what would you choose for the car.

Steve

Steve

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I'm considering keeping a firearm in my truck and am not sure what to choose. Hate to admit it but I don't always carry, usually when the clothes I am in are not suited.

My cc is an M&P Shield
My range guns are the Shield, FNH, Revolver and a 1911. Usually I pick 2 for the range.
My bedside gun is a revolver.

I am trying to choose between FNH and the Shield. I am leaning to the FNH because of the large capacity mags but the shield is soo much cheaper.
 
FNH. Keep the Shield in its carry holster and come up with a good way to keep the FNH in the car. Holster, lock box, etc. Figure out what will work for you. No need to go small if it is not on your body.
 
FNH based on the choices available.
 
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Steve said:
I'm considering keeping a firearm in my truck and am not sure what to choose. Hate to admit it but I don't always carry, usually when the clothes I am in are not suited.

My cc is an M&P Shield
My range guns are the Shield, FNH, Revolver and a 1911. Usually I pick 2 for the range.
My bedside gun is a revolver.

I am trying to choose between FNH and the Shield. I am leaning to the FNH because of the large capacity mags but the shield is soo much cheaper.
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Nothing. I would choose to keep nothing in the car. It's only a matter of time till it disappears.
 
FNH if you're not carrying it may as well go big/capable as possible.

Get a lock box, cable it to the seat frame at a minimum, better would be to bolt it somewhere they can't get a prybar or hammer easily.
 
Tailhunter said:
If you don’t have an AR in that car/truck, I guess the FN will have to do.
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I saw your comment and decided to read the entire thread which I don't always do. I haz the sadz you didn't mean FN-FAL.. not that I would keep one in my vehicle, just saying...

Sent from notthedroidyourelookingfor
 
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Steve said:
I'm considering keeping a firearm in my truck and am not sure what to choose. Hate to admit it but I don't always carry, usually when the clothes I am in are not suited.

My cc is an M&P Shield
My range guns are the Shield, FNH, Revolver and a 1911. Usually I pick 2 for the range.
My bedside gun is a revolver.

I am trying to choose between FNH and the Shield. I am leaning to the FNH because of the large capacity mags but the shield is soo much cheaper.
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I was told in the strongest terms not to leave a gun in the car!
 
Beef15 said:
Get a lock box, cable it to the seat frame at a minimum, better would be to bolt it somewhere they can't get a prybar or hammer easily.
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I have a Hornady lock box with a sliding steel loop that fits around some seat brackets but not others. Just like a home safe its a delaying tactic, given more than a few minutes a determined thief will succeed. The issue I have with it is that when its properly installed its a total pain to get into quickly with the key- there's a balance between security and easy access. Its perhaps good for temporarily securing a handgun in the truck, but for me I don't view it as a CC alternative.
 
Never leave anything in a vehicle that you don't want STOLEN . A fool and his guns will soon be parted. I am speaking from experience. I had a locked box in a van that was parked under a very bright street light and someone broke the window climber in the van ,took a crowbar to the box which was bolted to the van floor and took the whole damn box which had 3 pistols in it. I did get a crowbar out of it .Police said the Thief was wearing gloves ,no prints anywhere so I kept the crowbar.
 
Something that you view as disposable...and wouldn't be heartbroken if it went walking.
Ideally should be something that supports your EDC or gives you a higher level of firepower. Are you wanting to just have it in the car as a just in case thing, or readily accessible from the drivers seat? Those are two different things.

For example, if you carry a G19 daily, then it would make sense for you to have a G17, say you got as a LEO trade in, in the center console with spare magazines that would support your EDC and be accessable from the drivers seat. On the other hand, if you are looking for additional firepower, a AR pistol or a Shockwave secured discreetly would work, but generally wouldn't be accessable from the drivers seat.
 
thanks for the ideas, it's definitely changed how I am looking at this. It started as a feeling that I needed something and am now able to define the internal scratch a bit more.

I am wanting something in the car as a just in case that is readily available from the drivers seat and something I am familiar with. The primary in case scenario would be me not having my edc on me, being able to grab some spare mags would be helpful so this is tipping it towards the shield.

Had to google AR and I'm assuming something similar to an SBR? which is also a new term I learned. To me it seems it would be similar to having a lightweight carbine which I hadn't thought of. Intriguing idea but not sure either would fit in a fold down armrest.
 
More than a couple of our shooters carry single barrel shotguns with 18 1/2 in barrels and shell cuffs. These folks end up effectively with rifle sighted 72 caliber carbines. Bought from Pawn Shops in our area for less than a Hunny. There are several of these in our group. They will land a 500 grain slug on a paper plate at 50 yards with great regularity. Go to YT and watch old Clint run a single barrel. Impressive!
 
Keep in mind that long guns can't be concealed, readily accessible in a car (in NC anyway). In the trunk is ok. A concealed permit is only good for a handgun.

AR pistol is ok.

