Have gun. Will road-trip.

Hello everyone. Interested in getting feedback from many of you on what guns you take with you when traveling (more specifically, driving) within areas that have the same laws. Let's try to leave the legality issues out of it and assume you can carry what you want wherever you're going.

What all do you take with you? Do you take more than one gun? Something I've been thinking about a lot recently during the holidays and traveling to a few different places for days at a time.

Do you take into consideration various calibers? Platforms? etc... Do you have a dedicated "road-trip" or "car" gun? Still take along your EDC?

Let's hear it!

Interesting question. When I first started carrying a handgun when traveling, it was pretty easy. I either carried a Colt's Government Model 1911 in .45ACP or a S&W Model 66-2 (2.5 inch barrel) in .357 Magnum as those were the only large and medium bore handguns that I owned. I carried 230gr. ball ammo in the Colt, and Federal Hydrashoks in the S&W. As time passed, and I began carrying concealed handguns, I slowly switched from carrying a full sized handgun with a J-frame as backup to just carrying my EDC which consists of a S&W Model 38-0 and a Model 638-1. Both are equipped with CT LG-405 lasergrips, and standard velocity .38 Special ammo. Nothing fancy or exotic, and luckily, I've never had a need to use either.

Regards,

Dave

I'm covered by LEOSA but when we travel I carry my J frame with an extra J frame in the car just in case.

Usually,I carry the same EDC Model 60 or a Glock 30s..right side pocket is a Bram Frank Gunting...right side back of hip is a Shiva Ki Karambit.
Jim

Sayoc01 said:

..right side pocket is a Bram Frank Gunting...right side back of hip is a Shiva Ki Karambit.
Jim

Click to expand...

Whatever that all is, I'm impressed!

Long trips I'll often switch from a 3913(7+1) to a modified 6904(12+1) with extra 12 and 15 rounds (w/ +2 grip) mags.

On road trips I take my edc, P30, plus an extra mag of SD ammo. If I'm planning on meeting up with friends and going to the range, then my range bag will come along and have my usual complement of gun cleaning accessories. Mind you, the gun is thoroughly cleaned before the trip.

No change(s.)

Carry same gun type (j-frame; 642 or 60 NY-1) in all my travels.

Regularly travel to NYC, Boston, and DC and since I lived in those cities in my working days I am secure in my belief I am well-equipped to navigate the means streets therein.

Be safe.

PS: Usually a speed strip in my pocket. Another six on my belt when attire permits but since I have never needed a reload that's likely unnecessary. Still do it, though. One speedloader in all my vehicles, too.

My "road trip" handguns have changed quite a bit over the last 30+ years.

They were originally duty-size revolvers & pistols. (I carried .44 MAG off-duty for a while, including for use when traveling the back roads and back woods, when one of my assorted .357 MAG guns just seemed a bit light duty. I was also younger and didn't mind the heft or discomfort of IWB with a boat anchor - think Redhawk, N-frame, etc.)

Then they became shorter barreled revolvers and compact pistols.

I was still carrying either a 3913 or a G26 on road trips as recently as 10 years ago, but that soon evolved into carrying a J-frame. Sometimes one of the smallish pistols and a J-frame. On rare occasions, a pair of J's.

Within the last 2-3 years it morphed into carrying a J-frame and maybe one of my LCP's.

Most recently it became one of my LCP's and a NAA .22 (against any Onion Field type incidents that might come my way).

Strictly speaking, I suspect I'll continue to choose either a J-frame and a LCP, or just one or the other of them, or just one of them and maybe a NAA .22LR or .22MAG. I only take them along for actually traveling on the road, anyway, and for having inside any motels we decide to stop at overnight along the way.

Most of my daily and nightly forays involving relaxation and leisure activities usually involve sampling the wares of different breweries, wineries or distilleries. That being the case, my LEOSA weapon(s) don't accompany me during those activities, anyway.

Yes, I engage in the same reasonable risk assessment as I do when in my own state and running around from day to day, and I do make an effort to avoid unreasonable exposure to places where it seems a higher risk might exist, especially following any elevated threat levels or specific incidents.

For those times when I do find myself reluctantly going to what I may consider to have a higher risk? And it doesn't involve patronizing a brewery, etc? I may opt to take a larger gun ... meaning one of my compact or subcompact 9's, .40's or .45's ... or maybe one of my snub .357 revolvers. Depends.

