Greetings all.

I'm more of a lurker than a poster, but i've been around here for a while. I conceal carry for personal protection but unfortunately my work has a policy against weapons on your person -- so I have to leave my firearm in my 03 XE a lot. i'm looking for smash and grab protection more than anything else, although a small fireproof safe is appealing. i've looked at the reviews and howtos, and searched for "lock box", "concealment", and "safe box" here on the forums, but most of the results return deleted/removed threads.

I'm still brainstorming and measuring potential places in the X, but does anyone have a walkthru or suggestions on mounting some type of secure lock box inside an 03 xterra?

OPTION 1, small sentry safe

OPTION 2, low profile metal lock box

OPTION 3, mini vault

OPTION 4, sport safe

OPTION 5, keyed strong box

One of my friends has a small lock box welded to the floor under the seat of his Silverado, keeps his gun in there when he's going into a bank or courthouse. Works pretty good, just has to tip the seat forward to access the box and its not visible to the casual observer when he opens the door.

Wow! You've been a member since January, '03 with only 29 posts?!

Anyway, not to burst your bubble, but have you considered the legalities of leaving your weapon in your truck? In most states, if someone were to steal your weapon from your truck, no matter how well secured, you would be responsible for any deaths/burglaries/shootings/etc. the thiefs may commit. You can't say, "well I secured it as best I could" either. Say someone knew you had a 9mm in your truck but it was "secured" so they couldn't get into it and steal it without a lot of effort. So, they decide to just steal the whole truck and take it somewhere so they would have time and tools to get into your "secured" box in the truck.

I'm sorry, I just can't see any justifiable reason to "need protection" unless you're a cop. I give it to them because they enforce the laws. If you "need protection" that bad, you should move (i.e., get out of the situation) or change what you're doing.

I'll probably get flamed for this, but the fact is, people that "need protection" need it for a reason. And that reason usually isn't because they are law abiding citizens.

Just my .02...

What state is this, so I don't ever move there?

Question, what happens if I steal your gun and shoot you with it?

Until you can keep guns out of the criminal's hands, there will always be one near mine. I usually only carry when on the trails, but always loaded with hollow points for any special occasion I may not know I was invited to.

Gonz, i'd rather this thread not skew; to answer your question, yes -- i've looked into the legalities of handgun theft for my area. Thats one of the reasons i'm pursuing this project.

Yes, people ususally do get flamed for making generalizations and ignorant statements about topics and situations they don't understand. I'll look past your statement that I'm most likely a criminal and just say that _I am_ responsible for my safety and that of my family, nobody else.

I really came here for xterra expertise, not a lecture on handgun rights by someone who doesn't realize the state of the world we live in.

You're an idiot. I also have a concealed weapons permit and carry everywhere except for places that it is illegal to carry, such as courthouses, secure areas of the airport and when I cross the bridge to go to the Republic of New Jermany. I also carry when I am at work since I am on the road all the time with expensive cargo. I am not allowed to carry per company rules but my safety and life is more important than my job.

So you think that those people in that mall in Utah were doing something bad when they were killed by that crazy gunman? Or those students at Virginia Tech should have moved, then they wouldn't have been shot?

The police are great but they can't be everywhere at all times and it is our right to protect ourselves. I hope you are never in a life or death situation, but if you are maybe then you will realize that a law abiding citizen carrying a gun is not as bad as you think.

To answer the question, I have option number 2 in my truck (I move it between the X and my pickup) and the one I bought came with a rubber coated steel cable to attach to the seat posts. The only reason anyone would find it is if they are really looking (there's too much crap in both vehicles to notice). I have this box for the same reason you do, and for the places I visit that don't allow me to carry (airport, city/county buildings, etc...).

As for Gonzo's comment, I love those...my answer as to why I carry: my state allows me to, and I refuse to see my 2nd amendment rights go away. Enough said.

ETA: the people, in your mind, that "need protection" don't bother with concealed carry permits, they just carry concealed illegally...if you'd notice, criminals don't have a whole lot of respect for laws.

Exactly

We've been considering this one made by Winchester after seeing it at Bass Pro. Similar to option 3.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores...t=SearchResults

I like that super thin one for its size, but like the other for its fingertip combo lock.

Rick, let me be clear.

First, I'm glad you came here for two reasons. It shows you are trying to do things the right way and this board is a treasure trove of information. I would much rather see people research what they want to do before doing it. Which you show you are doing. The other is that by asking, you know you may not have the best answer. Again, the great people here are always more than willing to help. So, kudos to you for asking.

I am also glad you researched the legalities of securing your weapon in your truck. Yes, there are places where you would be responsible for any damages if you left a gun in your truck, particularly if it was loaded. Then again, if it wasn't loaded, what good would it do you besides being a good rock to throw?

I apologize if you thought I was calling you a criminal. That was not my intent. I do know the state of the world we live in. It is very sad in may places indeed. One of the reasons people feel they need protection (other than being a criminal themselves) is if they often find themselves in some of these places. My question then is, why go there? There's a reason cops, guards and armored trucks carry weapons, they have to protect things of value and more importantly, they don't have any control over who or what they may meet. I do. I will not go to these places and put myself in such danger. That's why I don't see a reason for carrying a weapon.

If you choose to, that's your business and I applaud you for trying to do it the best way possible.

Here's another thought for you guys that feel that carrying a weapon is needed. If you were to find yourself in a situation where your weapon was actually needed, could you use it? Could you honestly convince yourself that your life was more important than the person you were about to shoot (and probably kill)? How could you be sure? How would you deal with that after the fact? How would you justify that you killed another human being?

Sorry for digressing, again. Really Rick, kudos to you for asking and shame on me for hijacking your thread. That really wasn't my intent. I was merely trying to help by pointing out the possible legalities of storing a weapon in your truck. The other comments just came out because I don't understand the reasons for carrying a weapon in the first place.

So here's my help. Find the strongest box possible with the best lock possible and make sure it is bolted directly to the frame or someplace where it couldn't be removed without a great deal of effort. I say bolt it in because cables can be cut. Just ask any competitive bicycle racer (I used to be one) how many bikes they know of that were stolen when they were locked with the best of cables.

-Gonzo

Rick,

I like these:



You can get them here:

The small fits a J-frame snubby or a baby Glock & the large fits your large frame autos like a 1911 or Glock 17 plus mags or light. They are low profile to fit anywhere & use a steel cable to secure around a seat post or whatever.

I like that you get them keyed alike & can take them from one vehicle to another plus they're TSA approved. I've got a large & small myself.

I'd like to find a small lock box also... one that I can fit my G23 in. Would like to have it under the seat (out of sight, out of mind sorta thing). But I don't trust small cables like those in the links.

"Question, what happens if I steal your gun and shoot you with it?"

man i laughed and laughed when i read that
thanks

BTW, I started a Clubhouse topic to get rid of the hijack here

Clicky

Hey guys.. [shameless plug] I am a firearms dealer and can hook you up with most anything as long as it is legal in your state.

shoot me an email if you want a price quote on something.. normally only 5-10% over my cost. I can ship to another FFL in your area for the background check and pick up.

marc@pnwoutdoor.com

Are you serious? Is my life more important than a criminal's that would not hesitate to kill me? Hmm...that's a tough one. It would be an ordeal and would be hard to get over but at least I'd be alive. You apparently would rather die then protect yourself, you must be French.

Please see my thread in the Clubhouse...where flame wars belong

Yes please take further gun debate threads to the clubhouse topic started.

anyone else have any lock box suggestions?