Finally found a comfortable way to keep my firearm handy while in the car

[daddyusmaximus]

Okiegirl, have you shot that S&W in the dark? Beautiful pistol, but I wonder what those ports would do to your vision at night if you needed to use it in self defense. Could be nothing at all, but I'm curious what you thought if you did any night shooting with it.

Looks like just slots in the slide, I think it still has a full length barrel... I think.






Never owned a Smith... now I want one.

 

[bluewraith]

I do the same thing with my TCP BUG. I keep mine on the passenger side though. Easy to reach, and easily concealed if needed by anything laying on my seats.

 

[eldirector]

A couple of questions:
1) Do you unholster and re-holster every time you get in/out?
2) Is it secure enough to hold the gun in a collision?

 

[indyjohn]

Okiegirl, have you shot that S&W in the dark? Beautiful pistol, but I wonder what those ports would do to your vision at night if you needed to use it in self defense. Could be nothing at all, but I'm curious what you thought if you did any night shooting with it.

Looks like just slots in the slide, I think it still has a full length barrel... I think..

Correct. First time I saw the gun, I had to look twice. They are for weight reduction and style, no function. It's a 4.25" barrel.

Never owned a Smith... now I want one.

Me either until I saw this.

 

[chezuki]

Sidebar: I am by no means a 1911 guy, never even owned one or really wanted to, but there is something down right sexy about a bobtail.

 

[loudpedal]

EEK, I could have an accident while just admiring that beautiful bobbed 1911.

If I were a carjacker I would be proud to be shot by a pistol like that.

 

[chezuki]

^Devil's post!!!!

 

[Cameramonkey]

I guarantee it will NOT be retained in a serious collision. its a projectile. (a sad day since that will RUIN a 1911) I think only a retention holster like a Serpa level 3 screwed to the center console will fit that bill.

On a side note, pickup a twill sports ball cap (not a gun themed one, too obvious) to use as a cover to make it discreet. slide the bill down next to the holster and let the cap portion cover the weapon. Twill is better as its easier to get to lay over the gun.

I cant find the picture that suggested it, but it looks like somebody just stuffed their hat next to the seat. Cant tell there is a gun there.

 

[OkieGirl]

Okiegirl, have you shot that S&W in the dark? Beautiful pistol, but I wonder what those ports would do to your vision at night if you needed to use it in self defense. Could be nothing at all, but I'm curious what you thought if you did any night shooting with it.

Hum...good question. Guess I have a new reason to go out and try it at night. Statistics say that any threat will be just a few feet away and a BG that close should be pretty easy to see even with muzzle flash. I will say my prior EDC was from the M&P line and it did have a bit of a flash from the top. My hope would be that the ports would allow the flash to be to the sides and have less affect on my vision at night but it is a theory I need to prove out.

Again I have to ask... Why do you guys fiddle with your guns in the car? Strap it on and leave it alone.

I used to be of this mindset and actually changed holsters to do just that, and if it works for you that is great. I have found that for me the draw was too slow and impeded by my seatbelt and more recently by a winter coat. I wasn't comfortable with the idea of a delayed draw. I drive downtown a lot now so I've begun to rethink things.

 

[Trigger Time]

Very nice! Use what works best for you and don't look back

 

[churchmouse]

I've been looking for something that will allow me to keep my pistol comfortably close while traveling in the car. Been noodling this idea for a while and didn't see anything that really did what I wanted.

After some recent news stories, and some "in my garage" drawing practice for speed and tactics...keeping it on my hip while in the car just didn't fit my safety goals. I didn't want to stick it under the seat, in the side door, attach it under the steering column. I wanted it to be right by my right hand where I could easily draw, quickly and without telegraphing. A while back I had seen a sticky nylon type pocket carry holster; It didn't have any rigid surfaces on it and the exterior had a ruber type grip that held it in place.

I picked up one today to see if it retained my pistol when wedged between the seat and center console and could hold it tight while traveling. Works like a charm, quick easy draw, stays in place, doesn't scratch up the side of my center console, and keeps it right where I want it.

