Advice for a novice: What is the best gun to carry in an RV?

[Jim]

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Advice for a novice: What is the best gun to carry in an RV?​

Here @Neal, get one of these.

Google Photos

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Thanks @Jim for putting this post back on the radar! A few years back I started thinking about unsettling times(and I thought they were bad then). I considered whether I would try to defend our home and WE decided we would not. Part of the joy of RVing for us is getting away from the problems in the city. We had more theft and other problems in town than we have with rural settings.

Back a few years we invited a friends to join us in one of our favorite spots. He stayed the night and told me they felt safer in an RV resort in town. When we called him to arrange another meet, he informed me that there bicycles were stolen that night.

It is not uncommon to feel vulnerable when new to something different. We all calm down with time, but guns although useful are not the answer in most cases.

Yes I have a couple rifles that I used to protect livestock. No I would not use them to protect from man. And no I will not sell them, Mostly because I would wonder what was on the mind of the one I was selling them to.

 

[Neal]

Here @Neal, get one of these.

Google Photos

Link didn't work, antenna issues?

 

[MapNerd]

There is no best gun for an RV in my opinion. Being in an RV is irrelevant. The best gun is the one you are most comfortable with, can shoot accurately and reliably - and when those two criteria can’t be met in a circumstance when you need one, then the best gun is the one you have.

 

[Jim]

Link didn't work, antenna issues?

Sorry, probably password protected. I’ll download it and upload it to the forum.

 

[Jim]

@Neal, I tried to upload the video to the forum but got an error. So I made a clean link to it. Hopefully this will work.

New video by Squerly

 

[Retired]

Your actual question is about personal protection.

1. Do not put yourself in a situation where you are in jeopardy and will have to defend yourself.
2. When possible retreat. Forget about stand your ground laws. If you can retreat and take yourself out of danger, do so.
3. Consider non-lethal force, Freon horn to draw attention, bear spray, there are pocket size of both on the market.

Learn the law regarding use of force, especially deadly force.

Generally, under the law, someone has to have the ability and opportunity and actually places you in jeopardy of great bodily harm or death before you can use force.

As far as a personal carry or a carry in your vehicle. Keep that information to yourself, no one needs to know.

Any statement you make in person or online should reflect responsible firearm ownership and use.

If you own a gun, going to the range a couple times a year is a good habit. Being familiar with handeling, loading, unloading and the use of your firearm will make you more confident and reduces the chances of an accidental discharge.

 

[ManlyMan]

The thread regarding favorite handguns and the events taking place in our country peeked my interest in possibly starting to carry a gun on our trips. Neither my wife nor I have ever owned a gun. There are probably other members here in a similar situation...

Today I visited 2 local gun shops hoping they might provide an education and steer me towards an intelligent purchase decision...that didn't work. I did observe that gun shops are very busy these days mostly serving customers who already know what they are looking for. I'm confident the trusty (or is it crusty?) members here can steer us novices in the right direction.

Some questions...
- Is there an easy answer to the best starter gun for a novice to carry in an RV for self-defense?

For defense of yourself/family in your motorhome a revolver is a good choice. Revolvers are the most dependable of firearms.

- Is there a gun that can be carried in all 50 states?

Gun laws are constantly being changed so generally speaking a shotgun would be the best choice for traveling in an RV, especially in California.

- Do I need a permit? What kind?

For travel with a handgun you need to check the laws of each state you will be traveling in. Again, a shotgun is a good choice for travel with no permit required.

- Where in the RV is the best place to keep it? I'm thinking under the fold-up part of the bed?

When I have a handgun with me I keep it in a drawer readily accessible. When I have my shotgun it’s in the closet and easy to reach. Under the bed would be my last choice. If you travel with children always have the weapon unloaded and locked up.

- Any other thoughts/ideas appreciated.

Never give police permission to enter your RV/Home. Remember, your RV is your home regardless of whether you are a full-timer or not.

Thanks

 

[Trishield]

What is getting lost in all the rhetoric is the positive contribution MOST police officers make to their communities. Our grandson is a police officer in a small community in Eastern Washington.

The night-before-last, he responded to a call regarding a 10-month-old child that was not breathing. He performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Sadly, the child could not be revived.

Our grandson was saddened that his efforts, and those of the paramedics, was not successful, but proud that he tried to save this child. Losing the battle was an emotional experience for him, but a part of the job he has chosen to do.

The point here is that much of police work does not involve confrontations and arresting people. Responding to emergencies and providing critical life-support is also part of the job. That seems to have been forgotten in the movement to "defund the police."

TJ

My oldest is a Deputy and had a similar experience two weeks ago. Parents left the baby alone(sick) for 3 hours. Those are the calls that bother my son the most.

 

[lemondrop9344]

Might I suggest y'all read some of Mas Ayoob's books on the use of firearms in self defense. All are readily available from Amazon.
If you are serious about carrying a firearm, this class is worth every penny. There are others of course.

MAG40

This is an intense, four-day, 40-hour immersion course in the “rules of engagement” for armed law-abiding private citizens.

massadayoobgroup.com

The requirements to purchase a handgun vary from state to state. The laws regarding the carrying of a firearm (be it long gun or hand gun) vary from state to state, some local governments within a state have 'gun control' ordinances to contend with. It's your responsibility to know/adhere to them. If you want to carry a handgun, it is probably a good idea to acquire a concealed carry permit for the state of your domicile. If you have a concealed carry permit, be aware of your state's reciprocal agreements with other states. Chances are, your concealed carry permit is tied to your driver's license and/or vehicle registration.

