top of page
  • On-The-Range-Podcast-with-War-HOGG-Tactical-and-kelley-defense
  • The Firearms Training Notebook Cover War HOGG Tactical and Kelley Defense
  • On-The-Range-Podcast-CREW
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Amazon
  • YouTube
  • Reddit
  • email_logo
Search

Vehicle Tactics - Holster Placement Inside a Vehicle

Updated: 4 days ago


We have seen the world become more violent, with mobs swarming vehicles, increased carjacking, and ambushes on our law enforcement officers. With the increase in violence and the amount of time we spend in and around our vehicles, we need to make sure we have the skills to defend ourselves and our families.

When it comes to vehicle tactics, VCQB, vehicle counter ambush techniques, understand mobility is your biggest friend. If the vehicle has mobility then you have options. Also think about what type of eye protection you are wearing inside your vehicle. Nothing worse than putting yourself out of the fight because you got glass in your eye.


Where to place you holster while in a vehicle is always I question I get. For me I prefer carrying on my strong side. This allows me to simultaneously release the seatbelt with my left hand while drawing the pistol with the right hand. Some people prefer still doing an appendix carry and there is nothing wrong with that. I would say test out the two techniques for carring a pistol inside your vehicle and see what is going to work best for you.

I have found this to be the best technique for me over the years for in hostile environments and just everyday carry in a vehicle.

Let me know how you carry your handgun in a vehicle.


Vehicle Tactics Marksmanship Training

The first priority when training vehicle tactics is proficiency in marksmanship and gun handling skills in and around a vehicle. For me, this starts with being able to shoot from a seated position. I start with a folding chair at the house and work my dry fire techniques.

 

I begin with the pistol on my strong side, making sure I don’t sweep or flag my leg during the draw. Once I’m comfortable addressing a threat directly in front of me, I’ll angle the chair to 45 and 90 degrees and repeat the drills. I then take my folding chair and head to the range for some live fire practice.

 

Holster Placement Inside A Vehicle

Efficiently and safely securing your firearm in a vehicle is a critical skill that must be practiced.

 

I believe a pistol belongs in a holster while you’re in a vehicle. Some people like to place them in different compartments in the vehicle; this will definitely increase your time to access your firearms. Others place them between the seat or under their leg for “easier access.”

 

The problem with this technique is that if you have to do some type of evasive driving, there is a chance your pistol could get dislodged and wind up on the floorboard.

 

The appendix vs. strong-side debate comes up a lot. In a vehicle, there’s no need to conceal the pistol, so expose your pistol for easier access. I prefer my strong side.

 

The issue I have with appendix carry is that sometimes my pistol grip gets behind the seatbelt. The problem comes in when I might have to do some evasive driving, and the seat belt locks up, pinning my pistol under the seat belt.

 

Having A Carbine in your vehicle

If you plan to carry a carbine in your vehicle, decide where to stow it and how you’ll employ it quickly.

 

For a lot of my law enforcement officers, most of you carry them in the trunk. The problem I have with this setup is, what happens if the trunk gets damaged and you can’t open it? If possible, I would recommend some type of “black rack” system in the front compartment.

 

For my civilians, find the best place to secure your carbine if you’re going to carry one. Remember not to leave it in the open for someone to see it and break into your vehicle and steal it.

 

“Cruiser ready” is when you have a magazine in the carbine but not a round in the chamber. This is typically how law enforcement carry their carbines in their vehicle. Officers need to practice charging their carbines and engaging a target. It can sound simple, but during that high-stress moment, if you have never practiced it, chances are you are not going to do it.

 

How you stow the sling matters. A properly stowed sling can be the difference between getting your carbine out of the vehicle and getting it hung up where now it can’t be employed. I would recommend your stock be completely collapsed, but practice unstowing your sling, putting it around your neck, and extending the stock to the proper length of pull.

 

Barrel length also affects whether a carbine is even feasible to have a carbine in your vehicle and how easily you can employ it. Practice with your carbine to figure out the best technique for your vehicle and carbine length.

