Car Carry Options

[SQLGeek]

While working on getting my CHL, I've been examining my options for carrying. One of the things I've been thinking about is how I would carry in a car. I work in an office that is 30.06 posted, so during the week I'm only going to be carrying to and from work and then after I'm off. I was thinking of picking up something like a Kahr PM9, Ruger LC9 or even a snubbie (something larger than a .380) that I could stick in a car safe when arriving at work. If I need to stop off somewhere after work, I can throw it in the pocket of my slacks before getting out of the car.

Which leaves me with the question of where to best carry the gun in my car while commuting. I drive a compact sedan without a center console. The likely locations I've identified for off-body carry in the car would be the glove box, a CD console at knee level to my left or a holster that I could loop over the seat belt clip before buckling up. Pocket carry or IWB seems impractical for getting to the gun when trying to fend off a carjacker for example. The CD console would fit a pocket pistol perfectly but my strong hand is my right so I'd have to draw it with my weak hand and then transition or use it weak handed. The glove box is a long reach and I think would be pretty obvious. I like the idea of a holster around the seat belt buckle that would be an easy draw and presentation but I'm not sure how to anchor it or conceal it.

How do you all car carry? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated

[apostate]

You're right handed, so one option is a holster mounted high in the foot well, to the right of the steering wheel. That keeps it out of sight and easily accessible from the driver's seat. One challenge, in a compact car, is how to move the handgun between the holster and your car safe without anyone seeing. Same for transitioning to/from pocket carry when you want to do that.

[USA1]

I've tried a couple of different methods for car carry.

The first was under the seat.

Get yourself a cheapo nylon holster with a thumb break and a steel belt clip.
The holster can be clipped or attached to the underside of the seat frame in a position that's easily reached from a seated position. The important thing to remember is to make sure the gun will stay in place in the event of an accident or slamming on the brakes. The last thing you want is the gun sliding under the brake pedal and preventing you from stopping or controlling you car.

The second (which is what I do now) is wedging it into the passenger seat using the same cheapo nylon holster.

Simply slide the holster onto the gun and the wedge it between where the lean-back and the seat cushion meet. The grip will still be easily accessible. You can lay a rag or small towel over it to hide it. When you draw the gun, the holster will stay tucked between the seat cushions. I like this method because it's quick and easy to get to the gun without bending or stretching.

I drive a truck so your results may vary.

As for securing your gun while you're away from the car, check out NanoVault. You can find it at Academy, Gander Mountain, or multiple on-line stores.

[RottenApple]

I've been considering the Kingston Car Seat Holster by DeSantis (http://www.desantisholster.com/store/SE ... 220R-P226R). It looks like it would serve my purposes and may yours.

And I second the NanoVault. I've got one for my truck and will be getting one for my wife's car shortly.

[SQLGeek]

Thanks for the feedback.

I had thought about mounting a holster near the foot well but with the size of the car, it might be hard to find a non intrusive spot to put it. I also had concerns about stowing the weapon in not obvious manner. That will take some creativity but thankfully at work at least, I am in a covered garage so it should be a litle less obvious.

USA1, that's not a bad idea wedging it into the seat. I will look into that more. I will also look at the NanoVault. I just got a multi-vault for the home and really like it.

Edit: Thanks Rotten, interesting concept. Not sure about the strap across the seat but it might be worth a look.

[canvasbck]

Something we did in my wife's Volvo; Take one of those cheap zippered pistol pouches and then pick up a pack of velcro strips. Whenever you find a convenient spot to draw from, velcro the pouch in place. I think you might could use this mounting method in the seat belt area you were referring to.

My wife keeps her Taurus Public Defender on the right side of the center console, between the console and the passenger seat. She practiced drwing from the pouch several times from different locations until she found the spot that works best for her. She normally leaves the pouch unzipped at the top while she is commuting and throws a ball cap over the top of it for concealment, works great.

