think 5-10 years ago in WA a law was passed that sorta outlawed guns in the gun rack in the window with some exceptions(like when hunting)

quote:

Originally posted by steve hammer:
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.

quote:

Originally posted by Capt Steve:
I would like to pick up a "Truck gun" that would stay in the truck 24/7. Something with enough power but not an expensive piece as I realize that it getting ripped off is a very real possibility.

Your Profile doesn't say where you are from but I'd strongly suggest you check your State and local Laws before doing something like this. Here in WA there is a law, like Landpimp said, that prohibits carrying a firearm that is "Visible" from the out side of the vehicle. The way it is written allows the individual Counties to "allow" gun racks in pick-ups but those are only valid in those Counties and once you cross the County line you have to obey the laws in that County. Kind of like crossing State lines in reference to CPLs - kind of a pain. Most people simply don't do it any more.

Also, we have a Law that States that you the 'owner' can be held partly liable for whatever someone does with a firearm they have stolen out of your vehicle. Part of this law requires that the gun that is stolen must have been left 'loaded' which is kind of hard to prove but it is also kind of hard to disprove as well.

I haven't heard of anything happening along these lines since this law was passed but then I haven't heard of it going off the books either.

A couple of years ago the Chief of Police of the most Major City in this State had his "Duty Gun" stolen out of his 'unlocked' police vehicle and two of the questions he was asked were "Was it loaded??? And, what was the Serial Number???" He only answered the last one with "It had 777 in the Serial Number!!!"

KKG, I live in AZ and having a holstered gun in a vehicle is perfectly legal. I also have a CCW permit as well. Before I cross a state line I have always researched the applicable laws and comply. I don't anticipate my truck gun being stolen. In ten years the truck has never been messed with and is alarmed and locked every time it is parked. The point was and is if I am going to keep a gun in the truck 24/7 for reasons of availability why use one of my more expensive pieces. A good used, cosmetically challenged gun will work just as well and "If" it disappears I will file a report, complete with serial number and photos. Replacing a $250 gun is a lot easier than one that set me back $600 or more. Other than my carry piece du jour, all of my other guns are locked up in a safe 24/7.

Then from the two choices you provided I would suggest you go with the Ruger.

quote:

Originally posted by Capt Steve:
I would like to pick up a "Truck gun" that would stay in the truck 24/7....I found two good candidates....The first is a Charter Arms Bulldog, 3" in 44 Special....The second is a Ruger Blackhawk in 357....So what do you think?

quote:

Originally posted by Capt Steve:
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.

I'd skip the single-action Blackhawk and go with a solid double-action revolver instead. If you ever need to defend yourself as noted above, you're going to want something that's ready to fire with just a pull of the trigger, not something you have to manually cock for every shot. And if you have to arm a passenger in an emergency, you're going to want a gun that's as simple as possible to operate--something they can also just point and shoot if required. My choice would be a something like Landpimp suggested: a stainless-steel Ruger Speed Six. I have the .357 Magnum version with a 2.75" barrel, and it would make a perfect truck gun--compact, rugged, reliable, and not very expensive.

With that said, I'd have to agree with others and say that keeping a gun in the truck 24/7 is not a good idea. I have no problem leaving a handgun stowed in the truck during a doctor's appointment or when entering an area where CCW is not allowed. But it's no trouble at all to bring the gun into the house at night, especially when doing so could keep it out of the hands of a criminal.

In another recent thread you said this:

quote:

Originally posted by Capt Steve:
A number of threads lately have touched on the issue of where you keep them, store them etc. According to an ad in a popular gun magazine 341,000 guns in the US are stolen every year....if a burglar gets into your home how many of your guns will he walk away with?....when the house is empty what will the bad guy find?

The same question applies to your truck--what will the burglar find if he does break in? When it's so easy to take the gun with you and secure it indoors at night, it seems that would be the responsible thing to do, rather than leave it in an unattended vehicle around the clock just for convenience.

quote:

The same question applies to your truck--what will the burglar find if he does break in? When it's so easy to take the gun with you and secure it indoors at night, it seems that would be the responsible thing to do, rather than leave it in an unattended vehicle around the clock just for convenience.

Would it make us feel more responsible having a gun stolen out of our "locked house" vs. our "locked truck"? It's a moot point to me.

Taking the "truck gun" into the house is fine if one can guarantee that one will never have to leave home in a hurry, or have one's mind on other things and "forget" the gun when we take off.

