Many hunters will be heading out soon to hunting camps, public lands, camping areas, and remote parking spots to pursue game hunting.  One assumes then some kind of transportation vehicle has to be in the mix.  One of the concerns then will be personal and passenger security in transit.  It is not without concern these days especially in isolated areas to carry some form of personal protection.  The Gum Creek vehicle handgun mount is an ideal option.

            Of course, this is getting to be a serious situation in everyday life in many parts of the country.  It is prudent to learn which areas of the city or area where you reside to stay out of day or night.  This concern is now carrying over in national forestlands, and other rural areas around the country.  For protection do you plan to use the accelerator or are you planning any type of armed response if the threat becomes serious enough? 

            In such cases how will you carry a firearm in your vehicle that you can not only reach quickly and easily, but that would also remain out of sight for the most part, though not illegally concealed as far as most areas of the country are concerned?  A gun sitting on the car seat has its own issues.  In the driver side door sleeve places the gun on the left side, while most are right handed.  In the center console or glove compartment takes crucial time to deploy.  Are there other options?

Gum Creek’s Vehicle Handgun Mount

            From time to time a new product comes on the market that not only brings a smile to the face but a bit of jealousy that we didn’t think of it.  The Gun Creek handgun mount is so simple you wanna slap yourself. 

            The basic mount is a metal frame and heavy nylon strapping that secures two hooks on the underside of the steering column of a vehicle.  The top hook slips under the column between it and the plastic trim below it.  The bottom hook then slips over the lower edge of the same trim piece.  An adjustable strap buckle is pulled tight to secure the mount.  Onto this strap mount is secured a standard handgun holster that fits the weapon you use.  It is secured to the mount via two Velcro ® straps that wrap around the mount. 

If for some reason the upper hook does not fit in the space between the steering column and the lower trim, Gum Creek also makes a rather universal adaptor strap that goes around the steering column and buckle locks on top.  On the bottom of the adaptor strap is a metal slot for the upper hook to fit into. 

I mounted this rig on my Chevrolet Silverado pick up truck.  I had to use the adaptor strap because of the space and angle of the top part of the trim piece would not work right.  The adaptor is primo.  Install then pull on the buckle straps to tighten everything up. 

I used the factory holster that Gun Creek sells for the standard 1911 Colt or clone.  It straps in just fine, but any holster with a belt loop or clip can be used.  The mount requires no tools to install and it took less than five minutes once I figured out I needed to use the adaptor.  It works for small to large handguns and is quick to release as well. 

Ready to Pull Duty

            I slipped into the seat and drove the truck.  The mount did not interfere with steering at all and does not bump the knees.  The holster is oriented with the gun’s grip positioned so that a right handed driver can easily retrieve it out of its secure clutch.  I retained the handgun holster thumb release strap for extra security, but I think the system would hold a handgun tight enough as is. 

            Gum Creek supplies an excellent installation manual complete with nine photos to illustrate the whole process of installing the mount.  The directions are clear and concise. 

            Can the mount with handgun be seen from outside the vehicle?  Hard to say, and frankly it doesn’t really matter unless a break in theft is an issue.  Someone walking up to the vehicle might see it, but with a driver seated, I doubt it. 

            The Gun Creek Vehicle Handgun Mount is an excellent product.  The mount-holster combo retails for $49.95.  The mount can be bought alone for $34.95.  Check out their web site at www.gumcreekcustoms.com.