Motel Stay in CA - What Handgun to Bring?

[Eric F]

Here is a thought go to the local pawn shop and buy the cheapest 38 S&W there is (not the 38 specials the 38 S&W) $50 to $150. not the best man stoper around but works.

 

[James41]

Take the cheapest thing you can get your hands on and don't worry about it cause if you get caught with it in California you are going to more than likely loose it and possibly some legal problems. I guarantee if you use it, you will loose it and probably get thrown in jail besides.

California does not take kindly to guns and getting a carry permit in most counties is an exercise in futility, i know i lived there for 70 years. The San Jose area is a cesspool and i would sure want something if i had to spend time there, but keep it well hid and expect big problems if you use it.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Not to derail here, but I thought that in order to posses a pistol in CA, you had to be a resident of the state and have it registered alla NYS? So could I, a Texas resident bring my Glock 26 and 10 round mag into CA?

 

[Quiet]

CA non-residents can legally possess firearms in CA.

CA non-residents can not legally bring into CA...
... assault weapons.
... large capacity magazines.

 

[Eyesac]

I will never take any gun of real/sentimental value into that state. Who knows what your luck may get you if you get pulled over, you never know, you could be transporting that gun incorrectly... :banghead:

 

[Librarian]

Not to derail here, but I thought that in order to posses a pistol in CA, you had to be a resident of the state and have it registered alla NYS? So could I, a Texas resident bring my Glock 26 and 10 round mag into CA?

Yes, you could.

Don't know what you'd do with it once you got here ....

It's not even the case that handguns have to be registered; before 1998 you could move here from out of state and not have to tell a soul about your handguns. On and after 1 Jan 1998, have to send in a form to the .gov.

 

[Tokugawa]

Bring something you can pull apart easy and take the bits with you- slide, for example- not a firearm, and you do not have to worry about somebody stealing your gun from the motel and using it.

 

[riceboy72]

I would think whichever pistol you're the most proficient with should be your first inclination. I am a die hard 1911 fan and would love to recommend the
Commander, but given what's been said here and the fact that it could either be stolen or taken from you in a myriad of situations, I'd say go the middle ground and take what you're proficient with *and* could replace with little to no difficulty should the unthinkable occur.

I am also a Glock fan so I opted for the Glock 26 even though I'd love to say Commander. It's easy to use, very low maintenance (if you never get to lube it, it'll still run and no amount of humidity from the temperature variable room will cause rust), and loaded with good, quality ammunition, you have a fairly formidable defense package in your hands, simple as it may seem.

The only 'concealment' issue to consider is where to conceal it daily when you leave. I, too, agree that you should find a way to secure your lock box in your room. Unfortunately, there's only so much you can do, and so many places to hide it there.

A few years ago, I took two road trips to California during the summer and had the same decision you did. Back then, it was between a Sig P226, a Kimber Series I Stainless Compact, and a Glock 19 with two spare magazines. The Glock got the nod and I felt well armed with it during my travels. If I had to do it again, I'd probably opt for the same choice.

Let us know what you choose, and be safe down there.

 

[jakemccoy]

Just make sure you have permanent 10 (or less) round magazines. Keep your 15 round magazines out of state. That's a big deal in Cali. I hate it. I'm on the pro-gun side.

 

[riceboy72]

Thanks, Jake ~

I appreciate the feedback. Learned a lot since those two road trips, and now I'm a tried and true 1911 man. If I ever return to California via I-5 with Glock in tow, I'll certainly feed it with those ugly 10 rounders.

 

[possum]

for me it would be the 1911, but the glock 26 is a close second, but really you are not gaining that much capacity by carrying the 26, i would take the 1911. with the .45 cal ash trays!

 

[ArmedBear]

Not to derail here, but I thought that in order to posses a pistol in CA, you had to be a resident of the state and have it registered alla NYS?

NEVER pay attention to posts about CA gun laws by non-residents. See earlier in this post.

