Concealed Carry Gun Stolen

[DiddlyDo]

Well, I learned a tough lesson today. Last night after visiting the range, some friends invited me to meet up with them at a local watering hole. Before I entered, I removed my crossbreed holster and m&p shield 9mm. Now, you might think that I would have placed my pistol in the nano vault I installed earlier this week, but I did not. To be honest, I didn't even consider it. Having installed the safe only a few days ago, I'm not in the habit of using it, and I forgot about it.

I was tired when I got home, and I forgot to remove the pistol and holster from my console. This morning, I woke up thinking about the gun. I decided bring it in and clean it before I got going with everything I had to do today. You can guess the rest. Passenger door had been jimmied, console was tossed, gun and holster were gone.

It's difficult to express how angry I am about this situation. First, because I'm an idiot who didn't use the safe I purchased to prevent thieves from stealing my guns. Second, because I have no way knowing the identity of the piece of trash that broke into my truck, and therefore, no real chance to take out my aggression on the scumbag.

I live in the Houston Heights area. It's a "nice" neighborhood, fairly close to downtown, which makes commuting tolerable. Unfortunately, the proximity to downton also means there is a relatively large amount of bums and punks looking for easy targets, and I provided one last night.

I reported the gun stolen. HPD says they try to watch the pawn shops, but I'm not expecting the gun to be recovered. All in all, the gun and holser will probably cost about $1100 to replace. The shields, which are impossible to find, are going for about $600 on GunBroker. My shield also had a crimson trace laser, AmeriGlo night sights, an apex trigger kit, and it was stored in a crossbreed holster - that's about $500 in upgrades and accessories (not to mention the time it took to install and get everything set up the way I wanted it).

And if that wasn't enough to be angry about, I found out the free insurance that came with my NRA membership has to be activated before it goes into effect. I am a relatively new NRA member, and I had not yet read all of the materials. So, my insurance wasn't active. Homeowners will cover it, but the deductible is 1%, which is more than the value of the gun.

I feel like a massive idiot. Hopefully by admitting what a tool I am, I can help others avoid similar problems in the future.

[Jumping Frog]

Sorry to hear of your loss. Sometimes learning lessons the hard way really stinks.

[JALLEN]

I can sympathize, as I had a pistol stolen while my safe was being moved to accommodate some remodeling.

I was lucky. A day or so after it had been taken, the local police called. A couple of punks had been stopped early in the predawn morning in a local high school parking lot. The pistol was found, loaded, underneath the seat. They ran the serial number and gave me a call. I knew I did not have it to use at the Bullseye Match, but couldn't get to my safe, temporarily in the garage, where it was kept to check on it. Apparently when the safe was unloaded to be moved, one of the workmen put the bite on it, unnoticed.

I was lucky, in that the pistol was not used in any crime or shooting where somebody ended up hurt or dead. That would have been really unsatisfactory, even more so than it actually happened which was unsatisfactory enough as it was.

What really hurt was the perp claimed he had gotten the pistol from "some dude" for $200. That was an insult. A Sig 226 with a JP red dot, all finely made perfect by one of the best gunsmiths, for $200, and he didn't have to fill out forms, wait ten days, or pay sales tax... nothing! The perps were sent off to "grad school" on our dime.

I eventually got the pistol back months, and hundreds of phone calls, later. In California you have to file a Law Enforcement Gun Release Application with the Department of Justice and wait while they perform a firearms eligibility check (4-6 weeks), fee waived if the gun was reported stolen, and that has to be coordinated with the local PD that has the weapon. The letter must be dated within 30 days of them handing the gun over, and if your detective goes on nights, or on vacation etc. you may have to do it all over again. When I received the pistol, the red dot was gone, but I had two magazines that I didn't have before. This wasn't a good trade, of course. I sent the pistol off to my gunsmith to be put right, and thankfully it basically was.

It all came out OK, but at a cost, of money, time and worry. Luckily, I am an experienced, and extraordinarily proficient, worrier. I wouldn't want it to happen again, though, and it won't.

[texanjoker]

Wow that sucks. That is also good info about the nra insurance. I doubt I have ever activated mine. I will check into that.

[TexasCajun]

Sorry about your bad luck. I can relate.....
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=62331

Don't let it get you down. The best lessons are often the ones learned through significant pain.

[DiddlyDo]

Thanks for the responses! I'm still pretty peeved about the situation.

Although, it sounds like TexasCajun had it a lot tougher than me.

As expected, there has been no word from the police. I'm not holding my breath.

I've already ordered a replacement and all the accessories. So, I'll have something to play with when everything has been delivered. BTW - I decided to order a lasermax rather than the crimson trace laser. In my view, lasers are useful in very specific situations (i.e., when shooting from your weak hand or when you're in an akward position). Although I've really enjoyed my crimson trace lasers on other guns, there is no master on/off switch on the CT laser for the shield. And because I wanted to shoot without the red dot on the target, I would somtimes put electrical tape over the laser when I was at the range. I've never used a lasermax, but I'm hoping it will be fine. The laser is really just a backup for me--hopefully one I will never need.

Thanks Again!

pt

[strider67]

Yeah, that stinks for sure. I had a pistol stolen out of my truck about 12 years ago in South Arlington while at dinner. I still check about once a year with APD, but no luck as of yet...

[MotherBear]

Not to derail things, but may I ask where were you able to order a replacement for the Shield? I've been keeping an eye out for one but no luck so far.

[DiddlyDo]

Not to derail things, but may I ask where were you able to order a replacement for the Shield? I've been keeping an eye out for one but no luck so far.

I purchased the pistol from a seller on GunBroker. Unfortunately, that means I paid about about $100 above MSRP, but it's the gun I want and that's the only way I was able to get one. In fact, I bought the first one from a seller on Gunbroker, albeit at a slightly lower price. I've got a buddy who works for Academy who can get me just about anything they carry when a model I want is delivered to any nearby store. The shield is a whole different game. The deliveries are so rare, and so many people want them, it's pretty much impossible to get one.

[TLE2]

i have a specified items policy on my guns. Inexpensive.

[RoyGBiv]

In several motorcycle forums I frequent it is common practice to post up a photo and the VIN number of a vehicle reported as stolen. The plus is that you get more eyes looking for it... If I saw an M&P in the Dallas market and I knew the S/N, I would be able to check the S/N to see if it's stolen and call the COPS.

Never really considered the wisdom of this for guns... I don't really see a downside but haven't given it much thought.

My condolences on your loss. Thanks for sharing the lessons with us.
Thieves suck.!

[MotherBear]

Ahh, gotcha. I'm not quite to the point of being willing to pay that much, but I'm hoping eventually they'll get easier to find or I'll just luck my way into one. Sticking to the 9C for now.

Glad you were able to replace yours, but sorry you had to!

[TexasCajun]

I know that around this forum gun shows are eventis non grata, but I was able to pick up a Smith & Wesson M&P 40 for right around the same Academy price as a few months ago.

[MeMelYup]

Only about 7% recovery. http://www.chron.com/news/item/Stolen-G ... -11252.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DiddlyDo]

Only about 7% recovery. http://www.chron.com/news/item/Stolen-G ... -11252.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Funny you should mention this. Right after the gun was stolen, I completed the obligatory google searches regarding the best course of action, and this article was one of the very first things that popped up in the results. Not very encouragaing, but it definitely reinforces the necessity of reporting the theft of firearms. I hope my gun is not used in any crime (even if it meant I got the gun back), but I certainly don't want the police banging on my door if that happens.