Positioning of weapon while driving, what do you do?

H

hillbillyshooter

New member
This may have already been touched on in the past but...
While driving tonight I got to thinking about how (with my seatbelt on) it would be hard (near impossible) to clear my holser. I wear a CrossBreed SuperTuck IWB at 3:30-4 strong side. When I am not wearing my holster, the gun usually rides tucked between my seat and the console. What do you do with your weapon while in the car/truck?
 
Whatever you do with it, make sure it is securely in place. You don't want it getting dislodged during a wreck and either turning into a projectile or getting lost somewhere in the car. IIRC, two of the FBI officers in the Miami shootout lost their guns by removing them from their holsters and placing them on the seats. The guns were thrown off the seats during the car stop and lost in the vehicles.
 
I'm fortunate that the center console in my car has a compartment that's just the right size for my gun. It wedges in at an angle that holds it in place and lets me put my hand on it for a proper draw. Flipping up the lid takes no longer that pulling up a shirt.
 
Leave your carry weapon where it is (IWB) and have another weapon mounted securely somewhere in the vehicle (if legal).

Alter method of carry if you are spending a lot of time driving.

Live with it..When in the driver's seat, the car is probably a better weapon than a pistol anyhow. Perhaps some discrete practice drawing (an unloaded weapon) while sitting in the drivers seat might be worthwhile.
 
The best place remains on your body somewhere in a good holster. It is entirely possible to draw from an IWB holster while seated.

I recommend Clint Smith's recently introduced "Defensive Thinking" DVD. In it there's a short section on vehicle defense and he demonstrates how to get the seat belt out of the way and how to draw from an IWB.

He also uses a key phrase, "Death before dismount." Stay in the car and drive away if at all possible.
 
I was reading a similar thread and someone suggested a thigh holster, seems like that would be easier to get to while you were driving. Not sure if it would be a good choice unless you live in an open carry state.
 
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If you are driving a vehicle, . . . you already are in command of a far more serious weapon than anything you may have on the seat, in a holster, or in the dash or console. Concentrate on driving, . . . while you are driving.

"Wearing" your weapon in a holster or pocket is tactically far superior to a console, the glove compartment or any other location off your body in the vehicle. Should you have to stop or exit in a hurry, . . . your weapon goes with you without all the, . . . golleeee geeee, . . . now where did I put my gun???

Laying it on the seat next to you is asking for an accident, . . . in some states it is asking for a prison term if the wrong person sees it. Weapons not secured before a sudden stop, hard turn, or accident, . . . become missles when one of these come up, . . . and depending on the type of firearm, . . . could possibly discharge, . . . seriously complicating an otherwise difficult situation.

Bottom line, . . . put it in THE holster that is most comfortable for you, . . . practice extracting it, . . . and remember, . . . there is virtually NO TIME you will ever be able to satisfactorily explain to a jury that you were defending your life, . . . firing your weapon and driving at the same time.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
I carry crossdraw when I am going to be driving a lot. Winter time shoulder holster are good. Fobus makes a vechile mount holster system that I know that some people use with sucess for them.
 
I carry IWB-appendix. Put on the seat belt then pull the cover garment over the seat belt. Gun is easily accessible.
 
Two things pop to mind...I like dedicated driving holsters, such as the Ted Blocker crossdraw I use with my regular carry Para. When we take Alf the Wonder Beagle for a hike, I use one of the ridiculous Bond Derringers .45/.410s (with .410 5-round buckshot) in a horizontal crossdraw, which is perfect for driving.

Alternately, the SafePacker system works perfectly when hooked over the strong-side seatbelt hook-up.

Michael B
 
I carry in a IWB at about 3:00, it rides fairly high and has a 15 degree cant. All I do is pull my shirt up slightly and I have full access.

Before I got that holster I would either put it in a console or under my left leg...depending on where I was.
 
Because I carry at 7:30, this is not a problem for me. I have talked to a number of people who go for the off-hip-bone cross draw and like it. The problem they complain about is repositioning the holster when they exit the vehicle.

Pops
 
While driving my handgun stays in the center console. If my SA suddenly goes red alert, if I find myself in a bad part of town, or if someone decides to be overly aggressive on the interstate the handgun then goes right under my right leg.
 
I cold weather, I often wear a leather jacket which has an inside vest pocket that zips vertically. It's like it's made for a medium sized pistol. Other times, I just try to slide my belt holster as far forward as possible. It's usually accessible with a little effort.

I would also think a shoulder holster would be a good solution when driving if there is a cover garment.
 
Thanks for the posts, since I posed the question, I have found myself keeping it holstered. I have practiced releasing the seatbelt with my thumbs and drawing as a single motion. Not the quickest but still effective. I will probably get a holster like an Uncle Mikes and put velcro on it on the side of the console facing the driver seat and leave it there between the seat and the console while I am driving long distances.
 
I currently carry 2 J-frames in Galco SOB holsters, but in a 4:30 and 7:30 position, centered on those corresponding belt loops. I slide them rearward for concealability and standing draw, and I slide them forward for a comfortable car seated position. Works extremely well with a high comfort factor.

Another carry method that works well in a car is the ever hated fanny pack. It places the gun in a great draw posision, and it exits the car with you if need be.
 
For the most part, mine remains in the 3 o'clock position OWB and it's not much of a problem to get to. If I'm driving for long periods of time, it's switched to a cross-draw 10 o'clock position. Or in the fanny pack in front if on vacation and driving.
 
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