The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Defense and Tactics => Topic started by: garand4life on March 24, 2011, 05:46:49 PM
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I'm making a trip from here in Ohio back home to Texas and then on to my second home in NM. With all the potential problems one could face traveling such a long distance via car in, at times, somewhat dangerous areas I am considering how I would like to equip myself. I will have extra water, flashlights, batteries, emergency cell charger ect... I am also deciding which handgun to carry on my person between my M&P45 and my 1911 since I now have reciprocity all the way from a-b, . But I am taking the new shotgun since I typically go shooting with friends there any time we get together. So I'm packing the new Mossberg 590 in the trunk but I am thinking a bit about what I would take in terms of at hand ammo should a situation develop while on the road. Any thoughts? Am I over thinking/preparing for a potential invasion by russian/nazi zombies? If you had to pick between the M&P45 & 1911 which would you prefer and why? I'm just throwing this out because I am more curious what will come out of the board that produces a epiphany moment for me as typically occurs.
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Double check all of your reciprocity states. Believe it or not, I don't think Texas recognizes Ohio. If you have NM as well you should be good. Laws change constantly, it's only a phone call to the State Police in the state your traveling through. I did the same last year on a trip to Lorain/Cleveland area.
Either .45 would be fine in my opinion. Remember to carry in a manner that's accessible while your driving.
Enjoy the scenery and don't think about the zombies. Stay on the main roads, stay out of Louisville, Memphis, Nashville or any other urban centers during your travels and you'll be fine. It's a beautiful country, enjoy the trip!
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I have A PA nonresident that is recognized in TX. I made sure to verify that however in TX you don't have to have a CCW permit to carry concealed in a vehicle as long as it is concealed on your person and you don't leave the vehicle. According to Texas Department of Public Safety.
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I have A PA nonresident that is recognized in TX. I made sure to verify that however in TX you don't have to have a CCW permit to carry concealed in a vehicle as long as it is concealed on your person and you don't leave the vehicle. According to Texas Department of Public Safety.
Then, enjoy the trip and have a good time!
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For hand ammo I would think 3-4 mags of good personal safety ammo would be plenty. I would take some additional 'cheap' stuff as there is always the possibility of yer friends wanting to do some target stuff.
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Damn Russian/nazi Zombies! LMAO ;D
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I felt it necessary to make a horrible Call of Duty reference. But in light of Wednesday's Shooting Gallery it seemed forgivable.
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It's a beautiful country, enjoy the trip!
definitely a beautiful country, have a fun safe trip. hope I'll be headed West soon, the family is all showing up in Oregon for my nieces graduation. I too need to do some research on where to go for recip....
deepwater
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You should be able to find out all you need to know about CCW on individual states' AG web sites.
Richard
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Carry comfort and ease of deployment will be more important issues than the amount of ammo.
If you carry as much ammo as you would normally, you will be ok. If circumstances arise where you have to use your self defense ammo, replenishing your supply after the incident will be the least dramatic task you are handling.
For carry comfort, the Smart Carry works fine for me, but deployment is not the easiest seated in a car. It will, however, transition from sitting in the car to standing outside pumping gas without adjustment.
I've found that any IWB carry position has comfort problems with placement directly at your side on the hip the easiest. The holster MUST have an extension, body side, that covers the entire slide for me to be able to carry in that position for any length of time. Deployment is pretty easy but the movement will be obvious to someone at the driver's window doing a car jacking. Transition from from in car to out is not bad. Covering shirt or jacket arrangement needs to be checked.
The easiest to deploy would be any hand gun you have in easy reach with your right hand. My concern here is the car jacking situation. A prime location for a car jacking would be at the traffic light at the end of a expressway exit ramp. The driver is still in the making the adjustment from high speed driving to more awareness of their surroundings and will likely be tired from a long stretch at the wheel. With someone in your driver's window, using your left hand will be difficult. I place one of my LCP's, unholdered, in my center console tray. I get in the habit of resting my hand on it when the car is stopped while waiting for a light or traffic to move.
Deployment is quick and easy, comfort isn't an issue. Transition from inside to outside does require re-holstering and stowing in a pocket.
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Yep. I've got handy door trays in my F-150. The glock rdes there held in place by some CDs and a bandana. (Hey, it works). I just drop the left hand and I'm good, push comes to shove I'll roll the dice and shoot through the door. Hoping to avoid that, I always try to keep a few feet of distance between myself and the car ahead of me at a light and turn the wheel slightly to the side. Its anti-carjacking 101. You can slam on the gas faster than ayone can shoot ad the BG is probably going to take off from the commotion.
