TexasCHLforum.com

In light of the recent Tyler shootings, I've decided it would be wise to carry a "trunk gun". Can anyone here give me a good suggestion as how to best secure a rifle in the trunk to...

1. slow/deter theft
2. prevent it from being thrown around the trunk
3. leave it quickly accessible

I've been thinking a lot about this too. Not really sure what the best solution is.

There are units you can buy and install to lock your rifle to the trunk. Quick to access, but they seem kinda pricy.

In the past I've carried my AR in a locked hard case. I understand that over time a gun can take quite a beating in the trunk if it's not in a hard case.

For security I'm considering a cable lock. Better than a locked, but portable case.

I hear that it's good to have some desiccant in the case. I have some in mine.

This is a comment on the subject by a SWAT Officer (USMC03) over on ar15.com:

"A few things to consider on a Patrol Rifle....The most important thing to remember is that as a cop your carbine will live it's life in the trunk of your patrol car....and if you drive like the rest of us, then your carbine is going to get bounced around quite often. Ensure that the all the parts, optics (if you decide to go in that direction), accessories, etc. will stand up to the riggors of riding in the trunk of a police car for 8+ hours a day 365 days a year. Make sure you get a quality hard case for you carbine (ie. Pelican or Starlight) and make sure to put the Silica-Gel Desiccant packs in your hard case.

Remeber how hot that trunk get's in the summer and how cold it gets in the winter. Thus a lot of our Patrol Officers use just iron sights. That being said there is nothing wrong with optics, just some food for thought."

What about a 12 gauge shotgun loaded with rifled slugs? Surely that would put a stop to a bad guy...even if he's wearing armor.

In searching the net I've seen the trunk mount units, but as you said, they are very pricey. Also, I would like something that keeps the gun from being visible when I open my trunk. I could imagine how people would freak out if I load groceries into the trunk and there is a evil black rifle staring at them.

Also, I guess with a hard case you would need to bolt it to the body of the trunk so that a thief couldn't just grab the case and run?

The hot and cold is another issue I was wondering about, not to mention whether or not a scope could endure the punishment and still stay zeroed in. I'm thinking iron sights would be a safer bet.

Some other thoughts on trunk guns:

I don't leave a round chambered in my rifle while it's in it's case. Rifles like AK's and my AR have free floating firing pins that aren't as safe as modern handguns.

I also don't leave the bolt back with a loaded magazine in the rifle. If for some reason the bolt release gets triggered, there is a small chance of an accidental discharge.

AR-15's have good penetration against soft body armor. They are proven to be effective.

ghentry wrote:Also, I would like something that keeps the gun from being visible when I open my trunk. I could imagine how people would freak out if I load groceries into the trunk and there is a evil black rifle staring at them.

I was thinking the same thing. Plus, like your concealed carry handgun(s) you don't want to tip the wrong people off too early or make the rifle's presence known to potential thieves.

ghentry wrote:Also, I guess with a hard case you would need to bolt it to the body of the trunk so that a thief couldn't just grab the case and run?

My thought was to lock the case, and run a cable lock through the case handle and through some solid piece of the car. My case handle is part of the case so it should work for me, but haven't tried it yet.

ghentry wrote:The hot and cold is another issue I was wondering about, not to mention whether or not a scope could endure the punishment and still stay zeroed in. I'm thinking iron sights would be a safer bet.

That's what I've got (I don't have the money for anything better now anyways). Iron sights are sounding more and more practical to me.

Unfortunately I can't afford an AR even thought I'd love one. Available trunk guns would be a Winchester 94 lever gun or a soon to be purchased SKS. Both being inexpensive enough that I wouldn't be upset for them to get banged around a bit.

Braden wrote:What about a 12 gauge shotgun loaded with rifled slugs? Surely that would put a stop to a bad guy...even if he's wearing armor.

Depends on how much armor.

http://www.bodyarmorcompany.com/ballisticlevels.html

A slug is pretty good, but 5.56mm and 7.62mm have more penetration.

Especially in regard to possible theft, trunks don't seem to be a prime target for burglars - unless given reason to know something is there of value.

Methinks some +++s for carrying an old fashioned shotgun, whether 12 or 20, with good sights. Option of buckshot OR slugs. That said, I still like Mini-14 with 4X scope on see-through mount so factory sights are still useable.

I understand that slugs in particular may not actually penetrate soft body armor, but can deface the material a loooooong way inward before stopping.

Even if it didn't penetrate, I would think a slug from a 12 gauge would put one heck of a hurtin' on a man...especially at fairly close range. Naturally, a rifle would probably be better, but if you don't have one or can't afford to get one then a cheap Remington 870 loaded with slugs is still better than a pistol.

Braden wrote:Even if it didn't penetrate, I would think a slug from a 12 gauge would put one heck of a hurtin' on a man...

I suspect his top priority would be trying to take his next breath!

Chas.

Which would be a good thing.

Back in college days while kicking around a junk yard on a friend's farm, we shot a '63 Impala (without engine) with a 12 gauge slug. It penetrated the radiator, the firewall, the dash, the front seat, the back seat, then the sheet metal near the bottom of the trunk before finally being stopped when it encountered the inside of the rear bumber. They just don't build 'em like they used to ... :)

I went and picked up a cable-lock last night. Apparently the best ones have a built in combination lock.

Only $10 for a 5ft cable-lock.

Right now I think the cable-lock is more secure than my case/case-locks.