This one was the Remora concealment holster, low profile no-clip IWB holster, left handed (because it has a sweat guard that comes up a bit higher and helps protect my 1911 from scratches or contact with hard surfaces). While a lot of people have something already that works, I thought I would post this here for anyone still shopping for ideas. It was a very inexpensive fix to my problem. There are probably other brands with the same type of holster that would do the same job, I didn't care about the label (other than made in USA) just the function.

So this is the new 1911?????

 

[SERparacord]

Bingo. Tight action, great trigger.

I passed up one of those for $900, no comment.

 

[lovemachine]

Hum...good question. Guess I have a new reason to go out and try it at night. Statistics say that any threat will be just a few feet away and a BG that close should be pretty easy to see even with muzzle flash. I will say my prior EDC was from the M&P line and it did have a bit of a flash from the top. My hope would be that the ports would allow the flash to be to the sides and have less affect on my vision at night but it is a theory I need to prove out.




I used to be of this mindset and actually changed holsters to do just that, and if it works for you that is great. I have found that for me the draw was too slow and impeded by my seatbelt and more recently by a winter coat. I wasn't comfortable with the idea of a delayed draw. I drive downtown a lot now so I've begun to rethink things.

Do you carry a flashlight to help light up your sights?

Sounds like Appendix carry would solve your problems. I have found that by carrying in that method I can draw my gun quickly while seated, and wearing a heavy coat, while being buckled in my vehicle.

 

[lovemachine]

Again I have to ask... Why do you guys fiddle with your guns in the car? Strap it on and leave it alone.

This.

If you drive around A LOT, find a better method of carrying your gun. Even ankle carry would be better than unholstering your gun.

 

[churchmouse]

If I am rolling a great distance I am usually in my Van. There is a perfect place for my sidearm in the console. I carry the gun holstered but in my hand. I put it in the console where it remains until I reach destination. Holster/gun is slipped on my belt at that time. Gun remains holstered.

 

[rockhopper46038]

Andrews Custom Leather - Carjacker Crossdraw

I've been intrigued with this holster for awhile, but haven't bought one to try.

 

[N8RV]

Looks like a good use of a Remora holster, OkieGirl. I have a couple of those that I don't use -- might have to experiment with them.

My solution to the accessibility issue while driving is simply having two guns. Multi-Holsters makes a surface-mounted Kydex holster that can be mounted anywhere. I chose to mount mine to the underside of my truck's dashboard, just below and to the right of the steering column. My PF-9 sits there quite securely, yet within easy reach of my shooting hand if it is needed. The gun and holster are black, and remain pretty inconspicuous to anyone looking around in the vehicle. It isn't visible to an officer during a traffic stop, either.

My EDC remains on my waist, and I don't have to worry about fumbling with my seat belt, coats or cover garments in an emergency.

It's just another option to consider.

Note: In case anyone notices, that particular holster was not designed to hold the Kel-Tec. It's made for a Sig P226. I had originally intended to remove my EDC while driving and keep it in that holster. For reasons previously mentioned by others, I abandoned that idea. This works until I can make a custom holster for the PF-9, but it just looks funny.

 

[wtburnette]

Andrews Custom Leather - Carjacker Crossdraw

I've been intrigued with this holster for awhile, but haven't bought one to try.

Similar to that idea, I've been thinking about putting my Blackhawk Serpa on my left when I'm driving, which will make it very accessible while I'm seated in the car. I just put it on that way, sitting at about 10 o'clock and it's very comfortable and handy as I'm sitting here typing. Pretty sure it'll work great while driving as well.

 

[SERparacord]

Andrews Custom Leather - Carjacker Crossdraw

I've been intrigued with this holster for awhile, but haven't bought one to try.

You would be pointing the gun at every car that passes you.

 

[whippo]

Sidebar: I am by no means a 1911 guy, never even owned one or really wanted to, but there is something down right sexy about a bobtail.

especially on the side of a lady

The only think you may want to consider is if someone approached you without you noticing, granted most think this couldn't happen but it can. If they were pointing a gun at you and noticed that sticking out the situation could escalate before you were able to draw. I don't want to get into conceal vs open please please please just a thought for the op.