Coast to coast by motorcycle. What gun?

roundgunner

roundgunner

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I hope to be going from Connecticut to Washington State then down the left coast to San Diego & back on my GoldWing this fall.

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The plan is to stop in the U.P. (Michigan) to meet a service buddy from the 70s. He is going to do the trip on a V twin Yamahopper or something. We used to ride together a lot in the day. My daughter starts collage in Montana this year so my wife will fly out with her and Dan and I will meet them in Montana, then my wife will ride with us to San Diego, then fly home. I get to do the ride I have been looking forward to for years.

My question is what gun to bring. I have a CT permit, and will have a Fla. Permit. That still leaves the whole west coast and many states in between.

It seems like I have 3 choices:
1. Take an M&P and in the states that you cannot have a handgun I could take the slide and magazine and put them on the other bike. That would make gun parts, not a complete gun. We would have to make sure if one of us got stopped the other would keep going, and meet up later.

2. I have plenty of room for a folding 870 shotgun.

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3. I also have a Beretta Storm in 40 S&W.

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I hate to make the trip without some form of protection.
Any opinions?
 
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Time for some of our CA members to chime in...

Don't plan on touring through the land of Lincoln with a pistol, even though taken apart in your possession. :eek:
 
Your valid home state permit would be valid for carrying a concealed handgun (not a long gun). However hi cap mags, and any type of "assault weapon" becomes a crime to take into California in many circumstances. I passed through California (Northern) with a Mossberg 500 (non folding) from Washington state and didn't worry about it.

If it was me, I'd take something low key as possiblen like an generic looking revolver or a lever action .30-30 or something of that nature.
 
:) I would carry your favorite carry hand gun. Just keep quite about it. As long as you don't act up nobody will ever know. If you do get in a situation and have to use it then deal with it then. Don
 
Oh, my! The likelihood of bad guys picking on a biker are slim. Accordingly, you should be just fine with a j-frame or sumpin'. Selecting a gun(s) for the trip should be the last thing on your mind, IMHO.

Be safe.
 
I can't help ya with the firearm decision... but MAN what a great ride that would be! Color me green with envy!.
 
J frame....preferably one you don't have any emotional attachment to.
hides well, no evil high capacity mags, no scary looking appearance, no one will see you going in and out of hotel rooms carrying it....like they would your 12 gauge....or Beretta, or levergun.....
travel light...and have a great trip
 
I would make sure that any handgun I carried was legal in what ever state I was in, ie mag capacity.

Also I would be sure what ever long gun I carried, was legal in every state I was going to.

I would carry at least 2 handguns and one long gun on the trip.

I would know all the rules, and act/plan accordingly.

I would not let anyone else "around me" know I was carrying a gun.
 
Wow....what an ambitious trip!

I'm located not too far off of I-90 about 200 miles west of Missoula and about 300 miles east of the salt water. I'd be happy to buy you and your entourage a brewsky when you're passing through and/or provide any guide services you might need in the immediate area.

Ride On, Brian~
 
Should be a great trip. Where is she headed to school? I would go with a concealable 9 or 40 and tell no one. Mine alternates in a zipped jacket pocket with a Mod 66 2.5" iwb. No reason to suspect it's there and easy enough to get to.
 
A cheap 9/40 Sigma($329 delivered from Buds + 50 bucks rebate from S&W)/or any ole gen II/III S&W 9mm & a mod 60/36/442/10.

You would survive w/o remorse if you had to give up a Sigma or a plain, used wheelgun.

Just another excuse to buy a couple of guns...
 
Sheriffocone wrote what I would have. I rode many years. As long as you keep your nose clean, ride those dressers and carry discreatly you will never be shook down. If you need to defend yourself at least you may be alive for the chance, boils down to I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by six! Wild hogs was just a movie, I doubt you will be harassed by outlaw bikers!
 
I would suggest that you forget all about any long gun. In Michigan, as I understand it it's illegal to transport any long gun unless it's cased. Our Concealed Weapon's permit is quite specific, it's a Concealed Pistol License and that is all we are permitted to carry, with the exception of a somewhat mild pepper spray. Every single state you pass through will have provisions under the law that could result in a legal nightmare, so play it safe and leave the long guns at home.

