I take about a 1500 mile trip a couple times a year to see family. I typically only take a cc pistol and spare mag or two. I also started taking an ar last year with a half a dozen mags for it. I’m planning on taking my newest pistol with a half a dozen mags for it as well. Level 3 vest; cold weather clothes and the usual standard preps for long trips in winter months. It seems my small arsenal keeps growing and wondering if I’m just getting more paranoid along the years or am I just being smart and prepared for worst case scenarios? Long gun is under the back seat and one pistol is in the glove box with the other be on my person. Thoughts everyone? Thanks and welcome everyone’s opinions. If I need to move the post please let me know where too. Thanks again.
rajwg
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A scoped rifle in the trunk of the car is not a bad idea. If you don't need it, leave it alone in the trunk. If trouble happens then you know you have one available for the emergency. You won't need a whole lot of loaded magazines. Say maybe 10 at most.
Also keep a sheath knife in the trunk along with a hatchet to finish out your emergency kit to go along with your concealed carry pistol and magazines. That gives you all the basic firepower you should need to cover any kind of trouble you meet up with along the travel route.
Also keep a sheath knife in the trunk along with a hatchet to finish out your emergency kit to go along with your concealed carry pistol and magazines. That gives you all the basic firepower you should need to cover any kind of trouble you meet up with along the travel route.
If I'm out overnight, I pack a long gun. Even flying.
As Herd Sniper said, better to have and not need and all that.
As Herd Sniper said, better to have and not need and all that.
Every place you will go, is someone's short morning commute...how then do you justify needing more than you need on your own short daily commutes?
My CCL is good every where I travel, so I never leave home without my 40 cal Sig & Ruger Mini-30 with 10 mags.
I also bring my emergency pack with Cold weather clothing, camping gear, and food.
I also bring my emergency pack with Cold weather clothing, camping gear, and food.
Keep in mind if you are out of state you probably cannot acquire a new gun if you lose yours, have it stolen, confiscated, or it breaks and needs repair.
A justified shooting leaves you defenseless while your gun is in evidence?
A cleaning lady steals your guns from your hotel room?
Your car broken into and guns stolen on the road?
There is definitely smart planning in bringing more with you when you travel more than 2 hours from home, and especially out of state. Because if you have a gun deficiency it's not just as easy as heading to the gun safe, and you might be totally unarmed.
A justified shooting leaves you defenseless while your gun is in evidence?
A cleaning lady steals your guns from your hotel room?
Your car broken into and guns stolen on the road?
There is definitely smart planning in bringing more with you when you travel more than 2 hours from home, and especially out of state. Because if you have a gun deficiency it's not just as easy as heading to the gun safe, and you might be totally unarmed.
Sounds about right bring some spare ammo + eyes, ears, and targets. Never know when you'll get the opportunity to do some shooting.
Last couple long road trips (12 hour + days of driving) I had a pair of Glocks (19 & 26) with 6+ mags and either my AR w/ 6 to 8 mags or Mini-14 with 6 to 8 mags. Plus about 300rds of spare ammo.
My rifle choice is usually based on which platform has the most loaded mags. I keep my spare loaded rifle mags in bandoleer style mag pouches.
Missed out on a family re-union over the summer where everyone brought guns to shoot. Trip like that I'd have to get choosy. Would need to bring a little something of everything.
Out and about in town - usually I'll have my range bag with S&W K22, Rossi 92 rifle+ spare 22LR, 9mm, and 38spl ammo. May or may not have an AK thrown in the truck w/ mags and spare ammo. Have a couple friends that get together to shoot at random times.
Last couple long road trips (12 hour + days of driving) I had a pair of Glocks (19 & 26) with 6+ mags and either my AR w/ 6 to 8 mags or Mini-14 with 6 to 8 mags. Plus about 300rds of spare ammo.
My rifle choice is usually based on which platform has the most loaded mags. I keep my spare loaded rifle mags in bandoleer style mag pouches.
Missed out on a family re-union over the summer where everyone brought guns to shoot. Trip like that I'd have to get choosy. Would need to bring a little something of everything.
