Finished up a project I've had in mind for a while, and thought I'd share it.
Before/After:
View from Driver's Seat:
More photos, including some from the install process, are available in this Imgur Album:
Blackhawk SERPA Mount in 2012 Subaru Forester
I also posted a video showing a quick overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79M8qcRHdMw
I used a Blackhawk SERPA Sportster holster with a Quick Disconnect Kit.
Q: Why is it upside down?
A: Because I want to have the button retention, I needed a right-handed holster so it could be released when I grip the weapon with my strong hand. Because I wanted it on the driver side of the console, it had to be upside down.
Q: Why did you put it there?
A: Others have installed holsters inside the center console arm rest (like this), on the driver's door (like this), or on the passenger side of the center console, opposite of mine (like this). I considered all these places. Getting the weapon out of my car’s center armrest would be awkward, clumsy, and slow; besides, my EDC hardly fit. I'm not left handed, so I didn't like the idea of reaching across my body just to reach the weapon when I might need it quickly. And finally, I felt it was too exposed on the passenger side: too visible to passersby, cops, beggars, or thieves; too subject to tampering by curious friends. The experience of Tommy Y. weighs heavily on my mind and I wouldn't want the gun to be easily retrieved by an attacker coming in the passenger door.
Q: What about under the steering wheel?
A: I actually tried the Gum Creek Vehicle Handgun Mount first. But I found it got in my way too much when I entered and exited the vehicle, so I returned it and moved on to this.
Q: What about under the seat?
A: I briefly considered under the seat holsters like the GunSling-R or the SeatCarry, but I dismissed them based on the difficulty putting it there when I enter the vehicle, the lower security they provided, the draw stroke that requires sweeping myself, and some reviews with disappointing performance.
Q: What about a safe?
A: Checked into those. ConsoleVault makes some good stuff, but nothing that fit my car. The Titan Gun Vault looks cool, too, but it takes up a lot of space for only fitting a gun. So I got a separate lockbox mounted elsewhere for secure storage when I’m away from the vehicle, and then this holster/QD system lets me safely move the weapon from my hip to the console without taking up too much space.
Q: Should I try this, too?
A: Absolutely! If you're trying to find a place to mount a pistol, I think this is a great option and you should go for it! It was a lot easier than I was expecting to do the install, and it should work out well. I think it'll be worth your time and money. Good luck!
Feel free to ask any more questions about what I've done as well as provide constructive feedback
Before/After:
View from Driver's Seat:
More photos, including some from the install process, are available in this Imgur Album:
Blackhawk SERPA Mount in 2012 Subaru Forester
I also posted a video showing a quick overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79M8qcRHdMw
I used a Blackhawk SERPA Sportster holster with a Quick Disconnect Kit.
Q: Why is it upside down?
A: Because I want to have the button retention, I needed a right-handed holster so it could be released when I grip the weapon with my strong hand. Because I wanted it on the driver side of the console, it had to be upside down.
Q: Why did you put it there?
A: Others have installed holsters inside the center console arm rest (like this), on the driver's door (like this), or on the passenger side of the center console, opposite of mine (like this). I considered all these places. Getting the weapon out of my car’s center armrest would be awkward, clumsy, and slow; besides, my EDC hardly fit. I'm not left handed, so I didn't like the idea of reaching across my body just to reach the weapon when I might need it quickly. And finally, I felt it was too exposed on the passenger side: too visible to passersby, cops, beggars, or thieves; too subject to tampering by curious friends. The experience of Tommy Y. weighs heavily on my mind and I wouldn't want the gun to be easily retrieved by an attacker coming in the passenger door.
Q: What about under the steering wheel?
A: I actually tried the Gum Creek Vehicle Handgun Mount first. But I found it got in my way too much when I entered and exited the vehicle, so I returned it and moved on to this.
Q: What about under the seat?
A: I briefly considered under the seat holsters like the GunSling-R or the SeatCarry, but I dismissed them based on the difficulty putting it there when I enter the vehicle, the lower security they provided, the draw stroke that requires sweeping myself, and some reviews with disappointing performance.
Q: What about a safe?
A: Checked into those. ConsoleVault makes some good stuff, but nothing that fit my car. The Titan Gun Vault looks cool, too, but it takes up a lot of space for only fitting a gun. So I got a separate lockbox mounted elsewhere for secure storage when I’m away from the vehicle, and then this holster/QD system lets me safely move the weapon from my hip to the console without taking up too much space.
Q: Should I try this, too?
A: Absolutely! If you're trying to find a place to mount a pistol, I think this is a great option and you should go for it! It was a lot easier than I was expecting to do the install, and it should work out well. I think it'll be worth your time and money. Good luck!
Feel free to ask any more questions about what I've done as well as provide constructive feedback
