Carrying in the car

Stevens

Stevens

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Carrying in the car I usually have a revolver in the center console. Sometimes stuff gets left on top of it and opening the console is a bit of a delay in getting to it in case needed in a hurry. I'm wondering how others carry in the car. I have a CCW permit but rule out pocket carry, the seat belt makes it difficult for me to get to it fast. I know that from cell phone calls missed.
I've thought about some sort of holster or way to strap it under the seat or dash board. I don't want to carry it out in the open where it could fly around, or out, in a sudden stop or accident either.
I live on a dangerous curve in the road 2 or 3 a year cars run into the ditch or yard sometimes flipping over, It is amazing the stuff that flies out, tons of beer cans (empty) toys, CDs, a heavy chain, even a boxed engagement and wedding band. No guns yet.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions or experiences.

Steve W.
 
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I took a cheap holster from walmart that uses velcro instead of a regular belt loop, it'll hold several different models of my semi's. Took an old rear-center seat belt out of a car we were junking, you could grab one at about any junkyard cheap. Welded the metal ends together, but you could bolt it as well I suppose. Made a small hole at the bottom of the cheapy holster to run a zip tie through, fasten the velcro and the zip tie to the belt and run the belt around the drivers seat front to back with the buckle at the rear, slid through the crack at the bottom of the seat back. Adjust it to size, and position the holster where it rides neatly at the bottom of the front of the seat. You can easily reach between your legs to access it, if you keep your legs closed no one can see it if they are talking to you through the window (driveup windows at McD's and the bank) and it's easily removed if the wife doesn't like sitting on the belt while driving.
 
This was one of the reasons why crossdraw holsters became so popular. Being a bigger guy, I learned alot of times that if I had to draw from my right hip the seatbelt would get in the way or even the console itself, so I tended to put my gun in the center console where I can get to it easier. With my old truck with its full length bench seat, this becomes less of an issue (and no center console). I don't want anything under my dash or hooked anywhere because I would be afraid of it coming loose. This maybe a solution that needs an inventor to solve the problem.
 
The Safepacker holster from The Wilderness in Phoenix may solve this problem --- its "belt loop" can be fastened around wide and thick things, such as a padded pack hipband, or, a seatbelt. Keeps the gun clean, secure, and obscured if not hidden from view. Check their website for video illlustrastions of this versatile carry option: thewilderness.com
 
I drive a car with bucket seats and a center console. The back of the passenger's seat has a large pocket that is easily accessed from the driver's seat. I just drop the sidearm in that pocket. It disappears completely, it isn't rolling around with a bunch of other junk, and I can access it without taking my eyes off whatever is in front of me by just reaching over and sticking my hand in the pocket. At least in that car, it works well for me.
 
Here's how they used to do it-a Heiser automobile holster
that fastened to the steering column. Sorry it's not a Smith.
Regards,
turnerriver
SWCA
SWHF
NRA Endowment Life member
DSC_0007-6.jpg
 
It also depends on what your State Laws are for carrying in the car. In Florida a CCW has nothing to do with carrying in the car.

With or without a CCW the firearm must be securely encased. A glove box or center console is legal. A gun in a holster on the seat/under the seat will cause problems. You can argue that the top strap of the holster is "securing it" but the LEO who stops you may not go for that. I have no idea if the pictured holster would be legal here in Fl, maybe other States.
 
That steering column holster is sooooo cool. Have added it to my holster scrapbook. Want to sell it?

I keep a S&W 649 in the car console. If I go to the big city, I strap on my (sorry) Colt Detective Special. And, yes, I have a carry permit. So does my wife.
 
My car (a Toyota RAV4) has a pocket in each of the front doors. I carry a revolver in the driver's side door pocket in a cheap holster which is contained in a cloth cover that my wife stitched together. The cover is about the same color as the door upholstery. So, unless you look really close, the gun is nearly invisible if looking through a window. To draw the gun I just have to pick up the whole assembly with my left hand and pull the revolver out with my right.
 
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I have a hollowed out telephone book I keep in the pocket behind the passenger seat... Later, Dave
 
OCD1 said:
It also depends on what your State Laws are for carrying in the car. In Florida a CCW has nothing to do with carrying in the car.

With or without a CCW the firearm must be securely encased. A glove box or center console is legal. A gun in a holster on the seat/under the seat will cause problems. You can argue that the top strap of the holster is "securing it" but the LEO who stops you may not go for that. I have no idea if the pictured holster would be legal here in Fl, maybe other States.
Click to expand...



http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=securely+encased&URL=0700-0799/0790/Sections/0790.001.html

#17[SIZE=-1] "Securely encased" means in a glove compartment, whether or not locked; snapped in a holster; in a gun case, whether or not locked; in a zippered gun case; or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.[/SIZE]

That holster would be perfectly legal. Holster laying on the seat is perfectly legal, as long as the snap is on.
 
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I usually carry a gun in the center console of my SUV (Expedition) as well. Here is an option I have been considering:

Universal Vehicle Handgun Holster Mount - Steering Wheel Column Application

In Texas, you can carry a gun in your car legally, but it must be concealed. I figure that the Expedition rides high enough that no other motorists would see it in a steering column holster (except maybe an 18-wheeler driver.) Of course, when you get out of the car, you'd have to put it in the console or somewhere out of sight...and I have been considering getting a gun safe that fits in the console.

I can reach the pouch on the passenger seat back, but for some reason I don't care for the idea of having a gun behind me like that. I figure that if I keep the doors locked, which we do (they lock automatically) then I'd have enough time to get the gun from the console in case of need.
 
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Alpo said:
Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

#17[SIZE=-1] "Securely encased" means in a glove compartment, whether or not locked; snapped in a holster; in a gun case, whether or not locked; in a zippered gun case; or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.[/SIZE]

That holster would be perfectly legal. Holster laying on the seat is perfectly legal, as long as the snap is on.
Click to expand...

Yes, the statute is what you quoted, but that is why I also stated the LEO who stops you may or may not know that and they will instantly be be at a raised "threat" level.

If you get pulled over for a minor violation and he or she sees the gun "snapped in a holster" on your seat what reaction do you expect??
 
I would expect him to do his job. Which means write me a ticket if I committed a moving violation, and then let me go on my merry way. A perfectly legal gun carried in a perfectly legal manner should NOT freak the cop. I would not expect him to take my gun "for everyone's safety". I would not expect him to unload my gun. I would not expect him to run the serial number to see if it's stolen. I would expect him to do what he stopped me for.
 
In Missouri, since they allowed CCW permits, it is legal to have a loaded handgun anywhere in your vehicle or on your person, concealed or not without a CCW permit as long as you are in your vehicle that is. So now, the more I think there is the chance of a threat, the closer the weapon becomes. Most of the time it is in the glove box, but in the city I like to have it in the middle of the seat stuck down in the little slot that the center seat belt comes up from.(M37 snub) (S-10 bench seat).
That steering column holster is nice but my column is about 10" in diameter.
Peace,
gordon
 
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