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Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:13 pm
by escapedNJ
Does anyone change how they carry while in the car? I realized that the position I carry (4 o'clock) may not be the best while in car. Any thoughts or practice tips?

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:52 pm
by Cjwglock19
4 o'clock is fine, just make sure the seatbelt isn't squeezing your firearm and clear your covergarment. I've traveled this way wearing owb. Iwb can be tough.

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:46 pm
by SewTexas
sort of depends....

on my big trip last week, 3100 miles, I purse carried....I just couldn't face having a gun in my waistband that long.
Now, normally, I carry in a cross-carry position, so I carry at about 10 o'clock, and I think that works perfectly in the car, in normal circumstances.

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 12:49 am
by n5wd
Good to see another ham on the forum - there are quite a few of us here.

If I'm going to be driving in the car for any much more than an hour I'll transfer my PPS or the XDs into a fanny pack that will be worn amidships right under the steering wheel, granting me easy right-hand access to the gun, if needed. It's much more comfortable, and gives better access than wearing it in my normal 4o'clock position IWB.

73 Wayne

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:27 am
by C-dub
The transition to and from a vehicle is probably the biggest reason why I like paddle holsters. They can easily be re-positioned or removed if needed. Walking around I will normally carry at about 3-3:30, but when I move in to a vehicle I'll move it forward to 2-2:30 so I can reach it if I need it. Comfort wise, I would still be okay if it were in the 3:30 or maybe even 4:00 position, but I wouldn't be able to reach it very easily.

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:51 am
by Jaguar
I keep my firearm at 4:00 even in the car - I look at my car as a 4000 lbs. escape pod and weapon that can be deployed easily in the course of normal use. My first option if I need to flee or a weapon is the accelerator and steering wheel, if that doesn't work get enough distance to retrieve my firearm from my hip.

I always try to keep an escape route available in traffic - keeping enough distance at stops to turn the wheel and punch it. If society were to deteriorate to the point where random stickups or kidnappings happen frequently in traffic I will look into a sub-gun to keep with me in the vehicle, but for now I am comfortable with the options I use.

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 12:19 pm
by hillfighter
It may be a training gap, but drawing from a typical IWB holster in a car isn't a physical problem for a healthy person. Things are different if somebody has a shoulder injury or they're morbidly obese.

Comfort can be a concern for long trips like SewTexas said even for a wallet or cell phone but for a normal commute fiddling with a loaded gun looks like a lot more risk than reward.

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 1:35 pm
by WildBill
Jaguar wrote:I keep my firearm at 4:00 even in the car - I look at my car as a 4000 lbs. escape pod and weapon that can be deployed easily in the course of normal use. My first option if I need to flee or a weapon is the accelerator and steering wheel, if that doesn't work get enough distance to retrieve my firearm from my hip.

I always try to keep an escape route available in traffic - keeping enough distance at stops to turn the wheel and punch it. If society were to deteriorate to the point where random stickups or kidnappings happen frequently in traffic I will look into a sub-gun to keep with me in the vehicle, but for now I am comfortable with the options I use.
:iagree: I always have an "extra" in the door panel.

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 6:01 pm
by escapedNJ
Cjwglock19 wrote:4 o'clock is fine, just make sure the seatbelt isn't squeezing your firearm and clear your covergarment. I've traveled this way wearing owb. Iwb can be tough.
I carry IWB and it seems a little tough to get too.

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 6:29 pm
by Kenk
I carry my 642 in an appendix IWB holster. The seat belt does cover it but not to tightly. I keep the covering Tshirt or jacket outside of the seat belt.

Ken

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 7:27 pm
by bmwrdr
I do not want the gun on me while driving, either car or motorcycle. If I drive a car I put it under the seat between my legs. I have a cheap nylon holster tied in with cable ties and that's where it goes. If I ride my motorcycle I usually keep it in my tank- or saddle bag. In case of an accident I wouldn't like the gun between me and the seat belt. If I need the gun while I am in my car I can get to it faster if I have it under my seat. If I ride my bike I am unable to use it safely anyway.

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:18 am
by RJGold
I carry at 3 or 3:30 IWB and for short trips I don't alter this. For long trips, I usually remove my weapon from the holster and put it in the console in a pocket holster.

On my motorcycle, I carry IWB. Not that I can use the weapon while riding, I just don't like to have to transfer it to and from saddle bags.

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 10:11 am
by flechero
Drove from Central TX to Florida yesterday- carrying IWB the whole trip.

I carry at about 8:00 (lefty) and don't change. Once you find that right spot it's all good. It actually mimics the angle of the seats in my truck and my wifes car in that spot so I'm comfy all day...

If you can't carry in the car, check the ride height and cant angle of your holster- the difference of less than a 1/2 inch can make the difference in comfy vs horribly uncomfortable.

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:10 am
by Gunner4640
I carry at 3:00 in the car and have no trouble getting to it if needed in OWB :txflag:

Re: Carry Position in the Car

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:11 am
by Gunner4640
RJGold wrote:I carry at 3 or 3:30 IWB and for short trips I don't alter this. For long trips, I usually remove my weapon from the holster and put it in the console in a pocket holster.

On my motorcycle, I carry IWB. Not that I can use the weapon while riding, I just don't like to have to transfer it to and from saddle bags.
:iagree: For long trips, I usually remove my weapon from the holster and put it in the console