I have been musing for the truck gun & Travel Combo for a while. I had settle for some sort of long gun that could also be taken in trips by air or by land in the same caliber of the weapon I would carry. For long time, I lusted for a takedown lever-action in .357, but those suckers are mighty expensive. I looked at survival rifles and every single one I saw are tragically a .22LR with or without a .410 barrel included. One in a .22 magnum would have changed the game.
I am a 9mm man. All but one semi auto sidearm is in 9mm. I reload 9mm and I can tune rounds to my specifications and the needs of the rifle. If I have to travel, I do not have to worry to make sure I have the different ammo boxes packed, I just throw any box of ammo in the suitcase and I am done.
The it came the pistol caliber carbines. Mostly based in the AR platforms and for the most part you could buy a .223 AR 15 with a bunch of mags and ammo for the price of one AR in 9mm. Suddenly Palmetto State Armory is offering some truly amazing dealings and it gets interesting and affordable to go that way.
But after a lot of thinking, I am going to go with the Ruger PC. Hear me out.
It is a true take-down rifle. I know you can take apart and reassemble an AR, but it is not the same and not as fast. The Ruger PC has been out long enough and subjected to owners’ abuse enough to prove itself a reliable weapon and if the aftermarket toy offerings are any indication, the Ruger PC is not going anywhere.
But what tilts the result in favor of the Ruger PC is that does not look Evil Black Rifle but more like an overgrown version of a 10/22.
Why the “racism”? Simply is because you don’t know what kind of LEO or Airline counter person or many others who you may come across and turn out to be scaredy cats allergic to an AR 15 and will lose their shit at the sight of one. I hope I get to do some weekend travelling around with the missus and I want to carry just more than a pistol with us in the car if SHTF. Since we will probably remain in the South, it is likely we will find cops that have some sense, but I always worry about the carpetbagger LEO from NYC or New Jersey who is gonna shit a brick and treat us like terrorists.
And I am even trying to figure out a simply looking case to carry it. Something with rad sides but that does not scream tactical. I am looking at some business-looking cases like this:
Interior measurements are 19×12.25×5.50 and if the read the specs right, I have plenty space for the rifle, a sidearm and magazines. Paint it pink or red, add a bunch of My Little Pony, Care Bear or Sponge Bob stickers and nobody is the wiser. I already look like a grandpa, so they will assume I am taking toys back to my grandkids or I am a very weird old man.
Your thoughts?
Toys to your grandkids — sure. But if you fly, you still have to tell them what’s in that case, right? And in that case they are going to give you a very strange look if it has Sponge Bob stickers. Plain black, or plain gray, or the aluminum kind (more expensive though) would be less weird to them.
I have had a fair amount of success with an AR pistol in 5.56 and a tennis racket bag, however that combination is starting to be so ubiquitous that they are almost the current version of the shoot me first vest. I do not plan to travel by air so that is not an issue. I do stay in the south so my concealed permit covers it in most cases. I believe that with an upgraded case and perhaps a .300BLK upper and I will be good out to at least 100 yards, beyond that, well lets just say I can unass the AOR with rapidity. I guess ammo is a bit more complicated by the choice of .300BLK but very little problem with 5.56, it is literally everywhere now.
Even with a short 10.5 barrel, 5.56 is effective out to 100 yards plus.
I’d skip 300 blowup unless you have a very specific need.
My vehicle gun is a LawTactical folder pistol with a 11.5″ 5.56 barrel and 1x prism sight. I’ve shot it in 3Gun and did well. It’s sighted at 50/200yrd zero. Using mk262 At 300yrds, it’s still at point blank range on a 6″ target with 650ft/lbs energy.
Just measured the one we got recently, out of the box it’s 20.25″ from the butt to the end of the receiver.
You can make it about a half inch shorter if you remove the factory installed stock spacer.
It comes with two more in the box.
Also if you have any plans to visit any nonpermissive States get the one without the threaded barrel.
