Carry position while riding in vehicle

[Guest JLowe]

Once again leg pain keeps me up and I can't sleep, so here goes. When you in a vehicle, driver or passenger, where do you carry your handgun?

When I worked Patrol I got in the habit of snapping a Galco Summer Comfort holster to my seat belt and put my Glock 23 in it. The gun rode in a vertical position with a slight cant to the right. If I needed to have my gun out in a hurry, I couldn't get to my main gun, because I'm 6'5 and 260. With a seat belt on and all my gear, I didn't have alot of room left. I work plain clothes now and had to change that. I usually wear a cross draw paddle for my BUG so that its easy to get to and put it in my ankle rig before I get out and take off the cross draw. I know my way is not perfect, but it works for me.

The next time your carrying and in your vehicle with your seat belt on, see how well you can get to your gun and have it in action if confronted with a situation. I know for me that strong side carry with my weapon concealed under a shirt or jacket, it takes a while.

I would also like to hear other suggestions as well. What have you run across and how have you resolved it?

Stay safe. Be Alert, Stay Alive

[towerclimber37]

I have a holster affixed under the dashboard so that I need only reach forward a bit.

[R1100R]

+1 on the Dash holster. (Cheap Black nylon velcro-ed). I also have a cross draw/

diving holster.

[Guest bkelm18]

I wedge it in between the driver's seat and the center console.

[Punisher84]

I either take it out and sit it next to me if alone, center console if I have company, or in a shoulder rig for long trips.

[Guest pjblurton]

I typically carry OWB @ 4:00 with a loose fitting shirt covering. Once I get in my truck, I tuck the shirt in between the gun and myself. My holster has a strong forward cant and I can draw just over the seatbelt without issue.

There have also been times that I have slipped the pistol between the seat and center console sans holster...

[creeky]

I typically carry OWB @ 4:00 with a loose fitting shirt covering. Once I get in my truck, I tuck the shirt in between the gun and myself. My holster has a strong forward cant and I can draw just over the seatbelt without issue.

That is the same with me.

On occasion I have clipped my OWB holster to my doors... uh... "map holder thingy". Not sure what it is called. Clips pretty good there. Doesn't move.

[Guest coldblackwind]

My grand am has a nice little storage tray under the radio, in front of the shifter, that fits my glock 30 perfectly, so thats where it goes.

[Guest pjblurton]

That is the same with me.

On occasion I have clipped my OWB holster to my doors... uh... "map holder thingy". Not sure what it is called. Clips pretty good there. Doesn't move.

I have thought about that but I was concerned about having to reach for the weapon with my left hand. Might work better for me if I were the passenger.

My wife will use her clip holster from her purse to between the seats when getting into and out of her car so she doesn't have to fumble with a purse in a hurry.

Edited November 24, 2008 by pjblurton

[EMTRN]

Center console when driving.

[creeky]

I have thought about that but I was concerned about having to reach for the weapon with my left hand. Might work better for me if I were the passenger.

I've put it there as a passenger as well.

Having to reach over my legs for it isn't a big deal for me. Seems like I am twisting my body anyway to look or talk out the window anyways.

[The Average Joe]

I wear a Galco Summer Carry (IWB) for my Colt Defender between 4:00 and 5:00 and double mag pouch at 9:00. Doesn't sit uncomfortably and all I have to do is lean forward a bit and reach back.

I've been checking out the under dash holsters since getting my new (to me) truck.

[Guest VolGrad]

Around town I leave my carry weapon wherever I am carrying it - usually between 3 and 4 o'clock. For times where I am in the car for an extended period - either driving or waiting (usually for the wife) - I switch to a Comp-Tac Two O'clock Appendix carry holster. I can access/draw from it very quickly/easily even with a seat belt on. Sometimes though I just tuck a J-frame under my thigh. That works well too.

[Guest pjblurton]

For times where I am in the car for an extended period - either driving or waiting (usually for the wife) - I switch to a Comp-Tac Two O'clock Appendix carry holster.

Wow.. If I carried at 2 o'clock while sitting down my gut would push the grip away from my body and the barrel would be pointing at my junk...

Not comfy...

[Guest JLowe]

One of the things the FBI learned about the shootout in Miami was to always have your weapon secured and not lying loose in the vehicle. One of the agents killed had to rely on his back up 38 snub nose. His duty weapon was lying under his leg as they boxed the 2 suspects in. He had a shotgun lying loose on the passenger seat and fell out of reach during the crash to stop the suspects. During the ensuing shootout he had to fight with a 5 shot 38 instead of a 4 inch 357 and a 12 gauge as planned.

Plan for the worst and if it doesn't happen feel blessed that Mr. Murphy passed you by.

[Guest grimel]

I either take it out and sit it next to me

Read the report on the Miami Massacre. Try slamming on your brakes while your pistol is on the seat.

[The Average Joe]

Center console when driving.

I always have one under the center armrest in my truck if I've got one holstered on me or not.

[Guest nraforlife]

Center console when driving.

Same or between the seat and the console

[cadillacdude1975]

i have a 99 dodge dakota with a center console and bucket front seats. if im carrying in my fobus roto paddle holster, it is at 3 oclock and i adjust the cant forward for easy access around the seat belt. if it is in my uncle mikes IWB holster, i place it between the seat and the console. it is wedged very securely with the pressure from the seat against he console then my fat arse sitting in the seat. the pistol still slides out of the holster very easy even with my weight in the seat.

[Guest sling]

I wedge it in between the driver's seat and the center console.

I do the same.

The 1911 fits nicely between the seat and console on my civic.

If its not there its in the front passenger seat.

[MudBugjr]

Me to most of the time wedged between two seats in truck. Or console and seat in mama's vehicle.

[Guest stovepipe]

Honda CRV's have a dash compartment that hold a S&W642 perfectly. Otherwise, on long trips, it's a shoulder holster with a over shirt.

Stove

[bteague2]

If it's a long drive I'll sit on it, I put it under my left thigh about three inches behind my knee. Working the clutch isn't an issue and it's nice and snug.

[DaveTN]

Mine is usually in the center console. Unless I’m going to the bus depot in downtown Memphis; then it’s in my right hand.

[Guest 2HOW]

A cross draw that lays horizontal to your belt line will work. Depending on your girth you can carry appendix. I carry appendix with my PT140 with ease. I highly suggest you body carry somehow. Too many things can happen when you may have to bail quickly or become incapacitated. Don't want a pistol laying around for someone to pick up.