What's a good truck gun?

[Dean]

I have a few machine guns and lots of pistols but no semi rifle or shotgun.  Want something versatile and compact that will fit under back seat of f150.  Don't want sbr cause I travel from Florida to Georgia.

Thanks

[johnsonlmg41]

Depends on what you are hauling?   If it's shrubs or landscaping supplies the pistols are fine.  If you are moving weed or fentanyl, I'd stick with the MG's?   

Or if you need a small rifle, get an AUG and a 9mm conversion if you don't want rifle cal.   Small shotgun.....auto and burglar with a C+R license or a flashlight shotgun?

Or switch to an F350 with runflats, bigger payload, unstoppable in a roadblock with a wee bit of armor?  Just thinking ahead if Dems win in 28' it will be thunderdome on that stretch of road.

[MPFiveO]

I guess it depends on what kind of trouble you're expecting. Most encounters with individual robbers or bandits can be solved with a handgun and at close range. With a permit handguns can be carried in many states and allow you to cross state lines without running afoul of other state laws.

If you're in an area where you believe you might encounter multiple aggressors then you might need more firepower...

I've pondered many situations over the years having been in law enforcement. The vast majority of the time a handgun was sufficient for the task. In the nearly three decades I was there I can recall three incidents where something other than a handgun was used...

One was a barricaded suspect who had murdered his wife and two children with a shotgun. He also shot at two officers who responded for a welfare check and ran into the house. After a standoff we made entry and he was rendered fertilizer with a Glock 22 pistol and HK UMP Subgun in .40 S&W. Another incident involved a deranged individual who had shot into a house with a 1911 and run into the nearby woods. He came out waving the pistol and was neutralized with an M16A1. The last one was another local agency where a guy decided to start shooting at everything outside of his house. He opened the front door and saw an officer taking cover behind a tree. He then pointed the shotgun at that officer. Unfortunately, or fortunately, he did not see the second officer taking cover behind another tree with a 12 gauge shotgun. When the officer saw the guy point his shotgun at his partner he unloaded a single round of buckshot toward the suspect striking him in the center of the chest. Problem solved.

Out of dozens of officer involved shootings in our area over the years they have almost always been done with a handgun. And there's a reason for this...

Most violent encounters happen fast. There's often barely enough time to draw a pistol from concealment much less retrieve one from a compartment in a vehicle.

One should also be aware of the optics of the general public and a potential jury. Say a guy walks up and tries to rob you. You then go to your vehicle, retrieve a long gun, and then shoot the ruffian. While many states have stand your ground laws many would ask why you didn't just drive off since you made it to your vehicle.

One situation where a long gun with an optic would be useful is if you found yourself in the vicinity of an active shooter. You could take a well aimed precise shot from a position of cover and stop the threat. The problem is...

In the same moment you neutralize the suspect a call had been placed to 911 saying a man with a  gun is shooting people. When the police show up moments later they see you, a man with a gun and the suspect, a victim, laying on the ground. Police only recognize uniforms, they can't tell the difference between a good guy with a gun and a bad guy with a gun.

I'm not advocating against having a long gun in a vehicle for additional firepower. We live in different times than we did two or three decades ago. But one must really do a lot of forward thinking to play out scenarios where they might even be able to retrieve it if it's needed. On every call where I thought I might need my rifle or shotgun I grabbed it out if the trunk before responding to the call. If you are the person calling then chances are you didn't have time to retrieve a long gun from your vehicle.

A good example of a truck gun is riding around on the farm or ranch and spotting a coyote or pig in the distance where you will have time to retrieve it and set up a shot. It would be difficult for this to play out in an urban environment.

One last thing. I did a lot of practice over the years perfecting the fastest draw and first round on target that I was capable of. Never once did I, or anyone else that I know of, practice running to my vehicle to retrieve a long gun in a moment of duress.

If I were going to carry a long gun in a vehicle in an urban environment I'd probably look into something like a braced pistol in a pistol caliber that matched the caliber of my carry pistol. Maybe something that used the same magazines, like Glock magazines. I'd probably mount a red dot on it for more accurate shooting and faster target engagement. Remember, mounting a magnifying optic on a pistol may cause it to run afoul of the brace rules. A carry permit will help because it allows carrying a loaded pistol and it will help identify you as a good guy.

[JoshNC]

Steyr AUG is a great option. Pull the barrel and it stows to 22”. With a 16” barrel attached it’s 27”.

[StrangeRanger]

One thing that you absolutely need to consider in a truck gun is the design of the safety.  A truck gun gets bounced around quire a lot and you want one where the safety will absolutely prevent an unintended discharge.

I carried an SKS paratrooper in a scabbard behind the seat for a while but stopped when I realized that the safety only blocked motion of the trigger.  It did not engage the firing pin or the sear.  In a perfect world that should be enough but things aren't always perfect.  Look for a gun on which the safety blocks the firing pin/striker (like Mauser pattern bolt guns.) the hammer like on most current production lever guns or the sear. Fortunately that means nearly everything.  There are only a few outliers like the SKS.

You also want a relatively inexpensive gun because if you ever use it in self-defense it will be confiscated and possibly not just temporarily

[huggytree]

not sure what emergency your planning for- that your handgun can’t handle ?

if the world goes down hill to where I feel I need one I’ll carry my benelli or a AR

Pcc like a mp5 or scorpion would be good too

Unless you’re a cop you shouldn’t be going back to your truck to go into battle.  You should get away from danger if you can get back to your truck

 

 

 

Edited September 29 by huggytree

[Dean]

I mean this would be truck, camping, and home self defense gun.  MG's are too expensive for that.  Was thinking a minin14 folder, shotgun, or m1a/fal.

[johnsonlmg41]

Private sale Mossberg 500 folder.....security gun for the world.  final answer!  

Good luck in your adventures!

[MPFiveO]

3 hours ago, Dean said:

I mean this would be truck, camping, and home self defense gun.  MG's are too expensive for that.  Was thinking a minin14 folder, shotgun, or m1a/fal.

So, not just a truck gun, but an all purpose gun you can also carry in a truck. I like the Mini 14 but a wood folder would get beat up pretty bad with moderate use. You would probably want to switch to a Choate style folder for durability.

An inexpensive pump shotgun like the Mossberg suggested would be reliable, dependable and inexpensive. Buckshot and slugs would be excellent choices for most distances you would engage an assailant.

If you want more range and accuracy then I'd suggest a Colt 6920 M4 Carbine. A mil-spec AR with a chrome lined barrel will last almost forever. The finish will take a heavy beating and not suffer any functional degrading. Put a Cap Plug on the flash hider and lube the bolt group with TW-25 and some Break Free CLP and it will be ready anytime you want to use it.

And if you want the ultimate peasant hardware the AK-47 can't be beat. A Chinese Type 56 would be a perfect choice but much more expensive than a Romanian WASR 10. As long as you shoot non corrosive ammo you'll never have to clean or lube it unless you get it soaking wet.

[Buddy H]

https://www.facebook.com/reel/3180574688802179