Vehicle Handgun Question

[Rockrivr1]

I own an SUV, so leaving a rifle or shotgun in the back probably isn't the best idea. I was thinking of getting a beater semi auto to put in one of the back compartments. (Due to state laws I'll have it empty with the mag stored in another compartment) My problem is that all of my handguns are in great shape / expensive and I'm hesitant to leave one in the truck. With that said, what handgun do you keep in your vehicle?

One of the local gun stores has some S&W police turn-ins in 9mm for around $280. Wonder if it's they are worth it.

What would you use.

(I wouldn't have to do this if I could get a CCW permit. :banghead: Oh well)

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I feel the same way about most of my guns, so I leave it to a gun that has no sentimental value, or is easy to replace and preferably inexpensive. I really didn't have a gun that fit this description, so I bought a slightly used Colt Detective Special, just the other day. It is about 70-80%, has no sentimental value, and I only paid $275 for it. If not this gun, it would be my Ruger P-89DC, Glock 19, or my AMT Backup in 45ACP. The Glock is debateable ($400+ to replace). Everything else I have is either worth too much money, has too much sentimental value, or not worthy of being used for anything other than target/range toys.

 

[CAS700850]

I wouldn't do this, just because of the fear of having the car broken into and the gun stolen. Just no good way to really secure a gun in a car. Or, the car itself could be stolen.

 

[Double Maduro]

The gun I keep in my vehicle is the one that is inside my waistband or on my belt at the moment, usually a Ruger P90.

I know that not everyone can get a concealed license, but if you can you should. A weapon in the trunk or back of your suv with the ammo seperated will do you absolutely no good if you should ever need protection. You might as well have left it at home.

If you are going to keep a weapon in your vehicle and not carry it, it should be a long gun, rifle or shotgun.

Makes me crazy when I go to the post office and have to leave my weapon in the car. I am just sure that some drug crazy hippy is going to break in and steal it and go on a rampage.

There are safes that fit on the floor of SUV's that are about 6 or 7 inches thick and look just like the floor of the vehicle. When you open the tail gate you have access to the locks and a drawer slides out. Good for hiding all kinds of things. I can't remember who makes them, I saw them on "Hunting with Hank".

DM

 

[BerettaNut92]

My rule of thumb is don't leave anything in the car overnight that I don't want stolen.

 

[garyk/nm]

Double Maduro,
I think this is what you were thinking of:
www.truckvault.com
Great idea, but kinda spendy...and heavy.

 

[Hot brass]

I do not leave a loaded gun in my truck or car. If someone were to break in to the car in California I will be held responsible if it were used in a crime. My guns are on me or locked away.

 

[wundudnee]

Now I don't know anybody that would do this, because Kansas doesn't have any provision for concealed carry. However if someone was to carry a pistol under the seat of their pickup, a CZ-52 would be a pretty good choice. These things are built like a tank, heavy as a tank and shoot like a tank. They are also pretty reasonable, around $100.00-$150.00. The only concern I have heard about them is supposed brittle firing pins. This is not supposed to be a problem if they aren't dry fired. Cheap enough that if it is stolen, you haven't lost much, and they're fun to shoot. The 762X25 bottle nosed cartridge is a real power house.

I also keep a pistol safe that I can cable lock into my vehicle if I'm going to leave it for an extended period, like going hunting or out in the boat.

 

[Rockrivr1]

WOW!! $1000 for the cheap model and it wieghs 300lbs. Think I'll have to pass on that one. Interesting concept though. Wouldn't mind getting one if I had the cash.

 

[Elkslayer]

The revolver I have in my truck is a 2" Taurus 5-shot 44 Spl. I picked up for $150. I happened to be "in the right place at the right time" when a guy was trading it in for something else.

That handgun is very close at hand when I am operating the vehicle just in case I need to put it into action in a hurry.

The S&W 342 that is in my pocket always goes with me.

Reason I have one in the vehicle when I'm carring one on my person is I don't want to be taking the S&W in and out of my pocket as I get into and out of the car and when it is in my pocket it is not easily put into action when behind the wheel with a seatbelt on.

 

[hightech]

Car Gun

KEL-TEC P-11 works for me as my car gun. With its fanny pack between the seats it is concealed but ready for use with an extra mag. When stored away it is wraped up and protected.

