Besides adding an extra layer of protection, carrying a truck gun prepares you for critical and unforeseen life-threatening situations especially if you live in high crime areas or where wild animals roam freely.
Here is a closer look at truck guns.
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The Ultimate Truck Gun Guide and 10 Best in the Market
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The Truck Gun Concept
The truck gun concept entails packing a long gun as a backup to supplement your concealed carry handgun. These supplementary long guns are often carried in trucks, sedans, or coupes, hence “Truck gun.”
Historically, truck guns were mostly AK-47, AR-15, pump-action shotguns, SKS, or lever-action .30-30. However, this has changed, with most concealed carry shooters going for pistols chambered in 9mm and AR-15 pistols in .300 Blackout, or .223/5.56mm calibers.
Like with other things, there are several sides to the truck gun concept:
- The Good: Since truck guns are weapons that concealed carry shooters are forced to use against and attackers, they are ballistically more effective and easier to shoot accurately than handguns. You will be surprised to know that even police officers need supplementary long guns to be adequately prepared for various issues they face.
- The Bad: The first downside to having a truck gun is exposure to theft. Most violent crimes are a result of guns stolen from cars. For this reason, it is wise to store your truck gun in your car trunk, or a lockable vault bolted to the floor of your truck or SUV. However, the main disadvantage with this is that it might take time to access the weapon when you are in a life-threatening situation. This, to some degree, defeats a truck gun’s purpose.
- The Ugly: The worst part of having a truck gun is that you are at an increased risk of being mistaken for the offender by law enforcement or other concealed carry shooters. It is even riskier when you are downrange from the incident while using a long gun.
10 Best Truck Guns in the World
1. Mossberg Patriot Predator
The Mossberg Patriot Predator makes a formidable option if you are always in the backroads in states that don't allow the use of bottleneck rounds. It features an adjustable two to seven-pound LBA trigger. With such an oversized bolt handle, making follow-up shots is a breeze.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 450 Bushmaster
- Caliber: 4+1
- Barrel Length: 16.25 inches
- Barrel Type: Threaded 11/16 “-24 TPI
- Twist: 1 in 24″
- Sight/Base: Adj. Rifle Sights; Picatinny Rail
- LOP: 13.75 inches
- LOP Type: Fixed
- Weight: 6.5
- Length:35.5 inches
- Stock Finish: Synthetic Flat Dark Earth
- Barrel Finish: Matte Blued
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2. SIG MCX Rattler SBR
The SIG MCX Rattler SBR comes in two relatively small models to carry to the backcountry while keeping it out of sight. What's more, both models are lightweight with great ergonomics making them ideal to use and handle.
Both models share some specifications.
Specifications:
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO and 300 Blk
- Included Mags: One 30-round Polymer Mag
- Barrel Length: 5.5 inches
- Stock Type: Folding Minimalist
- Mag Type: AR-15
- Action Type: Semi-Auto
- Height: 8 inches
- Overall width: 2.8 inches
- Overall length: 23″ for the RMCX-5B-TAP-SBR and 23.5″ for the RMCX-300B-5B-TAP-SBR
- Twist Rate: 1:7 for the RMCX-5B-TAP-SBR and 1.5 for the RMCX-300B-5B-TAP-SBR
- Trigger Type: Matchlite Duo
- Threads: 1/2 in – 28 TPI for the RMCX-5B-TAP-SBR
- Weight: 6 lbs for the RMCX-5B-TAP-SBR and 5.7lbs for the RMCX-300B-5B-TAP-SBR
3. Ruger 10/22 Takedown Model 11100
The 11100 model of the Ruger 10/22 Takedown is quite easy to carry around. Detaching the receiver from the barrel makes the truck gun small enough to fit into your backpack. Its synthetic stock and fore-end guarantee longevity for the ultimate value for your money as far as durability goes.
Don't like the 11100 model? Don't worry because Ruger 10/22 Takedown has many other models making it hard to miss one that suits your needs. Most of these models share some of these specifications, making them equally functional.
Specifications:
- Barrel length: 18.50″
- Overall length: 37 inches
- Weight: 4.6 lbs
- Caliber: 22LR
- Capacity: 10
- Barrel material: Stainless Steel
- Barrel finish: Clear Matte
- Twist: 1:16″ RH
- Groove: 6
- Stock: Black Synthetic
- Rear sight: Adjustable
- Front sight: Gold Bead
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4. Winchester Model 94 Short Rifle
This new Winchester Model 94 Short Rifle features a compact 20-inch round barrel and a walnut stock with a straight grip. What's more, it comes with a full-length magazine, a black grip cap, and a rifle-style forearm.
With this truck gun, you can expect lots of fun shooting at the range or in the field while deer hunting.
