Inexpensive car/truck gun

Sorry for the mini-rant, but this "no car guns" attitude seems pretty shortsighted. The problem is the criminals, not the tools of their trade.
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I don't have an argument against keeping a gun in a car. I do have a legitimate argument for keeping it safely, or as safely as possible, secured when you are not in the car. A lock box, secured to the seat frame with a cable, and maybe as I do, an additional cable lock through the barrel, and cable loop. Nothing is 100%, but this system keeps my gun secured as well as possible against the "smash & grab" thieves. Safely securing a firearm when you are not in possession is a basic responsibility of gun ownership. It only takes a few seconds to open the safe box, and or cable lock.

This is not to start the gun is a car argument, just a request to the OP to be as responsible as he can when he does get his "car gun".
 
I've been seeing alot of rugers for right around $300
I bought a p97 a few years ago, was to big to cc but was a good gun.
 
C0untZer0 said:
What exactly is a "car gun" ?

What exactly is inexpensive?

Sounds like you want to buy a gun and you're saying you have a "need" to keep a firearm in your car/truck to justify it.
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Lots of people keep car / truck guns, that's nothing new. To me, that means a beater that your not worried about exposing to heat or extreme cold and does not need to meet any carry criteria. Inexpensive is subjective but as far as guns go, most people seem to consider $300 and under an inexpensive gun. As for wanting versus needing, someone could easily make the argument that you don't really NEED more than one gun. I think 99% of gun purchases are hardly necessities.
 
I vote the J&Gs mentioned...great values. Bud's sounds good also. With some looking, the Rossi .357 6 shot snubs in blue or SS can be found new for close to $300 out there with Taurus' lifetime wareanty. As a HD, carry or range piece I'd shoot .38 +Ps in it mostly anyway. As a car gun, the magnum capability is a possible plus.
 
$400

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oh...wait...a handgun?

Sigma in .40
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My truck gun is a Dan wesson .357 maggie, with an SKS carbine for a long gun. I feel pretty safe if a situation requiring a firearm should occur.
 
I say Bersa .380 might make a good choice. You said you didn't want a small gun and while I don't call the Bersa's small, they ain't full size either. They have a substantial grips and decent sights. They do have the advantage of being concealable if you make a stop on the way home or have car troubles. If the .380 part is a problem for you (it wouldn't be for me) than Bersa is making some larger caliber guns also yet I'm not familiar with those.

Price should be in the $260 range plus tax.

LK
 
I can't carry at work and it has to stay in my car while I work and it may spend several days there at a time. My employer doesn't allow carry while on the clock or on company property, so I park off their lot and leave my pistol at home or in my car.
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Since your vehicle sounds like it could be parked over several days/nights I would try to secure the gun a little more than normal since the likelihood of it getting stolen is increased. Doesn't sound like it is in a secured area. On the truck gun decision, I don't really have a need to leave my gun in a vehicle overnight, but I would use a gun that you know to be reliable and can shoot it well. Mine would be my G26 and have it relatively secured. It's my CCW but from time to time I need to leave it in my vehicle.

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Polish P-64
  • 9mm Makarov
  • SA/DA
  • Safety with decocker
  • super reliable
  • C&R eligible
  • $150 from many dealers

I carry one during summer months and for that price I don't worry about dings, dents or any other other cosmetic damage...and I've put at least 500 rounds through mine with zero malfuctions.
 
Get the largest caliber that YOU are comfortable with, in a reliable platform. The S&W sounds like a good choice. They're known for reliability and it sounds like a good deal, but I like the capacity of a semi auto. It's hard to find a truely reliable semi-auto in the $300 range, but not impossible. If your budget allows for another $50-$100 your choices open up enormously. The S&W 5904's & the Ruger P series are very reliable and affordable pistols, but for a few dollars more you could move up to an SR9. I sold my Ruger P95 when I found my SR9 and I'm much happier with it. The SR9's are thinner and easier to carry and conceal anywhere.

Most of the time when these discussions get started about owning a "truck" gun, guys usually mention a cheaper pistol to bang around. Sometimes this refers to the price only and more often it refers to the quality...and don't pretend it doesn't. So I ask, why would you want to cheap out on a "truck" gun? Is your life worth that much less while in your vehicle? I carry the same pistol in my car & truck that I would at any other time to defend my life or my family's because it absolutely MUST be reliable when it comes time to defend a life. I understand people don't want their gun getting scratched up, damaged, or stolen, but don't take any chances on a less reliable pistol. Some guys will say, "my truck gun is perfectly reliable." If so, then why own a separate "truck" gun? Why not just have that one or a duplicate of your truck gun?

Notice I'm not brand bashing & I understand that a lot of people can't afford certain pistols. There are a few I know I will never be able to afford. Even a cheap made gun is going to be better than nothing at all. I'm only talking about purposely choosing a lesser pistol for vehcle carry.
 
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Tardy to the party; Used LE trade in PX4 .40 C format pistol...

I'm a tad late to the topic, but I would look at a used/LE trade-in PX4 C(DA only format) .40S&W semi auto with a factory NIB 17rd .40S&W pistol magazine. ;)
JGSales.com has a new listing for a few police model Beretta .40 duty pistols(C format) with Trijicon night sights: 2006-2007 era.
You can buy a PX4 .40(C model) for approx $350-450.00.
I'd keep it "crusier ready" or fully loaded mag, empty chamber, then load it if or when you feel ready.
I'd also invest in some "rehab" work from David Olhasso; www.Olhasso.com & get new tritium 3 dot night sights, Robar NP3+/Norton Special, Bearcoat, Black T. I'd get the new .40S&W pistol mags treated too. It will protect them & speed up loading/re-loading IMO.
I would buy a .44spl or .45LC over a .38spl revolver for vehicle based environments but you must also factor; muzzle flash, recoil, firing/loading one handed, firing weak handed, safety, etc.

A green dot laser or white light on the 1913/rail is a smart move too.

ClydeFrog
www.Bearcoat.com www.Robarguns.com www.JGsales.com www.black-t.com

PS; For solid .40 defense ammo, check out the new 175gr .40S&W Hornady Critical Duty line. It may be hard to find but it's powerful & designed to work around metal, auto glass, plastic. There's a article about it in Handguns magazine. ;)
 
I want a gun for car duty that I don't care about the finish on or it getting beaten up. I have much nicer pistols I could use, but then they get beat up and that bugs me. If it's gonna spend it's days in my car for 10-12 hours or maybe a day or 2 I don't want to lose a more expensive pistol and still have to pay out my deductible. I'd rather just replace my pistol and not claim it on insurance.
 
id vote for one of the smith revolvers, best chance of always working and being that its in your car 6 shots should be more than enough to resolve any conflict that arises or let you jump in and get the heck out of there. if i had to pick another though id go with the cz 82
 
Life-savers...

I'd want a firearm that could protect me & may be able to save my life in a high stress critical incident.
But that's just me. ;)
 
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