 

[Rimmer]

Get yourself an underdash holster/clip that will hold a pistol securely and is accessable from the drivers side. Make sure it won't fall out and can't be viewed without standing on your head

No LEO is gonna look that hard unless your found with some other questionable items so it's safe until you sell the car/truck. Just don't do as I did several years ago and trade it in without removing it. I was lucky that I remembered it the next day and was able to retreive it without anyone the wiser.

I did say secure it..ya don't want it falling out in a fender bender.

 

[Tinkerer]

My vehicle carry is a S&W Sigma .380. It bounces around in the center console very accessable when I drive. I take it out to shoot it about every 3 months, then clean it, replace the ammo, and carry on.

 

[TamThompson]

I have an Explorer (SUV), and I carry a Mossberg Persuader 12-gauge and a WASR-10 Ak-47 clone in a rifle case in there. When I park in public areas, I make sure the case is covered with towels, etc. and not visible.

Car break-ins are frequent in Austin, so for the rare occasions when I must leave pistols in car (church and whitewater kayaking) I've bought a portable safe and am going to have it welded to the frame of the car. They sell these safes now at gun stores, they run about $140, you can open them either with key or by tapping a combination (a Godsend for kayakers!)

 

[Double Maduro]

garyk/nm,

That's the one. Thanks.

DM

 

[HankB]

Hmmm . . . maybe if your vehicle is stolen or broken into, telling the police you had A GUN in there will actually be an incentive for them to look for it.

I knew a guy who kept an old (non-functional) shotgun of uncertain pedigree in his trunk for just that reason.

for the rare occasions when I must leave pistols in car (church and whitewater kayaking)

Your church posted a PC30.06 sign? Too bad - have you talked to your pastor/priest/minister/rabbi/whatever about this? A friend of mine had reason to wish he'd packed his usual carry piece to church here in Austin last Christmas eve . . . but that's another story.

As for the whitewater kayaking, think "Stainless Steel" or "Glock."

 

[patfar]

There is a low cost, high quality in car gun safe available you know

There is an in car gun safe available you know. This safe was specifically designed for CCW holders who need to leave their gun in the car. E.g. you need to go to legally posted property or to federal property (Post offices) you need to secure your gun. Sticking it under you seat or in your glove comparment box is not a good idea. This safe comes with a metal security cable that you can use to tether the safe to the car or you can mount it directly to the car with two pre drilled mounting holes.

Go to www.center-of-mass.com for detailed pics. You can buy them online as well.

By the way the safe meets TSA requirements for locking your gun in while you fly, plus with the cable you can use it in your rental car or you can use it in your hotel room to secure other valuables from the room cleaners etc.

 

[M2 Carbine]

You can get new Makarovs in the $150 range.

My cars and truck are loaded 24/7 with several kinds of guns.
The truck has 2 Ruger 357 Security Six revolvers and a M1 Carbine.

One car has an IMI 40 cal pistol and a Makarov and a SKS.

The second car has 2 S&W 38 Specials and a M1 Carbine.

With my life style it's unlikely my vehicles will be broken into but in any case I'll take the chance of losing a few hundred dollars in guns, no big deal.

What would be a big deal is if I needed those guns and they were in the safe at home.

BTW in Texas you can carry a loaded rifle or shotgun anywhere in your vehicle without a carry license.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Patfar, Thanks for the link! That is exactly what I am looking for to secure things in my truck. I ordered the large safe and I guess I'll get it sometime next month. Thanks again!

 

[Aguila Blanca]

If you live in Massachusetts and don't have a CCW, how do you think it's legal to carry a handgun in a vehicle?

 

[Rockrivr1]

While I don't have a CCW yet, I do have a Class A LTC Permit. I will use this safe to transport a gun that I can legally have, but cannot carry as of yet. It's not illegal to have a gun in the car as long as it's secured and not loaded. Hence the safe.

 

[stevelyn]

You could do what I do and get a flap holster for it and shove it under your seat. That way it'll be relatively handy and the flap holster would protect it from other under seat gremlins. By the way I second the CZ-52 idea.
Doh! I'm sorry. You live in MA. You can't do anything of the sort.