What gun for the trunk?

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cyrano

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As long as we are talking about trunks. I don't have a concealed weapon permit because of the county I live in- also I live downtown in a large city. God forbid, if a crisis/ catastrophe/ war/ whatever happens, wherever I'm at and whatever I'm doing, I plan to head ASAP as far away from this city as possible... probably 300 miles to my sister's house in the hills. I want to be prepared. What firearm should I be carrying in my trunk at all times? This will be my first firearm purchase, although I've practiced with some service revolvers as my dad was a policeman - deceased now, wish I had his advice. Thanks. Cyrano
 
SKS. Cheap, handy, reliable. Uses common, reasonably inexpensive ammo.

Plus they're pretty close to indestructable.
 
First question is, is it legal to carry a gun in your trunk?
For instance in Texas it's legal to carry a loaded long gun in your vehicle without a carry license.


I tend to say a SKS but a 12ga pump shotgun can fill several rolls by switching from shot to slugs.
 
Aside from legalities which may be involved (which large city in which state) - your location raises another concern.

Basically -- what's really more likely -- that the proverbial "S will hit the F" - or someone breaks into your car to see what goodies you've left in it? In most large cities I've been in... the latter is a disgustingly likely occurence.

-K
 
It's legal

Thanks for all the replies so far. Good question Kaylee. Yes it is legal for me to carry a firearm in my trunk, but maybe I shouldn't for the reason you mentioned! OK what if I keep it at my apartment, and ready to go in the case of an emergency? The suggestions of Rifle or Shotgun are interesting, nobody has said revolver or pistol, but could you guys be more specific?... price is not a factor... I appreciate your replies. I suppose I'm worrying about things I shouldn't, but after talking with some ex-marines last week, I believe in being prepared for anything.
 
I say you should let the monkey choose his own weapon.
J5Snauax.jpg

:)
 
I like the idea of the SKS, but I might suggest the Keltec sub-2000 as well or instead. Also something to be said about your trunk gun being concealable in the SHTF senario. In a situation like NOLA the last thing anybody worries about is carry laws. So in that case maybe a good pistol.
 
An SKS is good, but you'll have to keep up with cleaning and oiling to prevent rust...

a "marine" magnum shotgun (electroless nickel plated) like the Remington Marine Magnum or Mossberg Mariner will take SOME (but less) care...
 
Hi,

If you live in a "Shall Issue" state for CCW permits, get one of these first.

Also, research the exact laws in your state, and all neighboring states you may travel in to see how it is legal to transport firearms in their states.

Each state can be different, and ignorance of their laws is not an acceptable excuse, nor should it be.

The CCW permit would allow you to carry the weapon concealed within your vehicle. I can't see how a trunk gun could generally benefit you at all, for if you had time to retrieve and load it, and then used it, a court might rule against you that you also had time to run away . . . and didn't so you could kill someone.

Around my state of Georgia, we have reciprocacy laws in effect with Florida, Georgia and Alabama, the three states that border us. Because of this, I can carry in these states too . . . as long as I follow their specific differences of their laws properly.

I don't know where you live, but check on getting a CCW. Many states offer/require training and firearms and situations before you can get your license. This would also benefit you greatly as a new gun owner!

T.

PS: Right now? I'd probably recommend a revolver. They are very simple to use, very safe and utterly reliable. HOWEVER, many states require a non-CCW holder must have the gun UNLOADED, and that the ammunition must be somewhere else in the vehicle where it is not easily accessed.

Hope this helps!

T.
 
The suggestions of Rifle or Shotgun are interesting, nobody has said revolver or pistol, but could you guys be more specific?.
Click to expand...

That's because longarms hit harder, have better range, and basically are all-around more effective weapons than sidearms. 'Twas not for nothing that a frontier coroner's report once wrote up a case where a feller with a six-shooter engaged another guy with a Winchester at 100 yards as a suicide.

Pistols are popular 'cause they're easy to carry and hence are around most of the time. For some reason, shlepping an AR around isn't considered polite. :)

All that said... For a "trunk gun" I tend to agree with the SKS advice above. It's a reasonably powerful carbine, and inexpensive enough you won't be hurt too bad financially if it is stolen. But a CCW and handgun is excellent advice for the reasons S&W fan mentions.
 
don't use a gun that you could not stand getting stolen.
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Which is the primary reason I wouldn't and don't keep a gun in the car. I spend a lot more time in town than I do on the road nowadays. I've got my snubby and a cell phone; that'll have to do.

If I lived out in the country it might be a different story.
 
I keep a Mosin M39 in my trunk. Its short, powerful, cheap, rugged, and the rounds are cheap as well. Its definitely not a tack driver, but it is accurate enough.
 
I don't have a trunk in my Ford Ranger, so I keep a High Point 9mm carbine behind the seats (properly encased)

You can beat a High Point with a hammer and it will still go "boom" every time.
 