People on this board make all sorts of statements that are wrong. We have nothing like a FOID, handguns are "registered" when you buy them in that the state stores the 4473 separately and records the serial number and name.

California's restrictions include may-issue CCW that translates to "Sheriff's campaign donors only" in some places, no CCW reciprocity, 10-day waiting periods for purchases (you buy the gun and pick it up 10 days later), 1 handgun per 30 days, and bans of larger magazines and certain guns/configurations.

 

[esq_stu]

The Glock!

I would think whichever pistol you're the most proficient with should be your first inclination.

Well, folks, I appreciate all the input. riceboy's comment hit home - I shoot my Glock more than anything else, and I feel most competent with it.

I am now in my motel room with a Glock 26, 2 10-rd mags full of CorBon DPX, a Surefire light, and that pushbutton safe I provided a link for at the top of the thread.

I doubt I'll ever need any of it, but I'll have it if I do.

BTW, this was the first time I've flown with a gun. The ticket agent had me sign a declaration, looked at the gun with the slide locked back to verify it was unloaded, and had me lock it in my little safe. I then put the safe in the soft-sided suitcase, zipped it closed, put a lock an the zipper, and watched the bag go through the TSA x-ray and on to the conveyor.

In my room, I'm wearing a belly band. When I leave for work, it will be either in the safe and cable-locked to the closet shelf or in the trunk of my rental car.

 

[jakemccoy]

How do you like your VLine safe? It looks big in the pic, but the published dimensions are nice and small. So, it holds the gun tight in there for air travel (?).

 

[crazed_ss]

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html


I will be traveling to California and want to carry my weapon. I currently have a concealed weapon permit. How can I legally transport my weapon while driving through the state?

California law does not recognize concealed weapon permits from other states; therefore, they would not be held valid. If you wish to transport a handgun during your California visit, it should be carried unloaded in a locked container. In the absence of a suitable container, you may secure the unloaded handgun in the locked trunk of a passenger car. 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.

If you have additional questions, contact the California Department of Justice at 916-227-3703.

 

[Floppy_D]

So is this a "What caliber for Californians" question?

 

[esq_stu]

How do you like your VLine safe? It looks big in the pic, but the published dimensions are nice and small. So, it holds the gun tight in there for air travel (?).

Excellent quality - very robust. At 5 pounds, it's heavy for a gun case. Like packing a big dictionary. The inside part of the lock under the lid takes up some storage space, so you have to orient the gun to avoid the lock. Since I don't want to scratch the gun, I usually store it in a nylon holster or a gun rug. The biggest item I've put in it is my 1911 Commander and spare mags, but they are a little loose. When I checked the Glock in my suitcase, I wrapped it in a small gun rug. In my room, I wrapped it in the belly band to add some thickness so it would not move in the safe.

Ticket agent at USAirways and the TSA guy that saw it had never seen one before and were very impressed.

I ran a cable lock through the holes and locked the safe to the closet shelf with the lock part of the cable lock inside the safe. Some suggested that I keep it in my car trunk, which I may also do.

 

[jakemccoy]

I posted some pics on another forum about a simple and legal method of traveling with your gun in a car in Cali. After many knowledgeable folks looking at it, they all agree that it's legal. Improvise as you see fit...

http://www.calccw.com/Forums/legal/2319-pics-method-traveling-handgun-car.html

 

[riceboy72]

Glad to hear you made a well thought out decision. As food for thought, if you have either a digital camera or a camera in your phone, I don't think it would hurt if you took pictures of your Glock on both sides in case it's stolen. You then have photographs if you need them to assist in identifying your pistol later. I tend to have the photos printed out, then write the serial number on the back of the photos which are stored in a safe place. If you have them on your cel phone, send yourself a text message with your Glock's serial number so you have it attached. I hope I never need them, but if I do, I've got them. You'd be surprised at the number of people who have no idea what their serial numbers are on their firearms, and it's not like you can go to your closet and find your Glock case to get the serial number.

Enjoy your time in California. Remember, just one day closer to going home again.