Thoughts on a hidden Gun Vault in your X

[Diadaga]

So I got an email back from the Security Director at Missouri State and he said he given my back ground he would consider me authoring me to store my pistol in my vehicle on a temporary basis. However, its a college campus so they do have some vehicle break ins and that is what would bother him about me having a pistol in my X. So I got to thinking about ways I could secure my pistol in the X and possible actually get this crazy idea of mine approved. Keep in mind this is not a foolproof plan and currently only counts as a half-cocked idea. I'm not sure how well it would work but here is what I was thinking.

1)Get one of these 2)Weld this sucker down to a plate 3)Underneath the rear seat weld the plate itself to the Xterra

This way its a case of out of sight out of mind in case someone actually did break into the X trying to steal who knows what. What do you guys think?

 

[J Everett]

I think I would prefer it be bolted through the floor rather than welded, so it could be removed in the future if need be, but it seems like a fine idea to me.

 

[Diadaga]

I was going for welded to increase the difficulty of stealing the system, but you do have a point.

 

[Macland]

It's been done before. Not the welding part though, that's a little much.

I hate always linking up TNX stuff so if you do this would you mind doing a write up on your process for the Xterra Nation?

here's the link

 

[J Everett]

I was going for welded to increase the difficulty of stealing the system, but you do have a point.

Two to four ⅜" bolts with big fender washers on both ends would be plenty secure. It'll just be hard to get to the bolt heads under the vehicle to tighten it down for installation, but that also lends itself to security. Plus, under the rear seat out of sight lends its own sort of security.

 

[Diadaga]

My only issue with that Mac is to me its seems like anybody looking to steal something the box is just sitting there going Hey look at me I'm important. I'll keep those bolts in mind J, its really only an issue until my fiancee can get settled job wise in Missouri, because until then I would be staying in the dorms due to lack of cash flow.

If I end up doing anything like this I will definitely do a write up for it.

 

[Macland]

Well, the idea is there. I don't carry a pistol or anything very valuable so I'm only interested in this for the fact that I'm addicted to the Xterra, but I'd say that under the back seat would be the most concealed place. It'd be just a matter of how much drilling you'd need to do and where. But I'm with J on this one, don't make it permanent, just secure and hidden.

 

[Diadaga]

Yeah J made a really good point about the bolts, part of the reason my brain automatically went to welding was I'm trying to convince a college Director of Security to allow me an exception to school policy. So I was going for the just how crazy can I get with this so the guy thinks its a good idea. I read through the one on tnx and I'm not real sure why anyone would think 4 sheetmetal screws would be secure, this definitely needs to be redone and done well.

 

[granitex]

Bolting it down is a much better option than welding it. For extra security you can always put a tac weld on the nuts after everything is nice and snug. I have a habbit of doing it whenever I have a bolt that I really do want to stay put, my trailer is full of them.

 

[Diadaga]

Yeah I'm definitely thinking I'm gonna go with the bolts. What do you guys think about welding it to the plate though? I'm still not sure how good of an idea comprising the case would be. I think it kinda defeats the purpose is you give somebody a hole they can start tearing in through.

 

[TJTJ]

So I got an email back from the Security Director at Missouri State and he said he given my back ground he would consider me authoring me to store my pistol in my vehicle on a temporary basis. However, its a college campus so they do have some vehicle break ins and that is what would bother him about me having a pistol in my X. So I got to thinking about ways I could secure my pistol in the X and possible actually get this crazy idea of mine approved. Keep in mind this is not a foolproof plan and currently only counts as a half-cocked idea. I'm not sure how well it would work but here is what I was thinking.

1)Get one of these 2)Weld this sucker down to a plate 3)Underneath the rear seat weld the plate itself to the Xterra

This way its a case of out of sight out of mind in case someone actually did break into the X trying to steal who knows what. What do you guys think?

I think you just need something like these:

http://www.quadratec.com/products/14040_0001_07.htm


http://www.quadratec.com/products/14040_0005_07.htm


http://www.quadratec.com/products/14040_0000_07.htm

http://www.quadratec.com/products/14040_0002_07.htm


They are called Concealed Carry Drawers.

