Securing handgun while traveling

[drew-67]

Hi folks,
I plan on going on vacation with the Family soon and this will be my first time with a CCW while being away from home for an extended period...
I have researched states that I will be going through and staying at and feel that I have a good mindset with this.

The time that I am most concerned with is the time for whatever reasons, I cannot carry...and storing the handgun securely at these times.

I have Gunvaults with cables and it will be in one of these either in my vehicle or hotel room. I feel these are good for the typical smash and grab scenerios...However, to keep from driving myself crazy, I am trying to think of some addition security measures.
I've received some good tips already and hoping for some more

Also,
I know that the internal locks are not favored by most and I don't want to debate that...
However, with security being a priority in this case; how much more secure would a handgun be if locked inside of a gunvault? Is the key for the internal locks all keyed differently?
I guess what I am asking is, if someone stole my Gunvault with the guns internal lock-locked, would it be hard for them to use the gun? Or are the pretty easy to disasemble?
I know I could run a cable lock through the gun too, but thinking that could be cut pretty easy, whereas maybe it would take more work with the internal lock...

Thanks and any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[WR Moore]

I honestly don't know, but would strongly suspect that the internal lock keys are all the same for a particular brand. Yes, many of the locks can be beaten by detail stripping the firearm and throwing the lock parts away.

Depending upon state law, leaving the weapon secured in the unattended car may be a violation of law.

Depending upon exactly what the setup is, the hotel/motel safety deposit boxes may be a good solution. Finding something in the room heavy enough to cable the box to may be an issue since hot water radiators have largely gone the way of the buggy whip. If the gunbox gets swiped, I would bet an experienced thief/fence knows how to speedily open it-I'm not giving burglary lessons.

 

[rburg]

I've never thought about the internal lock as being safe in any way. But most folks would be up against a wall if they encountered a locked revolver. For any of our average members here, it would probably take a few minutes to defeat the internal lock. Well, the biggest thing to overcome would be finding a screwdriver.

Long ago my wife realized it would be nice to have a way to protect ourselves, so we've always carried a gun on vacation. Because we must travel through IL, I have the gun in one bag and the ammo in another. First stop west of there we load it up, and my CCW license covers me in the states west of the Mississippi. I don't generally worry much about it in my room, but I should. There are times when I really wish she'd get a license too. Her purse would be a good place to store it.

Back when Ole Spot came along, his job was protecting the Jeep and everything in it. He'd eat anyone sticking even a single finger in his domain. I felt OK about a gun in the jeep back then.

 

[gregintenn]

I feel my gun is secure in a holster on my person...just sayin.

 

[drew-67]

Thanks for the replies so far...much appreciated

 

[drew-67]

I feel my gun is secure in a holster on my person...just sayin.

I agree, and when I can have it on me I will be the most relaxed...
But,,I know there will be times at theme parks, etc.; where I will not be allowed to carry

 

[10mmauto]

Most of the resorts we've stayed in on vacation had decent programable combo safes in their rooms.

Out side that we plan our vacations away from any state we can't conceal carry in.

Just got a link from a buddy. Sorry I don't have it on hand, but the link states that most common hotel programmable safes have a master code of 000000. Cannot attest to the veracity.

 

[Class III]

I don't know what the master code is for the hotel room security safes, but I would never leave ANYTHING in them that I thought anyone would want to steal. A buddy of mine had his pistol and extra cash stolen from the room "Safe" at a hotel in FLA several years ago. In my opinion the best place to store your firearm is in the hotel vault. Just make sure you get a signed receipt showing that you have deposited it with them.

Class III

 

[drew-67]

Well, had some time today to do some research on the IL and "keys"...I gotta say I feel pretty silly I even asked about them

 

[thndrchiken]

I'd be real iffy about using a hotel safe that's in the room. I've heard that many have the master unlock code as 0000. I don't spend much time in hotels and can't speak from experience myself but I've heard this from more than one reliable source.

 

[jkc]

A word of caution about security cables --- to illustrate the point to me, an acquaintance recently picked apart a 3/8" cable in mere minutes with wire cutters. Didn't take much longer than cutting a rope with a sharp knife! Think about chain, instead.