Carry inside a car

[NCTexan]

What are the best suggestions for stowing a full sized semiautomatic in a car for quick access while driving?

I have a CCW... but want an unobtrusive means to have a gun quickly assessable in a car with buckets and center console.

Doing a search, I've only seen a few "car holsters" and some pretty "homemade looking" rigs using a standard holster.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[NCTexan]

What are the best suggestions for stowing a full sized semiautomatic in a car for quick access while driving?

I have a CCW... but want an unobtrusive means to have a gun quickly assessable in a car with buckets and center console.

Doing a search, I've only seen a few "car holsters" and some pretty "homemade looking" rigs using a standard holster.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Andy Taylor]

Just about any decent crossdraw or shoulder holster should work fine. I have seen driving specific crossdrw holsters that you put on once seated in the car.

 

[Careby]

I'm assuming when you say "full size semiautomatic" you mean a pistol, since quick access to something like, oh, an M1 Garand might be problematic. What is "quick access while driving"? Are we talking shooting out the windows? Defense against unruly passengers? Reaching in while filling up at the pump? Can it be in plain view? If the goal is access to weapon in a variety of circumstances I would probably go with a shoulder holster, maybe a tanker style. If it is important for the weapon to be attached to the vehicle rather than on your person a lot depends on your particular vehicle. Some have room to fit a holster between seat and console, in some there is space under the dash within reach, or I have seen a holster hung behind the passenger seat that you reach behind to access. I have a "console vault" that's good for secure stowage but access is not very quick. I use it for times I need to leave my weapon in the vehicle when I'm going somewhere I can't carry, but not so much for "quick access while driving". In my opinion that would almost require a customized or homemade solution.

 

[NCTexan]

'm assuming when you say "full size semiautomatic" you mean a pistol, since quick access to something like, oh, an M1 Garand might be problematic. What is "quick access while driving"? Are we talking shooting out the windows? Defense against unruly passengers? Reaching in while filling up at the pump? Can it be in plain view? If the goal is access to weapon in a variety of circumstances I would probably go with a shoulder holster, maybe a tanker style. If it is important for the weapon to be attached to the vehicle rather than on your person a lot depends on your particular vehicle. Some have room to fit a holster between seat and console, in some there is space under the dash within reach, or I have seen a holster hung behind the passenger seat that you reach behind to access. I have a "console vault" that's good for secure stowage but access is not very quick. I use it for times I need to leave my weapon in the vehicle when I'm going somewhere I can't carry, but not so much for "quick access while driving". In my opinion that would almost require a customized or homemade solution.

Good questions that I should have answered in the original post.

I mean 1911 or Beretta PX4 carried attached to the car versus my person.

I'm looking for something that is ready access if a perceived threat approaches my vehicle.

With my CCW... it does not have to be openly displayed inside the vehicle in my state, NC.

My primary ride is a BMW 325i which is pretty tight on 'available' free space.

I didn't know if there were specific 'holsters' that were designed to attach under dash or against console that I was missing on my searches.

Thanks

 

[creedekid]

I use an Andrews Carjacker Cross Draw attached to the lap belt of my Tahoe's seatbelt. This holster is strictly for travel for me.
http://www.andrewsleather.com/

 

[flop-shank]

Some won't agree, but I draw my left front pocket gun and tuck it under my left leg for a right hand draw. I have thought about having a special holster made for that application that I can leave in the car. I would have a dedicated car gun, but I don't like leaving guns in my car if I have a choice.

 

[bill_in_TX]

I use a less expensive version of the Andrews Carjacker that Comp-Tac made up for me in Kydex. I leave it in the car and move the pistol to it when in the car. While it could clip to the seatbelt I prefer to clip it to my regular belt and slide the seat belt under it.

 

[Capt Steve]

Since we have folks here from all over the country the first issue is what does your particular state permit. Complying with the local rules whether you have a CCW or not is job one. Having said that an inexpensive nylon Uncle Mike's, with a strap works well for me. It resides in the top of the center console of whatever I happen to be driving. My truck/car gun is usually the Bersa .380 or the MP9C. It is easily accessible, out of sight and complies with Arizona law. I don't CCW with this as there are far better holsters out there. I do have a steel lock box cabled to the seat chassis for when I have to leave my gun in the truck. Be sure and check the applicable statues when you travel across state lines as the laws and the consequences can be significantly different than your local turf.