I also don't think that you'll ever have any need for a rifle or shotgun. If your transporting it broken down, you'll never have time to employ it for defense if the SHTF.

As for the jaunt down to San Diego, you should check that your choice is California Approved before you even think about taking that leg of your trip. In addition, you'll have to check the particulars of whether your legally entitled to have access to that gun as a temporary resident. Odds are that you can't because it won't be properly registered in California. Personally, there are 3 states that I won't stop in with a gun in my possesion, California, Illinois, and New York. Because if it's not properly documented and permitted for those states, getting caught with it means that you'll most likely be facing Felony charges.

As for Illinois, under Federal Law, you are permitted to transport a gun THROUGH any state in the Union. Which means your OK for gas stops, bathroom breaks, and meals. However, as soon as you stop for Lodging you become a Temporary Resident and you lose that Federal Pre-Emption. Bottomline, don't make any stops in Illinois that that aren't fuel related. If you break down, find a FFL dealer and ship it to a dealer near home.

Don't even think about "skating" around the Laws in the various states you'll be passing through. Yeah, you might get away with it and never get caught. However, if you do get caught in a state like Illinois or California, you'll be looking at Hard Time and the loss of your firearms rights for Life. IMO, it just isn't worth the risk.

Note, watch your speed. A lot of states are "milking" speeders to supplement their budget. With out of state plates, you will be a Prime Target. This means that the 5 mph "cushion" is now History. Mount a GPS on your bike and don't go more than 3 over the limit, otherwise you'll be paying "taxes" all along the way, probably to the tune of 100 bucks for each one.

Finally, if you happen to come on a great photo op with a Moose, keep the bike running and don't get too close. They are very large and quite aggressive once you violate their "comfort zone" and it can turn in to a real foot race.
 
My son used to ride a lot with a Winchester M94 Trapper in 30-30.It had a 16" barrel and he rolled it up in his sleeping bag. The sleeping bag was in a weather proof sack that was strapped on the back of the bike. It was fairly innocuous and worked better for him than a handgun when he was riding in bear/moose country. Not sure how it would play in some of the more restrictive states but it was never any problem in the western states and sure wasn't any problem at all in Wyoming.
 
It ain't worth it carrying a weapon, in my opinion. I've taken pretty much the same trip by motorcycle no less than a dozen times, camping under the stars nightly, and never wanted the responsibility of securing a weapon while I was using a public shower or having a brewsky at a local bar. How would you secure your weapon, for example, when you're camped out and want to take a swim? Sagglebags are not as secure as a car trunk.
I suggest that you enjoy yourself unencumbered by this responsibility. What ever you decide, you are on the threshold of a wonderful experience, and I wish you godspeed!
 
SleazyRider said:
It ain't worth it carrying a weapon, in my opinion. I've taken pretty much the same trip by motorcycle no less than a dozen times, camping under the stars nightly, and never wanted the responsibility of securing a weapon while I was using a public shower or having a brewsky at a local bar. How would you secure your weapon, for example, when you're camped out and want to take a swim? Sagglebags are not as secure as a car trunk.
I suggest that you enjoy yourself unencumbered by this responsibility. What ever you decide, you are on the threshold of a wonderful experience, and I wish you godspeed!
Click to expand...

I will have to respectfully, but vehemently disagree. On any trip, car or bike, I'd take something light but effective. A little "J" would be perfect or something you are used to practicing with on a regular basis. When on a trip, I'm never unarmed. Come to thing about it, I don't know when there is a time when I'm not.;)
 
i would assume that if you were pulled over and license run it would say you have a ccw. this would be a dead give away of course. i would by pass any state that didn't respect my rights as a reposible gun owner. of course i would cut out california all together just me. good luck with the moose, bear, and the occasional gang banger. one last thing we have in cherokee nc a lot of harley riders of which the majority of them are wonderful people, now on the other hand when the gold wingers come into town this place turns into a ghost town for fear of what them gold wingers are cappable of. old men with money is a scare prospect. i hope the fear factor preceeds you and you have a safe trip. Doeboy
 