 

[Retired]

This 22 magnum can be carried in a jean pocket and not even noticed. It is a single action revolver. A 22 is not going to have a lot of power, but fired at close range, it will do some damage.

This Ruger 380 is a popular carry semi-auto. Its small, lightweight, easy to conceal and easy to shoot.

One of my favorites is this 9mm. It is lightweight with a compact frame. Fits a small hand well, but make sure you have a firm grip when you pull the trigger.

We hike a lot and have nearly stepped on snakes more than once. This derringer fires a .410 shotgun shell or a 45LC. There ae a couple different models but I like the 3" barrel.

When we travel or go hiking, we carry an air horn, bear spray and more lethal protection.

 

[FL-JOE]

IMHO any tiny round would not be a good choice for self defense. I would never consider a .22 magnum or a 380 for concealed carry or home defense. If you ever have the misfortune of being required to defend yourself in a life and death situation your goal is to stop the threat immediately. 9mm, .38, or larger rounds will generally accomplish this. Remember, it isn't about killing someone, it is about stopping them IMMEDIATELY from harming you.

My wife has fired my handguns over the years. However, recently I decided that there was a need for an easier more lethal way for her to defend herself if needed from our RV. I have set up a 16-gauge pump shotgun for this purpose. It doesn't kick very much and she could put someone down up to about 10 yards easily.

 

[Retired]

I can carry a 22 magnum and you would never know it. Shorts and a tee shirt or jeans and a tee shirt are my most often worn attire. Not only is a 22 magnum easy to conceal, it is comfortable to wear and carry. Unlike a Glock 9mm or 45ACP.

Guns make people nervous and draw attention to the person with them.

I stay under the radar.

Again, the best defense is to remove yourself from any threat. Physical confrontation where force may be used by either party should be avoided.

 

[Tioga Bob]

IMHO any tiny round would not be a good choice for self defense. I would never consider a .22 magnum or a 380 for concealed carry or home defense. If you ever have the misfortune of being required to defend yourself in a life and death situation your goal is to stop the threat immediately. 9mm, .38, or larger rounds will generally accomplish this. Remember, it isn't about killing someone, it is about stopping them IMMEDIATELY from harming you.

My wife has fired my handguns over the years. However, recently I decided that there was a need for an easier more lethal way for her to defend herself if needed from our RV. I have set up a 16-gauge pump shotgun for this purpose. It doesn't kick very much and she could put someone down up to about 10 yards easily.

FL-JOE has a good point about shotguns.

My wife and I drove with a small group of friends in RV's to Alaska while the the British Columbia homicides along the Alaska highway were still unsolved and the perpetrators still on the loose. 2019 Northern British Columbia murders - Wikipedia

We all took shotguns on the trip as handguns or long rifles are not allowed in Canada. We entered BC at Rooseville from Montana and needed to get permits and the Canadian border guards entered our RV to inspect that the guns were safely stored as per instructions. Each time we crossed the border we showed our permit, a couple times guards came into the RV to see that the guns were in fact being stored properly.

Boon-docking along highway 8 heading towards Denali, Alaska

 

[FL-JOE]

Being a retired LEO, I have been concealing handguns since 1974 for off-duty carry. My lifetime experiences have convinced me that the minimum round for stopping a lethal threat is a 9mm, .38 and above. I only own two handguns, a S&W 9mm Shield and a small frame 5-shot revolver in .38. Since the Shield is a single stack mag it is very narrow and easily concealed using an inside-the-pants holster. The small frame revolver is also small enough to carry the same way. Utilizing self defense rounds in each of these handguns provide good stopping power.

We are in warm climates 12 months out of the year and the only time I am not wearing shorts and tee shirts is when we are on the motorcycles. IMHO you don't have to give up lethal stopping power in order to conceal a good defense weapon. Will a .22 or .22 magnum kill someone? It certainly could if the round hit them in the right spot and possibly more than once. Will a .22 or .22 magnum have enough power, shock, and immediate damage to stop someone from shooting you or continuing to attack you? I certainly would not bet my life or the life of my family on it. Chances are if a .22 or .22 magnum round is going to actually kill a person it will be in the ER an hour after the shooting.

I am not an expert by any stretch. I am simply basing these opinions on my 18 years of violent crime investigative experience (out of a 34 year career). Anyone who conceal carries has to decide what calibre they should use.

 

[Buly]

For the Florida hot weather, we both have Taurus 738 TCP .380 ACP (9mm Short) with laser sights and two magazines.

Mine is in a pocket holster, and she has it in her purse.

 

[Jim]

This derringer fires a .410 shotgun shell or a 45LC. There ae a couple different models but I like the 3" barrel.

That looks like it would take a strong wrist to control after it went boom.

 

[Retired]

That looks like it would take a strong wrist to control after it went boom.

The same with a small frame 9mm. You need a good grip or its going to fly out of your hand.

 

[Buly]

The same with a small frame 9mm. You need a good grip or its going to fly out of your hand.

You are right. They are not a gun that you want to shoot 100 rounds per session. Just close range 5-7 shots

 

[ManlyMan]

I consider the .380 to be an excellent self-defense round for conceal carry. While it may not produce the same foot pounds of energy as the 9mm or .38 special it still makes the same size hole going in and has less chance of over penetration. This is especially true of the jacketed hollow points. The .380 has become very popular for conceal carry because of the large choice of pistols available and small size. My personal favorite is this Colt Mustang Pockelite. It’s an excellent shooter. In the photo a .380 round on the right next to a 9mm round.