Shotgun for the Car

D

dgludwig

New member
I'd like to keep a relatively cheap, reliable, weather-resistant, short oal shotgun permanently stored in each of my vehicles (an SUV and a pickup truck). I like the idea of a shotgun because it can be carried legally across most state lines. I plan on carrying it unloaded with the action open (in the case of a double-barrel or single-shot, maybe even broke down).
The shotgun that I think might best fit my needs would be a short, double barrel, the metal made entirely of s/s (or some other rust-resistant finish) and having a synthetic stock. I'd prefer it configured with internal hammers, having double triggers and chambered in twelve gauge.
Anybody know of a shotgun that comes close to these criterias? Thanks for all inputs, opinions and advice.
 
Have you, by chance, run across a device to secure the shotgun and help prevent its theft? I know there are some devices for home securement but am curious about automotive applications.
 
Just curious what you're going to use this gun for?

If you weren't set on a double-barrel, Mossberg has exactly what you're looking for. They make a "kit" using the Mossberg 500 called the "JUST-IN-CASE" Series.

The "Mariner" model would be your ideal first choice, but I can't seem to find them in stock anywhere. It's got a special coating on it for "marine environements", which fits your needs.

The standard blue'd cruiser can be had in it's own watertight canister or in a nylon carry-bag... and they sell a desert camo version which also seems to have the same marine-proof finish as the Mariner (although in desert camo color).

In any case, they all come in a sealed plastic bag for extra "proofing".

All but the Mariner are in stock at Buds:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=mossberg+jic

Mossberg website:
http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=28
 
To get a rust-resistant finish, I may well have to settle for a cheap pump. I just thought (hoped) that someone might know of an option that I've never heard of.

Just curious what you're going to use this gun for?
Click to expand...

I travel long distances in my vehicles on a regular basis, sometimes through areas where you're wise to keep the windows up and the doors locked. Though I have a CCW license and carry a concealed handgun in my own state most of the time, there are times and areas when and where I'm not sure what the local laws and ordinances provide for and I thought having access to a shotgun if I had a vehicle break-down or whatever, might add to my level of security. And I'd like to keep the gun out of sight in the vehicle all year long.
As mentioned in my first post, a shotgun is one weapon that might cause the least raised eyebrows and police angst in the various states and localities I travel in. This is not a huge issue for me. I'm just giving the matter some preliminary thought and I appreciate the advice offered. Creeper's suggestion (the Stoeger "Double Defense" double barrel) is an interesting one as is the Mossberg "Just N Case" idea.
 
What is the good of having a shotgun for defense if it is broken down? All you are doing is giving a car thief something to steal.
 
Kick that ole 12 ga. back under the truck seat!

How about the Norinco 982 Pardner Protector? I've heard they have such high carbon steel that they tend to rust a bit easier than most name brand guns would. However. they are Parkerized which of course is great, and one of the guys posted earlier that you can take off the stocks/forearm, and bake it @ 250 degrees f for an hour, after a vasoline rubdown. After 'seasoning the skilet" wipe off the excess, re-assemble the forearm/stock,and they claim it enhances the finish as well as protects. The guy said that Parkerized finishes really need this, and shouldn't be dry. Makes sense to me, and Iwant one of these guns myself. They're less than 200.00, check 'em out. They're feature packed, just Chinese clones of 870s.
 
P. S.

You can still case or wrap them in a toe-sack or blanket if you prefer, but avoid anything plastic, or that's not too pourus, so as to breathe, but at the cost of these guns, you should be able to "Kick that ole shotgun back up under the truck seat!", without cringing about it. It's not a '68 Wingmaster or something too nice to push down on a barbed wire fence when crossing it, you know, but check out the features it comes with for that price. And, check out the positive feedback from everyone on this gun, and over quite a long time too. The only negative I read about was very consistant. The rear aperture rifle sight needs lock-tite, or better screws, or something, cause recoil will loosen it. That's it. That's all that goes wrong on these guns.
 
Is there a reason why your carrying with one not in the chamber? Doesn't make sence to me to not have her ready to go. Unless its a local law issue? Or maybe kids?
 
