In-Car Pistol Mount Solution

I think it'd be interesting to mount the magnet to a 2x4, attach the pistol to it and then smack the end of the 2x4 against the floor to see just how much impact it will take to dislodge the pistol. I suspect the pistol would slide off the magnet fairly easily.
 
doc540 said:
Over a year ago, Texas passed a law legalizing the possession of a handgun in a vehicle without having a CHL. I live in Tejas.

Anyone who can legally own a handgun can carry one in their car.
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Specific jurisdictional definitions of what is "Concealed", "Stored", "In plain sight" etc can make a world of difference as to what is legal and what is not.

One court case I recall vaguely from years ago resulted in the acquittal of a person because access to the gun required "an intervening act" to actually put hands on it. That act was moving a covering towel or newspaper. When I read about it, it sounded more like Jury Nullification than black-letter law. The point was that the gun exposed on the passenger seat would have been criminal. The gun hidden under something was legal because, even though accessible, it required an "intervening act" to access the gun. It was not considered "concealed", but "stored". Check your definitions (Or, in some cases, check your definitions at the door to the courthouse.)

It is a shame when fear of prosecution is scarier than fear of criminals, but threat assessment comes in many different shapes. Mind your State and Local laws.

I agree, there are few magnets that can hold any gun in an accident, and if one were holding the gun, most people would be hard pressed to pull the gun from its attraction. Maybe these are strong enough and prying the grip awy gives enough leverage. Just try it and see.

Lost Sheep
 
I do agree with you on the Pt111. It's one of my favorite guns period. Very reliable with over 1k rounds and great trigger.
 
"I have experience with car accidents. If you can pull your gun off the thing with your hand, then it's not secure against a vehicular impact. The video on the site was particularly instructive."

But, what you're saying is you have no actual experience with this type of magnet, right?

And you have no real clue as to how much retention force it does exert?

Since vehicular impacts vary, virtually nothing is secure including seat anchors themselves. I've rummaged through enough salvage yards to know that to be a fact.

So, yes, your statement is generally true but not specifically.

I appreciate your concerns, but unless you have actual experience with this particular system, you are, so to speak, talking through your hat.

No offense intended since I talk through my hat all the time on internet forums. :D
 
I got an old police shotgun rack at auction and modified it to hold my handgun, next to the driver's seat, in my work van. It's a work in progress, it needs painted and final adjustments made. It has an electric button (9v battery) disconnect to open it to get the gun out. There is a key in case the battery is out:

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Be sure you know what's on the other side of where you intend to put the screws. You don't want to put a hole in something important.

As for this not working with a polymer gun... the PT111 is a polymer (framed) gun. The slide is metal, as are most polymer framed gun slides. It might not work with a titanium or scandium framed revolver. Magnetism of those depends on the alloy.
 
If thats a straight magnet you might want to put some paper or felt like material on it as not to scratch the finish. Like the magnet towing lights for vehicles. Just my thoughts here.
 
Since vehicular impacts vary, virtually nothing is secure <snip> So, yes, your statement is generally true but not specifically.
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I see. What is the specific mechanism whereby you can pull the gun free with your hand, and yet:

...there's no way a compact pistol will fly loose even in an accident.
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?
 
Thank you, I stand corrected.

My judgment was overcome by my enthusiasm, and I should have said, "...in anything but a major accident".
 
not a fan

As a general rule, I am a firm believer that handguns need secured on one's person, normally, w/ a holster. They go where you go, you can't forget it, it doesn't get lost in a collision, etc.

The big Miami FBI shootout in the 80's had several instances where agents lost their weapons during auto collision: one never got in the fight, another went to his backup and fought w/ a snubbie (bad idea against a mini-14), seems like one lost a shotgun laid on the rear seat as well.

I stopped to look at car a guy had outside his business one day for sale (a jewler) . Opened the door, his carry gun was in the map pocket on the door!
Complacent, forgetful, distracted. It happens.

Strong side hip carry is a bit clumsy while seated and belted, so shoulder and crossdraw seem viable alternatives.
 
The scenario of an accident causes me to re-think using this device. The adhesive force of a magnet depends on the area of contact. I don’t believe a gun, even a flat side auto, will have enough contact to hold it securely.

Also, steel will become magnetic over time as it’s exposed to a magnetic field. I wonder if this might affect the operation of the steel parts of the gun, such as the firing pin. And might cause bits of steel to be attracted into the innards of the gun.

Nope, don’t believe I’ll try it.

I knew the forum had to be good for something.
 
Here's the improved system. (Thanks to the suggestions of another member!)

Not perfected yet, but a quick "let's try this".

A left hand Uncle Mike's will work better (if they make'em), but happened to have a right hander in the misc. parts box.

Drilled three holes through the left side big enough to get screw heads through.
Used washers inside the holster and shimmed the right side with rubber doughnuts.
Covered the screw heads with a scrap piece of material.

I still might pick up a cheap, left hand holster so the retention snap is on the outside, but you get the idea.

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Finally! A good use for one of those cheap and hideous Uncle Mike's holsters!:D Can you reach the snap on it easily?
 
Seems Im a little late to the party, but was wondering if a mans willing to drill holes to mount a magnet.....why not drill and just mount a holster. ;)

PS Magnets hold guns in several parts of my house. ;);)
 
"Can you reach the snap on it easily?"


As I noted, that's a right hand holster, so a left hand will work better with the retention snap on the left and the plastic belt loops on the right providing a stiffer mounting surface.

I just ordered a left-hander this morning, so I'll post pics when I get it mounted up.
 
Doc -

Kudos for being a tinkerer and innovator, that's something I also enjoy. I got some good ideas out of this thread, I have to agree with some that the magnet by itself might allow the weapon to fly around in an accident. A magnet inside the center console storage box might be more secure and leave room for CDs, etc. without burying the weapon.
 
"A magnet inside the center console storage box might be more secure and leave room for CDs, etc. without burying the weapon."

Yes, a center console storage would be a great place for one.

BMW driver compartments are tight with little storage whatsoever. :(
 
Quote doc540
BMW driver compartments are tight with little storage whatsoever.

I’m so sorry you have such a problem. :D
Clay
 
Nice ideas, guys. Was wondering if the magnet itself is covered with a material preventing the gun from being scratched over a period of time? Of course living/driving here in Illinois I won't have to worry about it for probably a couple more years in a best case scenario:rolleyes:.
 
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