by dealers. You can bring in a "non-approved" gun for personal use (or, if a new resident, for sale person-to-person) and it's perfectly OK. What you've got to watch out for is the ca denied list... "scary guns" either by name or feature (threaded barrel, etc) and mag cap.

And diggers is totally wrong. The CA "castle" is ANY PLACE you call home, including a camp site or motor home.

 

[strangelittleman]

Yep, the Makarov.....Communist pistol for a Communist State.

 

[ArmedBear]

Note that there can be a certain stigma to some semiautos like Glocks, due to their association with gangbangers, who are too common in some California cities. This is purely a subtle social stigma; there's no law against the things and many people have and use them.

Revolvers seem to escape this image problem, as do 1911's.

And in many places, this is a total non-issue.

 

[glockman19]

Either the Glock or the S&W 642.

Each gun has it's own benefits.

I regularly carry both guns. The Glock more in the winter, the 642 more in the summer. I would bring both. If you are going to limit it to one I'd choose the S&W 642 Why? Deeper concealibility. Less Weight. I'm willing to give up the extra rounds for the cumfort and convenience.

Both Glock & S&W would serve you well.

Which one do you shoot better? What one would you not mind losing?

You can travel the state with the gun(s) locked in a case and a loaded mag or speed loader on your person. You can Carry Concealed in your temporary residence, (hotel/motel room).

Enjoy your stay.

 

[esq_stu]

Thanks, everybody, I've got less than a day to decide and I'm off to the airport. I'll post the outcome.

BTW, I lean toward the less expensive choices. Nobody commented that the Mak is underpowered (I do have some CorBon 9x18 JHPs left from when they were still making them). I feel like I could defend myself well with any of the choices, but I'm not sure any choice gives me an edge over any other, except maybe a choice with maximum number of rounds or maybe nite sights (the G19). But I could be convinced to go with an of the others. BTW, I'll also have a surefire light with me. Decisions, decisions . . .

 

[ArmedBear]

Where are you going to be staying?

A part of California may be the home of the Crips, but most of it doesn't see any significant violence -- hence the lack of a groundswell of "shall issue" support, unfortunately.

 

[esq_stu]

Where are you going to be staying?

Santa Clara County

 

[doc2rn]

You should do fine with a SP 101 and one speed loader. I would not feel under gunned with one. I like the sp due to the fact that in a hotel/ motel it will be a CQC situation and a dao revolver is ideal for this kind of infighting.

 

[Joe Demko]

The Glock or the Ruger would be effective and either one is easily replaced without going bankrupt. Maks aren't as cheap and easy to get as they used to be.

 

[novaDAK]

another vote for the Ruger for the above reasons

but I'm not you, so bring whatever YOU're comfortable with

 

[mp510]

I vote for the Colt Commander- Your not carrying it, so compactness isn't a requirement. Since your magfazine capacity is limited, .45 ACP gives you, on paper at least, the most bang for your buck- the best chance of a one shot stop.