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Vehicle holster? Yay or nay?

Just To lighten the mood, my truck is way to heavy and big to carry in a holster on my hip. 🫣🫢😵‍💫😂😵‍💫😂

Ok I digress, I’ve thought many times of attaching a holster to somewhere in my truck to hold my gun while driving but have found I’m just comfortable with it holstered on my hip uncovered for a clean draw if needed.
 
The Night Rider said:
Regardless of your Trigger Discipline or lack thereof more unnecessary administrative handling gives you more opportunities to screw it up.

Off body carry long enough and you will forget your gun  or you'll just say screw it and leave it there because you're lazy. And if you don't you're still unnecessarily handling your gun. Lose/Lose.




Have you ever trained for a car jacking scenario (By training I mean an actual Tactical Pistol class not going out to your range and practicing by yourself)?

Have you ever worked on shooting from your car? Have you ever worked on fighting while you're strapped to your car seat?


On this we agree


Define "train". Again have you ever actually worked around a car in training?


I spent several years working as a roving patrol guard/alarm response. I spent 8 to 12 hours a day in a car with a gun on my hip. I also had to get into and out of the car multiple times a day.

I also had a guy rush my car one night while I was sitting in a parking lot doing paperwork. I didn't have time to sit there and think "Which holster is my gun in now?"


Your life may very well depend on that
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You & I obviously have two very different visions on the use case for a car holster so allow me to attempt to clarify mine.

I use my car holster for long trips, in other words when I'm going to be driving for more than an hour, it's not used for when I drive around town, for those trips I keep my gun on me. That means It's used very infrequently, and the primary purpose is comfort.

Forgetting my gun and leaving it in the car or just saying "screw it" and leaving isn't going to happen, I've been carrying my phone in a car mount every time I've gotten into my car for the last 15 years, never left in my car once. I've been carrying all my paperwork (registration, insurance, copy of my license) in a slim wallet that I keep strapped to my visor for 20 years along with my garage door opener, take it with me every time I get out of my vehicle outside of my garage, have never forgotten to do it. If I don't forget on those things, I'm damn sure not going to forget my gun since leaving that in my vehicle is a FAR bigger deal to me than leaving those items.

As far as in car training, yes, I have, not nearly enough though. More importantly though when I'm in my car my doors are locked ALWAYS (first thing I do when I get in), I'm vigilant about checking around my vehicle when my car is stopped (habit), I leave space between my car and the car in front of me when at stop lights and generally look around and think "if I have to escape, which way am I going" (again habit). I don't go anywhere in my car with a gun that I wouldn't go without a gun. I don't sit in my vehicle in transitional spaces. If someone(s) are going to attempt to carjack me the chances are pretty high I'm going to have the opportunity to get my gun into play if I need it (i.e. I can't escape and evade).

The bottom line is, for a person like me, that's highly organized and has thought things through, a good car holster setup makes sense and is safe in my opinion. For other people it may or may not be, the KEY is thinking it through and considering the utility, the trade-offs and the safety.

The last point, my car holster is a mount so I can and have just taken the holster directly off the mount and paddled it to my hip after getting out, in other words the gun never leaves the holster. So that's an option for those concerned with the administrative handling aspect of a car holster.

I appreciate your perspective on this @The Night Rider , good discussion. :)
 
I took training for CCW in the car and learned I can access my pistol in the IWB holster that I carry daily easily after moving it about 1/2 " on my belt. I now carry it full time that way as, after some practice, I found that comfort, access, and speed outside the car were not affected. Certified instructor is a retired former 30 year State Police Officer and ran a great class for members of my club. He's also a member, often on the club's ranges, and offers help free of charge to any member with questions or problems.
 
BassCliff said:
Hi!

Tapping into the hive mind here.

There was a time when I thought about "accessibly" storing my self-defense firearm in my vehicle while driving, perhaps with a magnet under the dash. But I think the following article has changed my mind:

gatdaily.com

Just Say No To Vehicle Holsters

Vehicle holsters are never a good idea. They are a terible solution to a non problem. Just get rid of it and carry the weapon like a grown up.
gatdaily.com gatdaily.com

In case of a vehicular accident, having a "projectile that shoots projectiles" flying around inside my truck gives me cause.