I would avoid the Stoeger Double Defense. The standard Stoegers with double triggers and extractors have a pretty good track record, but the single trigger models have a bad history. When going cheap, go simple. I would mount a lockable metal box with carriage bolts with the heads to the outside, line it with closed cell foam, and seal it with a small desiccant packet inside. Size to fit your gun, whatever you get.
 
What is the good of having a shotgun for defense if it is broken down? All you are doing is giving a car thief something to steal.
Click to expand...

And if it's not broken down the thief wouldn't steal it? As mentioned earlier, I don't envision this idea as a quick response-only giving me a certain level of security in the event my vehicle should break-down or whatever. Most of the time I carry a handgun concealed.
I'm now giving serious thought to putting a Mossberg Model 590A1 six-shot "Mariner", 12 gauge, pump shotgun with an 18.5" long barrel into each vehicle (concealed) and be done with it. Thanks to everybody for their well-considered responses.
 
And if it's not broken down the thief wouldn't steal it?
Click to expand...

Of course the thief will still it assembled or not, but it offers litte protection if unassembled. As for carrying one in the chamber, I think that is a bad idea unless you want to risk an inadvetent discharge. It only takes a second to rack one.
 
Code: 
As for carrying one in the chamber, I think that is a bad idea unless you want to risk an inadvetent discharge. It only takes a second to rack one.

Going to have to disagree with you on that. Guns don't shoot themselves so aslong as you are aware of where your gun is and where your trigger is then you will be fine.

What happens if someone runs on you and you don't have time to put one in the chamber? I carry all my guns with one in the chamber, but if you don't feel comfortable with it that is completely understandable. :D
 
What happens if someone runs on you and you don't have time to put one in the chamber? I carry all my guns with one in the chamber, but if you don't feel comfortable with it that is completely understandable.
Click to expand...

That is a matter of personal choice and I can't fault yours. Everyone should balance the risks of an accidental discharge agaist the risk of being caught without time to chamber a round. In reaching that decision, I consider how likely it is that someone else will access my gun; if somone might accidentally drop it or in some other way release the sear; and the possibility that I will encounter an uninvited mid night guest.

In the OP's situation, I would think the chances of jarring it in a car is much more likely than in my bedroom, but it turns out he isn't talking about travelling with it even assembled. He would assemble only if stranded with a break down who knows where. He sounds pretty familiar with firearms (probably more than me) and I suspect he would know when the present threat level warranted chambering his shotgun. From what I read it will supplement his concealed carry.

As for shotguns shooting themselves, that is the subject of other threads but it does happen. Two weeks ago an idiot almost shot himself in the face at the range when he set his gun's but down too hard on the concrete. (It looked like all it took was for the gun to slip off of the toe of his boot and strike the concrete) Sears on worn or cruddy actions cansears can fail without jarring.
 
Last edited:
In the OP's situation, I would think the chances of jarring it in a car is much more likely than in my bedroom, but it turns out he isn't talking about travelling with it even assembled. He would assemble only if stranded with a break down who knows where. He sounds pretty familiar with firearms (probably more than me) and I suspect he would know when the present threat level warranted chambering his shotgun. From what I read it will supplement his concealed carry.
Click to expand...

You condensed it perfectly, TheKlawMan, though the disassembled idea applied only (and maybe) to if the gun was a double or single-shot. If I go with a short-barreled, corrosion-resistant finished pump (which seems more and more likely at this juncture), it will probably be kept in a case, hidden from casual view with the action open.

Again, thanks to everyone for their inputs and ideas.
 
For those saying to keep it loaded, what state are you in? Here, only handguns can be loaded in a vehicle on public land and that's only with a conceal carry permit. Otherwise, on public land, all guns have to be unloaded in a vehicle.
 
In some states the ammo has to be in a different locked compartment. Gun in front, shells in trunk or locked glove box.
 
Unloaded guns in a car?...may as well carrie a baseball bat!!! In Texas it is legal, your car is consider an extension of you home. No special license required !!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top