Out and about in town - usually I'll have my range bag with S&W K22, Rossi 92 rifle+ spare 22LR, 9mm, and 38spl ammo. May or may not have an AK thrown in the truck w/ mags and spare ammo. Have a couple friends that get together to shoot at random times.
I agree with you being concerned with carrying enough just in case....
With the little fat boy overseas shooting off his rockets, you never know when you might get caught away from your safe place and possibly be faced with walking through bad areas to get home. It would be nice to have a little more than a ccw and 1 spare magazine, even if you never need to use it. I've been known to carry an AR when going further away from home; along with about 4 extra mags for it; along with my ccw and 2 mags. Never had to use it. Hope I never do. But it's nice knowing it's there just in case.
With the little fat boy overseas shooting off his rockets, you never know when you might get caught away from your safe place and possibly be faced with walking through bad areas to get home. It would be nice to have a little more than a ccw and 1 spare magazine, even if you never need to use it. I've been known to carry an AR when going further away from home; along with about 4 extra mags for it; along with my ccw and 2 mags. Never had to use it. Hope I never do. But it's nice knowing it's there just in case.
1500 miles? No thank you. The only trip of that length I'll make anymore is to go back to my home state to see my parents. And I'm going fully prepared then and at least I have a home away from home
I'd bring everything AND the kitchen sink. That's a looooooooooong walk home, or it becomes your new home in a worst case scenario
I'd bring everything AND the kitchen sink. That's a looooooooooong walk home, or it becomes your new home in a worst case scenario
OP, sounds reasonable enough.
We'd likely just carry the FN 5.7's in your particular given scenario and bring along some extra magazines and a few extra boxes of ammo. - In colder weather months - can conceal them without looking out of place.
Warmer weather or driving to warmer weather? Yah, concealed 9 & .380 (extra mags/ammo) plus maybe long gun and a shotgun.
We'd likely just carry the FN 5.7's in your particular given scenario and bring along some extra magazines and a few extra boxes of ammo. - In colder weather months - can conceal them without looking out of place.
Warmer weather or driving to warmer weather? Yah, concealed 9 & .380 (extra mags/ammo) plus maybe long gun and a shotgun.
I make a 1800 mile trip from VA to CO every year. I bring my Glock 19 and 43 with me everytime. With an ammo can loaded with about 800 rounds of 124gr NATO plus a few boxes or my defensive ammo and plenty spare mags. Depending on room I take my 10/22 takedown with a few spare mags and 1000 rounds of .22 and often my 11.5" AR pistol with about 6 mags and an ammo can loaded with 800 rounds of 5.56.
We also bring a case of water and a weeks worth of food, as well as clothes and supplies for all 4 seasons. At those distances from home you have to be prepared to never see home again. Especially if you have small kids as I do.
Best case nothing happens and you return home safe and sound.
Second best case you are stranded at your family members place and that becomes your new home.
Third best case you are stranded in a rural area and farmer and his wife takes you in.
4th best case you are stranded in a city and a good family takes you in. Hopefully with a plan to get out of the city.
Worst case no one takes you in and you have to survive.
If you have small kids your much more likely to be taken in by good people because good people have a heart for kids. Either way you need to have preps to handle yourself if no one take you.
If you have to go knocking a door make sure you are doing so only with a well concealed pistol. Cache your ammo, supplies and long guns and look helpless. If they take you in be friendly and helpful and get to know them. If they have guns and understand the importance of security then you can work on working it into the conversation but be honest with them. Say something like...
"Listen I want to be honest with you. I didn't mention this early on because I didn't want to appear threatening and wanted to make sure you were ok with guns but I have some guns, ammo, food and water stashed out by the highway."
At this point they'd be relieved, as it would be more apparent that you will carry your weight.
If they are scared of guns or arent gun people you may want to take sometime helping and getting to know them before discussing security. If they are uninterested give it some time. Eventually word will get around of bad things happening. When the johnsons up the street are all killed or robbed they will come around.
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We also bring a case of water and a weeks worth of food, as well as clothes and supplies for all 4 seasons. At those distances from home you have to be prepared to never see home again. Especially if you have small kids as I do.
Best case nothing happens and you return home safe and sound.
Second best case you are stranded at your family members place and that becomes your new home.