Specifications:
- Barrel Length: 20″
- Caliber: 30-30 Win
- Weight: 6 lbs 12 oz
- Overall Length: 38″
- Magazine Capacity: 7
- Length of Pull: 13 1/2″
- Twist Rate: 12″
- Drop at Comb: 1 1/4″
- Barrel Finish: Brushed Polish
- Drop at Heel: 1 3/4″
- Stock Finish: Satin
- Barrel Material: Steel
- Wood Grade: Grade I
- Receiver Finish: Brushed Polish
- Barrel Contour: Sporter
- Chamber Finish: Polished
5. Henry Lever Action X Model .45/70
You can never go wrong with the Henry Lever Action X Model .45/70, especially if you live or work in a hog, grizzly, or wolf country. Being a synthetic model, the last thing you need to worry about is its durability, as it will stand the test of time.
Like others in this list, this truck gun is tapped and drilled for optics mounting and, of course, a Picatinny rail for accessories.
Specifications:
- Action type: Lever action
- Caliber: .45-70
- Capacity: 4
- Overall Length: 38.6″
- Barrel Length: 19.8″
- Rate of Twist: 1:20
- Barrel Type: Round Blued Steel
- Weight: 7.4 lbs.
- Rear Sight: Fully Adj. Fiber Optic
- Receiver Finish: Blued Steel
- Front Sight: Fiber Optic
- Length of pull: 14″
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6. Rossi R92 357 Mag Triple Black
The Rossi R92 Triple Black is an ideal truck gun for a reason. It features a wood-painted fore-end and stock and black Cerakote coated metal parts for durability. Thanks to an aluminum Picatinny rail, you can mount your optic and other accessories.
You can choose the .44 Mg if this one doesn't work for you, but all models feature a threaded barrel if you need to add a muzzle brake or suppressor.
Specifications:
- Barrel Length: 16.5″
- Weight: 97 oz.
- Overall Length: 34″
- Caliber: 357 MAG / 38 SPECIAL +P
- Capacity: 8 Rounds
- Finish: Cerakote Black
- Sights: Peep/ Scope Base
- Action Type: Lever Action
- Safety: Thumb Safety
7. Mossberg 590 Shockwave
Besides a uniquely shaped pistol grip to minimize recoil, the Mossberg 590 Shockwave also has dual extractors, action bars, ambidextrous safety, and positive steel-to-steel lockup.
All these are features that make pump actions from Mossberg a choice for many globally.
Specifications:
- Gauge: 12
- Weight: 5.25
- Overall Length: 26.37″
- Barrel Length: 14.375″
- Capacity: 5+1
- Barrel Type: Heavy-Walled
- Sights/Bases: Bead
- Barrel Finish: Matte Blued
- Stock: Raptor Grip / Corn Cob Forend w/ Strap
- Choke: Cylinder Bore
8. Daniel Defense MK18
Nothing rivals this Daniel Defense MK18 firearm in weight, size, and performance, not to mention the featured Picatinny quad rail. Thanks to an independently ambidextrous grip-n-rip handle, this truck gun accommodates both left-and-right-handed shooters.
The cherry on top is an ergonomic pistol grip and buttstock.
Specifications:
- Muzzle Thread: 1 ⁄ 2 × 28 TPI (Threads Per Inch)
- Mounting System: Picatinny
- Barrel Length: 10.3″
- Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
- Gas System: Carbine
- Length: 26 3/4″– 29 7/8”
- Product Weight: 5.71 lbs
- Magazine: MAGPUL 30-round PMAG
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9. Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport II
With the M&P 15 Sport II rifle, you get the best of reliability and versatility worlds, making it a modern sporting and self-defense truck gun.
That's not all. The M&P15 Sport II is rugged, lightweight, and easy to accessorize, all of which embody the perfect combination of design and function.
Specifications:
- Caliber: 5.56mm NATO/.223
- Weight:103.2 oz
- Capacity: 30
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Optics: Yes
- Barrel Twist: 1 in 9, 6 groove
- Color: Black
- Length: 35″
- Safety: Standard Safety
- Front Sight: Adj. A2 Post
- Stock: 6-Position CAR
- Rear Sight: Folding Magpul
- Action: Gas Operated Semi-Auto
- Grip: Polymer
- Barrel Material: 4140 Steel
- Frame Material: Aluminum Alloy
- Frame Finish: Matte Black
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10. Daniel Defense V11 SLW
You will love the Daniel Defense V11 SLW truck gun if you are looking to enjoy the benefits of a KeyMod attachment system.
Like its sister truck gun, the Daniel Defense MK18, the Daniel Defense V11 SLW also features an independently ambidextrous grip-n-rip handle that accommodates both left- and right-handed shooters.
Note: This truck gun is no longer in production but that is not to say that you cannot get a used one.
Specifications:
- Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
- Weight: 6.28 lbs
- Muzzle Thread: 1 ⁄ 2 × 28 TPI (Threads Per Inch)
- Length: 32 1/4″ – 35 7/8″
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Gas System: Mid-length
- Magazine: DD Magazine
There you have it, gun enthusiasts. As you can see from this detailed guide, you are spoiled for choice with such a large variety of truck guns in the market today. While truck guns are a great addition to your self-defense arsenal, consider the pros and cons of owning one before making a purchase.
Here’s an infographic guide. Don’t forget to download, save, or share this handy infographic for reference:
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