I agree about guns getting stolen from a car. However, I have one scenario for which I am seriously considering storing a gun in my car. Where I work, it is company policy that employees are not allowed to carry in the building. (No gun buster signs, so visitors can - go figure). I have been carrying my normal EDC, a subcompact 9mm that I pocket carry. I have started thinking that if I can't carry it into the building, then why should I have my small EDC, why not a full-size gun with 3 times the rounds. It is basically just for too/from work. It would just be in the car while I am at work, I would not leave it in the car at night.

The more I think about this, it may as well be my AR pistol.
 
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I am not sure I want a gun stored in my car full time. Mine comes with me when I am home or out of the vehicle for the day. When I have traveled for work they come into the hotel for the evening. I wouldn't leave the gun in overnight unless you have a well hidden and secured place. Maybe a little vehicle customization.
 
I have a get home back in each car. It is a bag that has some basic necessities that will allow the driver to "get home" if stranded a more rural area where cell phone reception is spotty. Also there if there is a man made or natural disaster that takes out the cellular network. It has enough basic stuff to keep two people alive for 48 hours. You might not be super comfy but you will be alive. Not in that bag but secured in the car is a pistol in a proper holster along with a few spare mags. They are not there to replace EDC guns but to supplement them if need arises. If you are using the "get home" bag you retrieve the pistol strap it on and go.
 
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My truck is parked in a garage at night so not worried about it being stolen then. Plus its a plain white 11 yr old F150 XLT with no stickers advertising it might have a gun. In the overall scheme of things if someone is looking for cars to hit I'd be very surprised if they chose mine. I used to play the stock market pretty aggressively so am very familiar with "don't risk what your not willing to lose"

I'm also in the position where I can't bring the firearm into the workplace so like @Toprudder why not keep a larger gun in the car. dangit, now I'm swinging back to FNH, lol.

With the FNH not sure I need to look into an AR pistol although they do look pretty nasty. FN's are so easy to shoot and keep on target. I'm not so good yet with the shield but trying to practice weekly.

Got some links I can look over to find out more about AR's?
 
which FNH? If it is a compact, it can use both the compact and full size magazines for both the 9mm and the 40SW. Unless you want to have the double stack 45 of course.
 
AR pistols. Mine is an 8.5" barrel, and I can tell you it is much louder than a 16" barrel, when shooting factory ammo. I load my own, and use a faster burning powder that is better suited to shorter barrels, but it still is about as loud as a regular carbine and factory loads. Without a pistol brace (which mine does not have - yet) the recoil takes a little getting used to. I have not shot a 300BO pistol, perhaps someone can chime in about those. I think the 300BO is better suited than 223/556 for an AR pistol.

I have toyed with with idea of a 9mm AR pistol. I have a 16" 9mm carbine that is an absolute hoot at the range. I think a 7 or 8" barrel 9mm AR carbine would be a great home defense or truck gun, as long as it is reliable. My 16" carbine is accurate and reliable with the loads I have worked up for it, but may not be reliable with some factory or defense ammo.

If you are comfortable and accurate with the FNH, then go for it.
 
Some local member in the WS should take steve to a range for some AR fun.

The FNH should serve that role fine, but an AR pistol would certainly augment your firepower. I got my first one recently and it is very handy. Was also able to hit some steel plates at 200 yards first time trying with a red dot sight. Nothing says leave me alone quite like 30 rifle rounds fired in quick succession.
 
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Steve said:
My truck is parked in a garage at night so not worried about it being stolen then. Plus its a plain white 11 yr old F150 XLT with no stickers advertising it might have a gun. In the overall scheme of things if someone is looking for cars to hit I'd be very surprised if they chose mine. I used to play the stock market pretty aggressively so am very familiar with "don't risk what your not willing to lose"

I'm also in the position where I can't bring the firearm into the workplace so like @Toprudder why not keep a larger gun in the car. dangit, now I'm swinging back to FNH, lol.

With the FNH not sure I need to look into an AR pistol although they do look pretty nasty. FN's are so easy to shoot and keep on target. I'm not so good yet with the shield but trying to practice weekly.

Got some links I can look over to find out more about AR's?
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Definitely go for the 300BLK or even 9mm for a pistol AR for two reasons: 1 - 5.56 loses a ton of it's power out of a pistol length barrel. The tiny bullet needs high velocity and you're giving up a lot of it. 2 - That energy isn't completely lost though, it can efficiently destroy your ear drums when all the unburnt powder detonates outside the barrel if you have to use it right away, especially in a vehicle, hallway, etc.
 
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Flashpoint said:
Definitely go for the 300BLK or even 9mm for a pistol AR for two reasons: 1 - 5.56 loses a ton of it's power out of a pistol length barrel. The tiny bullet needs high velocity and you're giving up a lot of it. 2 - That energy isn't completely lost though, it can efficiently destroy your ear drums when all the unburnt powder detonates outside the barrel if you have to use it right away, especially in a vehicle, hallway, etc.
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You made me go look at my load logbook. :)

My min-charge, reduced recoil load is the only one I have checked for velocity from my 8.5" 5.56 AR. There, I got 2200fps, with a Hornady 55 fmj. The same load was 2500fps from a 16" carbine. So, a reduction (in this case) of 300fps.