Third best case you are stranded in a rural area and farmer and his wife takes you in.
4th best case you are stranded in a city and a good family takes you in. Hopefully with a plan to get out of the city.
Worst case no one takes you in and you have to survive.
If you have small kids your much more likely to be taken in by good people because good people have a heart for kids. Either way you need to have preps to handle yourself if no one take you.
If you have to go knocking a door make sure you are doing so only with a well concealed pistol. Cache your ammo, supplies and long guns and look helpless. If they take you in be friendly and helpful and get to know them. If they have guns and understand the importance of security then you can work on working it into the conversation but be honest with them. Say something like...
"Listen I want to be honest with you. I didn't mention this early on because I didn't want to appear threatening and wanted to make sure you were ok with guns but I have some guns, ammo, food and water stashed out by the highway."
At this point they'd be relieved, as it would be more apparent that you will carry your weight.
If they are scared of guns or arent gun people you may want to take sometime helping and getting to know them before discussing security. If they are uninterested give it some time. Eventually word will get around of bad things happening. When the johnsons up the street are all killed or robbed they will come around.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
I do a lot of road trips for one reason or other. Unless I'm going hunting or to a rifle match I dont see the need to carry anything but my every day CC revolver.
I carry per the LEOSA do I dont have to worry about what state or city I go to. I dont like like leaving any firearm in the vehicle if I dont have to. Two many cars get stolen. Loosing a car is one thing but I dont want to lose me revolver also. It stays in my pocket whether I'm in the truck or not.
I carry per the LEOSA do I dont have to worry about what state or city I go to. I dont like like leaving any firearm in the vehicle if I dont have to. Two many cars get stolen. Loosing a car is one thing but I dont want to lose me revolver also. It stays in my pocket whether I'm in the truck or not.
Right now I'm wearing a G23 and a G27.
(2) 15 round mags in my back pocket.
Keep a couple more G22 mags rattling around the truck.
Map pocket, console, glove box etc.
There's always a rifle in the truck. Around here I've gone down to a 30-30 as it'll "look better" and quite honestly so I don't have to deal with a bag of AK mags in the extended cab of a Ranger.
On a trip.... I'll deal.
I also ended up putting a G23 with Advantage arms .22 conversion kit on it so I can dispatch animals in the cab.
Could be small game I harvest, could be something hit by a car and needing to be put down, could be like that opportunistic shot I had on a groundhog I wanted for it's hide and put a .40 hole in it. (.22 is MUCH easier to sew up!)
Naturally I have the .40 "top half" tucked away.
There will also be either a 2nd 27 or a J frame raddling around as when I go to town I stow the 23 and either carry a pair of 27's or a 27 and a J frame if I'm feeling lazy.
Bit much I agree, but I don't want to be fiddling around taking the slide off the 23 all the time, or the light off the 23.
Out here I'm GOING to have a light on my pistol....
And like I said, there's just too much call for a .22 (and likewise, when I need it there's no time to swap slides.)
So yea, 4 pistols (1 constant and 2 rotating carry guns) a convertable .22, and 1 rifle. (At minimum. Truth be told if I'm going on a trip there will likely be more due to the destination.)
With the suburban I just kept a case of rifle and s case of pistol ammo in the back.
Had to cut back due to cab space, but you can fit "several hundred" rounds of both inside/under where the jump seats are.... even when they are stowed away. Few hundred CCI .22'S too.
With another 150-200 CCI'S in the glove box that get used...
(2) 15 round mags in my back pocket.
Keep a couple more G22 mags rattling around the truck.
Map pocket, console, glove box etc.
There's always a rifle in the truck. Around here I've gone down to a 30-30 as it'll "look better" and quite honestly so I don't have to deal with a bag of AK mags in the extended cab of a Ranger.
On a trip.... I'll deal.
I also ended up putting a G23 with Advantage arms .22 conversion kit on it so I can dispatch animals in the cab.
Could be small game I harvest, could be something hit by a car and needing to be put down, could be like that opportunistic shot I had on a groundhog I wanted for it's hide and put a .40 hole in it. (.22 is MUCH easier to sew up!)
Naturally I have the .40 "top half" tucked away.
