How quick can you draw from driver's seat IWB 3 o'clock?

[yerasimos]

After many years of fighting tight fitting cars and seatbelts I tried left-hand carry last summer, and now that is the way I carry most of the time. It is a lot easier to draw lefthanded when sitting in a car compared to right-hand carry. If necessary I can fire lefthanded but even if I had to change hands after drawing it would still be much faster than fighting the seat belt trying to get a gun out of the holster.

I infer from this that you are right-handed, but now you carry your gun on your left side most the time, whether in the car or on foot. Do I understand you correctly?

Can you provide more detail on your technique for overcoming the seatbelt, clearing your cover garment, etc?

[Houston1944]

I am right handed but do practice shooting left handed often. It's not as hard to adjust to as you might think, awkward at first but after a few times you get use to it. If needed I could defend myself left handed but I would always switch to right handed if the situation permitted.

When I am in the drivers seat the buckled seat belt does not affect the drawing of my pistol. I cover using an unbuttoned shirt or light jacket and move it out of the way with the left hand before drawing. When I buckle the seatbelt I make sure the shirt will move freely on the left side after buckling. I practiced this method several times before actually carrying this way and never had a problem with the seat belt or shirt / jacket getting in the way. Revolvers are a little smoother for this method because they ride a higher than pistol holsters, but both work for me.

[chabouk]

My general strategy:

If I'm behind the wheel, I have a much better weapon beneath my right foot, than under my trigger finger. Operating both at once at max limits is not a good idea.

Just in case circumstances prove that untrue, I do adjust when I belt myself in. I move/tilt my Fobus paddle holster forward, and take all the slack out of my cover shirt and make sure it's draped outside the seatbelt buckle. I frequently unbutton, as well. While still concealed to anyone passing by or looking in, I do have good draw speed (I've practiced), compared to other options.

When "dressed down" from my regular carry (i.e., opting for a .38 snub in a pocket holster in my right front pocket), drawing while seated is just about impossible. My alternative spot (left rear pocket carry) is much more accessible, but harder to bring to bear on an attacker at the driver's door.

I find it hard to envision a car scenario where hot lead wins over a lead foot. Trapped in traffic or caught in head-in parking is just a failure to think ahead: always leave yourself an exit. My life is worth much more than sheet metal: I won't hesitate to plow past other cars, jump curbs, and deal with the insurance later.

[yerasimos]

I appreciate your feedback, Houston1944. (edited to add: Some) Good points made by chabouk as well.

[Purplehood]

My general strategy:

If I'm behind the wheel, I have a much better weapon beneath my right foot, than under my trigger finger. Operating both at once at max limits is not a good idea.

Just in case circumstances prove that untrue, I do adjust when I belt myself in. I move/tilt my Fobus paddle holster forward, and take all the slack out of my cover shirt and make sure it's draped outside the seatbelt buckle. I frequently unbutton, as well. While still concealed to anyone passing by or looking in, I do have good draw speed (I've practiced), compared to other options.

When "dressed down" from my regular carry (i.e., opting for a .38 snub in a pocket holster in my right front pocket), drawing while seated is just about impossible. My alternative spot (left rear pocket carry) is much more accessible, but harder to bring to bear on an attacker at the driver's door.

I find it hard to envision a car scenario where hot lead wins over a lead foot. Trapped in traffic or caught in head-in parking is just a failure to think ahead: always leave yourself an exit. My life is worth much more than sheet metal: I won't hesitate to plow past other cars, jump curbs, and deal with the insurance later.

I would generally disagree with the above. Though I like to think that I am Mario Andretti and will readily get out of any traffic encounter by relying on my sheer skill and bravado, I know darn well that despite my absolute clairvoyance and sheer intellect that I have and will continue to find myself in situations in traffic where I simply cannot evade and escape through judicious use of my accelerator and brake. I venture to guess that you have been boxed-in in traffic at least once.

[PUCKER]

I concur with Purplehood. I have no qualms about using my vehicle as a weapon when needed or going offroad - especially my daily driver - Jeep Rubicon...great escape vehicle as well (used to have a 4x4 powerstroke diesel Excursion...that was a great battering ram too!). However, this experience that I had was in the wife's Pontiac G8 GT...going over a curb in that would be deadly to the car...but it's definitely an easy car to make a hasty getaway in, that's for sure!

[The Annoyed Man]

I can do it in a heartbeat or less and I'm 6'0" and 300+ lbs with a Hawaiian shirt on most of the time and a Crossbreed Supertuck holster.

I'm ashamed to say that I am 5'10" and 300 lbs.... .....and left handed to boot. I have to lean over to my right at a pronounced angle to access my firearm on my left hip. Yes, I can get it out, but not anywhere near "in a heartbeat or less."

Consequently, I often have my pistol drawn in advance and place it muzzle down in the door pocket where I can access it pretty quickly. Then I holster it before exiting the vehicle.

[The Annoyed Man]

I concur with Purplehood. I have no qualms about using my vehicle as a weapon when needed or going offroad - especially my daily driver - Jeep Rubicon...great escape vehicle as well (used to have a 4x4 powerstroke diesel Excursion...that was a great battering ram too!). However, this experience that I had was in the wife's Pontiac G8 GT...going over a curb in that would be deadly to the car...but it's definitely an easy car to make a hasty getaway in, that's for sure!

My son has a 2009 G8 GT, and whenever he offers to race me in my 2002 Pathfinder SE 4x4, I say, "sure... but I get to pick the racetrack.... how about that muddy field over there?" That said, that G8 GT is scary fast for a 4 door "family car."

[Purplehood]

I concur with Purplehood. I have no qualms about using my vehicle as a weapon when needed or going offroad - especially my daily driver - Jeep Rubicon...great escape vehicle as well (used to have a 4x4 powerstroke diesel Excursion...that was a great battering ram too!). However, this experience that I had was in the wife's Pontiac G8 GT...going over a curb in that would be deadly to the car...but it's definitely an easy car to make a hasty getaway in, that's for sure!

My son has a 2009 G8 GT, and whenever he offers to race me in my 2002 Pathfinder SE 4x4, I say, "sure... but I get to pick the racetrack.... how about that muddy field over there?" That said, that G8 GT is scary fast for a 4 door "family car."

Charger SRT8. Sorry, I had to put it out there...

[PUCKER]

Hey, let's run 'em!

I say that somewhat in jest but I *used* to drag race years ago (along with the street racing thing too), was alot of fun but a huge moneypit (but it makes boating look cheap LOL). So my wife gets this car and we've been to watch a few dragraces...she even suggested I make a few passes with it...I haven't succumbed to the temptation yet...I think I'd like to keep it stock (or close) for now...but it is a BLAST to drive...and yes, WICKEDLY fast for a 4-door sedan, a total sleeper car.

OK - back on topic - one of the things I do NOT like about this car is the lack of pistol concealment areas - the center console is too small for my G17 or Kimber, a smaller gun would barely fit.

Not sure if it's been covered in this thread - but a shoulder holster is perfect for car carry - at least when it's cold. I'm actually wearing my shoulder rig for the G17 right now. It's a cold-weather only thing for me but I like it, not my preference though.