My solution for car carry

[TimM]

For a long time I have been thinking about how to carry my pistol while in the car. I don't like it in my IWB holster because it is hard to get to while buckled in. I have too large of a gut to wear it cross draw. I don't like laying it on the seat because if I brake hard it will go flying. It is to inaccessible in the console or glove box. So, this is what I finally came up with.

It is a Fobus paddle holster mounted under the dash. It is inches from my knee and inches from my hand, very fast and easy to access. I used self tappping screws with lock washers, loc tite and large rubber washers. The large rubber washers are between the paddle and the dash and also between the paddle and the actual holster. The screws are drilled through both the top of the holster and the paddle for security.

I found that the rubber washers eliminate vibration and help keep the screws from backing out. The rubber washer between the paddle and the holster along with a large metal washer tightened down on the bottom lip of the holster keeps the paddle tight and keeps from sagging and being pulled loose when I draw the pistol.

I am carrying two spare mags in the drivers side door pouch as well as one on my belt. All-in-all I am very happy with this set up so far.

Here are some images. just thought I would share.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

nice setup! how visible is it from the outside? i.e. could someone look into the car when you arent there and clearly see the holster?

 

[Demitrios]

That's some nice work, I like that.

 

[Rockwell1]

I would have got a LH holster and flipped it the other way but I like that concept

 

[Wolfebyte]

Sweet..

looks like a grassburr setup..

I like it..!!

 

[TimM]

nice setup! how visible is it from the outside? i.e. could someone look into the car when you aren't there and clearly see the holster?

It really kind of blends in. It's not invisible but you would really have to be doing something that you shouldn't be doing to see it. If you are just passing by you would never notice it. I actually had a friend riding with me the other day in the passenger seat and he didn't even notice it until I was ready to exit and holstered it. (yeah I know... that says a lot about him)

My windows are also slightly tinted making it a little more difficult to notice from outside. It is darn near impossible to see through the drivers side window, even if you know it's there. It can only possibly be seen from the passenger side window and that is only if you are really looking.

 

[TimM]

I would have got a LH holster and flipped it the other way but I like that concept.

I think it as all about what you are comfortable with and what suits you ergonomically best. I tried a few different setups using velcro before I made this one permanent. It really works for me, so far I have no complaints at all.

 

[conw]

I think you did it well but even with the fact that it's hard to get while buckled in, I think it's wiser to keep it IWB while driving always.

Here's my reasoning:

Scenario A - You encounter a lethal force scenario. You drive off. Gun was not even needed.

Scenario B - You encounter a lethal force scenario. You run the threat over. Beats a gun any day.

Scenario C - Your car is getting ventilated with bullet holes. You'd be wise to get out! Your gun is either in your custom car holster or IWB, your choice.

See what I'm getting at? Those seem far and away more likely than any scenario where you'd need to have the gun accessible while in the car.

 

[TimM]

Scenario A - You encounter a lethal force scenario. You drive off. Gun was not even needed.

Scenario B - You encounter a lethal force scenario. You run the threat over. Beats a gun any day.

Scenario C - Your car is getting ventilated with bullet holes. You'd be wise to get out! Your gun is either in your custom car holster or IWB, your choice.

See what I'm getting at? Those seem far and away more likely than any scenario where you'd need to have the gun accessible while in the car.

Far more likely is scenario D - I see a car jacker approaching and I draw my weapon and am ready to confront the threat. No digging in my waist band, the weapon is in my hand and I am ready to fight.

See what I am getting at? I have months and months of thought into this system and every possible scenario. You can carry your weapon how ever you wish, this works for me.

I know for a fact that I can draw this weapon in less than a second. And it is very easy to draw as I am leaving the vehicle. If my car is being riddled with bullets the pistol will be in my hand as I exit and it will be in battery and ready to go faster than it would be if it was in my IWB.

I have thought this through.

 

[D-Day]

Very nice. That option would be nice, but not an option in states such as Ohio, where if in a holster, that holster must be on the person. Or otherwise, must be in locked console, glovebox, bag, case or container with any variety of zippers, latches, loops, etc.

 

[KevinAbbeyTech]

Lots of good ideas here.

 

[rrruuunnn]

Real life scenarios like this are in the book "Concealed Handgun Manual." Driver sees man running towards van with gun. He grabs his gun hidden under newspaper. Another story: Man is suddenly receiving hail of punches through car window. He is barely able to reach his gun and fire his gun.

 

[BBQLS1]

Just wanted to point out.

I don't know how this will work with CC laws in some states if you can see the firearm in the car.

