5 Terrific Truck Guns: Why You Should Have One

The world is unfortunately crazier than ever, and if you happen to watch the news, you’ll understand why. While carrying a handgun is always a good idea and should be a daily practice, some scenarios can arise in which you’d benefit from a heavier-hitting caliber or simply more ammo. 

Thankfully, your vehicle (it doesn’t have to be a truck) provides a little bit more room than your waistband to accommodate such a gun. Many firearms can make fantastic truck guns, but only you can decide which is best for your needs. 

So today, we’ll go over what to look for and provide some of our favorites.

The biggest takeaway is that having an extremely capable and efficient means of protecting yourself and your family should never be overlooked. The truck gun is another way to do just that…protect. 

What To Look For

Caliber and Capacity

This is a big one. You want your gun to be chambered in a caliber with enough stopping power and that provides a higher capacity than your pistol. Although any gun is better than no gun, we’re not talking about .22 LR rifles or 5-shot revolvers here. 

Think 5.56 NATO, .300 BLK, .45 ACP, etc., when looking at calibers. When it comes to capacity, the more, the better! With the spare room provided by your vehicle, you can go for those 30-round magazines or full-size pistols that you wouldn’t normally be carrying. 

Capability

I think versatility goes hand-in-hand with capability, as you want the gun to be capable of handling anything that you may encounter. It’s a good idea to look at your typical surroundings and places you visit often to ensure your gun is well-equipped. 

If you live in the middle of an overpopulated and crowded city, you may not place much emphasis on long-range capabilities. If you live in the woods where your closest neighbor is three miles away, something with a little more reach makes sense. 

It’s always better to have a gun that’s more versatile than not, though, so there is no “over-capable” option. 

Compact

You still want to remain inconspicuous and able to keep your gun out of sight and secure. An AR-15 with a 20-inch barrel will be tough to keep in almost any vehicle. So here, think AR pistols, compact shotguns, or folding carbines.

Favorite Firearms

This list could go on and on, but these are some great options that span various calibers and platforms.

Noveske Chainsaw 

The Noveske Chainsaw comes in a wide variety of configurations, but if I were to choose one specifically as a dedicated truck gun, it would be chambered in either 5.56 NATO or 300 BLK and have a 10.5-inch barrel.

There isn’t a box this gun won’t check. Compact? Yes. Capacity? The sky is the limit. Capable? Most definitely. And since it has plenty of M-LOK slots and a full-length Picatinny rail, you can set it up with whatever accessories you feel the need for. 

Its 7075-T6 construction and 416R stainless steel barrel with a 1:7 twist will provide the durability, reliability, and accuracy you’ll need for almost any scenario.

Mossberg 590S Shockwave

Not all shotguns are created equal. The 590S shockwave from Mossberg may be small, but it sure is mighty.

With the ability to cycle 1.75-inch, 2.75-inch, and 3-inch shells without needing any mini shell adaptor, you can have up to an 8+1 capacity of hard-hitting 12 gauge. The 14.375-inch barrel, paired with the raptor grip, means you can store this thing almost anywhere. 

It’s great for both left and right-handed shooters, as the safety is ambidextrous, and the front hand strap helps your support hand maintain control. If you’re comfortable with a shotgun, this is the one I’d recommend for the truck. 

Aero Precision M4E1

If you’re feeling like the Chainsaw may be a little on the pricey side for a dedicated truck gun, the Aero M4E1 line may be perfect for you. 

Again, I’d recommend it be chambered in either 5.56 NATO or .300 BLK and be one of the shorter barrel models. While you can find barrel lengths as short as eight inches in the M4E1 line, I’d personally stick around the 10 to 12-inch range for a little more versatility.

Every Aero upper I’ve seen in person has had an immaculate fit and finish. The barrels are all HP and MPI tested, and the handguards contain plenty of M-LOK slots and Picatinny rail space for your attachments. 

Pair a 10.5-inch M4E1 with a loaded 30-round PMAG of your favorite ammo, and you’ll be set. 

Glock 20 Gen5 MOS

A truck gun doesn’t HAVE to be a rifle or shotgun; a powerful pistol can do the trick, too. I’ll go out on a limb here and guess that your EDC is not a Glock 20 with a full-size weapon light and an optic. If it is, more power to you!

However, that setup can make a great truck gun. With a 15+1 standard capacity of punch-packing 10mm, you’ll have some extra firepower for any two or four-legged issues that come your way. 

There is a reason the term “Glock reliability” exists; you’ll know it’s ready to go when you need it. With a couple of spare magazines stored with your Glock 20, you’ll have almost 50 rounds at your disposal in a very compact package.  

Smith & Wesson FPC

A folding carbine can make a perfect truck gun, especially if it can share magazines with your EDC pistol. Take, for instance, the S&W FPC. 

The FPC is compatible with many double-stack M&P pistol magazines, so if you carry, say, an M2.0 Compact, you’ll be able to swap mags back and forth. With the FPC comes with two 23-round magazines and a 17-rounder, and you can store two of those mags in the stock.

It features a threaded barrel, flat-face trigger, and tons of M-LOK and Picatinny space for your accessories. Thankfully, it folds horizontally, so you don’t have to worry about removing your optic to fold it!

Regardless of whether you carry a compatible M&P pistol, the FPC should be high on your list of potential truck guns.

Conclusion

As you’ve now seen, there are a myriad of firearm types that can make a suitable truck gun. You need to decide what type of firearm makes the most sense for your vehicle and go from there. 

To some, having a dedicated truck gun may seem like overkill. But I’d like to think there is no such thing as overkill when defending yourself and your family. 

As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.