I’ve been on the road a fair bit for most of my life. And the last few years it seems even more so. We’re traveling again right now, so this idea is fresh in my mind.
Now I am not expecting or wanting trouble, if I was i wouldn’t go to place that seemed like trouble and I certainly wouldn’t bring my family. But I don’t expect my car battery to die either, yet I have a set if jumper cables in the vehicle at all times.
When I travel, I like many of your am armed. I carry concealed and as such I guess I’m always armed, but I will add a “truck gun” to the vehicle.
I live rurally and there is usually a rifle in my vehicle, but often it is something for dispatching vermin. Which is the tool I am using at least weekly, if it had to be pressed into a self defense role it would be better than nothing.
In the post 2020 world I have seen how an incident in one part of the country can cause the crazies in the metro areas in the rest if the country to cause riots, violence, and road blockages everywhere else. I also know that people in these areas are highly suspicious of outsiders, read out of state plates, which I have when I travel.
There are also have reports of an October 7th style attack being planned for America. This would be a worst case scenario and if you think its possible, than this is the best reason to be prepared when on the road. If an attack of that nature were to happen here, having the ability to mount an resistance should be enough for a terrorist to look for an easier target. You have to make the call if you are doing more than stopping the problem from attacking you or if you are stopping them completely so they can’t go attack others.
When I started traveling I lived and worked in California, a state known for hating guns and safety of citizens. This is an area where violence was more likely and the rules governing the choice mattered more. Anything the color black or scary looking was off the table.
For me the choice has boiled down to two options: first is a Remington 870 with an 18.5 inch barrel. Second is a Marlin 30-30. The shotgun is the most under rated self defense tool inside 40 or 50 yards and is effective to 100 to 125 yards if you know what you are doing.
The lever action carbine is good at double the distance and very effective as well if I don’t want an AR style rifle. Both of this tools work well paired with a fanny pack full of spare ammunition.
I also was not about to buy anything new. Stuff is stolen out of vehicles and if I was forced to use it, it will be seized during the investigation. I understand you might want to buy yourself a new tool for the job. Go for it, I had a tool of things in the safe that fit the bill and am using that.
If I didn’t have a travel gun and wanted something new, I would look at 12 gauge shotgun if I was going to non-free states or a basic AR if going to free places. They are both affordable options. The lever actions aren’t anymore and I wouldn’t buy one new for this purpose.
If you are planning on carrying one of these tools, make certain you practice with it to the point of proficiency and you study the firearm and self defense laws of the areas you will go. Having the tool isn’t enough.
Be safe out there.
-Joseph
Outpost 95 