When carrying in my vehicle I have to remember to open my jacket and make sure my shirt is not stuck under the seat belt to make for easier access. I have practiced drawing inside the vehicle and exiting the vehicle quickly. Now I'm thinking that this is sufficient.

Your thoughts? Yay or nay? Thanks for sharing your mind.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
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NO, in my state, it's "carry concealed"....as a result, it's on my person, all the time.

that, and there are a lot of "snoopers" that walk around checking for tell tale signs of items in the car, that they can smash your window, get in, and out quick, and nearly totally destroy your car.

if "they" see a holster attached in some way, i can assure you, that here, it's an open invitation for trouble.
 
Bassbob said:
I'm positive a holster can be attached to your vehicle in a way that it's out of sight. Conventional wisdom says it's a bad idea. People have hammers and other crap on the floor or wherever that will fly around though and I don't ever hear anyone cautioning about that. I actually have a friend, the guy I have talked about here before who is pals with he president of FN and who's brother in law is a bigshot here at Browning. Anyway, he was in an accident about 6 months ago. Bad enough to total his car. He was out on a lonely road and walked to the nearest house to get help. When he went to the police station the next day the cops had found his gun in the front floorboard and tried to make a big deal of giving it back to him unless he provided a receipt of purchase.

I guess that doesn't really have anything to do with Cliff's question though.

Anyhow I say do what you want. I don't see anything horrible resulting from having a holster mounted in your car somewhere. Personally though I keep mine on me.
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If asked I caution about leaving things lay about if at all possible. Seen too many car accidents and things become projectiles during the 4 years of college i worked in the body shop. Some are comical like the old tissue box on the rear window deck hitting the driver. Some less so like the screw driver from the rear seat impaling a kid.

There are no absolutes, hell I use travel mugs like anyone. But a firearm, I just personally am not comfortable. Like you said, it's just personal choice and I was giving mine as asked :).

Another issue being the end place of that firearm. If it bounces around inside and you are injured no one might know where it is and that it even exists. Sadly seen numerous things just disappear from car accidents also. Tow truck driver, rubber necker, impound lot worker, who knows, things just disappeared like the vanishing cabinet in the Harry Potter movies. Heck for that matter could end up outside the car...
 
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Sld1959 said:
Nope
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Would you if you had one of these ?

fLDht5g.jpg
 
southtex said:
I read many references on this forum but excellent work using the Harry Potter in context. ;)
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It is better described in the books than movies. I do not remember it being referenced by name in the movies unless Draco says something to Dumbledore in the tower which I do not remember off the top of my head.

The funny thing is so many people I know who read the books never made the connection between the wizards vanishing cabinet and the modern day magicians vanishing cabinets lol.
 
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Lots of great information and insight by you all..:)

I keep my firearm on me most of the time when I leave the house. If I can't take the firearm with me to a building then that day I carry a smaller firearm I can conceal between the seats in my truck, but this doesn't happen often.

As a guy who's trained in martial arts most of my life(and with weapons) I try to remove variables when I possible. Which means I carry a firearm and knife on the same locations of my body pretty consistently.

This is why I have smaller firearms like a S&W 638 and Kel Tec PF9 that I can carry on my hip and then more easily conceal in my truck if I have to leave it in the truck. The smaller firearms also allow me easier access of the firearm when I'm riding one of my recumbent trikes and allows me to carry in the same location on my body as when I'm carrying my regular handguns.

I think if you're going to carry a firearm consistently in your vehicle it's a good idea to still carry a smaller firearm on your body so you always have access to a firearm.

I can't recall too many times when I've had a handgun on my front seat, but when I did I tried to secure it to where it would not move around. In most of those times I carried a pistol grip shotgun in addition to the handgun on my hip.

I prefer the consistency of knowing where a firearm located and when it's on my body I can feel it's there. That's a better feeling to me, than having to try to locate it under stress in the cab of a vehicle.

