I was talking with my wife about traveling with the kids away from our normal areas of travel. We were discussing whether or not we felt the need to pack a long gun and applicable ammunition for such travels. I am wondering what other’s do when they travel outside of their normal areas that one frequents in his/her daily life?
Work related travel takes me to about 35 states and six foreign countries each year. I don’t take any firearms for overseas or if it involves air line travel. For trips in a vehicle just a handgun and about 20 rounds of ammo. I’m not looking for trouble so I don’t really need more than that. Prefer to travel light and carry just whats needed for protection.
For overnight car trips (no matter how long), I always have my “Grab and Go” rifle rig with me. Rifle, 3 mags in a chest rig, 3 mags in a Molle pouch, (4) 1911 mags and flashlight in the chest rig, my 1911 with drop leg holster and belt, with a Molle pouch that has spare parts, ear plugs, cleaning lit etc.
I know that this sounds like a lot, but it all fits nicely in my TAG 38" Carbine Soft Case. And it is always ready to go.
I don’t travel by air with firearms. Too much hassle, but I do have a 6" fixed blade knife and flashlight in my check in luggage.
I travel quite a bit, mostly by car, and carry the things I always carry. Important stuff and spares. Discretely packaged. Right-sized for the journey.
Quality travel bags, purpose built for the contingency-minded traveler, help a lot.
I don’t look for trouble either, but I’m conscious of the fact that it seeks us.
Depends what state I am heading to; if mag feed semis are legal it is usually an AK47 w/ an SKD Universal chest rig w/ rifle mags / HG mags / folder / Flashlight / VOK all in a bright yellow bat bag. Occasionally it is the same but with an AR.
Low profile - Legal, but short 12ga with a full tube of 00 buck (not chambered); a side saddle and a Davis Speed Feed and a 50 / 50 mix of slug and 00 buck.
Lower profiler - Win 94 in 30-30 w/ full tube (but not chambered), a buttcuff full of ammo and a Federal plastic ammo carrier behind that.
I ALWAYS have a long gun on the road and often have one around town.
Guns are great but when taveling communications, first aid, snivel gear, water, dry / warm clothes, food, spare keys, duct tape, 550 cord, flame, etc should be included. A simple backpack and a well thought out plan should provide room for the basics to save your (and your family’s bacon).
Just my simple thoughts
When I travel with or without the family I have my ccw setup G19 and a 642 w/at least 1 spare mag and one speed strip. In the trunk LMT carbine w/Eagle fb chest rig(3 ar mags,2 G17 mags,BOK in eagle med pouch and a Esstac pack rat with 8x compact binos and 2.5 po boy magnifier) and concealable IIIa armor. I also have 2-300 boxed 5.56 and the same 9mm in case i find somewhere to shoot.
This is besides 2 days of food/water, sleeping bags,e-tool,boo boo kit and shelter in spare Camelbak motherlode.
My thoughts are while I don’t look for trouble am 100 plus miles from home and don’t know what might pop up. I have been carrying a similar load out for 15 years and while Ive never needed the firearms I have needed the e-tool,shelter,sleeping bag,boo boo kit and water.
I have been thinking about this a lot for my own travels. One thing I am constantly in fear of is having my expensive firearms ripped off from my trunk. Do you guys keep a lower cost long arm in the trunk do to theft reasons (IE AR-15 w/out red dot or other accessories) or are you keeping your expensive stuff in the trunk as your life doesn’t have a price tag on it?
Theft is something we live with day in and day out. Have the proper “Personal Articles Insurance” and you’ll be covered.
I take my “Best” with me everywhere I go. My life is worth my LMT MRP w/ Aimpoint, Comp M3 and Scout Light. It’s in a discrete case and travels well to the hotel room. My 1911 is on my hip as back up, and reciprocity is pretty good here in the Western States. The only place I can’t CCW is CA, WA, and OR. Others may not be as fortunate.
This is the whole reason I bought a $600 AK and am spending this year getting used to shooting it.
I normally carry concealed when out and about. When traveling, just my M&P9c and 2 spare mags on me. I leave the long guns at home unless its a hurricane evacuation.
When I do any traveling i carry my M4 w/all the goodies and Go Bag (6 primary mags and 2 secondary mags). Along with Flashlight w/batteries, Food, Water, Snival Gear, VS-17 Panel, Chem Lights, 550 Cord, and Blowout Kit.
It drives my wife crazy, but she knows there is always a reason to be prepared.
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I ccw a P229 and 2 mags when out and about locally. I also carry an AK with 6 mags in a chest rig at all times in my truck. Plus I have a backpack with necessities. I always have my Glock in the truck and I have 6 mags for it on the chest rig.
If I go out of town, I throw my m4 with 4 mags in the case and another 6 in a chest rig in there also. If I’m going along way from home, I take all 25 m4 mags.
I know it’s probably overkill, but I’ve always been of the mind that it’s better to have to much ammo, than not enough:D
I’m a lightweight. None of the family likes me having the “big bad black rifle” in the car all the time with me, so I put my Kel Tec sub2000 in there, along with 5 loaded mags. Seems that should do it.
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What do put in the trunk when you travel?
what’s a “trunk” ??
i have a Ford Ranger and a first edition big Ford Bronco (1978ad)
I’ve always carried a pistol and spare mags with me on long trips, although without a concealed carry permit this is a big no-no in OK. The law is likewise for long guns, not even supposed to have a magazine loaded.
Thankfully this will be a moot point by the next time I travel, as I should have my “papers” back by then.
Glock 30 and a S&W 642, I usually pack the .38 and the Glock stays in the vehicle/hotel room.
On long trips (just got done w/ NC-AL-VA-NC) I have a medium ALICE w/ ranger roll, survival kit, 2 quart, a few MRE’s. A few quarts of oil, some brake fluid and power steering fluid, in case I have to limp to a service station go in an old helmet bag. Allied tool kit/socket set. 3-cell maglight, portable compressor and empty gas can are always on board.
Guns:
I carry my CCW in an IWB. Behind my feet is my tool/range bag w/ Surefire and 2-3 spare mags. I have one of my .22 pistols for trips to the range while on vacation. I have carried long guns at times, but I am confident that my pistol is enough for family trips. End of the World, another story.
Living in populated areas of the eastern US, I see no need to be encumbered with rifles and shotguns while travelling unless I am going to use one at my destination. Likewise with the fix-every-breakdown-imaginable tool kits.
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[li]I avoid known bad parts of town. That makes a handgun and a couple of reloads plenty of firepower for defensive purposes.
[/li][li]My vehicles are very well maintained and in known mechanical condition. That makes breakdowns very unlikely. In the event one does happen, I have credit cards with significant limits.
[/li][li]I do not have a vehicle with a conventional trunk. Such makes travel with a long guns less than painless.
[/li][li]I’d rather not have to explain what’s in the bag when visiting friends or relatives, 99% of which are gun-fearing wusses.
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