What handgun for vehicle?

[Balrog]

Summer temperatures where I live are frequently in the mid 90s, and in a parked vehicle, much higher. Humidity is high and often near 100%.

With that in mind, what handgun would be most suitable for storage inside a parked vehicle? Heat variation, humidity, corrosion resistance, and above all else, reliability are key issues to be considered. I am looking for the gun least likely to suffer from extreme heat and humidity, least likely to have its functional reliability affected, and least likely to corrode.

Would a Glock be a good choice? In general I would say yes. It is unlikely to corrode, and would probably be reliable even after prolonged storage. But what happens to polymer when it is subjected daily to extreme variations in temperature? I don't know how hot it gets inside a car parked in 95 degree heat, but it is very hot.

Would a stainless steel revolver be a better choice?

Or an all metal frame semi-auto like a Sig 229 or 1911? Seems like they would more likely to corrode than a Glock.

Also what lubricant should I use for a handgun subjected to extreme heat and humidity?

 

[JeffG]

Would a Glock be a good choice?

I'm a Glock guy when it comes to all out reliability in the face of extreme conditions. You could shoot it dry without worry.

 

[Armored farmer]

Truck gun kits are one of my favorite subjects.



I chose this stainless steel revolver for my purposes....but I already had it. I may have chosen something else if I had to buy it specifically for a truck kit.

I don't think you could go wrong with a Glock.
I like the quick load/ unload/reload of an auto over the loose ammo/bulky speed loaders for a revolver.

 

[WrongHanded]

I like the idea of insulating any handgun and ammo kept in a vehicle from both heat and cold. Perhaps in the fold on a thick down jacket or heavy wool blanket, in the rear passenger side footwell.

I also like the idea of that handgun being one I'm willing to replace, because cars are easy to break into.

 

[jmace57]

I have a S&W model 10-5 and an additional speed strip in a NanoVault 200 case cabled under the passenger seat. I have the passenger seat scooted partially forward, and I am a big tall guy with the driver's seat pushed all the way back. When I am driving, I have the case unlocked and slid back into the back passenger foot well. I can just reach to my right and grab the gun if I need it. When I stop and am leaving the car, I lock the case and slide it up under the seat. It is black and is basically invisible unless you know it's there. I live in SE Texas and it has been fine in the heat and humidity, although I keep a decent amount of RIG (rust inhibiting grease) on it.

And as WrongHanded said, it is a "nothing special" gun that if stolen, wouldn't be the end of the world.

 

[Balrog]

What happens to polymer if it is heated from 75 to 140 degrees every day for several years? Does this cause any bad effects on the polymer?

 

[JeffG]

What happens to polymer if it is heated from 75 to 140 degrees every day for several years? Does this cause any bad effects on the polymer?

What do the plastic seats, control knobs and steering wheel cover do in those temperatures? Your Glock, and other polymer pistols will not be affected.

 

[C0untZer0]

I purchased a SAR B6P for my car gun.

I've used engine oil for lubrication, and I've waxed the slide with carnauba wax. It sits in a hot parking lot all day in the summer and a freezing parking lot in the winter, not a spot of rust on it...

 

[rskent]

What handgun for a vehicle?

Today, A Glock 26. Sometimes a G19 or a G17. But you get the idea, A polystriker9 of some flavor.

For many years it was a 1911. Then I realized that the thing was worth a lot more than I paid for it.

 

[rondog]

I typically carry one of my 1911's or my Kareen HiPower clone. I use a steering column holster setup from Gum Creek, it's pretty nifty. Holds my pistol securely below my steering wheel and between my knees, very easy access. Reconfigureable too, left/right, different holsters, thumb strap or not, etc. I recommend it.

 

[kozak6]

What's the purpose of the car gun?

Is it for general defense? Are you more concerned about riots? Is it more to keep you safe on the long walk after a breakdown or until the tow truck gets there? Do you think you will have to conceal it?

How will it be stored?

I've thought about a police trade Glock or maybe an M&P. They are mostly in .40, which is fine since you probably won't shoot it much.

 

[kBob]

Every time I see this sort of topic I am reminded of a friend that back before Y2K ask me about a truck gun. After a few minutes of my explaining issues with cost, maneuverability in the cab, rate of fire and such he stopped me and said "No I meant if a truck turns onto my road down by the gate at 300 yards what rifle do I need to stop it."

Seriously I like DA revolvers in the car. Brute force and ignorance in pulling through a DA trigger can result in shots taking place when an auto loader might be bone dry, caked with crud, or full of glove box "lint".

For a couple of years when younger I carried a .45 Colt/.45ACP Ruger Blackhawk in the car because I knew it would work, it was the least valuable of my handguns at that time, and honestly.....I had shot through the doors and windows of a junked car with it and rather liked that ability.

Main thing is "have a gun."

Of course my first rule for getting out of trouble when in a car is to drive away from the trouble, but that is not always an option.

-kBob

 

[bannockburn]

When taking long trips I use to bring along my brother's Star Ultrastar 9mm. Well built, extremely reliable, and relatively inexpensive. My brother use to carry an Argentine FM (Hi-Power clone), along with a couple spare mags whenever he traveled.