I recon it could go diagonally, but I won’t buy a case without measuring with care. Maybe using some templates..
Solid choice on the Ruger rifle especially if ya pair it with a pistol that takes similar mags. Would there be room in the case for the rifle broken down and some of the larger fun sticks (33 round magazines)?
I’ve had good luck in work and rec environments by showing people what they expect to see. Rifles and sidearms in a hard sided golf bag carrier. Laptop or IT bags with an “insert”, a camera branded hard case that just so happens to carry a broken down AR and six magazines rather snuggly but securely. As another stated I would not go so far as the painting bright colors but do show people what they want to see based on where you are and what you are presenting yourself as.
(as another idea those nylon or canvas bags that stadium seats and folding chairs can come in will hold various sizes of plano and pelican cases and come in many non-threatening local sports team, business, or college themes)
Please keep us updated on how this goes I’m excited for ya!
I don’t own Glocks….
Stop gasping in horror, people!
😀
Ha! You’re not the only one.
If you want a handgun to pair up with the PC you can get a Security 9 or SR9.
Those are both running around $300-ish new.
The PC comes with one SR9 17rd or 10rd depending on the version.
From what I have seen, you made a good choice. It could even be taken for a plinking toy when broken down. Im a believer in a carbine and a pistol in the same caliber. Same mags is a plus. Modern 9mm is nothin to sneeze at and out of a 16 inch barrel even better. Let us know how you like shootin it Sir. Oh and the gun(s) in a briefcase is a great idea. I have one my dad made up in the 80s. Awesome and innocent
The only problem I’ve heard with the Ruger is some people have had problems with the takedown mech working loose.
It has an adjustment mechanism to keep a solid lockup.
“One in a .22 magnum would have changed the game.”
Kel-Tec CMR-30? Same mags as the PMR pistol – and up to 30 rounds per magazine. It looks quite compact with the stock fully collapsed.
From what I read the CMR is a true blowback design and some folks say it gets dirty enough to become unreliable after ~100 rounds … but if you blow through that many in a DGU you should have brought John McClane along.
Or to continue the Kel-Tec theme … SUB-2000?
Cons: Not a take down, Not a proven weapon. And let’s face it, KelTec does not have a pristine record of QC. They are not Taurus, but still
Re the potential quality issue, agreed.
The CMR has been out for a few years now, the Sub-2000 for quite a bit longer, so I wouldn’t call either design unproven.
Re the not-a-takedown, no offense but are you maybe conflating the desired result with the method of achieving it? If your requirement is that it must be a takedown, then neither is. But … If your criterion is that it be able to fit into about half its length when stored then the CMR is a contender and the Sub definitely is right there Either is faster to get in service than a takedown in an emergency.
Just spotted this at Kel-Tec web site:
IMPORTANT SUB-2000 SAFETY RECALL NOTICE
We have recently identified an issue with the heat treatment of certain steel tubes received from a third-party supplier from which the barrels for a limited number of Gen 2 SUB-2000 rifles were manufactured. This could potentially cause the barrel to rupture when a cartridge is fired and could result in serious personal injury. The safety of our customers is our primary concern, so Kel-Tec has voluntarily initiated this recall because of the possibility of a barrel rupturing.
This recall only affects a portion of Gen 2 SUB-2000s that were manufactured in 2017. Gen 1 SUB-2000s are not affected.
To check if your firearm would need to be sent in for barrel replacement, please follow this link: SUB-2000 Recall
All costs associated with the recall of your firearm shall be covered by Kel-Tec.
—end of public service announcement….
I love my s2000. Got it in 40 cal and it shoots perfect. Also folds down and fits right into my range bag with no effort.
I have a couple of cases and bags that I’ve added a certain logo to for misdirection. It’s from a company that makes everything from motorcycles to home audio equipment. In a short navy blue case nobody’s ever looked at me with suspicion. If anyone ever does ask my response will be, “My kid left his band instrument…”
My kid plays the trombone….