I think Nightcrawler has a good idea. The Saiga will accept detatchable mags yet doesn't 'look' like the 'evil' AK. Various flavors of ammo. Cheaper than an AK, slightly more than an SKS and according to my Russian friend, they're quite well made. The recent gun show had them for about $250.

The SKS is nice, but only holds 10 rounds and is damn heavy with tiny sights.

That being said, maybe I'll keep my M39 in my trunk. Hmm.
 
Carbine

There are two decent options right off the top of my head.

1) Something in a nice 9mm carbine.
  • Hi Point won't set you back much, and it's surprisingly accurate. Magazine capacity isn't fabulous, so you'll need spares.
  • The Kel-tec Sub2000 in 9mm (your choice of mag well) is very nicely priced. Folds up, stores in a matchbox. Well, almost.
  • The Ruger PC9 is robust and handles well, has 15-round mag (bigger available, I believe). Costs about double the Hi Point, so loss by theft stings a little more.
What I would NOT keep in my vehicle is the CX4. I would just cry too much if I lost a $650 carbine to a thief. Besides, it might be a tad intimidating, what with all the "kinda military" look it has.​

2) The Kel-tec SU-16. Reasonably priced. Popular cartridge. Standard AR15 magazines. Very light.
  • If it's legal where you are, you might want the "Charlie" version, as its folding stock leaves the trigger group in play.
  • Otherwise, the "Alpha" and "Baker" versions (18" and 16") also fold up, but the trigger group is out of play when folded.

So much for sensible . . .

And then there's the CAR-Thirty "Cowboy Assault Rifle" brought to life by George (Mad Ogre) Hill.
His rendition of this beauty is done in .30-30, so it has serious punch, and not a very deep magazine.

I'd love to see his "black rifle" version of that carbine in .357 magnum.

The only downside to the .357 lever gun in my book is the integrated magazine. Unlike the 9mm carbines mentioned above, you can't just slap in a mag, rack slide, go to town.

Somebody needs to invent a speedloader for the .357 carbine.
 
If this is going to be your first gun and probably the only gun you will have for a while I suggest a Remington 870 Combo with a 3" Magnum receiver. You can defend yourself very well with it shooting 00 buckshot or 1 oz slugs. The 870 Combo will cost you $329.98 right now from Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart or Gander Mountain. The Combo comes with a 12 gage 26" vent-rib barrel and a 20" fully rifled barrel with sights. I'm suggesting a Remington 870 because it's reliable and there are tons of aftermarket accessories available for it. Many Law Enforcement Agencies use Remington 870's with the 18" Tactical barrel and stock.

You can get the 870 Combo and an extra 18" barrel and you will have al all around gun for your needs if things go bad. You can hunt for birds and small game with the 26" barrel, for deer with the slug barrel and two legged game with the 18" barrel if need be.

Remington 870 Combo - $329.98
Tactical Stock Kit - $69.95
18" Tactical Barrel - between $100 & $130
 
"Thanks for all the replies so far. Good question Kaylee. Yes it is legal for me to carry a firearm in my trunk, but maybe I shouldn't for the reason you mentioned! OK what if I keep it at my apartment, and ready to go in the case of an emergency?"

For about a $100 you can have the trunk gun :

"I like a Mosin Nagant with the bolt in a bag w/ammo in the glovebox." - So do I !!

And then figure out what you should keep at the apartment.
 
Cheap Romanian AK from Century Arms. It will be ugly out of the box so you wont worry much about it getting beat up in your trunk. I wouldnt really suggest a pistol caliber carbine as it doesnt offer much advantage over a handgun and in the eyes of the public its still a rifle. If a situation were to occur that justifies pulling a rifle out of your trunk your going to (or should be) more worried about protecting yourself not how evil your gun looks. If the idea of an AK doesnt rub you right theres always the good old Remington 870. Its tough, reliable, and with a mixture of buck and slug up to most tasks. Buy a used one at a pawn shop for $150, or new at Wal-Mart for $250. I would suggest buying used for a trunk gun.
 
kd7nqb wrote:
I like the idea of the SKS, but I might suggest the Keltec sub-2000 as well or instead. Also something to be said about your trunk gun being concealable in the SHTF senario. In a situation like NOLA the last thing anybody worries about is carry laws. So in that case maybe a good pistol.
Click to expand...
+1
If its a mobile SHTF weapon you are wanting the Sub2000 is hard to beat. The combination of high capacity, carbine accuracy, and the ability to carry it concealed (under a light jacket for example) but ready to fire in about 3 seconds is just what the doctor ordered IMHO.

If you have to exit your vehicle and go on foot the Sub would most likely not get you stopped, disarmed and searched by the authorities, but virtually any other long gun would be rather obvious. The compactness of the Sub2000 would make it much easier to wield in the car as well.
 
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