I really dont think it would be possible to tour all the states involved without breaking a law in several of them without great planning. Just carry a snub out of sight and keep your nose clean.
The biggest no-no, is stay out of canada or mexico. If you do want to cross either border, hide that gun and everything to do with a gun somehow in the states. You cant count on it, still if for some reason, maybe by being in a TA, you might have your gun discovered. That has happened twice that I can remember to me, and I talked nice and got away with it. Odds are you could too, but you cant count on it! Usualy the older LEOs will let it slide but a younger serious eager beaver could well give you trouble!
By the way, many have mentioned california being bad. I lived there about 40 years, left 5 years ago. Personaly, I had maybe 3 to 5 or 6 gun incidents in that time there, and NEVER had a problem with the officers! You cant count on anything, but for my part, I think LEO there have been getting a bad rap! I had many friends in LE there and none were libs. Of course you cant bank on it!
 
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I was considering the long gun in a gun case in the trailer behind the bike. I have made quite a few long trips, but the last time I went coast to coast was in October 79, my best friend ever and I both got transferred from Coronado (San Diego) to Little Creek (Norfolk).

We camped every night, went the long way to visit family and friends. We stopped in Phoenix, went up thru the Colorado Rockies all the way to Yellowstone. The weather was getting cold and we started to run out of time so we hurried across the plains visiting Toledo & Harrisburg.

We never had any problems but it was uneasy a couple times, sometimes we were the only ones in the tiny campgrounds, it was late in the season and we were short of money so that is what we had to do. I think when you are young and strong the bad guys can tell not to mess with you just by the way you carry yourself. The closest thing we had to a weapon for that trip was a claw hammer.

It is not a road rage incident or a road side, or gas station that concern me. It is at camps at night or a breakdown with no cell service in the middle of nowhere. I don't think I will be able to afford a motel every night of this trip either. (I do plan on spending the rainy nights inside this time though.)

A few years ago I did not feel as vulnerable, I could hold my own with bare hands or what was close. I can't kid myself into thinking I can hold my own anymore.

I don't think I would take the chance with CCW carry in states I'm not allowed. If I had a wreck or other mishap I could be "up a creek".

Is the broken down gun, like a J frame with the cylinder removed and on the other bike a option at all?

I may just have to leave it behind, your opinions are vary valuable to me.

As for the photo ops, I agree with the keeping my distance from critters.

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I have been a portrait photographer after leaving active duty, but on vacation I get to take landscapes and wildlife photo's for pleasure. I do have a GPS too, all good advice.

My friend Dan, who will be joining me on this trip, named his first born son after my friend Jake who took the trip to with me the first time, from Coronado to Little Creek.

Jake died a young man, way before his time. This will be a tribute ride of sorts & a chance to spend some time with, and get reacquainted with a good friend from the past.

It must be late, I'm rambling on.
Good night.
 
My first and longest motorcycle trip was by myself in 1967. I rode from tujuanga california to my folks in central wisconsin and back. I remember I packed a revolver but cant remember which one. I belive it must have been a 6" colt officers model match. I had a 1963 harley dresser. I had no human trouble on that trip.
However, later I did on another cycle trip have a drunk probley illegal try to break into my motel room in fresno or modesto california.
I was armed, and that really saved the guy! I finaly let him go as I didnt want to answer for haveing a gun on me! I think to this day had I not had a gun on me I probley would have beat him next to death. Life can be funny!
 
Traveling through IL

Andy Griffith said:
Time for some of our CA members to chime in...

Don't plan on touring through the land of Lincoln with a pistol, even though taken apart in your possession. :eek:
Click to expand...

Unloaded cased weapon in saddle bag. Ammo may be in magazines in same case just not in weapon.
Recently passed law allows empty weapon in console with mags.
Any doubt contact ISP.
Have a safe trip.
 