There will also be either a 2nd 27 or a J frame raddling around as when I go to town I stow the 23 and either carry a pair of 27's or a 27 and a J frame if I'm feeling lazy.
Bit much I agree, but I don't want to be fiddling around taking the slide off the 23 all the time, or the light off the 23.
Out here I'm GOING to have a light on my pistol....
And like I said, there's just too much call for a .22 (and likewise, when I need it there's no time to swap slides.)
So yea, 4 pistols (1 constant and 2 rotating carry guns) a convertable .22, and 1 rifle. (At minimum. Truth be told if I'm going on a trip there will likely be more due to the destination.)
With the suburban I just kept a case of rifle and s case of pistol ammo in the back.
Had to cut back due to cab space, but you can fit "several hundred" rounds of both inside/under where the jump seats are.... even when they are stowed away. Few hundred CCI .22'S too.
With another 150-200 CCI'S in the glove box that get used...
These days, the need for a "truck gun" has taken on a whole new meaning. It seems the threat of a significant disruption in our normal lives increases every day.
I travel a lot for work, usually in the 200-500 mile range. An AR pistol rides in my bag with 3 loaded mags. I have another 150 rounds packed in the bag as well, but (I think it was) Reid Henrichs said it well; "If you make it thru 3 full magazines, you'll be famous!"
And of course, I have my ccw pistol on me anytime it is legal to do so.
200+/- miles on foot is a terrifying thought to me.. 1500? That would be an adventure, for sure.
Great responses guys!
I travel a lot for work, usually in the 200-500 mile range. An AR pistol rides in my bag with 3 loaded mags. I have another 150 rounds packed in the bag as well, but (I think it was) Reid Henrichs said it well; "If you make it thru 3 full magazines, you'll be famous!"
And of course, I have my ccw pistol on me anytime it is legal to do so.
200+/- miles on foot is a terrifying thought to me.. 1500? That would be an adventure, for sure.
Great responses guys!
A lot would depend on where you are going and what States you are passing through. That said, I rarely travel more than 15 miles from home and if it is not just grocery shopping I prefer to take my BOV which is equipped with an SU-16CA and a 9mm and plenty of ammo.
G19, and 3 mags total. Also my BUG, S&W 442, 3 loads(2-speedloaders). USMC Kabar fixed blade, Buck 110, BOB with various survival gear. Hats and gloves, also boots.(Nylon-Leather 8in) Jackets are always spare with removable liners. Canteens with water, or a flat from $ Store. Sleeping bag. Solar cell phone charger.
If room I may take my Henry 22 cal Lever Rifle. min 100 rds. (for plinking if time) Light weight if carried, and Wifey can work the lever, load and fire if needed. Its a backup to my handguns if needed.
Add: I also have a pistol belt with holster(UM84) and a mag case to fit my firearm and carry the Kabar, and canteen w/ pouch and cup. Frees up my pockets. A military poncho is in my BOB, and dark color Boonie hat.
If room I may take my Henry 22 cal Lever Rifle. min 100 rds. (for plinking if time) Light weight if carried, and Wifey can work the lever, load and fire if needed. Its a backup to my handguns if needed.
Add: I also have a pistol belt with holster(UM84) and a mag case to fit my firearm and carry the Kabar, and canteen w/ pouch and cup. Frees up my pockets. A military poncho is in my BOB, and dark color Boonie hat.
I left Georgia 3 days before Thanksgiving.... in my truck. Drove up through the northeast.
New Jersey...New York City...then up to Boston. Left Boston on Saturday after Thanksgiving...drove down to Delaware....spent last week there working. This past Saturday...drove to Pittsburgh Pa...working here this week. This coming weekend....driving to NYC ...catch a flight and head to the island. Being since I am all over the communist NE... no guns...no ammo in my truck.
Kinda sucks...but not much choice.
Logged over 2000 miles so far
New Jersey...New York City...then up to Boston. Left Boston on Saturday after Thanksgiving...drove down to Delaware....spent last week there working. This past Saturday...drove to Pittsburgh Pa...working here this week. This coming weekend....driving to NYC ...catch a flight and head to the island. Being since I am all over the communist NE... no guns...no ammo in my truck.