Now that bullet in a factory round would be around 3100-3200 fps from a 14.5-16" barrel, maybe a tad faster, but at any rate the velocity would drop to around 2200fps somewhere around 225 yards - a distance that the bullet would still be considered effective. And given the application an AR pistol would be used for (short range) I think it would still be considered effective. A factory load would be much faster than what I measured, but also much louder as you point out.

The reduced load I measured was the minimum charge of a very fast burning powder, so there is plenty of room to improve the velocity. I'm sure I could get another 200 fps without having the noise of a factory round.

Now an FMJ is not a defensive bullet. However, they do make bullets that would be considered effective, say the 55 SP. From what I have seen, I would feel comfortable (except for my ears) using a 5.56 AR pistol. It may not be optimum, but I think it would be effective.
 
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We interrupt your serious thread for a moment of levity

carrie-fisher-as-mystery-woman-in-the-blues.jpg


your regularly scheduled thread may now resume.
 
GreatGazoo said:
Nope. Doesn't happen that way. Saw it in the movie. She just drove off afterwards - and this was in Chicago! ;)
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Just like a telephone booth is rocketed into the sky by a propane tank bleve caused by the same girl with a flame thrower ... :D
 
Steve said:
My truck is parked in a garage at night so not worried about it being stolen then. Plus its a plain white 11 yr old F150 XLT with no stickers advertising it might have a gun. In the overall scheme of things if someone is looking for cars to hit I'd be very surprised if they chose mine. I used to play the stock market pretty aggressively so am very familiar with "don't risk what your not willing to lose"

I'm also in the position where I can't bring the firearm into the workplace so like @Toprudder why not keep a larger gun in the car. dangit, now I'm swinging back to FNH, lol.

With the FNH not sure I need to look into an AR pistol although they do look pretty nasty. FN's are so easy to shoot and keep on target. I'm not so good yet with the shield but trying to practice weekly.

Got some links I can look over to find out more about AR's?
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Consider one of these if they make one to fit your truck.
 
For a while I had an AR in the trunk of my work car. No real reason, I’m clearly more an evader than a fighter. Took it out when I forgot about it and went to valet my car at the airport. Nothing illegal about doing so, but I’m sure we’d have had an awkward moment and they would have refused to let me use their service.

Now there is only a firearm in the car if I’m in the car.
 
I've got the FNH-FNX 45 non tactical. Not particularly interested in something I can't access easily, especially if I have to leave the vehicle or take my eyes off the problem to get to it .

Some other things I didn't think of, throwing some hearing protection in there or some kind of gethome bag. This forum rocks.

@Stobie thnks for the link, had come across it awhile back and couldnt remember where I saw it. Hoping the fold down armrest will work
 
Flashpoint said:
Sounds like someone was very proud of their opinion. Effectively concealed and secured there is little reason not to. In my opinion. ;)
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Just putting down here what I was told! LoL.
 
Millie, there is no other retail establishment that deals in more BS than a gun shop. Unfortunately it's pretty deep on both sides of the counter. Around here we always say the BS stops when the green flag drops. I will not listen to BS about firearms. I always say the same thing "Really!? I would appreciate greatly if you would show me that." Usually you get.." Well I would be happy to show you how I can do that BUT there aren't any local ranges that will let you". My answer is always the same.."Mine will".
Please don't think I am disparaging your shooting instructors. Just take what they say with a grain of salt. Absolutely nothing wrong with carrying a firearm in your vehicle in a secure and secretive manner.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
Millie, there is no other retail establishment that deals in more BS than a gun shop. Unfortunately it's pretty deep on both sides of the counter. Around here we always say the BS stops when the green flag drops. I will not listen to BS about firearms. I always say the same thing "Really!? I would appreciate greatly if you would show me that." Usually you get.." Well I would be happy to show you how I can do that BUT there aren't any local ranges that will let you". My answer is always the same.."Mine will".
Please don't think I am disparaging your shooting instructors. Just take what they say with a grain of salt. Absolutely nothing wrong with carrying a firearm in your vehicle in a secure and secretive manner.
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A gun shop didn't tell me not to leave a gun in a car, this forum did! More than one person said not to. No instructor has told me this, either. I think early on I posted about leaving a gun in the car and got several vehement responses about that not being a good idea! LoL.
This was maybe in October....
Look at a thread called "Gun in Car When Stopped" October 13. Can't find all the responses that said not to keep a gun in the car, but I found one....there were more, I'm quite sure.
 
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I think there are two discussions going about leaving a gun in the car. I never leave a gun in my truck overnight. My snoring is louder than any crowbar breaking a window or into a truck door! But I do leave a hi-cap pistol in the console when out, say, at Walmart whether I am carrying concealed or not.

I have been helping care for my Dad, and have occasions to visit the Walmart in Dunn, NC. First of all, Dunn was designated #10 on the top ten most dangerous towns in NC in a YouTube video, thus the hi-cap requirement. [I am now considering some of the carbine or AR advice above.] Second of all, it's a very busy place, and any break-in would be observed by many folks. I was there yesterday, and I swear half the population of the town was in that store.
 
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