[RockingRook]

While working on getting my CHL, I've been examining my options for carrying. One of the things I've been thinking about is how I would carry in a car. I work in an office that is 30.06 posted, so during the week I'm only going to be carrying to and from work and then after I'm off. I was thinking of picking up something like a Kahr PM9, Ruger LC9 or even a snubbie (something larger than a .380) that I could stick in a car safe when arriving at work. If I need to stop off somewhere after work, I can throw it in the pocket of my slacks before getting out of the car.

Which leaves me with the question of where to best carry the gun in my car while commuting. I drive a compact sedan without a center console. The likely locations I've identified for off-body carry in the car would be the glove box, a CD console at knee level to my left or a holster that I could loop over the seat belt clip before buckling up. Pocket carry or IWB seems impractical for getting to the gun when trying to fend off a carjacker for example. The CD console would fit a pocket pistol perfectly but my strong hand is my right so I'd have to draw it with my weak hand and then transition or use it weak handed. The glove box is a long reach and I think would be pretty obvious. I like the idea of a holster around the seat belt buckle that would be an easy draw and presentation but I'm not sure how to anchor it or conceal it.

How do you all car carry? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated

I use a IWB then when I get out of my car I unclip the gun and holster and put it under my seat or in the glove compartment. You say you have a gun safe then why stick to the mini compacts?
I have a Glock 27 .40 cal and just recently bought a Ruger SR 9c. Do not know if it is ok to fire +P ammo from those mini compact. I have heard both pros and cons but mostly people
say not to use the extra pressure rounds in them. The Glock 27 .40 or the Glock 26 9MM both are great guns. I am switching to the Ruger SR 9c for my "carry gun". It is not much bigger then
the glocks but it is thinner and very easy to conceal and comfortable to carry.

Just my thoughts on this.

Chuck

[stroo]

Wilderness Safepacker.

[SQLGeek]

I use a IWB then when I get out of my car I unclip the gun and holster and put it under my seat or in the glove compartment. You say you have a gun safe then why stick to the mini compacts?
I have a Glock 27 .40 cal and just recently bought a Ruger SR 9c. Do not know if it is ok to fire +P ammo from those mini compact. I have heard both pros and cons but mostly people
say not to use the extra pressure rounds in them. The Glock 27 .40 or the Glock 26 9MM both are great guns. I am switching to the Ruger SR 9c for my "carry gun". It is not much bigger then
the glocks but it is thinner and very easy to conceal and comfortable to carry.

Just my thoughts on this.

Chuck

Thanks for your post. I've been looking at the pocket pistols as a method of carrying when stopping off somewhere on my way home from work. I can slip it into the front pocket of my khakis or slacks without having to make a big production of putting a holster on. I'm a big guy in a compact car so I don't see that as being too easy. The pocket pistol could also be a BUG when I'm wearing my "weekend uniform" of shorts and a t-shirt and can better dress around a larger framed gun.

This is the idea I'm beating around, haven't settled on it yet. I have looked at the SR9c and rather like it. That is one of the ones I'm going to go rent tomorrow to see how I shoot it.

Stroo, good idea on the Safepacker, I had forgotten about that.

Great feedback everyone, thank you!

[jayg0351]

I use one of the velco holster that goes into my maxpedition FATBOY. I stick to the carpet next to front seat. Its easy to reach and quick to put away when not used.

[kjolly]

Where ever you decide to keep it in the car three things of importance:
Access
Concealment
Security

You cannot draw a pocket pistol when sitting but as you exit the car the pistol (in a proper pocket holster) is easily transferred to a pocket if carefull. I solve the Security issue as whenever leaving the vehicle the gun travels with me. Note I very rarely visit any place I cannot legaly carry.

[jmace57]

I have a nanovault under the passenger seat, but towards the back. I have the passenger seat moved forward some (as I rarely have a passenger). I am tall, so the driver's seat is fully back. It is easy for me to reach over and grab it behind the passenger seat. If I am having to leave it, I just lock it up. When I am in the car, it is open. I suppose a very quick stop or accident could throw it forward, but that hasn't been an issue yet.