Reeder Custom Guns - Overlanding guns?

One of my Sunday AM routines is to watch some Youtube. I know some will say a sad existence but I kind of like it.

I watched a Youtube video with a focus on a van life trip along the Arizona-NM and Mexico border. As I watched the man traverse this unique landscape camping and cooking away, a thought occurred. In one instance at the border fence he spotted two individuals on the Mexico side in camo take off.

Obviously, it is suspicious and probably up to no good, so the main question to me and everyone else would be the following.

1. What guns would you take on such a trip? Bear in mind that we are talking about minimalist camping or overlanding.

As I watched his explorations for myself I'd have the following:

1. Personal sidearm on me at all times! I currently have a Glock M40 with a Holosun sight on it. I like the fact that I have 15 rounds of 10mm at hand but I am wondering if something like a Smith and Wesson Performance 45 ACP would be better? I know it is a tad more compact and you have 10 rounds of 45 ACP and the gun is +P rated. So some specialty ammo could be run through.

2. AR-15 "Pistol" in either 300 Whisper/BLK or .223/556. Something between 10 -12 inches in barrel. One could do some varminting with this combination as well as have something for a negative social interaction.

3. Some kind of 22 LR pistol for small game and fun. I have two autoloaders. One is a SW Performance Center Victory with a Burris Fastfire sight on it. It is very accurate and with the threaded barrel suppressor capable. The other is a Ruger Mk4 LITE which is, well, light. I suspect with a better trigger it could come close to the accuracy of the SW. Or at least I hope it would. I like the feel and fit of the Ruger a tad better.

I know some would say you need a shotgun added to the mix. Ok I will run with that. As it stands now, I have one shotgun. My late Fathers Browning Sweet Sixteen Lightweight. I might be reticent on taking such a gun on a trip like that but I could see myself springing for a Mossberg M500 pump shotgun in 20 gauge. That could work well on all manner of upland game and possible waterfowl if I was so inclined.

So. Anyways if you don't mind me indulging, what would you run with?

I know my list is sort of small but one of the things about overlanding is taking the minimum. Thank you all. [image]

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When things go pear-shaped it is usually quick and you will use what you have at hand. A good .22 that you know how to use and can make hits with is better than trying to look for something when the moment arises.

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I get to try various sights and guns and go with whatever feels good to me and whatever is accurate. I like to go with a short AR with the stock that shortens up to pistol length, I have several AR-15s but try to keep it as short as possible. I like the Ambush Tactical with the 10" barrel. With the arm brace it is plenty short but works as a rifle when I need it.
I have a Mossberg with a barrel as short as is legal. I like the idea of a 9 shot mag tube but that makes it almost too bulky in a vehicle. I have the 4+1 mag tube on it right now but that might change.
As far as the handgun for carry in a vehicle, that might change. I like to keep a 10" barrel on a TC G-2 in 223 with a compact scope on it for varmints, 2 or 4 legged. I have several Glocks and don't feel one is better than the other. They are all as accurate as is practical without adding silly ass gimmicks. There is a reason that 83% of the cops in the country carry the Glock. For what it's worth they are only as accurate as the one pulling the trigger. Also for what it's worth I wouldn't own a Sig, period.

I have 3 good friends that are special forces and all 3 of them carry the Glock 19. Why? I have no idea except they feel it is the best combat Glock on the market and they have none of the gimmicks on them. One has the rough grip tape on the grip. The other 2 have their guns as they come from the factory except they had their armorer do an action job on them.

I keep a Glock in every room in the house. I have a Glock 17 (2 0f them), Glock 34 (the ported long slide), Glock 21C (ported), Glock 21,and Glock 19 (2 of them). I keep a Glock 17 in my older truck and my old stand by Star PD in the new truck. All my protection guns are either 9mm or 45. Colleen carries the Glock 19.

There are some guns I wouldn't own for personal reasons. One is the 40 caliber anything. That would be just another caliber to have in the trucks. The other is the 300 Black Out.

I haven't answered your question about what guns I carry on my body or what guns I carry in my shop or my home. Right now I have some serious problems with my right eye and I will hold off talking about what I carry until I can actually see better.
If I were parking on the side of the road and plan on camping there for a day or two The AR and the shotgun would be my only 2 guns that would be with me for sure. The only other things I would have with me would be 2 sleeping bags. One I would put some clothes and such in the bag and position it near my fire. The other bag would be in my truck with me. If some scum bags were to sneak up on my fire and try to take whatever I had, I would have to have a long talk with them.
More later.

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Minimalistic. I think one could justify a “truck gun” and a CCW. A .22 makes lots of sense. Ammo available everywhere, 500 rounds compared to maybe 100 of centerfire as to weight and space. Easy to shoot well to 50 yds. A carbine or “AR pistol” in the truck is a huge equalizer. I recall a Special Forces fighter remarking “the handgun is used to get to the rifle” in a tactical defense situation. The folding carbines are available in your Glock caliber, sharing mags too. Might be a viable option.

It’s not my favorite but it’s good, the Taurus TX-22. It’s lighter than your “lite” Ruger. That cheap Kel-tec 17-shot has a large following and can manage a dot sight. They are all mainly for peace of mind. Horrors for a man to have to use them. Then it matters little, it’s run what you brung, to the maximum effectiveness. I think you need something on you concealed. Serial killers have befriended people days before killing them! Scary out there in the world.

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I really like the AR-9 carbine. 200 yds. is possible and the Shadow MR920 “19” uses the same mags. I’m tethering between the handguns for CCW but if the balloon goes up a G19 platform comparable rig sure would make sense.

Overlanding guns?

Don't get too much ....

I like to keep it as minimal as possible. Owning a gun shop

Tooting around in a vehicle, to me, is not exactly

A more modern combo…

An AR and a scattergun

Thanks Dave. Short & sweet.