 

[20nickels]

Tks for the velcro idea. I was going to do the same thing in my vehicle only inverted. Was scheming on how to attach it.

 

[TimM]

Just wanted to point out.

I don't know how this will work with CC laws in some states if you can see the firearm in the car.

I am not a lawyer but in CO it is legal, even for a non CCW holder, to carry a handgun in their vehicle. It does not specify how that weapon must be carried. (Colorado Statutes/TITLE 18-12-05)

 

[TimM]

Tks for the velcro idea. I was going to do the same thing in my vehicle only inverted. Was scheming on how to attach it.

FYI, I had to go through a few different types of velcro before i found one that worked. The problem was that the contour of the holster in relation to the contour of my vehicle allowed for very limited contact points.

If this is gonna be your final solution you may need to somehow build up the hollow or curved part of the holster to fit flush with your dash. You will also want to attach the loose end of the holster to the paddle so that it doesn't sag under the weight of the pistol.

Make sure that it is legal in your area to do this.

 

[Maelstrom]

If this is gonna be your final solution you may need to somehow build up the hollow or curved part of the holster to fit flush with your dash. You will also want to attach the loose end of the holster to the paddle so that it doesn't sag under the weight of the pistol.

To follow the contour, I'd just pad out the contact points with additional rubber washers and use longer screws.

 

[shdwfx]

for Ohio

Note to Ohio residents and visitors: this form of transportation is illegal here.

Ohio requires a valid CHL in order to have a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. If you have a CHL, a loaded firearm must be transported in one of the following ways:

1. In a holster secured on the person.
2. In a closed case, bag, box, or other container that is in plain sight and that has a lid, a cover, or a closing mechanism with a zipper, snap, or buckle, which lid, cover, or closing mechanism must be opened for a person to gain access to the handgun
3. The loaded handgun is securely encased by being stored in a closed glove compartment or center console, or in a case that is locked. A locked case does not need to be in plain sight (an unlocked case does).

Now, mounting a flap-holster in this manner would meet the qualifications of #2, but might fail #3 since non-locking containers must not be hidden.
Mounting under the dash could subjectively be deemed hidden depending on the officer and local prosecutor.

 

[conw]

I mean this respectfully - after all, the purpose of these boards is for everyone reading the thread to be presented with different ways of looking at an issue, so I don't mean to be preaching at you.

Personally I don't see why you wouldn't be slamming the gas pedal at the first sight of a threat, period.

(Image credit Box O' Truth)

In my world, a LETHAL threat is worth getting the Heck out of there in my car or it isn't worth drawing on. Inside the car trading fire is the worst scenario I can think of. I realize you might not be able to move in traffic, but as sm says "Make a hole!"

 

[MT GUNNY]

We think alike!

View attachment 95305

 

[archigos]

In my world, a LETHAL threat is worth getting the Heck out of there in my car or it isn't worth drawing on. Inside the car trading fire is the worst scenario I can think of. I realize you might not be able to move in traffic, but as sm says "Make a hole!"

That's obviously ideal, but sometimes its just not feasible. I had a situation a few months ago in which a woman tried to pull a weapon on me while I was in my car. Had there been traffic moving in the other direction, I wouldn't have been able to move *anywhere* because I was locked in between cars. (One of which being hers.) I lucked out and was able to swing into the oncoming lane and take off. As my heart slowed and was no longer beating out of my chest, I realized... "Why the hell wasn't I carrying?"

 

[conw]

I guess it comes down to: are the consequences of possibly not having it on your person if you have to vacate the car in a shootout outweighed by the benefits of having it available if you somehow need to shoot and can't escape in the car and/or vacate the car.

Personally I have no qualm with either decision, but I think many people don't put much thought into trying to figure out the chances and consequences.

 

[KBT1911]

That's Awesome!

Stuff like this is why I joined this board! I'm thinking, "how would I...OH LOOK! He did it!"

 

[TimM]

I mean this respectfully - after all, the purpose of these boards is for everyone reading the thread to be presented with different ways of looking at an issue, so I don't mean to be preaching at you.

Personally I don't see why you wouldn't be slamming the gas pedal at the first sight of a threat, period.

Of course getting the hell out of Dodge is always the first option. I always try and leave enough space between me and the car in front of me to maneuver out of harms way. But, I can envision and have been in scenarios where flight is just not an option.

This is my answer to the situation where I am not able to run.

We think alike!

MT GUNNY, yes we do.

 

[Mainsail]

Looks interesting but I would worry a little about shearing off a kneecap in a minor accident. There's a reason they left it all smooth there.