Truck Gun dilemma
- Thread starter qwert65
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Mike1234567
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high country
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jmorris, I dig that rack (the hardware hanging in it is pretty sweet too!). Any details on the rack though, who makes it, etc? That would certainly save on wear and tear to the firearm and be much more convenient than behind the seat storage if you are getting in and out a lot with the rifle.
Because having something that flies under the radar works best for MY needs. I don't WANT to have to get into a 2nd amendment debate with a police officer (rare as that would actually be in this area). I don't OWN a semi-automatic high capacity rifle (but I certainly have nothing against them.Just don't like feeding them). I am DEADLY with a 30-30 iron sites out to 100 yards.
Part of my truck gun philosophy is to be something that is powerful enough to take down anything I would mostly run across. I also should shoot it well. I also like having something that is seem more as a tool than an assault weapon or evening a dedicated hunting tool in case of an emergency while out on the road. That is to say, I would feel equally perturbed to explain my folding stock AK with a 30 round mag to a police officer while driving through the city as I would to explain my 12x scoped hunting rifle if I had one cased in the vehicle while taking a walk through the local DNR wildlife area.
I don't ever think that I will need the gun in my truck to fight off bad guys. That's what the .45 on my hip is for. If I had to wrestle the case and get to my long arm, I'd be shot to pieces for I got the zipper halfway down. Unless I keep it slung across the back of my seat (right within reach of my one year old daughter), no long arm is going to be a good choice for an "Oh Crap!" moment.
For me, a truck gun is a nice affordable lever action or a solid 12 gauge pump. The function I see for it is actually primarily for putting down mortally wounded animals. I don't hunt, and I don't expect a fight. I have had to shoot a doe on the back roads of KY who was nearly twisted in half by a dump truck. I have had to plug a stray dog who was half gutted with his legs crushed. Hell, I even gave a ground hog a .22 trip to the big garden in the sky after he was rolled by a car trying to cross a highway.
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Correct. Milled receiver too. I'll never sell it. When my eyes were 20 years younger I could shoot 3" groups with Chinese surplus ammo. These days I hold the black on a 100 yard NRA target. Same surplus ammo. Bought a bunch of that too.
CaptFlint61
Member
my gun is a old Mark iv enfield, rebarreled with a 20' chrome lined, bolt action, 10 rds of 303, 160 extra rounds in stripper clips in WWII bandolier, Stored in gun case behind back seat, with iron sights good to 200 yds, Never had a problem and I travel to many different states. Cost <$300
Also carry a 22 mag rifle when on the road, some of the land owners will allow us to hunt vermin when we are working in the area.
Also carry a 22 mag rifle when on the road, some of the land owners will allow us to hunt vermin when we are working in the area.
SKS. Looks pretty harmless, even with 20 round Tapco magazines and a flash hider, because I kept the wood stock on it. Certainly lacks the AK-47/AR-15 profile.
The 7.62x39 will work for survival, defense, putting down animals on the highway, etc. I keep 10 loaded 20 round magazines and 400 rounds in an ammo can, you might not carry that much ammo though.
The 7.62x39 will work for survival, defense, putting down animals on the highway, etc. I keep 10 loaded 20 round magazines and 400 rounds in an ammo can, you might not carry that much ammo though.
Mike1234567
member
I've been thinking of trading a very nice Marlin 336 for work I need done here on the old homestead but now I'm reconsidering...
jmorris
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I built it from .120 wall 1" box tube and 3/4" barstock I drilled and tapped to accept the ATV mounts. The mount is super easy in a Jeep, I used the holes already in the roll bar (for the soft top door jam) to bolt the box tube down. The other thing that is nice about the jeep is the extra height makes it difficult to see any signs of the rifle. Well unless you take the top off.
high country
Member
Very nice setup, I really like how you can have a scoped gun in easy reach and without having it immediately visible from outside. I might have to copy your design, thanks for the info and pictures!
jmorris
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Glad to help.
Missed this one last time. Some people are plenty happy with a hammer others are happy with something just as effective that makes less noise like a corrdless drill.
As you point a lever 30-30 will do many of the same jobs and some better than the less powerful .223. Seems like now we are just talking about aesthetics.
Missed this one last time. Some people are plenty happy with a hammer others are happy with something just as effective that makes less noise like a corrdless drill.
