Securing a pistol and other items in my truck...

[Jeff B.]

I'd like to bounce this off the group to see if my idea is good, bad, more trouble than it's worth...

My normal vehicle is a regular cab F150. For the times when I either can't carry due to a law, or don't feel it's appropriate to carry(Customer Site Visit), I've been thinking about a way to secure my gun as well as I can.

What I have in mind is taking a 7.62 Military Ammo can (I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about) and bolting it through my floorboards, behind the passenger seat, with a lock hasp welded to the box to allow for a lock to secure the box.

I've never had my truck broken into, but certainly don't want to have it happen and an improperly stored weapon get stolen. I don't anticipate leaving the pistol in the box except for the circumstance when it's illegal or inappropriate to carry (IMO).

If you have other suggestions, throw them up, or I'll be going to work in a weekend or two!

Thanks in advance.

Jeff B.

[longtooth]

That will work. I have an inexpensive Lock Box too.
Many will share the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ones.

[OverEasy]

Here is a ready made car storage unit: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=282585

Here is basicly the same thing: http://www.center-of-mass.com/

More money than an ammo can but less work and portable if you use the cable.

I don't have one but I want one.

Regards, OE

[bluelineman]

I have one of the center of mass safes. It works well, ties off to the hardware under the seat. It can be broken into by a determined thief, however I think that it would deter most as it would take too much time.

[rb4browns]

Here is a ready made car storage unit: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=282585

Here is basicly the same thing: http://www.center-of-mass.com/

More money than an ammo can but less work and portable if you use the cable.

I don't have one but I want one.

Regards, OE

I also have a center of mass and it's great for what it is. The office building where I work has a 30.06 posted so I have to lock up my 642 during the day. If someone really wants to bust it open they can, but again the deterrance factor is there and I do not want to make it easy for someone to get their hands on my gun.

[stevie_d_64]

Ditto on the COM box...Some call it a breadbox with a lock...But it works...

It'll slow them down...So what else can you do???

The ammo can idea sounds interesting though...

[rkhal]

take a look at this --- save yourself some welding

http://www.themagtool.com/ammocanlock.html

[Stupid]

Just a stupid question. If you plan to lock your gun in a box, why do you even carry it in your car?

I doubt you would put the gun into the box everytime you leave your car and take it out when you are back. It would remain locked majority of the time, which is very inaccessible.

Then, why even bother carrying in the car?

[Liberty]

Just a stupid question. If you plan to lock your gun in a box, why do you even carry it in your car?

I doubt you would put the gun into the box everytime you leave your car and take it out when you are back. It would remain locked majority of the time, which is very inaccessible.

Then, why even bother carrying in the car?

It makes sense to me.
I doubt if many of us don't at some times in our lives have to enter a 30.06 place. Securing a gun in a locked box seems like a better idea than either ignoring the 30.06 or leaving it in a glove box or an unlocked console

[Jeff B.]

Just a stupid question. If you plan to lock your gun in a box, why do you even carry it in your car?

I doubt you would put the gun into the box everytime you leave your car and take it out when you are back. It would remain locked majority of the time, which is very inaccessible.

Then, why even bother carrying in the car?

Nah... not a stupid question...

I don't plan to lock it up when in the car, only when I am either legally prohibited from carrying, or feel that it's not appropriate, like when working at a customers site (customer dependant).

I just don't want to provide a weapon to a BG who can throw a rock through a window.

thanks for the answers, BTW... There are some cool (and reasonable) products out there. I think I'll be buying some of those can lock thingies for use on the 20mm cans I keep power tools in.

Jeff B.

[stevie_d_64]

The thing with the COM box is that it can be stuffed up under something to make it less visible from the outside...

If you knew, and I know some do, how fast someone can smash and grab things from a vehicle, all of these products mentioned above do slow them down from getting items that you know you'd rather them not be able to get to as fast as they would if you don't add an extra level of security/prevention...

Sure you don't lock the pistols up while you are actually "in" the vehicle (that's silly)...Its only for those places we know would have kittens, and post that dreaded 30.06 correctly...

Time to go watch some football now!

[cbr600]

I bought one of those COM boxes a while back. Much like locking my car doors, it's an extra layer against crooks looking for a quick score. It also serves as a "locked container" for legal purposes (neither the glovebox nor console lock in my car.)

[rb4browns]

Just a stupid question. If you plan to lock your gun in a box, why do you even carry it in your car?

I doubt you would put the gun into the box everytime you leave your car and take it out when you are back. It would remain locked majority of the time, which is very inaccessible.

Then, why even bother carrying in the car?

No, not stupid. In my case I have no choice. The 30.06 at my workplace is a kosher sign. I have my gun on me on the way to work, and back on me when i get in my car after work and head to the gym, store, etc. The safe is only there for times when I am not in my car and by law cannot have it on me.

[stevie_d_64]

Just a stupid question. If you plan to lock your gun in a box, why do you even carry it in your car?

I doubt you would put the gun into the box everytime you leave your car and take it out when you are back. It would remain locked majority of the time, which is very inaccessible.

Then, why even bother carrying in the car?

No, not stupid. In my case I have no choice. The 30.06 at my workplace is a kosher sign. I have my gun on me on the way to work, and back on me when i get in my car after work and head to the gym, store, etc. The safe is only there for times when I am not in my car and by law cannot have it on me.

Bingo!

[Rex B]

I have two of those boxes - a smaller size in the trunk of my sportscar, a larger one under the seat of my pickup. I keep a 9mm non-carry weapon in each one, with 2 extra magazines.

Cabela's has both sizes for $29.95.

I recommend you buy only the larger size. I can stow my carry P3AT plus the existing pistol in the larger size, but not the smaller, by taking out the spare mags.
The exception might be when you use them for checked baggage at the airport, where smaller is better.

If I had it to do all over, I'd order 4 from COM just to get them keyed alike. As it is, I keep the proper key on the same ring as the key for the car it's cabled to.

I looked at the ammo can locks. Very ingenious, but all it takes to defeat them is wire cutters, or perhaps even a pair of pliers. If I had a junk ammo box, I'd see how tough that wire is.