 

[Balrog]

What do the plastic seats, control knobs and steering wheel cover do in those temperatures? Your Glock, and other polymer pistols will not be affected.

They tend to become brittle, crack, lose pliability, and fail. That is my concern with polymer in this setting.

 

[Balrog]

What's the purpose of the car gun?

Is it for general defense? Are you more concerned about riots? Is it more to keep you safe on the long walk after a breakdown or until the tow truck gets there? Do you think you will have to conceal it?

How will it be stored?

I've thought about a police trade Glock or maybe an M&P. They are mostly in .40, which is fine since you probably won't shoot it much.

The purpose would be general defense, in case of riots (although not much chance of a riot where I live), or a breakdown, etc. Basically, whatever purpose might come up while I am off from home. Yes, might have to conceal it I guess if I had to walk. It would be stored in some sort of small case.

I am leaning towards a DA stainless revolver in 357. I am just not convinced about the longterm durability of polymer in that setting. I would really prefer a Glock though.

 

[Fiv3r]

While I'm a fan of having a truck gun, after having my truck broken into twice, I have rethought my reasoning of what I keep in there.

I used to keep a rifle under the seat. Just an old beater Nagant. But that was impractical and not much use for an emergency.

Instead, I asked myself for what purpose I might actually need a truck gun. Car jacking? Nope too fat away and i have my CCW on me. Riots? No. I dont live in or travel to major metropolitan areas.

What I consider is two scenarios: Being in a situation where I might not have my carry gun on me, and being stranded on the side of the road with my wife.

I have settled on keeping an old Norinco T54 in 9mm with its one magazine stored out of the well wrapped in a rag in a nano vault that also holds an old Leatherman ST200 multitool and $60 in cash.

The idea would be to have a solid, cheap shooter just in case I found myself in a situation where I had not packed my gun. Or, it may come in handy where the truck breaks down in the middle of nowhere and I would like to arm my wife. She could use my CCW while I made due with the old steel warhorse.

I think a multitool is a God-send when stuff happens. Lots of things you can work around with a good set of pliers.

The cash would be enough to buy a container and a gallon of gas or potentially buy a ride into town, etc.

The pistol cost me $200 8 years ago, the vault 30, the tool is so old, I forget what I paid, and of course the cash.

It's a cheap little crash kit for a bump in the road, not a Mad Max BOB.

 

[rskent]

What's the purpose of the car gun?

Road Rage
Just to add to what should, but may not be, on my belt. I can’t carry at work and I don’t like the idea of having to move a gun around in my vehicle in the parking lot. It’s there, it’s loaded, it’s ready to go.

 

[BSA1]

You must live way up North if you think 75 to 140 degrees is hot. Stainless steel is not rust proof, just rust resistant. I kept a stainless steel handgun in the trunk of my car over the winter when I had job that required a long drive on the highway. When I checked the gun it had a few localized small rust spots that when cleaned off left small pits in the stainless steel. I tried to shoot the gun and only two of rounds fired.

A polymer frame handgun is ideal for trunk storage especially the models that have a stainless steel slide that has a melonite type finish and barrel.

Comparing the plastic used on dashes, seats and armrests to the polymer used in firearms isn't even close to comparing apples to oranges. They are not even close to using the same material.

Consider this. The military has been using polymer parts on the M-16 / M-4 since the 1960's and the Army is adopting the SIG 320 (M-17) handgun.

Carry a S&W M&P or SIG in your vehicle with confidence. Ammunition reliability is your primary concern. Just rotate the magazines with fresh ammunition every few months or everytime you go to the shooting range.

 

[SteadyD]

The coating on the Ruger LCR certainly seems like it could handle the elements, though I've not stored one in the conditions you've described.

 

[Balrog]

You must live way up North if you think 75 to 140 degrees is hot. Stainless steel is not rust proof, just rust resistant. I kept a stainless steel handgun in the trunk of my car over the winter when I had job that required a long drive on the highway. When I checked the gun it had a few localized small rust spots that when cleaned off left small pits in the stainless steel. I tried to shoot the gun and only two of rounds fired.

140 degrees isn't hot to you? You must live in Hades?

 

[joneb]

I would first look for a secure safe to keep the gun in.
A Ruger SS security six in 357 mag would be a choice.

 

[.308 Norma]

A Ruger SS security six in 357 mag would be a choice.

That's my choice.

 

[FAS1]

They tend to become brittle, crack, lose pliability, and fail. That is my concern with polymer in this setting.

That's probably more due to UV light than heat. Secure the gun and it will be better protected from sun light and thieves.

 

[Balrog]

That's probably more due to UV light than heat. Secure the gun and it will be better protected from sun light and thieves.

The windshield of automobiles blocks most UV radiation.

 

[.308 Norma]

That's probably more due to UV light than heat.

That's probably true. See as how all of my pickup trucks have always been parked out in the sun, I learned a long time ago that simply throwing a towel over their dashboards would prevent the dashboards from cracking for many years. One of those reflective sunscreens you can buy for the front windshield works just as well, but no better.