Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I have had a CHP for almost 14 years. I have always struggled with where to keep my handgun when I want it handy, not in plain site and not on my hip. Some of my current concerns include it being secure enough that if I slam the breaks it does not go flying, somewhere I don't have to move it to and from since a lot of times I will leave it in the car. Future concerns are when my now 1 and 3 year old wont be strapped to car seats or even wandering the garage for some reason.

Curious to hear suggestions and ideas.

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I ain't tellin no one.

When I can't wear it (which is rare), it goes in a locked Bulldog security box. They can be mounted under the seat, in the trunk, or just about anywhere you can find the room, and they come in different sizes.

I just keep mine in my glove box. I really wish I had the space to mount one of those nice V line safes but there really isn't any in my single cab truck.

If you're talking about not having it on your hip for increased comfort while driving, I have seen people mount a holster under the steering column.

If you're talking about a more permanent storage option, then there are the other suggestions that have been posted.

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In my center console, which can be (but never is) locked.

I, too, wish I could figure out some way/somehow to mount a vault or something in a reasonably secure but at least somewhat accessible spot, because everytime I visit my kids in the large cities in which they live, they tell me, "for goo'ness sakes dad, don't leave anything of value in our car". In one cases, that confronts me with the question of what to do with a loaded weapon while a guest in a house with toddlers.

I have a Ford Expedition, and I found out I couldn't use one of those "under-the-back-seat" boxes because the back seat has no "underneath"; and the front seats, being all-electrically adjusted, aren't good candidates for under-mounting, either. The glove box won't hold what the little boy shot at; so the console is IT, I reckon.

Anybody know of good options for an Expedition?

Default location is strapped to my hip.

If, for whatever reason, it isn't, then I have it (in its holster) tucked in the split on my split-bench seating. Should I exit my vehicle sans gun, I either cover it with a hat, shirt, extra jacket, etc., or I stick it under the seat until I return. Then, I lock my car.

If I find that I am in an area in which I fear my car may be broken into, I am, by default, in an area that I don't want to be walking around gunless. Given that, if one breaks into my car, they won't get my gun because I've got it.

Like Dormin and Jake, I really don't have a good place to stick a gun safe in my car. The seats in a Cadillac are probably even lower to the floor than the seats in an Expedition, and has similar wiring and motors under there. My gun is too big to fit in the console (though, I've got lots of ammo tucked in there), and it won't fit in the glove box, either.

OP, it would help to know what you drive. Hiding spots would differ between vehicles.

I drive a Toyota Camry. Before that a 325i BMW. Before that an Explorer and before that a Wrangler. Have had issues in all of them for various reasons.

I use my center console under the stereo/dash.

I have also tucked it in between the seat and console.

I typically can't/don't carry during my work day. IF I go anywhere questionable I have a lock box. My main issue is having a consistent handy AND secure location in the car.

I like the idea of mounting a holster on the steering column. Would be curious to hear what other folks do and I appreciate the comments so far.

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I have been considering mounting a holster under the steering column as well. Like molfeens, I would be interested to hear if anybody has done this and how it works for them. Also I think I will google search this.

Dormin, I have an Expedition and have on rare occasions used the center console when I couldn't take my gun with me, but I can probably count those on one hand and have fingers to spare. I agree with SMHIV on this one -- if I'm concerned about the safety of my car, all the more reason to keep the gun on me. I have considered mounting something under the steering column for easier accessibility, but would be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried that.

I have been looking at these for a while. Looks like a decent product that at the very least will slow down/deter someone from filching a firearm left in the vehicle. The nice thing is that this isn't a one size fits all. They have models for most of the common vehicles models and they bolt into the standard bolt holes of the vehicle. The bolts are installed from the inside of the "vault" so that an intruder can't just unbolt the vault and take the whole thing.

As a note I have not used this product yet and so I cannot give a personal review for or against this product. Just trying to offer some possible options.

dorminWS wrote:In my center console, which can be (but never is) locked.

I, too, wish I could figure out some way/somehow to mount a vault or something in a reasonably secure but at least somewhat accessible spot, because everytime I visit my kids in the large cities in which they live, they tell me, "for goo'ness sakes dad, don't leave anything of value in our car". In one cases, that confronts me with the question of what to do with a loaded weapon while a guest in a house with toddlers.

I have a Ford Expedition, and I found out I couldn't use one of those "under-the-back-seat" boxes because the back seat has no "underneath"; and the front seats, being all-electrically adjusted, aren't good candidates for under-mounting, either. The glove box won't hold what the little boy shot at; so the console is IT, I reckon.

Anybody know of good options for an Expedition?

Maybe mount a safe to the center console. The problem is, your mounting to plastic and the safe is visible. I think it's more likely to be a target and ripped off the plastic.

dorminWS wrote:Anybody know of good options for an Expedition?

You could get a console vault. They seem to make them for many different truck models.

Moist wrote:

dorminWS wrote:Anybody know of good options for an Expedition?

You could get a console vault. They seem to make them for many different truck models.

Doh, I forgot to include the link in my post above. Thanks for posting it Moist.

totes6 wrote:Doh, I forgot to include the link in my post above. Thanks for posting it Moist.

That's okay, I thought you were talking about the Bulldog vaults!

I like the console vault idea better, I really don't like having to get out of the car to take my gun off and put it in the Bulldog thingy. It seems better and less conspicuous to be able to unholster the pistol and place it in the console vault right next to me, where I can still access it if I need it or want to put it back in the holster. Gonna definitely get one of these.

Moist wrote:

totes6 wrote:Doh, I forgot to include the link in my post above. Thanks for posting it Moist.

That's okay, I thought you were talking about the Bulldog vaults!

I like the console vault idea better, I really don't like having to get out of the car to take my gun off and put it in the Bulldog thingy. It seems better and less conspicuous to be able to unholster the pistol and place it in the console vault right next to me, where I can still access it if I need it or want to put it back in the holster. Gonna definitely get one of these.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Didn't get one of those yet because it uses up almost the whole console, but maybe I'll get one anyway. The console on my ride is so deep the bottom of it is pretty useless anyway.

I like the console vault idea. Seems one could keep more than a gun in there, such as a camera, or other valuables that you feel the need to have with you. I don't think they make those for my car, though.

Armed on my person or not....a Glock 23 rides in the "map pocket" section of the drivers door...covered by a small hand towel....

I tried to buy a console vault yesterday. The website wouldn't process my order because i don't allow cookies. Maybe I'll order by phone, but they can (I always wanted to say this) BLOW their damned cookies.

I know this has been a dormant thread for awhile, but figured I would chime in anyway.

Some vehicles have pouches for documents and things of that nature on the backs of the front seats. I usually put mine in that pouch while driving, keeping it pretty easy to access in a hurry. It comes while me everywhere I go so I am not worried about theft, but I keep it on my hip when someone is in the backseat.