Have Rifle, Will Travel.

We travel a lot in a Class C motor home. First it depends on the state. Today, I carry a Glock 19 and a KelTec Sub 2000, which takes the same magazines and folds into a small back pack. That is if I am not going to any state with a magazine restriction. It is nuts to risk getting stranded in jail in some other state because you fired 2 rounds at a bad guy from your 30 round magazine, and that magazine is your crime, or if you have 3 or 4 of them you may get charged for each one of them.

If going `to a magazine limited state, I only take 10 round mags into that state. Sometimes I just opt for my 1911, they all hold 10 or less rounds. If we go to a Rocky Mountain state where there are bears, then a long gun is appropriate. For years I carried an SKS, or a model 94 30-30. Then I went to a Mini 30.

I own several ARs and AKs, I am not normally taking them out of state for personal defense. I take the Mini 30 ranch rifle which I can claim I have killed deer with. If you use the gun and suddenly you look like some radical gun guy, which we may be, but there is some dead guy you killed in their state and you are armed like the last guys who went on killing sprees, then the local cops and the local DA are going to take a second look at you. And you may be sitting in jail so you do not leave their state.

As a former cop, I know many people take guns when they travel. I do not know anyone who has an RV that does not take one. It is when they see 5 loaded 30 round mags that you do not look like a tourist. I actually built an AR pistol in 300 BLK to carry in the AR for bears in a spot we go where they are common. When I travel with it, there are only 2 loaded mags, 10 rounds each. I can reload them if need be. The Mini 30 however, is a far better weapon. I have 10 round mags for it also.

Just saying take what will fill the need, but leave the mass shooter like guns at home. And a scoped 30-30 does not look like a bad gun, but will easily do what you need out to 250 yards with the newer ammo. Odds are slim we will never need any gun, or if needed only a handgun. But like you I wanted some long gun along for the ride for the slim chance I might need to shoot back at some guy at a distance far beyond what I can go with a handgun.

FWIW

PaleHawkDown said:

Just a handgun. When I was a kid, and those truck window racks were still legal, everyone I knew carried a rifle with them everywhere.

You used to run across lever guns with one entire side sunbleached.

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Some the bench seat covers had long gun storage, didnt protect much from dust and pet hair but were out of view.

I remember seeing pickup trucks that had back window curtains that could be closed when the truck was parked.

That way you wouldnt scald yourself when you got in cab at end of a sunny hot day putting up prairie hay.
Often times there was no shade to park your work truck under while working.

animalspooker said:

Just curious. The wife and I are going on a trip for a few days. Wondering, when all of you travel out of state for extended periods of time (4+ days), do you ever take a rifle with you? Something like a self defense rifle? I don't mean you bolt action 30-06 or your lever action 45-70 (sorry Griz), and also, I don't mean for any type of hunting trip. I'm referring to a rifle similar to an AR or AK with high cap mags, something you would want to have if the SHTF, and you needed it to get home or at least out of an urban area.

What say you fine folks?

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Yes, I always have at least 1 pistol and 1 rifle.

usually ill bring my 10.5" ar pistol. or my 7.5" .300 blk.

they dont take up much space, and can lay down alot more "get away from me and mine" than a handgun.

of course, I avoid anti gun states at all costs, so youll have to keep in mind where your going and make sure to follow their laws.

last time out i took my 16" ar rifle, while it doesnt seem like much bigger/ longer/ cumbersome than a 10.5" it really is. I can fit my 10.5" in many more different locations and positions throughout the vehicle( in its case) than i can the 16", which is handy when youve got a bunch of stuff to pack in( tetris style)

i really only took the longer one becuase i was going to be somewhere i knew i could shoot a little bit and needed to get some rounds through it.

not only do i take a longarm with me, I bring it inside wherever im staying the night. A i dont want it stolen form the vehicle, B its no good if i cant get to it. I usually put it next to or under the bed with the case partially open, mag inserted but not chambered. that way if something goes bump in the night( we are usually in cabins or lodges in the mountains) i can grab it right quick, but its not out in the open either.

I do like the thought of carrying a 16" lever (probably 44m for me) into states that have crappy gun laws. I had never thought about it. Of course, you have to have it locked up and the ammo locked up somewhere separate, right? My new travel companion:

A pump .223?
Remington made one that used AR type magazines.

Ruger produced a pretty neat .44 magnum lever action utilizing that 4 round detachable rotary box magazine.
1A+ for reloading speed.
The Ruger model 96/44.


Then again Marlin mfg their levermatic 62 in .30 carbine.




Henry Arms long ranger .223 is a Browning 81 knockoff.
The rack and pinion leveraction in .223.


The pump action Savage 170 .30/30 winchester.

.45 Colt revolvers.


Cimarron Revolving Carbine .45 LC SA Revolver 6 shot Rifle 18"

Rossi Circuit Judge - Revolver Carbine in .45 Colt​