FQ13
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The biggest concern I have is going to be when I stop over night since I don't plan on stopping till about 11pm. It's a 25 hour drive and I need to make it in no more than 2 days. I also get concerned in some areas where stopping for gas even in well traffic'd areas. But I am strongly considering keeping my M&P in a right hand belt holster as I do most every day. (Note: I spend 5-6 hours in car during each work day.) With one spare 10 round mag in a Blackhawk single mag pouch. I'll probably keep the extended 14 rounder in the center console, just in the completely unlikely incident I ever need a spare mag. I'm considering loading the 14 and maybe the spare 10 rounder with ball just incase penetration became an issue.
I think I'm just being paranoid but the last time I made this trip I ended getting off the highway in the middle of the worst neighborhood in Nashville, or maybe it was Memphis. All I remember is it was in Tennessee.
Lil' bit 'o drift here.... If you ever try installing the ATI collapsable stock on a Mossberg 590 make sure you keep a healthy supply of medical supplies handy. I have cut myself up more on this than any other project I've tried.
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Honestly, I think you should chill a bit. Its the South, not Iraq. ;) Just use common sense. I drive late at night sice there is less traffic and I'm a bit nocturnal anyway. Just time your stops to those "traveller's exits" that seem to appear randomly. I mean seriously, you're in the middle of nowhere and there are signs for six hotels, five gas stations, a Cracker Barrel and three fast food joints. That's where you stop, because I gurantee local LEOs guard that like LVPD guards the strip. Just use comon sense. A well lighted place, keep the tank at least a third full so you can choose your pit stops, a bit of situational awareness and you're good. Also basics like keeping your keys in your hand and looking around before stopping. Its all good. Have fun.
FQ13
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Honestly, I think you should chill a bit. Its the South, not Iraq. ;) Just use common sense. I drive late at night sice there is less traffic and I'm a bit nocturnal anyway. Just time your stops to those "traveller's exits" that seem to appear randomly. I mean seriously, you're in the middle of nowhere and there are signs for six hotels, five gas stations, a Cracker Barrel and three fast food joints. That's where you stop, because I gurantee local LEOs guard that like LVPD guards the strip. Just use comon sense. A well lighted place, keep the tank at least a third full so you can choose your pit stops, a bit of situational awareness and you're good. Also basics like keeping your keys in your hand and looking around before stopping. Its all good. Have fun.
FQ13
It's "Border States", I'd keep the 12 Ga on the back passenger side floor so you can reach that if you need it !
FQ, you need to remember that at the height of the fighting in Iraq an American was still safer there than in DC.
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Have a safe trip Garand. Short of a Ma Duece on the front and a Mk 19 on the rear you should be fine.
Would load the 14 over the ten just in case you area away at a rest stop. Memphis is far worse than Nashville. Just watch your six.
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Have a safe trip Garand. Short of a Ma Duece on the front and a Mk 19 on the rear you should be fine.
Would load the 14 over the ten just in case you area away at a rest stop. Memphis is far worse than Nashville. Just watch your six.
Thanks ping. I checked with a buddy of mine in the army who was the .50 cal gunner for his humvee to go but he declined. Said he'd seen enough f-ing sand for one lifetime. Besides the mk-19 would really screw with my ford focus's MPGs.
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Besides the mk-19 would really screw with my ford focus's MPGs.
LOL. Just a little. ;D
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Thanks ping. I checked with a buddy of mine in the army who was the .50 cal gunner for his humvee to go but he declined. Said he'd seen enough f-ing sand for one lifetime. Besides the mk-19 would really screw with my ford focus's MPGs.
;D
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I'd hold off on this trip until after Monday. You may win the Zoombie Tool. Nothing like a big knife strapped to your leg as you drive down the highway.
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This is what you need to roll in if you can. Bad arse peice of equipment. Not very good MPG but it will take a licking and keep on ticking. ;D
http://www.google.com/search?q=mrap&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1
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You are OK packin in your car in Texas. It just has to be concealed (covered). For extended road trips 2 days worth emergency provisions, and an automotive 1st aid kit should be more than plenty.
I always pack a folding stock AK with 4 mags in a range bag, when on long trips. Not that I'll ever need it ::), but if the SHTF while we're away from the "bunker", it'll give me an edge to fight my way back.
Oh, and a 1911 would be my first choice. But that's just me.
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I took the M&P45 and tha Taurus 1911 as well as the new mossy to the range this morning. Unfortunately the cold limited the time out on the range but I was amazed how well the Taurus handled. I actually want to increase the trigger pull weight on it but otherwise good. I think all things said and done it and 3 or 4 mags will more than assuring. Like I've said before I don't think any of this will matter in the end but in the event I the unforeseen. But I do plan on unleashing a substantial amount of ammo at my uncles in NM. So I'll have several extra toys in the trunk. Including a Garand I'm planning on picking up at CMP in a few weeks. I miss mine and figure in case of emergency a major caliber battle rifle can't hurt. Plus in the event a LEO would check the trunk a M1 would be less threatening than a black rifle.