 

[Jmac289gt]

That drawer is sweet, even for those not wanting to carry a gun but just lock up valuables in your vehicle at theme parks, events or river trips.

 

[AbuseTheElderly]

Nice TJ! I think you hit the nail on the head! I want one now.

 

[Diadaga]

Nice one TJ. I really like the out of sight out of mind idea I had for the gun case but I definitely may pick one of these up for use when I go to the lake and stuff.

 

[J Everett]

Those are all for Wranglers, so you might have to construct your own to fit the Xterra's seat bolt pattern. Cool idea for those that don't already have a bunch of stuff under the seat. <grumble grumble RF subwoofer grumble>

 

[Diadaga]

I saw they were for wranglers, but if you check out the website they have alot of good stuff on there. See thats why you take up the passenger seat space with subwoofer.

 

[J Everett]

Nissan already took that space up with the amplifier. One of these days, when I have the money to throw at it, I'm redoing the entire stereo system, amps, sub, and all, an then I'll have space under the seats. Maybe. It is a good place for subs and amps.

 

[Diadaga]

i know whatcha mean I'm still trying to figure out how I wanna do mine.

 

[civicjoe]

Wow that drawer is sweet I don't have an amp there under the passenger seat to my knowledge, just wonder if it would work or not with little to no modification


Sent from the Nighthog mobile command unit.

 

[Diadaga]

Here is the link to the actual Tuffy page for the underseat stuff. If you guys measure the distance from the bolts you might find one that works.

http://www.tuffyproducts.com/c-12-drawers-under-seat.aspx

 

[TJTJ]

The way you mount one is to pick any combo of existing or new holes, and mount it so that the nut is IN THE BOX. That way, they can't get at it, and there's no hole on top/visible to "work on".

If you don't have room under one seat (Amp, etc), use a different seat. If neither, use the firewall, or rear seat's floor (Throw the floor mat over it), etc.

You could even lock it under the hood, or that well under the cargo floor.

 

[Diadaga]

I saw the underhood one that look pretty sweet.

 

[Peck]

The underhood one would just be a pain in the *** to get to.

Weld the bolt heads to the inside of the gun safe, that way you can just tighten up the nuts from the underside.

 

[dhyde79]

....just take the lock box and install it in the console/armrest of your X? wait, that violates concealed carry laws...unless you have your CHL/CCP. The way it was done that Mac linked above would be fine, if you're REALLY worried about someone trying to steal it because they can see it, just go grab one of the retractable cargo area covers and then you're set, nobody can see anything underneath it. (or, get creative like I'm getting ready to do....bolted down ammo cans on either side of the cargo cubby hole. put a padlock on there and you're set.)

as far as "sheet metal screws" go, I'd say it's perfectly safe, if my metal building in my back yard is 18'x25'x13' and it's all constructed with sheet metal screws and it withstood 50-60mph wind gusts, I'd say 4 sheet metal screws in that box through into the body is MORE than enough to make it secure. Remember, nothing is impossible to get out, they'll just tear your vehicle up more in the process trying to get it if they really want it.

As far as it goes though, if you're REALLY worried about it, if you don't already have a security system installed, do so, and when you do...get some of these installed IN your air ducting, that way they're going off in the vehicle instead of out, with a pair it's pretty well guaranteed that the person that broke in will still be in the vehicle twitching and probably puking all over, and you can calmly extract them and detain them until the police arrive. (if memory serves, they're 125db each, which, is nearly as loud as a fighter jet taking off...a pair of them will all but incapacitate someone from sheer pain and instantaneous nausea...)

 

[Ricel]

I'd hate if those went off when I was in the car

 

[dhyde79]

I'd hate if those went off when I was in the car

Agreed, but, you'd have to be the worst kind of moron to have that happen.

A. You leave the safety on unless firing it.
B. You don't leave the gun cocked, unless you're about to fire it.
C. You don't put a round in the chamber, unless you're about to fire it.
D. You don't leave a magazine in the pistol, unless you're about to fire it.

so, in summary, the point is storing the firearm safely, so, having a negligent discharge, should never, EVER happen.

 

[tommyboy]

Pretty much every striker fired pistol has a safety in the trigger, if you are not pulling the trigger the striker will not move.

