Car Tips

By Paul Rackley (RSS)

March 01, 2012

There has been a lot of discussion on AmericanRifleman.org about Jim Wilson’s Carrying in the Car story, which made me decide to share a few of my own tips for keeping safe behind the wheel.

• Step one is vigilance. Know what vehicles are around you and where they are in relation to you, and always know if someone is on foot or has stepped out of a vehicle. 
• Pull your cover garment out from inside the seatbelt. This keeps your shirt or jacket from becoming entangled with the seat if you have to reach quickly for your gun.
• Keep your distance from the car in front of you. This provides some level of movement with the vehicle, which could give you an extra few seconds.
• Keep a small go-bag with additional equipment—ammunition, magazines, flashlight, first-aid kit, food and water—in the vehicle in case of a prolonged fight. This can also be used as a survival kit if you become stranded if you add flares and blankets.

I personally believe that a gun specifically set up as a car gun is the best way to ensure safety in a vehicle, but this isn’t always feasible. What is your favorite way to carry a gun in a car?

Tags:  blogs,  car self defense,  car tips,  carrying a gun in a car,  carrying in a car,  jim wilson,  paul rackley,  rackattack

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19 Responses to Car Tips

bill b wrote:
April 19, 2012

i like the keep your distance from teh car in front of you part - good advice lol bill b. sugarman1266@yahoo.com

Melendez wrote:
March 18, 2012

FNX-40 mounted by a magnet under the steering wheel

Cymond wrote:
March 10, 2012

When I lived in a shall-issue state, I had a cheap nylon holster between the driver's seat and the center console. It carried a 9mm with 19 rounds of Speer Gold Dot. A spare mag of FMJ was always nearby. I used to just carry a pocket pistol, but a scary incident one night convinced me to keep a service pistol handy. Fortunately, I was able to drive away from the 3 giant Bubbas in that pickup but it was still a wakeup call. What if I botched my 3 point turn and got stuck in the ditch? It's not a good idea to face off against 3 big guys at night with 7 rounds of .32ACP in a tiny gun with no sights.

Tommygun wrote:
March 10, 2012

During the warmer months, I like to carry my .380 LCP in a pocket holster. It is small and hardly noticeable. When driving in my truck, I slip it out of my pocket and in between the driver's seat & the center bench seat. It fits perfectly, it's in easy reach (right next to my right thigh) and very accessible.

Gray Ghost wrote:
March 08, 2012

S&W J-frame 'snub nose' 357 in 'cross draw' holster. Secure lockbox mounted under seat [for traveling thru Illinois], 5 speed loaders plus 50 rounds in 'bug out' bag.

Clay wrote:
March 08, 2012

I work 3rd shift & drive late at nite durring the week. I keep a Glock 27 handy in the lower pouch of a Camelbak Mule I have strapped to the back of my seat in place of a center console. When on the road, I keep it unzipped & accessible. When I get to my destination a quick zip hides it from prying eyes.

Revolver wrote:
March 08, 2012

I carry a gun on my belt everywhere I go and that's where it is while I'm in the truck. Only tip I have is if your ever pulled over by the police , let them know as soon as they approach your vehicle that you have a firearm on you. This way you don't accidently get shot when they do find it.

James tollett wrote:
March 08, 2012

Im not a fan of off body carry. I carry my primary at 3:00 & a snubby in an ankle holster. on long trips I also have a grab n go bag with spare mags for my primary and a third gun with spare mags for it. first and foremost you should take a class that specificly deals with fighting in and around vehicles. and then remember to DRIVE away from a threat if you can.

Charles wrote:
March 08, 2012

My G17 stays in the pocket on the back of my passenger seatsecured with an IWB holster, not the most practical but even the front seat passenger is unaware of its presence, im considering mounting an extra blackhawk serpa holster I have to the center console to make it a little easier to get to.

Cold Warrior wrote:
March 08, 2012

I have a full size Baby Eagle 9mm in an NRA holster mount rig under the steering wheel in my truck. I also carry in a DeSantis Intruder IWB holster a Sig Sauer P239 .40 S&W. In my truck I am secure and when I exit the vehicle I am still armed (Texas CHL).

Russell Armor wrote:
March 08, 2012

.357 snubby with frangibles in console, Para Ordinance P-10 w/spare mag. in Thunderware on longer trips ...

Rick wrote:
March 08, 2012

I carry on my right side on my person. Inside my pants waistline. So as to have my fullsize Smith and Wesson 40 caliber with 180gr Hydra Shok 15+1. If I need more than that being former Airborne Military Police I probably don't need to be carrying...

Chrisdrummer wrote:
March 08, 2012

Smith Bodyguard .380 in center console and a clip on slide holster for CC when I get out.

Joseph Senter wrote:
March 08, 2012

Everyone has hear this but I think it bears repeating. Officer: Sir I stopped your for an expired inspection sticker. Driver: Officer, I have a concealed carry Permit and I am armed. Officer: where is your weapon sir. Driver: I have a Ruger .44 magnum in my shoulder holster, and a Keltec .380 in my ankle holster, and I have a 12 gauge Benelli laying on the back seat as well as a AR15 in the trunk. Officer: Man, what are you afraid of sir. Driver: Not much.

Ray wrote:
March 06, 2012

I carry a S&W model 3913, 9+1, just forward of my coffee cup ho0lders in the centerline of my center console. I have a towell over it for concealment but it is always ready for action. No fumbling for it here in hot Florida.

Old timer wrote:
March 05, 2012

You probably should mention that it is almost impossible to use properly the factory sights on a handgun from the seat of a vehicle. Therefore, any handgun carried in a vehicle should have a laser sight mounted so that sighting isn't an issue.

madderhatter wrote:
March 05, 2012

Gun magnet mounted to the dash, under the steering wheel with a Judge Public Defender. Center console holds a Bodyguard .380.

Richard wrote:
March 04, 2012

as my work keeps me in my truck most all dayIkeep my 9mm in holster mounted to dash just under steering collum using an leather belt,secure and very accessable,plus a kimber in a shoulder rig

MyGunDB wrote:
March 01, 2012

Shoulder rig is the best way to carry in a car since it's easy to get to while seated.