Kinda sucks...but not much choice.
Logged over 2000 miles so far
There are a lot of angles to view this from, and no single best choice. The most obvious point, as has already been stated, is to know the gun laws of the areas you're traveling to/through and be smart about what you bring with you. The last thing you need is to be pulled over for some trivial traffic offense and end up in jail, your guns and vehicle confiscated, and overall worse off than in virtually any scenario where you'd actually need your guns.
If you're confident that you're legally good to go, next consider what having that extra firepower will or won't get you in a bad situation. If you run into trouble halfway between your starting and ending points, are you going to treat it differently from a get-home/bug-out scenario? If you were closer to home (daily commute, running errands, etc.) would you be just as likely to openly carry a long gun to get where you're going? If the answer is negative, then is there any reason to act differently when facing a greater distance?
I have never traveled with a long gun for the purpose of self-defense, even for long trips or through questionable areas. If I'm heading through a rough part of town, whether one familiar to me or not, I am going to limit my stops and opportunities for risk to essential situations like stopping for gas or to use a restroom, taking a detour, etc. I don't consider a rifle an effective anti-carjacking tool, nor would I be openly carrying one at a gas station. A handgun is appropriate for both. If you are concerned about where you'll be driving, don't stop if you don't have to. If it's the potential for some catastrophe or breakdown of society that prompts you to arm yourself for war, maybe it's not the right time for a road trip.
I'm all for people equipping themselves for whatever situation they might find themselves in, and I can't offer a more educated viewpoint on what that might entail, but you can always do some threat assessment in advance and, among other things, give some serious thought to how you would most effectively use your available resources if things take a bad turn.
If you're confident that you're legally good to go, next consider what having that extra firepower will or won't get you in a bad situation. If you run into trouble halfway between your starting and ending points, are you going to treat it differently from a get-home/bug-out scenario? If you were closer to home (daily commute, running errands, etc.) would you be just as likely to openly carry a long gun to get where you're going? If the answer is negative, then is there any reason to act differently when facing a greater distance?
I have never traveled with a long gun for the purpose of self-defense, even for long trips or through questionable areas. If I'm heading through a rough part of town, whether one familiar to me or not, I am going to limit my stops and opportunities for risk to essential situations like stopping for gas or to use a restroom, taking a detour, etc. I don't consider a rifle an effective anti-carjacking tool, nor would I be openly carrying one at a gas station. A handgun is appropriate for both. If you are concerned about where you'll be driving, don't stop if you don't have to. If it's the potential for some catastrophe or breakdown of society that prompts you to arm yourself for war, maybe it's not the right time for a road trip.
I'm all for people equipping themselves for whatever situation they might find themselves in, and I can't offer a more educated viewpoint on what that might entail, but you can always do some threat assessment in advance and, among other things, give some serious thought to how you would most effectively use your available resources if things take a bad turn.
I guess I'm old school.
Ruger Speed Six .357 snub is traveling EDC on the road, whereas I may carry a smaller .38 Spl. snub at home or around town.
Six 147 grain +P+ LE or .357 JHPs in gun and one speed loader of same carry ammo on person. Two more speed loaders of 147 grain +P+ carry ammo and box of mixed ammo in GHB with 5 rds. #9 shot, and 45 rds. of .38 Special wadcutters, intended as small game "hunting" ammo.
Take-down 12-ga. riot gun, tube loaded with slugs, good to go once assembled and racked. Five 00 buckshot on butt cuff. Extra 10 rds. slug, 25 rds. buckshot, 100 rounds #6 shot in truck box with my tools. An extra box of .357 Mag. JHP or 147 +P+ .38 Spl. and four boxes of .38 Special wadcutters. Yes, .38 wadcutters are the post 9/11 substitute for .22 LR!
Since 9/11 my .22s are stashed securely in caches, lubed and cased with cleaning gear and basic load (1000 rds.) of ammo, and not routinely carried. I very seldom use a .22 anymore for anything. Not even for practice or recreation. Instead .38 Spl. Project before I retired was to load two 5-gallon buckets of .38 wadcutters for practice ammo. Works for me!
