Best Carry Position in Vehicle

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When in uniform, LEO or military, somebody else determines how you carry. But when in civilian attire how do you carry on your person when driving?

What position (strong side, crossdraw, ankle, shoulder, etc) do you carry?

What kind of holster?

I am not asking about carrying in the glovebox or console or under the seats.

I am not asking what to do if pulled over.

Just asking what works for you when driving with firearm on your body.
 
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AIWB without a jacket. With a jacket on I'll move it to a jacket pocket.
 
Some facts: The window one is most apt to have to shoot out of is on the left of the driver. The seat belt will interfere with any handgun holstered in any manner on the right side at the belt level. The steering wheel will interfere with any draw from the right side to point out the driver's window: ..... Therefore; it is best to have the handgun on the left hip/kidney in a reversed crossdraw position. It can be concealed by a jacket and still be readily accessible. The handgun should be drawn by the right hand and raised enough for the left hand to come under the right arm to release the seat belt making possible further maneuvering as necessary. Yes, there are among us those that are left handed. They should be accomplished in shooting right hand at least for close shots. As, the right handed person should be accomplished at shooting left handed at close range.

The drill is slightly different for the person who must carry on the right side at belt level but is easily figured out by sitting in a vehicle and thinking thru the process of presentation. A handgun carried in an under the left arm position is no problem. The handgun carried in an under the right arm shoulder holster is all but useless in a vehicle emergency. I knew a lefty Detective that carried a double gun shoulder holster rig. The handgun under his left arm was his BUG. I thought that made a very nice workable solution to the whole problem. .....
 
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Same as usual...mostly.

My in vehicle carry is same as my usual daily carry.

Strong side (right) IWB or OWB circa 3:30. 642 or 60-NY1.

However, on occasions when I am in the vehicle on a long trip I will use a shoulder holster (butt down) for the sake of comfort.

The likelihood of me (or any other non-LEO, IMHO) needing to deploy a gun whilst in my car is near zero.

Be safe.
 
When sitting, a pistol carried in front seems to work best, whether cross-draw or appendix.

Back in the day, one state police agency, Michigan, touted its cross-draw holsters because they put the revolver between the door and the officer, making a weapon grab more difficult for a driver of a stopped vehicle who was in the front passenger seat of the officer's car. I note that Michigan has now changed to strong-side holsters. I suppose that, for the most part, bringing the driver back to the patrol car is simply not done these days.
 
I'll be a LEO for 18 years next month and I always carry off-duty. My method of carry off-duty is OWB on my strong side (right handed).
 
Living about 20 miles North of Detroit, where car-jacking are an hourly occurrence, it is very important how you access your weapon. Victims often don't even see it coming.

The perps often work in pairs, or threesomes. By the time you might realize what's going down, any move on your part, will likely get you shot. Almost without exception, you will be ordered to exit your vehicle.

I mount a holster on the driver's side door panel, that allows me in basically one motion, open the door to exit, and grab the gun at the same time, with my left hand. The gun is out of sight, and no one sees I have it, until it's too late...hopefully!

It's also extremely important to make sure your weapon does not become a projectile, in the event of a car accident.
 
For me, the proper place is inside the left ankle. The main gun, of course, is at 1500. Sometimes I downrate the importance of being armed while driving, and carry a J in the left front pocket of my "shoot-me" vest. I also used to use a shoulder holster a lot in the winter, less so lately.
 
Your car carry should be the same as your normal carry. I never have to adjust when entering or exiting the vehicle

Aiwb 100% of the time
 
You asked so here goes.
I take my gun and place it under my right thigh , grip to left.
It's secure, I know where it is and it's available in an instant.
No holster , just gun tucked under leg.
I have deterred one attempted car jacker and like the fast access and quick presentation.
 
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I don't carry on body in the car because it's just too hard to get to the gun, especially when I pocket carried a Smith 36.

Whatever I'm carrying, it goes in the glove box when I'm driving.

There used to be a bunch of inane restriction on car carry in Ohio. They're all gone now for people with CHLs.

As a matter of fact during the debate prior to rationalization of the car carry provisions, the Ohio Highway Patrol said people would be able to drive down the highway, twirling their pistols on their fingers. I think I'll try that next... :D
 
I carry in the car the same way I carry when out and about, IWB at ~3:30-4:00. If I need to get to my gun, I don't want to have to think about my gun's location if attacked. To each their own.

gwpercle said:
You asked so here goes.
I take my gun and place it under my right thigh , grip to left.
It's secure, I know where it is and it's available in an instant.
No holster , just gun tucked under leg.
I have deterred one attempted car jacker and like the fast access and quick presentation.
Click to expand...

While that is a quick, easily accessible way to keep your gun in the car, what happens in a car accident? IIRC, one of the FBI Special Agents involved in the 1986 Miami Shootout kept his gun like this. When his car got hit (I can't remember the reason for the impact), he lost his gun. He spent a considerable amount of time trying to find it.

Something to think about, if you haven't already.
 
It depends entirely on what your environment is like.

Big city where carjackings are a thing--probably some form of crossdraw. It would be accessible quickly while in the car, but not much slower on foot, and wouldn't require an awkward (and possibly illegal) change in carry position.

Other places, where your primary in-the-car threat would be encountering thuggery on the road, anywhere that's comfortable, really. Your on-foot risk likely outweighs your on-the-road risk, and unless you fail to pay attention to your surroundings, you should have plenty of time to either make your weapon accessible, or make your escape.
 
Car carry same as all the other time. Leave space between your car and the one in front (you should be able to see the bottom of their rear bumper over your hood) to be able to pull past and flee should you spot someone approaching with possible evil intent. Do keep scanning while in traffic.

Your insurance carrier and the local traffic cops may become unhappy, but you're alive and well.
 
You aren't getting the drop one someone who carjacks you. You won't know about your own carjacking until you glance left and see the stolen Hi-Point level with your eyes. I wear my pistol strong side 5 o-clock because that's where I expect it to be - always. You may have a chance to go for your gun after you get pistol whipped in the face as you exit past the carjacker. Best it be where it usually is, is my feeling.

They can have my Jeep; I'm not going to force a bad tactical situation if I don't have to. However, if my wife is slow to get out of it and I get concerned... I may have to act fast, and if I do my hand will be headed for 5 o-clock - where it always is - before I'd have a chance to remember where my "driving" holster is situated.
 
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