 

[Gov]

Originally posted by flop-shank:
Some won't agree, but I draw my left front pocket gun and tuck it under my left leg for a right hand draw. I have thought about having a special holster made for that application that I can leave in the car. I would have a dedicated car gun, but I don't like leaving guns in my car if I have a choice.

I don't disagree at all!!!
In fact, I'll second that method for the very reasons given.

Like anything to do with concealed carry, you can take what ever risk level you feel comfortable with.... If you're carrying a 1911 "condition 1" under your thigh, be sure the safety stays engaged when you shift around in your seat or you'll find a VERY RUDE SURPRISE!

(There is nothing as un-nerving as finding your "condition 1 1911" in condition 0!)

 

[straightshooter1]

Florida allows carry in the console even without a CWP (Case law says it is the same as a box with a lid. City of Miami vs. Swift).

I simply glued in a piece of velcro, then had the shoe shop sew the corresponding piece of velcro to the Uncle Mike's holster and just stick the holster in the console.

I usually keep my really old Charter Arms Undercover in it, but can use it to hold my J-frame pocket revolver if I choose to do so.

Florida generally does not allow open carry even with a CWP, so the console is the best plan for me in a car.

Usually the J-frame stays in my pocket and the Charter is conveniently there in the console.

Bob

 

[flop-shank]

Originally posted by Gov:
Like anything to do with concealed carry, you can take what ever risk level you feel comfortable with.... If you're carrying a 1911 "condition 1" under your thigh, be sure the safety stays engaged when you shift around in your seat or you'll find a VERY RUDE SURPRISE!

(There is nothing as un-nerving as finding your "condition 1 1911" in condition 0!)

The only weapons I use tucked under my leg are DA J frame size snubnose revolvers, or a P3AT. My belt gun, if I'm wearing one, stays on my belt. A 1911 could work under the leg. Even if the safety were bumped off, as icky as that is, there is still the grip safety and keeping one's finger off the trigger.

 

[Landpimp]

as I most often carry in my right pocket and spend alot of time in my rig and its not easy to get to my pocket gun when in the car......so I mounted a holster(leather padle) and spare 638 to the steering colume of my rig.......trust me it works perfect, when I leave the car, I toss in the console, at night, goes in the house.

no reason you might not be able to do the same with another gun, using even a cheap Fobus holster(as long as the gun comes free, not gun and holster)

 

[Guest]

I'm going to presume you have checked your local and state laws to see what, if anything, they say about your carrying while in a vehicle. Here the gun must be "Under your direct Control" so sticking it in the glove box on the other side of the vehicle can get you into trouble. My suggestion is get and use a good belt holster. I'll admit the Andrews Leather rig is one I have not seen before but it does look to be a pretty good answer for a driving rig. You might want a belt holster in a different location and change over to that when outside your vehicle. I have recommended for many years a Strong Side just behind the Hip as proper location for concealed carry. Personally, I would not leave the holster hanging from a seat belt or otherwise visible while I was out of the vehicle. Car prowlers spend hours looking for things like this and so it is asking for trouble. I wouldn't be surprised to find someone had broken in just to see if they could find the gun that was in the holster if the holster is left visible.

 

[NCTexan]

Thanks for all the comments... all good points to consider.

 

[creedekid]

I use the Andrews Carjacker while I am driving, as my business takes me all over GA. I normally carry my guns OWB strong-side, the Carjacker was built for my Glock 27, which I carry with a 23 mag. I will transfer the the gun from my OWB to the Carjacker after I have attached the Carjacker to the lap belt of my seat belt system. When I leave the car, the gun goes back in the OWB and the Carjacker goes back in my center console. It is pretty easy to do with the snap system on the Carjacker. I used to carry a S&W 36 under my leg, but I have a friend who had to hit the brakes one time, and the gun was ejected from under his leg and bounced all over the floor of his pick-up truck. Luckily the finish on the gun was the only thing hurt.

 

[elcruisr]

Another fan of the Andrews Carjacker here. Attach it to my seat belt for the Commander and pull my shirt over it. Comfortable, very quick access and secure.

 

[Spotteddog]

My favorite (I'm right handed) is a L/H KYDEX type holster fastened to the D/S foot well. Mounted at about a 45 degree, butt up towards your hand. If you do it, get one of the types of mounts that allow different holsters to be used. That way, whatever is being packed can be held in it when your driving.
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