Traveling across country, what firearms do you take for self-defense?

[Bushman]

Hypothetically speaking, what would you take traveling and living in an RV/Van, etc. across country just to travel? I am familiar with federal safe passage laws, the limitation of course there is that you can't really stop, just pass through.

So what would you take considering you'd be:

-Sometimes staying in a parking lot at Walmart or a gym.
-Sometimes stay in remote forests away from help, though would try to stay where there is cell service just in case.
-Have to leave firearms behind when hiking or backpacking, hidden in the vehicle, chained to the vehicle.
-Want to sometimes stop in unfriendly states.

Some would prefer a rifle such as an AR/AK, and I'm with you. That said, shotguns are devastating within 50 yards and combined with a simple Glock 26 with 10 round mags, are legal damn near everywhere. You could take higher capacity mags with you, and just stash them somewhere before entering unfriendly areas, picking them back up when you return.

So what would you take?

Personally I'd try to stay out of unfriendly states and just pass through to avoid even being in bubblegum hole areas.

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[Certaindeaf]

Renaissance Hi-Power.

 

[Tlock]

I use a shotgun alot for work, #4 buck is what I run and what our gunners run out of the plane. It's a deadly round out to 75 yards on a small target. So a 12ga shotgun and a 9mm (glock) would be my choice.

 

[AshWilliams]

Traveled across the country through many states on my way to Oregon with a G26 IWB riding at 4:00. I started driving when the sun rose and sequestered myself in a hotel room an hour before nightfall with the pistol on the nightstand at the ready while I slept.

 

[titsonritz]

All of the above.

 

[Barefootdog]

Short barreled shotgun like a Mossberg Shockwave....the "s" verson takes mini shells.
Perfect for confined area such as your camper/RV.

Outside the RV...add a 1911/2011.

I would be carrying something where ever I was.

 

[AshWilliams]

I use a shotgun alot for work, #4 buck is what I run and what our gunners run out of the plane. It's a deadly round out to 75 yards on a small target. So a 12ga shotgun and a 9mm (glock) would be my choice.

What do you do for a living where your team boards and exits a plane with shotguns?

 

[Tlock]

What do you do for a living where your team boards and exits a plane with shotguns?

I am a wildlife specialist for usda. The old term was goverment trapper....I'm not fond of the goverment or working for them but I love my job

 

[Tlock]

We still gun coyotes out of planes here in oregon

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Mossberg 590 "Retrograde" or the 500 "Retrograde"...
If buying new.

Remington 870 with a 20 inch or 18.5 inch...pre -buy out as well as no "express" model shotgun...
If buying used.

With that said...
I really don't have a opinion here , since I really don't worry 'bout these things...
I just like the above shotguns...
Andy

 

[Knobgoblin]

You want .30cal smack without the "bad optics" flack?

Trapper length lever gun.
30-30 hits plenty hard , and can punch through medium cover too.

 

[Nosferatu]

Ma Deuce.

 

[Kruel J]

Personally I would just take my EDC and call it good. I also don't plan my vacations like a spec-op so…….

 

[Member 53328]

I'd take the same thing I carry every day….. Glock G45 or a G17. If it's good enough for me here in Oregon it will work elsewhere as well.

 

[Bushman]

I would consider just a handgun as enough, with extra mags and ammo, but staying in remote areas where people show up in groups with long guns makes it less sufficient IMO.

Seems like a lot of votes for shotguns. One other consideration is they are illegal to keep loaded in a vehicle and difficult to load. Most states (WA, OR) seem to not count a loaded magazine that is not inserted in the rifle as loaded. SO it's easy to slap a magazine in and rack a round if needed.

Still mulling it over...

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Difficult to load a shotgun....?
I would disagree....all it takes is snap caps and practice..

Now...if what you meant was faster ...as in a rifle or a shotgun with a detachable magazine , will be faster to load than a pump action shotgun...I'd say yes...however..
With practice...you can be fast in loading a pump action shotgun.
Andy

 

[Kruel J]

They even make speed loaders for 'em.

 

[Knobgoblin]

Difficult to learn administrative loading and unloading when you don't actually own guns.

 

[Kruel J]

I always wonder what kind of shootout people are thinking they may encounter. A quality EDC, an extra mag or two and a decent pocket knife should be enough for basically anything remotely survivable.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I have traveled cross country...and spent time in many remote areas...
All while "armed" with my Hawken rifle...and yet somehow survived.

Situational awareness....keeping a clean camp...and a assertive , but not confrontation attitude goes a long way here.
Andy