Trunk/truck guns, what and why?

[Marcus]

I know several people who have a specific gun just for car or truck use (kept there all the time) ranging from cheap single shot shotguns to surplus bolt guns to loaded Bushmaster ARs. Seems logical enough to me,some situations call for more than a handgun. I`ve kicked the idea around but never singled one gun out for that purpose. I`m curious what you folks use,why you chose it? Right now I`m leaning toward a cheap but reliable surplus bolt gun like an Enfield or Nagant,if I ever get around to doing it at all... Marcus

 

[Mannlicher]

For me, the rifle that rides behind the pick up seat, or in the car trunk, is a Russian SKS. 10 rounds in the magazine, a box next to it with 140 more. I shoot the rifle monthly, clean it, and put it back in the car or truck when ever I leave the house.

 

[MarineTech]

I either carry my Marlin 1895G Guide Gun or M1 Carbine in the trunk. They're usually carried for situations in which my carry handgun (Kimber Compact) may be inadquate. Since my EAS from the Marines in 94, I have stopped for 5 animal/vehicle accidents here in Maine, and in 3 of them, the animal needed to be put down (2 deer, 1 bear). Also, either gun could be a valuable force modifier in a defense situation. 10 rounds of 45-70 or 30 rounds (2 15rnd mags. 1 mag FMJ & 1 mag JSP) of 30 carbine will definately deal with most situations. The 45-70 generally gets carried during hunting season "just in case" while the M1 Carbine is carried most other times.

 

[COHIBA]

i have been alternating between a HK91 and an M1 scout. i own my own biz and remove the rifle when i get to the shop and set it by my desk. i am considering buying a romanian AK and just leaving it in the trunk. cheap ammo cheap mags, ect.
being a former Marine myself i am torn betwwen that idea and just getting a cheap AR for the same role.

 

[Schuey2002]

I've toted my HK Sl8/G36 clone around in my truck a few times..

I put an end to that after someone tried to pry open my back window (of my Toy) one day while I was watching a Car show,fortunately they didn't make their way in.. [ It was probably a punk juvenile since he left greasy fingerprints all over my back window ]

After that, it's been retired to my house on a permanent basis..

 

[Marko Kloos]

My trunk rifle is a Steyr Mannlicher M95/34 straight-pull carbine. I use it for that purpose for several reasons:

--It's utterly expendable, at $80 rifle cost.

--It reloads very quickly from the Mannlicher en-bloc clips.

--It packs a good wallop...the 8x56R Hungarian is in the same class as the .303 British.

--It's very light and handy, albeit blessed with hefty recoil.

--The action is a straight-pull, fast to cycle and operate.

 

[Still Learning]

Important thing is to have a rifle, carbine or shotgun handy.

The Enfield, Nagant, AR variant, SKS, Guide Gun, M1 carbine, etc. are all excellent choices, IMO. Over the years my truck/trunk guns have ranged from pump shotguns to AR 15s. It's kind of one of those "whatever I feel like carrying at the moment" deals. I have the same habit as Marine Tech as far as modifying my everyday carry long gun during hunting season.

It is important to me to have a long gun handy at all times. Right now I'm carrying a Busmaster AR shorty. It's no better or worse than previously mentioned options as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Bacchus]

My vote is for a nice 870. Alternating buckshot and slugs.

 

[sm]

Have used when spending a lot of time in rural and farm settings:
Model 94 in 30-30
Model 70 in '06
Model 12

Just what you did, besides, never knew when one might be "going hunting."

Now, with having returned to college late in life, I currently don't keep a long gun...but yes there is something (s) quite handy

I'm awaiting a possible purchase for something though, just have to re-think the CCW and campus laws...with things being what they are and all...

 

[Rusher]

I will have to go with a SKS!!
You just cant beat the price and the reliablity. I've had mine for over ten years now and I have used and abused it and even ahave neglected it for years and have just recently brought it out of the moth ball part of my closet and has not given me a problem.

Rusher

 

[nathan]

I go with a M44 loaded with Seller/Belliot 54R but not on the chamber. A great rifle if you see some action with Cayotes and other critters. A raccoon will explode to bits at 25 yds.

 

[Ed]

I'm in the process of getting a new car gun, mainly because I don't have a CCL and don't lik eleaving a pistol in my car. I might use my guide gun or 30-30 ...but I wanna buy a new one. What I need is a scabbard like on a horse but in my trunk. that would be cool.

 

[COHIBA]

My Problem...

is I keep banging around
i keep something good (AR, M1A1, HK91A2) w/ me in the trunk and it gets stolen or...
i put something expendable in the trunk (SKS, Romanian AK, 336, marlin camp) and something big goes down that keeps me from going home and getting a better rifle before i bug-out.
i know that you are gojing to say "weigh the odds" but given the current mood i feel better w/ a really good long arm handy.

