I guess with that said, I would pick a gun that could not be traced back to me under any circumstances.

I guess I am on the same page as Moondawg. There was a recent article by (I think), Jim Wilson in Guns and Ammo about Truck Guns. His input is definitely influencing my decision process. Being in my truck, flight is job one so as to avoid a confrontation but... if push comes to shove I want accessable firepower on demand. This doesn't mean I won't be carrying but most forms of concealed carry leave a little to be desired when some road raged idiot pulls alongside and points piece at you. As Moondawg pointed out the day may come when you might need/want to arm a passenger in an extreme situation. I don't anticipate my truck being robbed as it happened in 10 years, (it is always locked and alarmed and for the record we live in a low crime area outside of Tucson), but I am enough of a realist to know that on any given day some slimeball could bust out a window and grab whatever he can. I would just prefer, should that occur, not to lose a really nice piece. Like the man said "Opinions vary", but this is where I am coming from. Thanks again to one and all for the valuable input.

Oops,
"I don't anticipate my truck being robbed as it happened in 10 years, (it is always locked and alarmed and for the record we live in a low crime area outside of Tucson),"

Should have read: as it HASN'T happened in ten years.

I bought an old Savage single shot 20 gauge w/full choke to use as a "truck gun". Not really for SD, but as a spur-of the-moment hunting gun during my local travels.

For a self defense truck gun, an old used S&W M-10/M-64 or 65 would be great! Also, an old Ruger Service Six would fit the bill. Stick with the quality guns. You don't want/need a POS. Bob

Truck guns are big in Texas as well.

Mine has usually been a N Frames of some sort or other. Recently I got a great deal on a S&W 1911. It is now my everyday truck gun. I would rather lose it if something did happen to it, than one of the N's. I keep it in the truck during the day and I bring it inside at night. Now for the BBQ's and Sunday picnics, I go back to the N Frame's.

I leave my gun in the truck 24/7 but it is in the garage at night. The only time I take the gun out is if I'm going to be parking at the airport overnight or if at a motel I'll take it to the room. I also recently changed from a Sig 226 to a S&W 642. The 642 can be put to use as a pocket gun in a pinch and I figure 5 rounds and the gas pedal are plenty to meet my defensive needs.

I do understand those worried about a firearm being stolen from a vehicle but so far I'm just not that concerned about it considering where I usually park.

Bob

Edited to add, Capt Steve you can edit posts on this forum. A file folder/pencil eraser icon appears on the lower right of your posts. Click it, edit and repost.

I'm surprised that no one has suggested a .45 auto as a car gun. There's no barrel to cylinder gap spittage to tattoo a passenger and the lower pressure of the .45 ACP might give your hearing a fighting chance. I was killing varmints at my mother in law's house last summer and fired seven 125 gr. .357s from my 6" 686 in one afternoon (and out doors I might add) and my right ear rang for four months. I took a couple weeks off in December and my ears cleared up. I thought I had permanent tinitis, although my complete state of physical disrepair from a physical job gone wild undoubtedly played a factor. I use my left hand gun as a car gun when I'm driving and it's usually a .357 or P3AT. If I had a dedicated car gun it would be a .45.

Currently a Tau*** Judge with 3 rounds .45 Colt and 2 rounds .410 # 8 shot.

Your experiences may vary.

rayb

Somewhat off topic but until recently one would regularly see shot guns or lever actions in gun racks in the back window of pick-ups. Not any more in Central Pa. Does anyone still use gun racks in your area?

A few years ago I was behind a car that a doe jumped on, (pretty interesting for me as I could see her coming, jumping, the suprised driver, etc). However, the end result was a doe with a broken leg and probably a punctured lung (frothy blood at mouth). Not a single car in the 7 or so that stopped had a gun or even an ax to put her down with. I'd bet 10 years earlier there would have been one or two at least.

Best all around truck handgun has got to be the Glock 17. Almighty reliable with 17 rounds on tap and thirty in the next mag.

Hah Steve, gun racks in pickups are so '70s. Think they went out with disco music here in Texas. When I was in high school here I think every pickup in the school parking lot in our rural community had a gun rack with full compliment of long guns. Nothing was thought of it. Seems so weird to think about it now.

What is the THREAT you would be carrying the truck gun FOR?
1. If just for hunting or fun, I would chain the frame to a secure seat support, etc. so a smash-and-grab guy couldn't get away with it.
2. More than cost, I would worry that I provided a criminal with a weapon that he could/would use to terrorize or harm someone. This gives the gun control people more ammo.
3. My greatest personal threat is a strong-arm or knife robbery OR a carjacking attempt. In which case I would have to fire out/through the driver's window. A double-action autoloader .45acp stainless (Like my S&W 645) would give fast action without sparks spewing into my face through the barrel-cylinder gap. But then there's the flying shrapnel from the window glass. Leave the window down and you're open to a favorite game of the Chicago sporting community: When you stop at a sign or light, two guys rush both sides of the car, pull open the doors, both pull and push the driver out, knock him down, and grab his wallet and any other valuables, and take off running. This happened to a fellow I worked with. "It happened so fast!" was his only comment. (They stole his revolver, too!)

With a pistol pointed at my face, I'd best give the car up. I'd rather lose an old car (You wouldn't drive a good car in those neighborhoods, would you?) than my hearing.

But consider this. I could say "You can have this lemon. I'd rather have the insurance." The jacker steps away from the door to let you get out. He then hears a bang as he is knocked off his feet buy a heavy soft lead slug with a huge hollowpoint you 'enhanced' on your drill press, and fired from a Ruger Alaskan that has grips you carved to cover the hammer so it could be fired from inside your pocket. And even if he gets off a round, your cheap used expired-date body armor would most likely save you.

Remember, never draw on a guy pointing a gun at you, but shooting THROUGH your pocket is not drawing.

Any comments here? I'd like to hear what you think.

KeithCarter
NRA Life

Any BG that chooses to mess with me and mine constitutes the threat I am addressing here. From attempted carjack to road raged idiot I intend to be able to defend, from the drivers seat. Accordingly, ready access and sufficient fire power are priorities. The two guy car rush isn't a threat as both doors are locked anytime the engine is running - it's automatic with my F150. My thinking is that the dedicated truck gun will be immediately accessible whereas my carry piece probably won't (yes, I wear a seat belt every time I drive). As far as anyone pointing a gun at me I can only assume they intend to kill me and if I can bring my weapon to bear they are dead meat even if that means firing through a window or door panel...hence my earlier consideration of a 357 or 44. Like they say, "hope for the best but plan for the worst!"

Make sure you can always see the rear wheels of the vehicle in front of you, even when stopped, and drive off if you can.