Truck Gun dilemma

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qwert65

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What do you guys think is the best truck gun/combo, what have you guys found that you use the most. I was gonna just throw in a Henry 22 lever and call it a day, then thought a shotgun might be better, then thought maybe both, or a centerfire......etc
So I figured I'd ask those that have them Do you ever use it? What for? Is two guns better then one? I drive around in rural areas a lot down in Louisiana, but I grew up in NJ so having a gun in a truck is foriegn to me.

If it helps I already ccw so I do have a gun on me most of the time anyways
Any input appreciated, Thx
 
Can't go wrong with a good ole' .30-30 lever action. Fairly accurate and powerful within reasonable ranges, ammo is very easy to find, and the reliability is excellent.

May I suggest a Marlin 336?:D
 
I generally keep a .22lr, i'd prefer a .22 mag but haven't found one yet. It really depends on what you going to use it for.
 
Not really sure that's part of my question those of you with truck guns what do you find most useful and why?
 
I use my AK with a folding stock and a few bulgarian 20 round tanker mags.

I can pretty much take all comers with that and my side arm. two legged, four legged, and bout anything else.

I use to roll with my mossy 500 cruiser with a PG but I decided I needed more range.

.22 is ok for survival. Great in fact. But take a machine when on the beat.

Fooon
 
Back when I used to have a rifle in the truck (Wagoneer actually), it was a sporterized No4 MK1 Enfield.

Bubba'd surplus rifles excel as truck guns in my opinion as they've already been bastardized and thus in the opinion of most collectors, ruined. A few dings and scratches that a rifle will risk as a truck gun isn't something you're going to lose any sleep over.
Also, since these sporterized surplus rifles were born as battle/combat rifles to begin with and they'll still retain those properties.

When I think "truck rifle", I think "something handy". That's why if I were to choose the most idealtruck rifle, I would focus on the Mini 14, Mini 30, M1 Carbine or carbines of that size and weight. I still feel an old, inexpensive sporterized Enfield, Arisaka, Mauser or other WWII battle rifle will serve a man well also.
 
An underfolding AK is a good choice. The underfolding stock keeps its width and stowed length to a bare minimum, even compared to side folders. Truck guns often get neglected and dusty, though, so I'd definitely choose an AK over an AR platform. Also much cheaper, and its big beefy safety is far less likely to get disengaged by it getting bumped around.

A truck gun should be:

(1) Cheap (in case it gets damaged or stolen)

(2) Reliable

(3) Durable

(4) Compact

(5) Not so nice you would mind it getting a bit banged up.

(6) Able to fire a meaningful round.

An AK meets all of these criteria. So do some SKS's. However, I'd choose the AK because it has a better-sealed action that's less dirt-prone (the SKS's top-loading design with the exposed stripper clip slot can be a magnet for dust bunnies when it's stored behind a seat).
 
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It does depend on what you expect to need but what ever it is should be something you dont mind haveing a few scratches. For a truck a pump shotgun is always a good idea.
For me it usally an older revolver some place handy that works in my car and truck. When I spent time in the real back country the revolver and eather a shotgun or rifle depending on my mood and time of year was in the truck with me.
 
An AK is good all-around, but if you're in bear country there's always other choices, like a Mosin M44 loaded with 203-grain soft points. If you're looking for bear medicine, you're of course going to want a larger round.
 
Your 'truck gun' will get beat up, the stock dinged the bluing rubbed raw and live in extremes of temperature in your truck.

I wouldn't pick 'pretty' over functional.

Keep it lubed, check it for rust once in a while.

My 'truck gun' is a post war Brno kar98k in 8mm Mauser. The military stock is a replacement with repairs in it so I don't worry about adding dings. The bluing is already worn here and there so I don't worry about that. Inside a soft case it's bumped all over the back end of my jeep on some raunchy 4wd trails with no ill effects. With iron sights I can hit a can of red bull at 100 yards, plenty accurate for anything I might need it for. I've never had a 'good' reason to have a truck gun, but thats the rifle I usually take with me 'just because'.

(My first choice would be a Marlin .30-30 but I don't currently own one.)
 
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you should just get it over with and mount an M134D with a 360 degree swivel in your truck bed. Lol j/k...obviously.

I like the idea of having 2 firearms in rural areas (not including your concealed carry). A 22 lever action is a great start, but you should complete the setup with a pump or a twin barrel shotgun. You'd get the most versatility with that combo and storage/ ammo would be cheap.

My father ran this setup when we lived in TX and it provided him/us with alot of fun and a great big piece of mind.
 
I like my used 30-30 too. Pick them up used, cheap. 40 rounds in addition to the 5 in the rifle, and 5 in the leather Galco Butt Cuff.

That 30-30, will cover 99% of every thing I have needed a rifle for in the 57 years I have been shooting, in the United States.

I guess it's my redneck assault rifle.

Go figure.

Fred
 
Rossi Ranch Hand!!!

ranchhand.jpg
 
Hmm more votes for a Centerfire then I thought I have a 336 so looks like that's it
 
In my area an AK in 7.62x39 would do nicely for just about any situation. If I lived in black bear country or where feral hogs were larger I'd opt for an AK in .308 Win or 12ga.
 
For me, part of the duty of a truck gun is to be inconspicuous. Something completely ordinary that will be useful for 99% of needed duties.

I'm not looking for something to use in a shoot out. Just something to keep handy for unexpected trouble or a coyote or to put down a mortally injured animal on the side of the road.

I go back and forth between an old 12 gauge pump with a mixed box of shells and a budget 336 in 30-30 with 6 in the tube and 10 on the cuff with an extra box of ammo.

Both guns could do whatever I need of them AND not raise any eyebrows.
 
RE: "Raised Eyebrows"

Good point but my AKs are pretty bland Saigas. No overdone tacticool accessories but they'll eventually be 922r compliant so I can use "normal capacity" mags.
 
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