 

[ojibweindian]

My truck gun is a Yugo M48A with 40 rounds of Romanian surplus.

Why have a truck gun? You never know when you may need a little more oomph than a handgun can give.

 

[Mr Jody Hudson]

I think the 12 ga. is best for me as it allows me a small selection of several kinds of ammo for most any reason from solid copper sabots, to heavy lead slugs to buckshot to trap loads... I used to carry the cruiser by Mossberg but now, I feel better with the regular stock and a little longer barrel with 9 shots.

 

[zxc]

somebody broke into my sled early this month--trashed the weeks worth of laundry in the trunk! Never leave guns in the vehicle; this has been my third break-in. Anybody know how to remove fingerprint powder? FL-take your car guns with you>

 

[triggertime]

Marlin 336 in .30-30

Why? Because its a low-key non-threatening looking urban defense rifle that's capable of doing whatever I need a trunk gun to do.

Plus, If I'm ever stopped and its discovered, its just a deer rifle. Throw in some hunting gear along with it and it would be very hard to insinuate that I was out looking for trouble.

 

[Betty]

I keep my crusty Mosin M44 in my pickup. It's cheap, reliable, accurate, and will definitely get the job done.

A raccoon will explode to bits at 25 yds.

See?

It's also got a sharp, pointy thing built in.

I keep 45 rounds of various soft points/ball/AP on stripper clips.

added:
I also chose the short carbine over a longer version because it's more wieldy/balanced for me. I'm only a runt and longer long guns can get wobbly when I'm shooting offhand.

 

[stellarpod]

My "trunk/truck" gun is a stainless synthetic-stocked Ruger Mini 14. This is NOT a ranch rifle, but the regular mini with the better, more rugged sight.

A 30-round mag and about 6 boxes of PMC brown-box rides along. I do, of course, pull the rifle into the house every night.

I couldn't ask for a better knockaround rifle.

(I do, however like the idea of a shotgun with slugs/00buck)

stellarpod

 

[Jack19]

I carry a rifle that doubles as a "Get Home Rifle" most of the time, alternating between an AR and an HK91; with six spare mags.

The rifle lives in a covert bag, most people think it's a keyboard of some sort....and I don't correct them....and it gets locked in a lateral file drawer when I'm in the office. At night, it comes in the house.

 

[Smoke]

I always carry a truck gun. You never know when one of those hybrid communist pigs is going to cross your path.

I'm not too worried about rioting hordes. SHTF is not a big concern to me. Fighting my way home is highly unlikely.

But rioting hordes of feral hogs might make me fight my way off the ranch. Crazy buggers might try to root over my pickup!

I swap guns out from WIn 94 30-30; to a N.E.F 45-70, to a Model 99 .300 Savage. With others thrown in from time to time. Most always have some shotgun varient as well.

The 45-70 is almost a constant companion. Cheap, dependable, accurate, big powder - big hole. Will knock a hog down very well, thank you.

Life in the sticks denotes a lifestyle like the Boy Scout motto "Be prepared."

 

[.45&TKD]

What would a cop think of your trunk gun?

Having a rifle in the trunk of the car sounds great, but what do you tell a cop if you get pulled over?

If a cop asks you if you have a weapon in the car and you say yes, does that give them reasonable cause to search your car/trunk?

I have a AZ CCW and would of course tell the cop about the gun on my hip, but do I need to disclose what is in the trunk as well, if asked?

 

[Smoke]

.45&TKD,

I can't speak for AZ. In Texas a long gun is perfectly legal. Whether you have CHL or not.

I would always disclose the presence of a firearm to LEO. BUt again; there is nothing wrong with it here. I might not carry one if it was illegal in this stae.

 

[jacks308]

Haven't given the LEO much thought in the matter . If I was just gonna have a rifle in the truck just because , I think it'd be an M1 garand . I like the clips , I have soft points loaded for it and I'm familiar with the system .

Jack

 

[Bostonterrier97]

I think a Tankerized No. 4 Mk.1 Lee Enfield or an SKS would be idea.
My reasoning is that such rifles are very cheap to come by so if for some reason they are lost, you are not out of much money.
Another reason is that these two rifles are very reliable.

Why have a trunk gun? Sometimes your car breaks down in odd places or you get stuck in an area with some bad people.

Certain parts of Arizona near the Mexican Border, you really need a trunk gun.
Sometimes (seems to happen about once every 15-20 years) you end up having a major riot that the police are unable to control.

So a trunk gun is a good thing...sort of like having a spare tire..except that you are more likely to need the spare tire before needing the trunk gun.