As you point a lever 30-30 will do many of the same jobs and some better than the less powerful .223. Seems like now we are just talking about aesthetics.
I live in a state where if there is a pig-up weapon aboard it's probably loaded. Not unlawful to travel around that way. Lotta guys tote the Ruger .22mag and alot of 30-30's go along for the ride doin chores just waiting for a call to dispatch a porc or badger or even a big cat.
Averageman
Member
Wrecked Marlin 336 my brother got for me for $150. I put lots of time and a little money in it.
mokin
Member
For a long time I had a sporterized No. 1 Mk. III I bought for $55.00. Now I have a Ruger Mk II (mostly for impromptu range trips) and whatever pistol i'm carrying that day.
Gtimothy
Member
It's easy to close the bolt without a round in the chamber...use a detachable magazine! I take the magazine out, close the bolt then put the mag back in. You can keep the mag in the console and the gun in the back.
For decades, I would toss an AR-7 into my jeep when heading out. A bad situation made me realize it was a bit underpowered. So, I made my "Perfect Jeep Gun". Simply my old Mossberg .410 model 500 with a shortened barrel, youth buttstock, and modified for quick and easy assembly/disassembly.
Likeing the idea so much, I have now made my "Perfect Truck Gun". This is a Franchi model 48L 20 ga modified in the same manner as the Mossberg.
For where I go, and what I do with each vehicle, those two firearms suit my needs, as I'm not expecting to be shooting at long range, or fending off a rabid herd of bikers.
I'm currently trying to figure out my "Perfect Car Gun". I'm still leaning toward a modified shotgun, but it might end up being a small caliber rifle (possibly a mini 14). I figure the car gun would likely be an antipersonnel weapon where as the others are for situations in rural areas where food gathering would be (but let's face it mostly fun shooting) would be most important.
Likeing the idea so much, I have now made my "Perfect Truck Gun". This is a Franchi model 48L 20 ga modified in the same manner as the Mossberg.
For where I go, and what I do with each vehicle, those two firearms suit my needs, as I'm not expecting to be shooting at long range, or fending off a rabid herd of bikers.
I'm currently trying to figure out my "Perfect Car Gun". I'm still leaning toward a modified shotgun, but it might end up being a small caliber rifle (possibly a mini 14). I figure the car gun would likely be an antipersonnel weapon where as the others are for situations in rural areas where food gathering would be (but let's face it mostly fun shooting) would be most important.
SlowFuse
Member
In my Jeep, I took a handi-rifle that had seen better days. Put a new barrel on it and cut it down to 17" and had a friend recrown it. I chose 17" just to be safe (legally) since it wasn't made to that length to begin with. There was always a chance the firearm could get wet or muddy, or could fall out if I flipped (rockcrawler) so I didn't even want to chance ruining an sks or other milsurp that I paid more than $150 for.
The only time I ever had to use it was every now and then to scare off crows, squirrels etc that were eating corn out of deer feeders or just blasting cans and water jugs. You may not feel like a single shot is best, but I always felt that it was adequate. I usually also had a 22lr revolver in the dry box with snake shot in it just in case I came across any slithery types!
The only time I ever had to use it was every now and then to scare off crows, squirrels etc that were eating corn out of deer feeders or just blasting cans and water jugs. You may not feel like a single shot is best, but I always felt that it was adequate. I usually also had a 22lr revolver in the dry box with snake shot in it just in case I came across any slithery types!
jimniowa
Member
Here in the land of OZ our truck guns should be out of sight with a cwp. I carry a 16.25" Marlin in .44mag with 240g jsp ammo. For the shot gun a Coach gun in 12 gauge 20 " barrel loaded with 3" 1 buck. The wife carries a 1100 ltwt in 20 gauge using a skeet barrel with # 3 buck. These guns are not the best for urban car jacking which is going on at the first encounter. So we also have pistols at our ready in our cars. We shoot regulary when weather permits, we concentrate on 8" pistol targets, not people paper targets. We hope to retire to Texas and these truck guns will fit in well.
Jim
Jim
Cherokee305
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I keep one of my ARs under the seat. Plum crazy lower, with a carbon fiber hand guard. Don't mind leaving it in the truck year round. Only part that can really rust is the barrel.
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