 

[dhyde79]

as a side thought, you may consider putting one in like the guy from tnx, but do it on each side, one for firearm(s) the other for ammo, or, if you have the little hidey hole under the back deck, hide it in there....

 

[Diadaga]

as a side thought, you may consider putting one in like the guy from tnx, but do it on each side, one for firearm(s) the other for ammo, or, if you have the little hidey hole under the back deck, hide it in there....

I was already thought about that, I'll probably just use one of the el cheapo gun safes for the extra ammo. Don't see a reason to spend big on it.

 

[Peck]

Agreed, but, you'd have to be the worst kind of moron to have that happen.

A. You leave the safety on unless firing it.
B. You don't leave the gun cocked, unless you're about to fire it.
C. You don't put a round in the chamber, unless you're about to fire it.
D. You don't leave a magazine in the pistol, unless you're about to fire it.

so, in summary, the point is storing the firearm safely, so, having a negligent discharge, should never, EVER happen.

My handguns stay hot unless absolutely necessary to have an empty one.

 

[tommyboy]

Amen Peck!!!!! ^^^^^^

As for the rear "hidey hole, I don't know about the first gen but on the second gen, I have the factory nissan mat back there and it completely hides the lid to the "hidey hole".

 

[Ricel]

I'd hate if those went off when I was in the car

The sirens...

The first Gens have a very small gift hole, I was thinking of cutting out my body under there and extending the depth of that thing.

 

[Diadaga]

Those sirens just look evil

 

[idratherbe]

How would the wiring work for the sirens? I'd like to put a dozen in my garage.

sent from my mind through my fingers

 

[dhyde79]

My handguns stay hot unless absolutely necessary to have an empty one.

how about the fact that it's illegal in most any state unless you have a CHL/CCP to have a loaded firearm in the vehicle?

I was under the impression that it's a 24/7 storage and not a "I'm going out and want to take a gun with me".

If he's going to the head of a college asking for special permission to have the weapon on campus, he certainly isn't as likely to go for it if you're saying the weapon will be loaded.

tommyboy, if I understand his intent in storing it, that'd be perfect....that's where i keep most of my recovery supplies.

the sirens are easy, on the vehicle, you wire them in parallel with the external alarm siren. so that if your car alarm goes off, your internal sirens are screaming as well.

 

[Macland]

the sirens are easy, on the vehicle, you wire them in parallel with the external alarm siren. so that if your car alarm goes off, your internal sirens are screaming as well.

My problem with this would be in instances where you mess up and lock the Xterra with you in it and then unlock the door manually and get out and the alarm goes off and is a PITA to get turned off!

 

[Diadaga]

My problem with this would be in instances where you mess up and lock the Xterra with you in it and then unlock the door manually and get out and the alarm goes off and is a PITA to get turned off!

Hadn't thought about that I actually do that alot when I take naps during lunch.

 

[Peck]

how about the fact that it's illegal in most any state unless you have a CHL/CCP to have a loaded firearm in the vehicle?

Hence by absolutely necessary statement. If I can't lawfully have my gun loaded with me (say driving in New Jersey), it won't be loaded. If I can't have my gun on my person and have to leave it in the vehicle, like a sports stadium, measures are taken to ensure complete safety.

But, as a resident of Texas, you and I are allowed to carry concealed in our vehicles with or without a CHL. In 2009 the Texas Motorist Protection Act was passed allowing a resident of Texas to carry a loaded weapon within reach as long as it is concealed from plain view. It's umbrellaed under the if you have control of the property, you are allowed clause. Of course, all rules apply to CHL and non-CHL carriers that if you're not in a physical or mental state to carry a weapon lawfully (under the influence) then you are breaking the law.

Edit: Copy of said Bill if anyone in interested. Falls under Section 46.15(b). Great to print out and keep with you in your vehicle for all non-CHL holders.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HB01815F.htm

 

[Matt2558]

What's the point of hiding it? That just makes it harder to get when it's time for business.

 

[Macland]

What's the point of hiding it? That just makes it harder to get when it's time for business.

You want to hide it so thugs don't take a brick and bust out your window then go murder someone with a gun registered to you.