How to in-car carry?

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doc540

New member
Besides the gun safe w/cable and this system:
http://www.grassburr.com/index.asp

what other systems do your recommend to:
1. conceal
2. have access to
3. secure

a handgun in a car (not a truck)?

Before I start jury rigging something, I'd like to hear your ideas.

(note: this is not a thread discussing whether or not you should carry in a car, but HOW to carry in a car if you so choose)
 
Today, I happened to be testing your scenario.

In my Explorer, I tested out the carry position of several handguns.

While I don't suggest it for carry on foot, for a host of reasons, it seems that a cross draw might be the solution. It seems to offer the advantage of not having to reach back for a gun on your right side, and the gun is protected by the car door. It was easier to reach across my torso, than to lean forward at an angle to make a strong side draw. If the threat is on the driver's side, you can draw and raise in one motion. If the threat is on the passenger side, you will have adequate room to move the gun toward the threat.

Between the seat and console would be a good position, also.
 
When cars had a split front seat and no console between them, that split between the seat was a good place to have a gun upside down with the butt up.

However, having a gun in a car is no guarantee. Decatur, Illinois, 1985, man is shot while in his drivers seat. Nailed in the neck by a shotgun as the car was sitting in a driveway. Gal runs out of the car. Shooter jumps on the hood of the car, unloads single shot gun, drops in another round, and wings her as she is about to go around a house.

When the ambulance attendants removed the body of the driver, a pistol clattered to the ground from his belt. Having a gun (albeit illegally since Illinois was not a concealed carry state then or now) is not a guarantee.

You also have to be aware of your surroundings.

Oh yeah, the shooter only had one arm. The dead guy's name was Bond, James Bond.

The Doc is out now. :cool:
 
"Between the seat and console would be a good position, also."

Thanks

That'll only work in a vehicle with adequate space for the seat to move without contacting the gun.

Fobus also has a system, but the mounting system looks pretty bulky.

I'm leaning toward the idea of mounting a nylon holster sideways far enough under the dash to not be visible from outside, but close enough to reach by hand. Converting a belt clip might not be that difficult, and a large enough velcro patch would keep it secure even over rough roads (car crash would be another challenge altogether).

MrsDoc and I drive E34, 5 series BMW's, so attaching something to the lower edge of the seats might pose a problem.
 
Desantis Leather makes a car seat holster called the Kingston (I think that is what its called.) The strap rides over the top of the seat and positions the holster between your legs on the front of the seat. The holster also detaches from harness for when you leave the vehicle.

My buddy uses one for his Tomcat and really likes it.
 
"Desantis Leather makes a car seat holster called the Kingston (I think that is what its called.) The strap rides over the top of the seat and positions the holster between your legs on the front of the seat. The holster also detaches from harness for when you leave the vehicle."

Thanks, I saw that system.

I don't think my wife would go for the mid-seat strap, and it appears to make the system too visible.
 
In your Hand

:cool:Left hand for wheel whipping, right hand for Glock gripping. I recommend

you rest your weapon on your firing hand thigh, weapon in hand, finger OFF

the trigger(preferably resting along the frame). This can become tiresome to

the rookie, but you if you stay ready you won't have to get ready. Another

tactic you can use without having to buy special products is to stick the

weapon in a holster between your seat and middle console. The further you

push it in the more stable it will be. It will stick up and provide easy access

for a quick draw. Try using a leather or molded holster for this. Take care

though, one accident can cause your pistol to fly out of position, so this is a

risk to reward thing.
 
I thought I knew it all, but I'm learning some good stuff. In my state it's legal to carry your gun in your car as long as enough of it shows to be recognizable as a firearm, ie. like in a holster with the grip showing. So I usually just put gun and Tom Threepersons holster on the hump and cover it with an old rain hat. If I'm pulled over by John Law I just remove the hat and I'm legal. Otherwise it;s not visible from the outside.
 
I don't think my wife would go for the mid-seat strap, and it appears to make the system too visible.
Click to expand...

My buddy puts a towel down on the seat. It covers the strap and holster and looks like he is keeping his seat clean.
 
When driving in the city I put my snubby between my legs.
I otherwise throw my handgun in between the folds of an old denim jacket that I place on the passenger seat. If my wife is with me I have this jacket on the rear seat.

In cold weather I carry the gun in my right hand jacket pocket. I place the jacket on the seat so that I can reach into the pocket easily.
 
I have been reading this with interest....

Here in Oz, we arent allowed to carry at all, has to be locked in a metal container, cabled or bolted to the vehicle..... but here is my 2c worth.... :D

As a carry weapon is 'ready to go' loaded, cocked & locked.... basically a round chambered..... I wouldn't think most body holsters worn.... belt, shoulder harness, cross draw.... between seats/console, upside down, or sitting between your legs :eek: is that safe a way to carry it? Remenber, this is not to bag anyone how they do whatever.... just MHO.