Pillow cases, trash bags, the case from a collapsible crib, golf bags... All ways that I've toted a long gun about with no one the wiser. If it doesn't look like a gun case, and more importantly, you learn to heft it about in a very non gun like way, no one is the wiser. Some people like to use the sacks that those folding chairs come in from Walmart. Mini 14s fit great in those. Lately I've gone places with an M4 carbine in a pillow case - hint, use king size ones for long arms.

You don't need to break your handgun down, not the places you're going. Just don't have it on you in Cali in terms of carrying it on your person. Still, a long gun is PC and would raise less eyebrows in many places. Sleep with the action broke open and ammo handy and you can get one into action plenty quick. I tend to sleep even in hotels with a long gun handy, but that's me. Out and about in the great wide open, yeah, even more comfy as a bed mate.

Michigan is a different place in the UP and even most of the LP than the metro Detroit area. Even before Michigan became more gunfriendly, I'd drive with a long gun in my trunk.

Do you have a Ruger Mini? Folding stock can go on in some states, wood stock in Cali and carry universally legal 10 rd mags in Cali. Mail yourself a 20 for part of the trip if you want. Fun thing about Michigan unless they changed it... get your OAL down below 30 inches even with the stock folded, and if it can still be fired, it is technically a handgun.

Anyway, an unloaded generic looking long gun causes few untoward glances, esp when you're a middle aged white guy. Non tactical looking shotguns are great - just say you bust clays. Stoeger coach guns take down real nice, or Wally word can sell you a snake charmer for less than 150.

If you're handy swapping parts, you can take an offlist bullet point lower with 10rd mags into Cali. A lot of Cali laws apply to residents, not visitors, and you can give their gun liscing authorities a call for information.

South of Chicago, hunting guns are common enough in IL not to raise eyebrows.
 
A friend uses a little Rossi, pump action, 22 mag carbine for camping in various states.
 
No way i would travel without a gun.I've traveled extensively in the western United States on a Harley Davidson.Concealed means concealed.Take a pistol or revolver,.38 or larger,on your person.The chances of your getting stopped and frisked are very small. ;) Have fun!!!
 
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Think "Covert Carry", not "concealed carry". A J frame and one speed strip, not a speed loader, to easy to spot. Wear it on your body, under a layer of clothes, with a jacket over it, and have no other accessaries, no ammo box, loose rounds, holster .etc that could be spotted. I've carried a mod 60 in a shoulder holster, over an under shirt, with a denim shirt over that, and a light jacket, in places where any gun was taboo. Kept it on for days at a time, slept with it, washed with it, and only took it off when in the privacy of a bath room. Not to bad uncomfortable. I know some folks wouldn't go through the trouble but just how serious are you about being armed 24-7?

Officers, I promise I wasn't in your jurisdiction.
 
Just off the top of my head I can remember two incidents almost Identical. The first one a small guy was camping near where I lived in california. He had a small PU camper and some idiot tried to tear his way in. The guy shot him as he tried tearing the door down. I dont belive he had any trouble with the state either! Most people are scared to death, even here, about california law. A lot of it is BS!
I live at cedar city utah. About two years ago here a retired LEO from florida was in a motorhome with his family in the walmart lot.
A local guy tried to break in and the guy killed him. He did have to hang around a few days for the investigation, but as far as I know, that was about all.
It was puzzeling though for the local people that knew the intruder as they claimed he wasnt a druggie but was either a medical or law student I heard. The odd thing is the intruder had been going to college in florida, the MH he was trying to break into had florida plates, so that did of course raise a question, however the ex LEO must have been cleared.
Many years ago when I thought I was tough I traveled a lot and feared no one or any situation. I traveled with a gun, but not out of fear, but just because I am a gun enthusist and always had them.
The truth is we all get old, fat and out of shape. I still think like I used to, but then once in awhile reality sinks in when I run out of breath just trying to tie my shoes!
Since I have deteriated to the shape I am in, I have become more of a gun packing advocate. At one time I used to kind of wonder about some of my coherts that insisted on packing everywhere they went even though I was more of a gun enthusist than they were! Well, now I am the same.
 
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