My Russian IJ-70 Makarov is mine no longer

[Snowdog]

I wasn't going to mention this here as just talking about it really pisses me off. A couple months ago, my car was broken into and stolen besides my MP3 stereo and amp was my Makarov that was locked in the glovebox.

When filing the initial police report, I had to omit the loss of the pistol as my car was parked in the company parking deck when the theft occured. The company I work for is decisively anti-gun... but they pay quite well.
Only after going home that day could I call the police department and include the IJ-70 along with the serial number.

Ever since this happened, the only time I'll have a gun in the car is when it's on me (CCW licensee). Though difficult, when I'm leaving for work, the firearms stay home. I have tossed around the idea of finding/creating a clever hiding spot in the car to stash the pistol, but I simply cannot stomach losing another pistol. It's not the value of the pistol stolen that I find upsetting, it's that somewhere it's likely a juvenile gangbanger or similar cretin scum is armed with my Makarov.

Why did I bother to mention this? If you've never had a firearm stolen, it's not likely you've experienced the gut-wrenching knowledge that your firearm may be used in a crime and could very well be used to injure or kill the scum's next victim.

If you decide to keep a firearm in your car, take measures to keep it secure, even if it means creating a clever spot to hide it if your alarm fails to deter the lowlife bastard. I can only hope the idiot tossed it in a river or tried to load 9x19 in it and destroyed it... hopefully losing some fingers or facial features in the process.

 

[Optical Serenity]

Sorry to hear of your loss. That is truely sad that your Makarov is gone, hopefully you will soon get another one to supplement your collection.

 

[akodo]

tough call. Risk not having a gun when you need it (very small chance, but real) vs Risk a gun falling into the hands of a criminal (very small chance, but real)

I suggest getting one of those gadgets where you need to have a magnetic ring on to make the gun fire.

Alternately, what about doing something to disable the gun, something that you can quicky set right each time you get back into the car.

OR, to use your own idea, place a partial box of 9x19 next to the gun, hide the full magazine elseware. in a breakin, the guy is going to assume the ammo is for the gun, and take them both, and as you say, blow a couple fingers off.

 

[TxCajun]

There are some pretty stout gun lock boxes that cost way less than a gun. They can be bolted down or cabled to the seat frame and stuffed under the seat, or locked in the trunk.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

tough call. Risk not having a gun when you need it (very small chance, but real) vs Risk a gun falling into the hands of a criminal (very small chance, but real)

I suggest getting one of those gadgets where you need to have a magnetic ring on to make the gun fire.

Alternately, what about doing something to disable the gun, something that you can quicky set right each time you get back into the car.

OR, to use your own idea, place a partial box of 9x19 next to the gun, hide the full magazine elseware. in a breakin, the guy is going to assume the ammo is for the gun, and take them both, and as you say, blow a couple fingers off.

Not to bust your brass Adoko, but idea #2 seems a huge inconvenience, and #3 doesn't sound terribly ethical, even to a thief. If you can't booby-trap your stereo to cripple a burglar...

But #1 is an interesting idea. But I believe those are offered for a limited number of firearms (mostly S&W in the one product that I've seen).

TXCajun has a very good point, but for my vote, I go with Snowdog's idea of just carrying the gun everywhere, though not carrying en-route to work is the downside of the compromise.

Snowdog: with any luck, maybe he'll pawn it? That way it would either come back to you or be sold to someone who passed a NICS check. Just one less-unpleasant possibility.

-MV

 

[armedandsafe]

I had a similar problem with a client's premises, once. Luckily, there was a gun shop a couple of doors down. They were happy to hold my carry for me.

Pops

 

[Zundfolge]

Do you have to walk through security to enter work? Do you live in a state that gives force of law to company policies (like Texas' 30.06 signs)?

If not, just pick up something like a KelTec P3AT and stuff it in your pocket.

Concealed means concealed.

 

[Steelcore]

Don't worry about it.This is what cheap guns are for.Find something (an0ther Makarov perhaps) to stash in your glovebox.If you put it in a lockbox or a supersecret hiding place it won't be accessable when you need it.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Personally, I believe jobs are a lot easier to replace than lives.

 

[noresttill]

Personally, I believe jobs are a lot easier to replace than lives.

I must agree, how big is that makorov? Its like that kel-tec .380 right? Thats like the perfect ankle holster size, if an area is dangerous enough to have your car broken into, it warrants the small risk IMO.

but then again im just a talking finger on the internet and its not my job.

 

[carebear]

I'm buying one of these. Most smash and grab parking lot thieves won't have a bolt cutter. It's better than the glove box in any event.

http://www.center-of-mass.com/

 

[Byron Quick]

Experienced thieves can surprise you with just how well-equipped they are. I had a Giant mountain bike stolen out of the back of my pickup. They used boltcutters. In front of the police station. Directly in line with an office window that was innocent of shades or curtains.

 

[carebear]

Life's full of trade-offs.