That's one of the main purposes behind the truck gun; having it available at all times for any use. I've been practicing "truck gun" useage for 40+ years and intend to do so till as Fred Sanford would have said, "I change from a "dirty ole man" to a "dead ole man".

Other that a 4,000 lb. safe bolted to a concrete floor we're kidding ourselves about securing our property from professional theives. Locks and fences are designed to keep honest people honest, not stop the person intend on stealing your property.

MOONDAWG

quote:

Originally posted by MOONDAWG:
Would it make us feel more responsible having a gun stolen out of our "locked house" vs. our "locked truck"?....Other that a 4,000 lb. safe bolted to a concrete floor we're kidding ourselves about securing our property from professional theives.

No one needs a 4,000 lb. safe to secure a gun responsibly. I suggested bringing the gun inside at night and securing it there because the chance that your average thief will invade an occupied house is very low (and the chance of success against an armed homeowner is even lower) while the chance that some punk will smash an unoccupied truck's window and steal whatever is inside is much, much greater. The original poster acknowledged the higher risk at the beginning of this thread by saying that what he was looking for was "not an expensive piece as I realize that it getting ripped off is a very real possibility."

So to answer your question: Yes, if a gun is stolen out of a locked safe in a locked house, most folks would consider the owner to have acted in a more responsible fashion than if the gun was left in a parked truck and stolen in a 10-second smash-and-grab.

I'm fine with the idea of a truck gun; I just don't believe convenience should trump security.

I appreciate all of the input. Lots of good angles to consider. For the record at night my truck is always parked in a locked garage which is attached to the house. I like the Ruger but SA does have its limitations especially when trying to flee with a 5 speed stick. No decision made yet and frankly I am having a lot of fun shopping, looking and learning from all the fine folks found here.

Here's a story of a guy and his TRUCK GUN.

May not want a CLOCK 21

quote:

Originally posted by Capt Steve: ...I like the Ruger but SA does have its limitations especially when trying to flee with a 5 speed stick...

Just of the Record; this will be an 'issue' you'll need to deal with no matter what you choose. I'm glad you are smart enough to lock up your vehicle at night but at your home is probably one of the least likely places for a break-in. Not, that it couldn't and doesn't happen but Parking lots are the most common location for a car/truck break-in. And even if you Park in a "secure area" during the your workday. It is much more likely that the break-in will occur where your truck sits 'regularly' for hours at a time.

Three of the times I have had to draw my gun "in anger" it has been in a parking lot. If it hadn't been on my person - well, I'm just glad I was 'carrying' instead of trying to remember where my sidearm was.

My recommendation was based completely on the fact you only offered two choices and I would take the Ruger.

I would venture to say many old farts on the forum (myself included) have 40+ years experience owning automobiles/trucks.

During these years how many times has your vehicle been broken into?

The worry of theft from vehicle may be "much ado about nothing"...

Unless you advertise what it's content might be with such bumper stickers as "Insured by Smith & Wesson".

I'd worry more about lightning strikes on golf courses, that is if I played golf.

MOONDAWG

quote:

Originally posted by MOONDAWG:

During these years how many times has your vehicle been broken into?

The worry of theft from vehicle may be "much ado about nothing"...

Unless you advertise what it's content might be with such bumper stickers as "Insured by Smith & Wesson".

I'd worry more about lightning strikes on golf courses, that is if I played golf.

MOONDAWG

Not sure if you're asking for replies, Moon, but my various rides have been busted four (4) times over the years. No personal lightning strikes...yet...fortunately.

Be safe.

You should take a LONG look at the 3rd Gen S&W auto LE trade-ins. They are great guns. I got my 4006 for $280.

While it showed signs of being carried the bore was like a mirror after a couple of passes with a brush and some solvent. It cleaned up very nicely in about 15 minutes.

In addition to being solid as a tank, mine is also a fantastic shooter.

Pretty soon gas prices will force us to have a possible Smart car gun choice....my guess would be a snubbie...

sip QUOTE: "Pretty soon gas prices will force us to have a possible Smart car gun choice....my guess would be a snubbie..."

Oh hell don't say that too loud.

I bet GatorFarmer's already got a "Level 4, code red, tier 3" method of concealing a Ma-Duce .50 cal on that little Mo-Fo.

P.S. Do "Smart Cars" come with Level IIIA upolstrey?

MOONDAWG