Is Car Carry a Mistake?

[Lab4Us]

Unless I missed it, I didn’t see were OP might have tested OWB Cross Draw. I suspect that might have increased both his speed (a bit), but especially the comfort and access to the gun. In the right spot on the belt, a cross draw holster is comfortable, accessible, and quick. Not to mention you can have your hand on the butt in a ready position with little or no giveaway.

 

[Invisibleflash]

I got 4 car guns. Maybe overkill, but they are all cheap. Disposable $250 Taurus G'3 are great Katrina guns / high risk guns. No holsters. Some on magnets and hidden. Some in storage areas like glove box, etc. 5th gun is my CCW.

I watched the 2018 Netflix doomer film 'How it Ends' recently. I don't have Netflix, but an old gal down the street has it and obliged. The film had a few lessons that stuck out for SHTFF.

1) A trunk gun is of no use when driving and you can't get to it. What you need is a seat gun.

2) A gun that is not locked and loaded is of no use when driving and you can't take your hands off the wheel to lock and load.

3) One magazine of ammo is not enough.

4) If you are of a charitable nature and stop to help someone...expect it is going to be an ambush.

5) It is good to have guns secreted around your vehicle. You are constantly losing guns or need to be close to another one if your gun is taken away.

 

[Ernieman]

Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Is Car Carry a Mistake?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/is-car-carry-a-mistake/.

This is presented as an "either/or" option. Either in the car or on your person. In my case, I do both. I have a holster mounted right under my steering column. When I get in the truck, I unholster and place my gun (a Gen. 6 Glock 45) in the car holster. When I get to my destination I re-holster on my person. Yes, there is opportunity for a negligent discharge, but my feelings about that are the same as when I was working in the medical field. One is taught these days to NEVER re-cap a needle. In my training we were taught to pay attention and practice until we couldn't make a mistake. If you don't know what you're doing with a needle you need to be in another line of work. If you are regularly carrying a firearm your finger discipline should be at the "unconscious competence" level: finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard unless you are on target and have decided to fire.

 

[Skyviking]

Not a fan of "truck guns" in an urban environment. Your self-defense pistol should be on your person - and perhaps an Gucci'd-out AR Pistol in a backpack as well, if you subscribe to EOTWAWKI scenarios. If you have to fight your way to your "truck gun", you likely can ignite the "Firestone Defense System" and get the Hell(cat) out of Dodge...

 

[Mr. Untactical]

It occurred to me while reading this fine article that retaining my EDC in its usual IWB holster, while at the same time having a lock-box secured pistol of the same model, that could be securely stored in a properly mounted car holster could be the best overall solution. That way, I always have a firearm on my person, my mags work in both pistols, and, dang, if Sicario breaks out then I can dual-wield, right?

 

[RickH28]

This is a well written piece, but I agree with very little in it. I do agree with carrying your firearm in you. As others have said, ‘Better to have it and not need it….’ It is more secure, and always with you.

The fairypack is just inconvenient, goofy, slow, and screams ‘I have a gun!’

AIWB, my preferred choice, is accessible when in a car. The belt does get in the way. That is mitigated by leaving it looser, but sucks in the event of a crash. If you’ve got extra inches on your waist, it’s uncomfortable and those rolls prevent a good draw.

IWB and strong side OWB are just terrible when seated in a car. Uncomfortable and inaccessible without a lot of shifting and releasing your seat belt.

Crossdraw in a car is best, but out of the car even small guns print badly.

The reholstering issue is a non starter. From experience, after a use of force, there is a self check (mental/physical), scan, big breath, probably a skivvy check, then a slow reholster. As instructors have drilled into me ‘Reluctantly reholster that gun!’ This translates into a deliberate (read SAFE) reholstering.

If the shooting happens in a stationary car, I’m likely out as it happens. Know the difference between cover and concealment. If it happens while traveling, then I’m in avoidance unless the situation dictates otherwise. Either way, I ain’t reholstering until I’m secure and out of the car.

While stationary in a car in a dangerous environment, I had a pistol under my leg for easy access. My duty gun stayed in its holster on my duty belt. Before I started moving, the pistol under my leg was put away and seat belt attached.

Personally, I have a gun accessible to me in the car and another AIWB. There have been a few times that I’ve put that revolver in my hand while driving out of a bad situation.

The question is, why is there not a lock box that automatically unlocks when the cars fob or key is detected inside but locks when the key or fob isn’t in the car?

 

[Talyn]

When carrying a larger handgun in my rig I use a chest holster. Comfortable & easy to access. Also, go this route when ouyt hiking.

In the warmer shorts & t-shirt months a true Micro handgun in off to the side in a pocket holster to put on when getting out of my rig.