In my experience, under stress little details can create big problems. Plus I'm a former Marine so I really need to keep things simple and not overload my grunt brain...:)
 
Bassbob said:
So I have a question for everyone who is opposed to having a holster attached to your vehicle. Do you have a "Truck gun" ?
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no

1st, i don't have a truck

2nd, it's not concealed, so not allowed here.

unfortunately some states are not as open to showing weapons as others are.

even going hunting, one must keep the rifles, etc, in the trunk or locked up in back of a pick up bed, and preferably a "mounted locking tool box" .
 
Hi err'body!

Wow, what an excellent discussion. You guys are the best. I mean it. ;)

As always, I respect everyone who finds the equipment and procedures that are comfortable for them, trains with them, knows the local laws, and practices common sense and safety.

I have an approved, secured lock box in my truck for those times I have to leave it in the vehicle. I try not to do that often and would rather leave it secured at home. It depends on the situation and itinerary that day.

I have driven across the country, sometimes eight hours a day, in full comfort while carrying AIWB. Yes, you must have the right gear that works for you. You must be practiced in drawing from within your vehicle, exiting, using it for cover, etc. At my previous outdoor range we dedicated a whole day to vehicular manipulation and exercises. It was eye-opening, all the fine points to consider. I should revisit that at my earliest convenience.

Considering my statements above, plus all the negatives mentioned in the quoted article, many of which were reiterated in the thread, I will continue to carry on my person and not utilize any type of vehicle holster.

That being said, the only device I might consider would be something like the StopBox Strike.

stopboxusa.com

KWICK STRIKE

The KWICK Strike is a quick access vehicle mounted safe that does NOT use batteries or electronics. So NO electrical failures! Made in the USA. Fits in most full-size vehicles such as RAM, Ford and GMC trucks and SUVs. Compatible with compact and full-size handguns. 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED...
stopboxusa.com stopboxusa.com

But it's a lot cheaper just to carry on my person. :) Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really enjoy this community.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
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BassCliff said:
Hi err'body!

Wow, what an excellent discussion. You guys are the best. I mean it. ;)

As always, I respect everyone who finds the equipment and procedures that are comfortable for them, trains with them, knows the local laws, and practices common sense and safety.

I have an approved, secured lock box in my truck for those times I have to leave it in the vehicle. I try not to do that often and would rather leave it secured at home. It depends on the situation and itinerary that day.

I have driven across the country, sometimes eight hours a day, in full comfort while carrying AIWB. Yes, you must have the right gear that works for you. You must be practiced in drawing from within your vehicle, exiting, using it for cover, etc. At my previous outdoor range we dedicated a whole day to vehicular manipulation and exercises. It was eye-opening, all the fine points to consider. I should revisit that at my earliest convenience.

Considering my statements above, plus all the negatives mentioned in the quoted article, I will continue to carry on my person and not utilize any type of vehicle holster.

That being said, the only device I might consider would be something like the StopBox Strike.

stopboxusa.com

KWICK STRIKE

The KWICK Strike is a quick access vehicle mounted safe that does NOT use batteries or electronics. So NO electrical failures! Made in the USA. Fits in most full-size vehicles such as RAM, Ford and GMC trucks and SUVs. Compatible with compact and full-size handguns. 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED...
stopboxusa.com stopboxusa.com

But it's a lot cheaper just to carry on my person. :) Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really enjoy this community.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
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nah, it's still advertising you got something of value in that vehicle.....
 
Sld1959 said:
If asked I caution about leaving things lay about if at all possible. Seen too many car accidents and things become projectiles during the 4 years of college i worked in the body shop. Some are comical like the old tissue box on the rear window deck hitting the driver. Some less so like the screw driver from the rear seat impaling a kid.

There are no absolutes, hell I use travel mugs like anyone. But a firearm, I just personally am not comfortable. Like you said, it's just personal choice and I was giving mine as asked :).

Another issue being the end place of that firearm. If it bounces around inside and you are injured no one might know where it is and that it even exists. Sadly seen numerous things just disappear from car accidents also. Tow truck driver, rubber necker, impound lot worker, who knows, things just disappeared like the vanishing cabinet in the Harry Potter movies. Heck for that matter could end up outside the car...
Click to expand...
When I first was assigned to Fort Carson we had to take a driver's safety class.

The instructor claimed (I have no way verifying it) that everything in his car got strapped down. When he put his briefcase in the car he seat belted it in.
 
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