 

Vehicle Counter Ambush

The vehicle ambush can come in many different forms, everything from a carjacking to a firearms-initiated ambush against a law enforcement officer. You can’t predict every single scenario but having some type of plan will definitely help your situation in that moment of high stress. Below are vehicle-centered techniques to increase survivability.

 

Drive Forward

The drive forward is just that; there is a threat to your front that warrants deadly force. Use that 3,000-plus-pound vehicle to drive forward towards the threat and out of the danger area.

 

Vehicle Rub

Use your vehicle and another solid object (another vehicle, wall, etc.) to shield and strike the threat between you and that object, then drive away from the danger area.

 

Back Out

If you have space, reverse your vehicle out of the situation. You have some options depending on the situation.

 

You could back out to a safe distance, conduct a J turn, and leave the area.

 

If you are taking effective fire, try to get low or lie towards the passenger seat. Use your backup camera and create distance between you and the threat. This is a classic situation where the trunk could be damaged, and the ability to retrieve the carbine is not possible. This technique also shows how mobility equals survivability.

 

The last option is, once you are a safe distance back from the threat, get your carbine in action.

 

Always be learning

There’s a lot of information about vehicle tactics out there. Shooters beware, if someone does not give you the why or does not sound right, that technique might not be sound. Social media is also full of vehicle‑tactics content, so be careful with some of those techniques that might get you killed in a deadly force situation.

 

If your agency or unit is looking for vehicle tactics training, reach out to us at warhogg.com.


Don’t forget to check to our other blogs on vehicle tactics



If you are ready to take your shooting skills to the next level, join us in one of our courses for personalized instruction and expert coaching via combat experience.


Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more training videos at https://www.youtube.com/c/WarHOGGTacticalInc

 

The Firearms Training Notebook

Ensure you have a firearms training plan when conducting your marksmanship training program. The Firearms Training Notebook is a tool to record your data, see where you need to improve on your marksmanship or gun handling skills and develop a plan to Be 1% Better Everyday with your firearms.

“The Firearms Training Notebook” Available on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3TcCT56 


Train Hard, Be Dangerous and see you “On The Range” - Rick



Rick's Links and Industry Partner Savings

🚨 📬 Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.warhogg.com/ 


War HOGG Tactical / Rick Hogg Links Website - https://www.warhogg.com/ 

“In Honor of Duco” Project - https://www.scottswish.org/in-honor-o...

“In Honor of Duco” Loop Leash available at https://www.warhogg.com/product-page/...


Become a member of our Patreon “CREW” and be around like-minded individuals who want to be 1% better everyday. Bimonthly interactive zoom call with me and Mark Kelley monthly shooting challenge, training tips, exclusive content and more!


Listen to On The Range Podcast at - Please subscribe to the show on the podcast platform you listen to, and leave us a rating and review to help increase our reach. Thank you!

On The Range Podcast Links Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ontherangepod...


Rick Hogg is the owner of War HOGG Tactical, Inc. and is a 29 year US Army Special Operation Combat Veteran, as well as an SOF K9 handler, that has taken his 13 combat deployment, both Iraq and Afghanistan, and teaching experience as a Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) instructor and harnessed them into a combat proven techniques training company, War HOGG Tactical, Inc.


Veteran owned, War HOGG Tactical, Inc. a North Carolina firearms training company that travels the country teaching firearms training, tactical training and K9 training to civilians, military and law enforcement agencies teaching through combat proven techniques and experience to improve students marksmanship proficiency. War HOGG also conducts product development and product field testing along with a variety of consulting services in the defense, firearms and entertainment / film industry.


War HOGG Tactical also offers free law enforcement firearms training via Project Officer Survival with support from our industry partners. If you are interested in hosting a free law enforcement training course send us an email for more info.

If your agency is looking for red dot pistol law enforcement firearms training reach out to us to set up some training dates.


Save with our Industry Partners

Use NEW Aimpoint discount code warhogg25 to save with Aimpoint


Comments

bottom of page