Since .22 ammo became scarce I made a serious effort to follow Harry Archer's advice long ago to have some sort of rifle which could exploit every handgun cartridge which I had four or more guns chambered for and which I kept more than 1000 rounds of ammo for.
So I ended up with lever-action cowboy guns in .38/.357, .44 Mag., .45 Colt and multiple barrels to interchange among two shotgun frames for single-shot walking guns built using the tiny pre-war H&R .410 shotgun frames. These will handle .32 S&W Long, .38 Spl., .44-40 and .45 ACP/.455 Mk1. I also have a converted Remington 580 single-shot boltgun in .32 ACP which is nearly silent and quite accurate and hard hitting compared to a .22 LR, fires a 77-grain bullet at 1200 fps or an 87-grain bullet at 1080 fps.
Future project is a .38 S&W rifle barrel to fit the "Infamous 4 lb. Bunny Gun" in which John Taylor's clever rimless extractor should allow 9mm Para to headspace on the extractor, and .38 S&W in the rim seat, using a hybrid chamber, which could accept either round in the manner of early India Model Rugers using 9mm with half-moons and .380 Mk2z or .38 S&W without... Objective is the "silent without suppressor" or "poacher's pet" using ordinary revolver ammo, but the longer barrel giving a useful increase in velocity and energy, looking at 850-900 fps with 146-158 grain lead bullet, like .38 Special revolver, but out of a light, short rifle with 20" barrel, hoping for 2" groups at 50 yards with very low noise using good ammo.
Ruger Speed Six .357 snub is traveling EDC on the road, whereas I may carry a smaller .38 Spl. snub at home or around town.
Six 147 grain +P+ LE or .357 JHPs in gun and one speed loader of same carry ammo on person. Two more speed loaders of 147 grain +P+ carry ammo and box of mixed ammo in GHB with 5 rds. #9 shot, and 45 rds. of .38 Special wadcutters, intended as small game "hunting" ammo.
Take-down 12-ga. riot gun, tube loaded with slugs, good to go once assembled and racked. Five 00 buckshot on butt cuff. Extra 10 rds. slug, 25 rds. buckshot, 100 rounds #6 shot in truck box with my tools. An extra box of .357 Mag. JHP or 147 +P+ .38 Spl. and four boxes of .38 Special wadcutters. Yes, .38 wadcutters are the post 9/11 substitute for .22 LR!
Since 9/11 my .22s are stashed securely in caches, lubed and cased with cleaning gear and basic load (1000 rds.) of ammo, and not routinely carried. I very seldom use a .22 anymore for anything. Not even for practice or recreation. Instead .38 Spl. Project before I retired was to load two 5-gallon buckets of .38 wadcutters for practice ammo. Works for me!
Since .22 ammo became scarce I made a serious effort to follow Harry Archer's advice long ago to have some sort of rifle which could exploit every handgun cartridge which I had four or more guns chambered for and which I kept more than 1000 rounds of ammo for.
So I ended up with lever-action cowboy guns in .38/.357, .44 Mag., .45 Colt and multiple barrels to interchange among two shotgun frames for single-shot walking guns built using the tiny pre-war H&R .410 shotgun frames. These will handle .32 S&W Long, .38 Spl., .44-40 and .45 ACP/.455 Mk1. I also have a converted Remington 580 single-shot boltgun in .32 ACP which is nearly silent and quite accurate and hard hitting compared to a .22 LR, fires a 77-grain bullet at 1200 fps or an 87-grain bullet at 1080 fps.
Future project is a .38 S&W rifle barrel to fit the "Infamous 4 lb. Bunny Gun" in which John Taylor's clever rimless extractor should allow 9mm Para to headspace on the extractor, and .38 S&W in the rim seat, using a hybrid chamber, which could accept either round in the manner of early India Model Rugers using 9mm with half-moons and .380 Mk2z or .38 S&W without... Objective is the "silent without suppressor" or "poacher's pet" using ordinary revolver ammo, but the longer barrel giving a useful increase in velocity and energy, looking at 850-900 fps with 146-158 grain lead bullet, like .38 Special revolver, but out of a light, short rifle with 20" barrel, hoping for 2" groups at 50 yards with very low noise using good ammo.
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