Options for a cheap truck gun

[Data]

Ok.

In my years I have had one vehicle stolen and 2 vehicles robbed...all while at work and all in hospital parking lots.

So.....you can understand why Im hesitant to leave an expensive gun in the glove compartment while working 3rd shift at the hospital.

Hopefully you can also understand why going unarmed to work all the time is also objectionable.

Im not thrilled with the idea of leaving the Series I kimber I just got or the Sig P239 .40 Im about to get in the truck...even if the glove compartment does lock.

So...I was thinking what to get for my truck.

I prefer autos with small grips that fit smaller hands...or single stack grips.

It needs to be cheap, reliable, and either DA/SA or DAO.

My thinking right now is some kind of Ruger auto Ive seen them around in stainless steal (which will help with the exposure for a truck gun) for just over $300 bucks.

I need opnions and feed back on these cheap autos.

[tddude]

Check out the Smart Carry. www.smartcarry.com

It will work great with scrubs and unless the hospital has a metal detector, no one will ever know you are packing.

The pistol in your truck won't do any good since most attacks occur while the victim is walking to and from the vehicle.

[Data]

Im not sure if I want to start the "gun at work debate".

Lets just say that I have to wrestle with patients some of whom are about the size of and build of Jessie Ventura.

Lets just say that shirts have been ripped, scrub pants have been ripped and pulled about, I find myself literally laying across a patient, etc and this is all just a matter of course "another day at the job".

Packing IS NOT AN OPTION. A buddy of mine brings his Glock in every night and goes directly to his locker. If anyone ever askes he tells them it has his wallet, keys, etc in it and he doesnt want to loose them in a patients room.

Still Im not even comfortable risking being fired by just carrying to the locker....its the one place Ive decided if anything ever happens Ill just have to run like hell...

[XavierBreath]

Data,
You must work the psych ward! I too am an RN. I use a smart carry under my scrubs, but I work out in the community, not in the hospital.

Anyway, reliable but cheap DA/SA or DAO truck guns include:
HiPoints (don't laugh, I hear they are reliable guns..never shot one though)
Ruger P series
Police Trade-in Glocks
EAA Witness
Used .357 Revolver
Actually, my first choice for a truck gun is a used .357. A truck gun must deal with a lot of grit.

[garumn]

I say get a revolver taurus/rossi 2in .357 and cable lock it to the seat mounts under the seat

[Jeffress77]

Ruger P95 would be a great reliable and accurate inexpensive gun.

[MLB]

Sounds to me like you're setting yourself up for a bunch of hassle for no gain.

Your truck has been robbed/stolen several times in the past, so it's likely that you will either lose this gun or at least have it in the hands of a criminal for some amount of time. I'd hate to have to report a gun stolen. It would be worse to have it used against my intentions.

To top it off, the gun is of no benefit to you unless you happen to be approached after you're already in the truck. There's a chance of course, but it seems to me that the downfalls outweigh the gains in this case. I like the locker idea.

Stay safe,
MLB

[cnemikeman]

Well, that IS a dilemma....... what about doing one of those fireproof Sentry style safes ( it will hold one gun) under the seat/bolted down? I would still say go with a cheap, yet reliable, gun. Rugers, used revolvers, all the stuff Xavier mentioned...... maybe a used Glock, even. You'll have to ultimately decide, but I'd say my suggestion at least gives a few more options.

MiKeMaN

[Macx]

While I agree with most of the others, that the gun's being locked in the truck is probably a greater risk than benefit. . . the locker idea sounding pretty good. (I used to work as hospital security, didn't live where I could CCW at the time so it wasn't an issue then)

Please take a look at Makarov. I just bought a beautiful handpicked, clean, everything matching, unissued, Bulgarian for what came out to $180 OTD with three 50 round boxes of JHP included in that price. Check out the reviews, makarov.com/ and www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3 . It carries one in the pipe and 8 at the ready, is a single stack 9x18 (better than .380, even if it isn't quite as hot as a 9x19) and would probably fit small hands even better than it fits my big meathooks.

[TA]

Another option would be a CZ75. Fairly inexpensive and I have heard good things about them. Even a Springfield XD can be had NIB for under $400.

I know you said you prefer auto's but a .357 mag revolver would do the job nicely, maybe even a used one.

[Callahan]

I can relate to this problem becaue I also do not want to risk getting fired for being caught carrying inside my place of work. I also do not want to risk having a firearm get into the wrong hands because it was left inside my car or truck. Though I have expensive alarm systems on both vehicles, and have never had a problem, I still don't like the idea of leaving a firearm in a vehicle for an extended period, especially when I'm more likely to need it going to or from the vehicle!

That being said, another firearms maker who manufacturs cheap but reliable firearms is Bersa. They have them available in .380, 9mm, and .45 ACP. Check out this link:

www.bersa-llama.com/cat_thunder45.html

[5Delta3]

I must agree wholeheartedly will Callahan. Putting aside the issue of a gun unattended in a vehicle...
The Bersa Thunder .380 is a little gem for the price. I own one in the Duo-Tone finish and love it (I purchased it strictly for a concealed carry piece that would be subjected to sweat, holster wear and the elements, I did not want to spend a fortune, and wanted a smaller, light weight piece). It was inexpensive and shoots well, the trigger pull is not bad and a darned sight better than the trigger pull on the Walther PPK, which Bersa copied. For the money and for a knock around gun it is a good buy.

[Seraph]

Good suggestion. Yeah, you can find a Bersa .380 Thunder for under $200. You can also get a stainless Ruger P90 for about $300, which is what my partner uses for his truck gun. If you're worried about someone stealing your truck or breaking into it to steal your gun, etc, it's better to sacrifice a little Bersa than your Kimber I. If you're worried about the thief using your gun, you could take the slide and barrel off and put it in your locker.

[Callahan]

Good idea on removing the slide and barrel, though only the slide will come off on the Bersa .380.

[The Paul]

I woud worry about leaving a gun in the for a whole work shift, I would suggest you learn to fight with your hands or a knife, I dont think a gun is much of an option for you....