In the final analysis it's just a tool, albeit perhaps a handy one, but in the final analysis it's the training, experience, judgment and mindset that's easy to always have with me.

No answers, especially not those that may be anything close to "definitive". Just my thoughts and ever-present wondering if I'll move the right direction at the right time.

Carry my 40c with an extra 15 round mag on off side. I have another 15 round magazine I leave in my console of my Jeep I can put in a pocket if ever needed .. I would carry a mouse gun in addition but in Illinois it is not legal to carry 2 firearms !!

Each to his own. This is a report of what I carry, not necessarily advocating that others do the same.

Unless shooting at the destination is part of my plan, I generally carry an improved Model 56 (2" M15) and a 2" Model 37 SB. The 37 ordinarily goes in a Renegade on my ankle, but can be carried in one kind of pocket or another when I so choose. My nickel 37s and several of my Centennials are for 110gr or 125gr ammo, whereas my M15 is sighted for 158s, so I don't really have much ammo interchangeability. Lately, however, I have been carrying a 642 sighted for 158s, and last year I bought a cherry 37 SB, blued, which shoots to POA with 158s. Contrary to my often-stated policy on shooters vs. safe queens, I have been a little hesitant to subject that 37 to constant carry, even though it is probably the best defensive J (for my purposes) that I own. The 642 isn't bad, either but not in the same class as the SB 37. OTOH, the 642 doesn't show finish wear.

Don't know what I'll do on my next road trip. Probably take the 642 (along with the 15, of course).

P.S. I use Federal Nyclad FBI loads in the 15, 158gr flat point or round nose (for reloading) lead standard pressure ammo in the 642 or blue 37. All the 158s shoot to the same place in my 15.

I don't change what I carry on my person (642, speedloader, strip). The only additional thing I'll do is toss a couple of extra speedloaders in my bag.

Model520Fan said:

... Contrary to my often-stated policy on shooters vs. safe queens, I have been a little hesitant to subject that 37 to constant carry, even though it is probably the best defensive J (for my purposes) that I own. The 642 isn't bad, either but not in the same class as the SB 37. OTOH, the 642 doesn't show finish wear....

Click to expand...

Completely understand.

Back when that shipment of 37-2 DAO's (factory bobbed hammers modified for DAO) was canceled for that overseas contract, my LE distributor managed to get one for me. The former (retired) revolver armorer rummaged through his stash of old parts and found a cherry set of smooth factory stocks for it.

I've qualified with it a couple times and used it for a handful of range sessions doing some drills, but then put it away in the safe. I only use standard pressure loads in it.

I have a hard time subjecting it to the same rigors of daily carry and range use as I do with my pairs of 642's & M&P340's, or my steel J's.

It often depends on the weather. During my yearly trip to the beach, I usually have my 442 in the vehicle, and my .380 Kel-Tec handy for running into rest stops and whatnot. I'm usually dressed in a manner that precludes anything but pocket carry. That little .380 follows me everywhere I go on vacation.
If it's a trip to the mountains, my .357 60-15 would tag along, with either the 442 or the Kel-Tec backing it up.

When traveling on 4 wheels, I carry my M&P Shield 9mm. When traveling on 2 wheels, I carry my LCP .380.

Can't hurt a 37

Fastbolt;13887 I have a hard time subjecting it to the same rigors of daily carry and range use as I do with my pairs of 642's & M&P340's said:

Aw, don't worry about carrying it daily, the 37, or shooting it a lot. Why just look at the way mine looks after being carried for years and shot more than any of my others. She is rough but she's my constant companion. Never failed to feed or eject either!
I take this on road trips and either my 65 4" or a Colt Government in .45 but this little gun is always on my belt or in a pocket. I'm lucky that I don't have to travel anywhere that doesn't honor my CCW. I have taken a 12 ga. behind the seat a few times, and may start again if things don't improve in this country.
Peace,
gordon

Click to expand...

Glock 27 on the belt and a 442 in a front pants pocket. Minimum one reload for each.

I take my edc 442 on my hip but I add a cobra in an ankle holster along with an additional speed strip with 6 more rounds in addition to my edc 4 round speed strip when travelling any long distance.