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Cool Thread... I too am going on an extended Road Trip starting tomorrow... From Ohio to Washington & Oregon and then back.... Truck won't make it back until August. Teaching in 15+ states over this spring season.
Having to make some decisions about What & How to pack today. Good food for thought.
Hope your trip went/goes well, G4L.
-Rob
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Cool Thread... I too am going on an extended Road Trip starting tomorrow... From Ohio to Washington & Oregon and then back.... Truck won't make it back until August. Teaching in 15+ states over this spring season.
Having to make some decisions about What & How to pack today. Good food for thought.
Hope your trip went/goes well, G4L.
-Rob
Does this mean you'll miss the big party in Pittsburgh?
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You have a safe trip also Rob. That is a long haul out to Washington. Made that trip in 1992 from Washington to Indiana. Longest leg was driving from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Indiana. Marathon ride. Went through many cups of coffee but a made it home in the early hours of the morning. If I remember correctly it was around 26 hours straight. Once home I went straight to bed. ;D I will not attempt anything like that again.
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I have A PA nonresident that is recognized in TX. I made sure to verify that however in TX you don't have to have a CCW permit to carry concealed in a vehicle as long as it is concealed on your person and you don't leave the vehicle. According to Texas Department of Public Safety.
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it can NOT be on your person, it has to be concealed in your vehicle. so a glovebox or under the seat or in a holster next to you, but the police do not take kindly to you having a weapon on you without a permit or telling them you have a weapon
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I'm glad Dr Love brought this thread back to life.
Garand4life...how did the trip go what did you bring?
On my day long trips from home I bring an AR and my SR9. If I'm overnight away from family in places that say they don't like weapons (can't always pick where you stay) or if I'm flying somewhere for work for the week I bring a PS90 then after I arrive I disassemble it and throw it in the bag to carry in.
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I'm glad Dr Love brought this thread back to life.
Garand4life...how did the trip go what did you bring?
On my day long trips from home I bring an AR and my SR9. If I'm overnight away from family in places that say they don't like weapons (can't always pick where you stay) or if I'm flying somewhere for work for the week I bring a PS90 then after I arrive I disassemble it and throw it in the bag to carry in.
I'm insanely jealous of your PS90!!!!!!!!! Trip went well but I was unprepared for how bad of an area the hotel I picked was in. I didn't anticipate that the hotel would be 1 floor above HELL! WHen we got there at 7pm, after driving all day, I drove all the way around the building just to get an idea of the area which was already a bad one. I then made the decision that with the massive flood zone and detour less than 45 minutes down the highway I would not try to push through till morning. I checked in and was even less assured when the clerk had to give me detour directions just to get to the room on the second floor. Apparently the closest stairwell was under repair. So when we finally got parked I grabbed my lockbox and unlocked it and carried it up with my bag in a way I could access the gun if needed.
This all probably sounds extreme, so let me paint a picture. On the other side of the fence bordering the parking lot was a true ghetto. But, without making this a racial thing, I get concerned with young, black males dressed in a similar fashion to those commonly associated with gangs are just hanging out on the same floor hooting and hollering I get a little protective. Especially with my 17 year old sister with us. It's just being extra cautious, nothing more. We get to the door and, hello, the door won't open to the room. That was it! We went back to the office requested a refund and left drove over to another hotel that wasn't really much better, but was all indoor.
That was about all the fun for this trip. It was by far scarier in person than I can possibly portray here.
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That's why you paid $500 plus for the pistol, $150 or so for the permit and class, another $150 minimum of range time and ammo, and don't regret a penny of it. ;)
FQ13
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I'm going to suggest you take both pistols, one on your person/in reach for the entire trip and the other locked & hidden in the trunk, maybe under the floor in the spare tire area or similar. Why you ask, well if you did run into trouble and had to use your pistol to defend yourself the LEO where it happened would place your pistol in evidence and it will be a while before you see it again. I personally wouldn't want to suddenly be 1000+ miles from home with no means of self defense to get back. When I travel by air I always have a minimum of 2 handguns, usually 3 pistols and a broken down AR, I've got a case specifically for this. When I travel by vehicle I usually have at least that but most likely more.
**Edit - I now see you've already made the trip, glad it went ok. Keep this in mind the next time.
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I'm going to suggest you take both pistols, one on your person/in reach for the entire trip and the other locked & hidden in the trunk, maybe under the floor in the spare tire area or similar. Why you ask, well if you did run into trouble and had to use your pistol to defend yourself the LEO where it happened would place your pistol in evidence and it will be a while before you see it again. I personally wouldn't want to suddenly be 1000+ miles from home with no means of self defense to get back. When I travel by air I always have a minimum of 2 handguns, usually 3 pistols and a broken down AR, I've got a case specifically for this. When I travel by vehicle I usually have at least that but most likely more.
Kind of after the fact since this trip was over 2 months ago...