Most useful truck gun

[slushee]

So I've been struggling with the idea of tossing a gun behind the seat of my truck. At first I was thinking "bolt action .22 wmr" then I saw the prices !! For the same price I could get an sks that shoots a .30 cal round. Then I do own a stainless mini-14 but its a $1000 gun. Not sure I want to abuse that in the back of my truck. I also own a highpont 200 12 ga shotgun, 19 in barrel open bore. Would that be a good choice to toss in the back?

I live across the city from my work, and if I had to hike home it would be my defence gun (dogs, looters wishing to do me harm). Basically be the gun I always had with me. Not sure of the pro's and con's of each calibre/firearm system.

I would be very interested in your thoughts on my potential truck gun.

[Styrak]

I think a cheap shotgun would do the trick, with both buckshot and slug ammo available. If you want you could toss some birdshot in too, but that's not useful for much besides small animals, etc.

You would be following the applicable laws right?

[Wilson]

I suggest a single-shot, break-action 12ga. that you can cut down to min' legal length. Shorten the stock a little, but don't cut it off completely (pistol grip shotties aren't really very good to shoot), and the barrel can be cut down to 18.5", making it for a very nice, compact truck gun.



You can buy them new for $150 at Cebala's: http://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&§ion=1187§ion2=1727§ion3=1737&ID=9797

[Styrak]

I suggest a single-shot, break-action 12ga. that you can cut down to min' legal length. Shorten the stock a little, but don't cut it off completely (pistol grip shotties aren't really very good to shoot), and the barrel can be cut down to 18.5", making it for a very nice, compact truck gun.



You can buy them new for $150 at Cebala's: http://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&§ion=1187§ion2=1727§ion3=1737&ID=9797

What about one of those really hort Dominion pumps? They have barrels even shorter, like 8.5". http://www.canadaammo.com/product.php?productid=173&cat=0&page=1

You could also get a single or double:
http://www.canadaammo.com/product.php?productid=58&cat=0&page=1
http://www.canadaammo.com/product.php?productid=57&cat=0&page=1

[Wilson]

Those could also work. I'd stick with a shotgun over a rifle for truck/trunk gun purposes simply due to versatility. I like that the break-action singles are lightweight and easy to store, and can handle being banged around a little without too much of an issue - but a pump-action would do just as well, I suppose, though I'd stick with a known quality manufacturer such as Remington or Mossberg.

Another topic that isn't often discussed is placement within your vehicle. If you drive a car, the roof of your trunk (not the trunk lid itself, mind you) is a good spot to both conceal (as it does have to be concealed if you're not right there with it) and store the firearm without taking up any space. It also prevents it from being stolen in the event that your car is broken into, because most thieves won't think to put their head all the way into the trunk and look UP. You could fashion a couple of quick-release straps for it, too.



For trucks and SUV's, there's really not very many options for you that work. With pickups, you're stuck with putting it behind the seat (you could fashion a couple of hangars for it if you wanted, so it's not just laying on the floor where all the dust, dirt, and humidity is). Another option for pickup owners is to make use of the under-seat area, as some newer trucks even have fold-up seats with compartments underneath.




With SUV's, you can buy one of those "behind the seat" firearm racks to place on the last seating row, and then just hide it with a tonneau cover.



Or you can go "full retard" and get yourself a set of SWAT-style safes.

[bushido]

Mossberg M500 Cruiser is a prepackaged 'trunk gun'.

[bushido]

As we are on the topic of trunk gun, will this gun be concealed on you as you go for your walk home? If you are walking home with a gun visible I think that it would end up causing you more issues than you think.
Having the gun visible will cause LE to pay special attention to you as well as anyone else who has a gun and views you as a threat.
The gun would remove you from the standard mass of people walking home.

[Wilson]

Truck/trunk gun stays in the vehicle all the time, it's why you buy a separate gun for it in the first place.

[bushido]

Still missing my question Wilson, I did not ask were the gun was to be stored. I asked what the user intended to transport it outside of his vehicle.
Slushee Quotes
"I live across the city from my work, and if I had to hike home it would be my defence gun (dogs, looters wishing to do me harm). Basically be the gun I always had with me."
And I was wondering if he really thought of the ramifications for walking around in the public with a gun even in a SHTF situation.
I am in no way a 'non-gun' guy, I just wanted to know if the pro's out weigh the cons for having a trunk gun, especailly one that is hard to conceal while moving.
I understand the legalities for concealing the firearm but hey, at that point you are walking through an urban center with a loaded firearm, already breaching several laws.

[Wilson]

Your question is largely invalid, since you do not need to "transport" the truck gun outside the vehicle. If you ever need to actually employ it, your circumstances will allow that the firearm be openly brandished (societal meltdown, assault, animal problem, roadside animal coup de grace). When it comes to installing the firearm in the vehicle in the first place, do so in the privacy of your own driveway or garage (under cover of darkness of need be).

Your vehicle provides all the concealment and transportation the weapon needs. If you have a break-down and the vehicle needs to be towed, simply leave the weapon in the vehicle and accompany the vehicle to the shop. There is nothing illegal about keeping a non-restricted firearm in your personal vehicle. Hell, it doesn't even need to be locked. Sure, taking the gun out may attract unwanted attention, but there is nothing illegal about it. Keep the papers for that particular firearm somewhere in the car so you can demonstrate its legality if asked.

This is not a thread about EDC or concealed carry. We're talking about a gun you keep in your car or truck and the specifics in doing so.

Though, I digress...

There is absolutely no reason you should ever be moving through a city during any sort of crisis. Even if it takes three times as bloody long and uses that much more fuel, you should be going around the city. This is applicable regardless of how you're moving, whether it's on foot, on horseback, in your personal vehicle, or even a friggin' tank. Cities are BAD mojo when crisis hits. If you feel you need to carry a firearm with you in your city of residence, MOVE! It's probably a shithole anyway.

[bushido]

A quick question wilson, do you live on an iceberg? I am just curious as you seem to never have the need to enter a city.
I know that bad things could never happen when you enter the city and that when things do go south you will be at home all tucked away and safe.
As far as the trunk gun goes, I would have to say that having a gun that can be concealed while moving through the city because Murphy screwed you is a better tactical advantage as you will not stick out like a sore thumb. Sort of the idea that if you are all mall ninja'd out you will draw unwanted attention to yourself. So maybe Slushee needs to think of also storing garments or a bag that will allow for good concealment while transporting on foot.
Even in an aspect of of societal breakdown if you are walking with a gun visible some dirt bag with a rifle will probably kill you to get your visible gun. If you look like an other shmuck with nothing, you will probably not be worth the time or ammuntion.

[Wilson]

A short (really short) shotgun attached to a shoulder holster, the ones intended for use with a micro submachine gun, will do the job if you throw a jacket on over top of it. In this capacity, one of those Dominion Arms micro shotguns that Styrak recommended would work perfectly.



Alternatively, that same shotgun on a single-point sling (the most common sling arrangement among modern warfighters and civilian shooters alike) will also allow very good concealment under a jacket when tucked under an arm.



I hope that adequately answers the original question.

The only reason you'd be moving through the city when TSHTF is to get to your home or retreat where your provisions and security preparations are. If you happen to live in the city, I'm sorry, you should relocate as soon as humanly speaking possible. That, however, is better for a separate discussion.

[bushido]

That shoulder rig set up with a dominion arms rig would work very well, it looks like a nice set up Wilson.

It would allow for some amazing firepower as well as concealment till you get home.

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