If I were able to carry in a car, I would want to fit a holster securely to the shooting hand side of the steering column, for me, the right hand side. I would want it so I would just have to reach for it, not fight the seatbelt and have to stretch out to get it.... just easy reach. That way, drawing it doesnt sweep any part of my body, (or my passengers body)

You have to realise, I am thinking about this because, here in Oz, we drive from the right hand side of vehicles, and drive on the left hand side of the road, so I am having to think about it from your (opposite) point of view.

If you are driving and have to draw your pistol (and you are right handed) from the console, a right hand belt holster or a RH crossdraw holster/shoulder holster, with your left hand on the steering wheel, you have to sweep your left arm with the muzzle, to aim it anywhere out of the left (drivers side) of the car. This, to me is hard to accept, coz this gun is on a full chamber, and in the heat of the moment, one could shoot themself in the left arm. :eek: Between your legs, I dont have to tell you where you might shoot yourself :eek: (brings a tear to the eye thinking about it)

If you are left handed & have a belt holster (LHS) you have door/elbow room issues and if a car were to run into your left hand door, the gun could end up smashing your left hip. Crossdraw or shoulder harness, the muzzle is potentially sweeping your front seat passenger (RHS) as you turn to look over your left shoulder (or reversing).

In a holster in or beside your console, or between seats, you would have to take your eyes (attention) off the road to locate and pick up the pistol (and you would have to be careful not to spill drinks and stuff on the gun (it is dirty down there between the seats too, have a look later, plenty of crud)

So, my opinion as a non carrier, would be a holster on the steering column ( pointing down 45 degree(ish) on your shooting hand side. It is in easy reach, always exactly the same place, out of the way, less chance of spilling drinks on it, less dirty area of the car, you can draw it easily and pass it over your other hand on the steering wheel (without sweeping your off side arm), it never accidently sweeps front or rear passengers at any time.... and if the police pull you up for a traffic stop or whatever, you can just put it on the dashboard or on the front passengers seat (if vacant) so it is then in plain view.

Jus't my opinion, as I have given it alot of thought, as I have never experienced it first hand (and not from your side of a car) :cool:

Yes, we do have quite alot of LHD cars here in Oz, I used to have a '73 mustang (dark green, white stripes on bonnet & trunk lid) was left hand drive
(had to have a big sticker across the back "Caution, Left Hand Drive" which looked terrible) but was alot of fun :D
 
For securing my handgun when I have to leave it in the car I use a simple cable lock and anchor it to my seat frame or truck lid hinge.
 
My car gun is a venerable Taurus steel 85, blue, loaded with doubletap +p rounds, along with a speedloader for a reload ... the gun's in a gunsock, in the glovebox, grip towards me and ready to be grabbed if needed .. I wear glasses to drive, so when I leave the car I put the glasses in with the gun and lock the glovebox ... that way I never forget to unlock it when I return to the car ... If I'm on a long trip where I know I'll have to stop for gas, bathroom, water, etc. I leave the .38 at home and carry a semi-auto crossdraw on my belt ... ease of access, always with you in those spooky roadside rest stops or at out of the way gas stations ...
 
When I enter my vehicle, I take my gun out of my pocket (P3AT) and put it in the console. When I leave the vehicle, I put it back in my pocket. I pretty much have quick access to it all the time that way.

I concede that my pistol is tiny while others' are much larger, making my pocket-console change much easier and more discrete than it would be had I a big one.
 
When I enter my vehicle, I take my gun out of my pocket (P3AT) and put it in the console. When I leave the vehicle, I put it back in my pocket. I pretty much have quick access to it all the time that way.

I concede that my pistol is tiny while others' are much larger, making my pocket-console change much easier and more discrete than it would be had I a big one.

For securing a gun, how about a cable lock around your seat leg and through the trigger guard? Just toss/place it under the seat; it's a locked lanyard. I saw some pretty impressive, lightweight ones priced reasonably in a bike shop.
 
I'm lucky in that the center console of my car has a nice deep well that my Glock 19 fits perfectly into, wedged at barrel, butt, and rear of the slide. It doesn't move, and I just have to flip up the lid and plunge my hand straight down to grip the pistol perfectly. It's my carry gun, so when I leave the car, so does it.

If that's not an option, maybe you could sew a cheap nylon holster to the seat front where you can just reach down and grab it. You might have to work upside down in a hot, cramped car for a while to do it, but the whole rig would probably cost no more than ten or twelve bucks.
 
"If that's not an option, maybe you could sew a cheap nylon holster to the seat front where you can just reach down and grab it. You might have to work upside down in a hot, cramped car for a while to do it, but the whole rig would probably cost no more than ten or twelve bucks."

this

or attaching it under the dash beside the steering column
 
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