When out & about in our wide-open rural west a truck long-arm is readily accesible.

My .02

 

[Mr.W.]

carrying your firearm in you.

I will not. . .

 

[KevinJD]

This is not a current picture of what I carry now. This is my Hellcat RDP, which is no longer my EDC. My EDC currently is my S&W J-Frame. I don't have a picture of the current seat set up, but it is the same. Once I get in the car or truck (I have it set up in both vehicles), my pistol comes out of my pocket, pocket holster and pistol, and I transfer the pistol to the seat holster. Once I get to my destination, I transfer the pistol back to the pocket holster and put it in my front pocket. All within the confines of my vehicle, unseen by anyone outside the vehicle. I also have holster shells to fit my HK VP9 SK for the few times I might change out my EDC to that pistol. Aside from MAYBE a shoulder holster, there is no way to have faster access to my pistol while in my vehicle. No one is going to change my mind about my set up. And I don't leave the pistol in the vehicle unattended.View attachment 114075

Like that setup. How is it attached securely to the front seat? I have Alien Gear Holsters and Shells which look similar to yours', but have not seen how.

 

[MROD]

When you leave your home your most likely in a vehicle. Seated. Restaurants. Seated. Doctor's office. Seated. Haircut. Seated.
Very little time is spent in a standing position. Driving in a vehicle your constrained by the belt, wheel, door/window. Appendix carry may work for some based on where the seatbelt crosses. For me outside the waist band cross draw with a grip green laser is the most effective way to carry. An unbuttoned short sleeve dress shirt hides it easy. You hand is inconspicuously across your lap (Lefty's your on your own) and on the weapon and doesn't require any violent motions like yanking your shirt/jacket up to draw. In your vehicle with an attacker at the window (most likely event) your never going to get to do the stupid "range thing" of facing your paper milk jug target at 7-25 yards, draw your weapon, push it out and get a sight picture. Ain't gonna happen Hoss! Don't train like that!!

Regardless of how many YOUBOOB videos you see of a steroid infused oiled up tattooed monkey with size small tee shirt on, his pecker hasn't worked in years and he's doing those videos because he needs to do something with his hands.

Use the laser. You never need to bring the weapon up to visible level of your attacker. Same in the restaurant or most anyplace else your seated.

 

[Eagle Six]

When I am driving I'm inside my EDC! Whether it be car, truck, motorcycle, plane, boat they are all weapons of sort. I train and plan to use each. Long before it's time to go to guns, it's shift. throttle, and steer, remembering as the vehicle can be used as a weapon it is also a bullet magnet, evade and escape.

As for guns, mine is always on my person, my vehicle doesn't have a carry permit nor is it covered by the 2nd Amendment! Regardless of which carry method is used, we need to train, inside and outside of the vehicle. For those who have never shot through a vehicle glass or doors I recommend don't pass up if you get an opportunity, it is eye opening experience, unlike Hollywood.

 

[OldGrunt]

Like that setup. How is it attached securely to the front seat? I have Alien Gear Holsters and Shells which look similar to yours', but have not seen how.

It is an Alien Gear set up. I don't think they sell it anymore. I have two of them, one in my truck, and one in my SUV. Two straps go around your car seat from front to back

. In the picture you can see one of the quick detach buckles. I have since rotated those straps further down the curve of the front of the seat, so they are more out of the way. One set up is for a paddle holster that detaches and can go on your belt. The other one the Alien Gear holster that has some kind of detachment knob and you reattach to another attachment on your belt. Since I just use a Sticky Holster to pocket carry my J-Frame, I leave the holsters in place and transfer my pistol to a pocket holster. Then I shove the pocket holster, pistol and all into my front pocket. I make sure the shorts or pants I wear have large front pockets that will hold my J-Frame revolver in my pocket holster. For me, the seat holsters never come off the straps. I just leave them in place and transfer the pistol back and forth. I wish I could explain it better, but with this set up, it faster to get access to your gun than with any other holster on your body, except maybe a shoulder or chest holster. The pistol is inches away from your hand, right between your legs below the steering wheel. The holsters do have retention adjustment levels. The pistol is not going to fly out its holster in an accident or roll over.

 

[1canvas]

I carry strong side OWD. use a vest as a cover garment. I can't AIWB as my belly's to damn big LOL.( guess I got old) Have a Hornady lock box that I lock it in when I must leave it in my car due to those stupid no guns allowed signs. Use the vest as my belly is bigger than my hips and butt and a belt won't hold up my pants let alone a holstered gun so must now use suspenders. Having inoperable sciatica doesn't help either.

You know what they call a vest used as a cover garment, a “shoot me first cover up” .

 

[Captain O]

"I can't AIWB as my belly is too damn big LOL. (Guess I got old)."

Welcome to my world.