Hidey-Hole Spots

[roskee]

Any experienced travelers who are great at hiding their guns? Where are some clever hidey-hole spots to stash your gun when you're in hotels, or place of stay when you're on the road?

Keep in mind, once you leave your hotel room for the day and reach your destination, you won't be near your car for the whole day (so the car is a no-no in this case, as always).

Also, does any have some creative conceal/discreet ideas in case people snoop through your stuff (bags, jackets, etc.)?

[MW surveyor]

Most of the places I stay have a safe in the room.

[wyntrout]

A safe in the room is nice... if not, my valuables go with me back into the car... PITA in Illinois, but I don't want my stuff stolen.

I once had to have several conversations with the management because someone had reported seeing ammo... somehow?? The only thing I had out was a red snap cap and I can't believe anyone saw that. Some nosy people just have to "report everything"! I think that they were confusing me with someone else.

I told the person I talked to that I hadn't had anything out and even if I did, the law allows me to have a weapon in my hotel room for protection... since I'm "renting" it and and it's my "home". He agreed.

Wynn:)

[GKC]

I have a small gun safe that I keep in the car, secured to a seat post with a chain. If I stay somewhere that doesn't have a safe, I can (if I choose) secure the safe in the room, using the chain. (I don't like the cable tethers that are common on small safes, since they can be cut with a pair of pliers or side cutters.)

[PYROhafe]

What about the way I used to hide things in my college dorm? Cut a hole in the side of the mattress n shove it in there? Maybe not the most legal idea (destruction of property?) But hey it works!

[AJBert]

There are no safe hidey-holes in any motel/hotel, the maids know where to look for anything and everything. Not saying all of them are out to take things, but a good many are more than willing to "look through" all the usual hiding places and may or may not relieve you of what you think you "hid".

And, Wynn, I guarantee you that is who reported "seeing" ammo.

[jocko]

If u don't think thesemaids go through drawers, just put a small peace of clear tape on the endge of the drawer. they wonb't know they eve broke the seal BUT U WILL.. or for that matter on any of ur motel bags to. they are not looking for that, very easy to put the tapein the right place to.

trust but verify.

[OldLincoln]

Be a funny exercise to make up an FBI Most Wanted poster with your picture on it for serial murder of hotel maids. Just leave it in your suitcase closed up real nice.

[GROTMAN]

Be a funny exercise to make up an FBI Most Wanted poster with your picture on it for serial murder of hotel maids. Just leave it in your suitcase closed up real nice.

I see an opening for Tinman here :)

[chrish]

If u don't think thesemaids go through drawers, just put a small peace of clear tape on the endge of the drawer. they wonb't know they eve broke the seal BUT U WILL.. or for that matter on any of ur motel bags to. they are not looking for that, very easy to put the tapein the right place to.

trust but verify.

bond...jocko bond...

[sharpetop]

I keep mine in my waist band or pocket, depending on the arm. Do you have a CCW permit? Can you legally carry in your vehicle? If so, purchase a lock box that is cabled to the seat. I would not leave my firearm in the room, with or without a room safe.

[wyntrout]

We always leave the do not disturb sign on the door and swap out towels and get more consumables, as needed, but I don't leave valuables laying around. I have a Pentium laptop... vintage 2002... low speed USB. I put a cable lock on that, but it's a slow piece of junk.

Wynn:)

[roskee]

There are no safe hidey-holes in any motel/hotel, the maids know where to look for anything and everything. Not saying all of them are out to take things, but a good many are more than willing to "look through" all the usual hiding places and may or may not relieve you of what you think you "hid".


Very true. So, I guess the best place to stash your gun is in a safe while you're out for the day, since most hotels have safes.

[roskee]

I keep mine in my waist band or pocket, depending on the arm. Do you have a CCW permit? Can you legally carry in your vehicle? If so, purchase a lock box that is cabled to the seat. I would not leave my firearm in the room, with or without a room safe.

I might be getting my CCW soon. The lock box would be a nice luxury to have. I also put the Do Not Disturb sign up to keep people out. But, I'd like to take that extra precaution from any possibilities of theft.

Sometimes there's a lot of company with me, depending on where my travels are. You have any good hidey hole spots when you're in a place of stay, but not carrying? Somewhere close to you, but not on you. I usually fold up a hoody, place it in between, and put it under a chair or whatnot.

[Sliebl]

A lot of hotel room safes are providing you a false sense of security. Do a search on YouTube and you'll see that most can be opened very easily without the combination. Scary how insecure they really are.

I would go with Sharpetop's recommendation and use a portable gun vault, cabled to the seat post of your car with a quality cable. Now at least your unattended firearm has multiple levels of security.

Don't leave a firearm in a hotel room unattended, just folded up in some clothing. That's asking for it to be "removed" from the room. You have a responsibility to yourself and others to be responsible when carrying/transporting your firearms. Plan accordingly.

Just my $0.02

[Sliebl]

Also, I'm curious... if you don't have your CCW, how did you get your firearm to your vacation destination?

Forgive my ignorance if the answer is obvious as I don't know all of the different state laws regarding transport of firearms. In Pennsylvania, you need a LTCF (License to Carry Firearms) to conceal on your person, or to transport in a vehicle that is not going directly to or from the range or your place of business. We also can openly carry without a firearm without a LTCF, but not in or on a vehicle (requires the LTCF). That's the simplified/abridged version of our law anyhow.

Basically, if I didn't have my LTCF and I took my firearm on vacation with me, I'd have to walk. :) Not much of a vacation. :D

[Cokeman]

Why are you taking a gun on vacation just to leave it in your hotel room? Or is it a business trip?

[roskee]

Also, I'm curious... if you don't have your CCW, how did you get your firearm to your vacation destination?

Forgive my ignorance if the answer is obvious as I don't know all of the different state laws regarding transport of firearms. In Pennsylvania, you need a LTCF (License to Carry Firearms) to conceal on your person, or to transport in a vehicle that is not going directly to or from the range or your place of business.


There's no ignorance in your question at all; that's partly what these forums are designed for. I live in California. We probably have the tightest gun laws compared to others. In California you're allowed to transport unloaded firearms in a locked container in you vehicle (regardless of your destination). As far as personal protection, a loaded firearm can be with you at home, place of stay, or business. So, if I'm going to a campsite, my timeshare, etc. it's okay to have my loaded firearm with me.

I never mentioned anything about me needing to carry a gun on vacations. And, CCW is irrelevant to hidey holes. I just like hearing how experienced travelers keep there gun hidden at there place of stay, that's all. I know there are some creative hidey hole ideas that people use, and it is very interesting to me. I've heard of some cool hidey hole ideas in magazines, and I'm just curious to hear more. HOWEVER, I do think the lock box is pretty damn awesome, and I'd be quick to buy one.

[roskee]

A lot of hotel room safes are providing you a false sense of security. Do a search on YouTube and you'll see that most can be opened very easily without the combination. Scary how insecure they really are.


Yeah, I've always felt skeptical about hotel safes. And, someone in this thread brought up a good point about the housekeepers knowing every stash spot :eek:.

So, at this point the best idea I've heard was a lock box. Not much of a "hidey" hole, but it does give you that security which is good.

[downtownv]

A licensed gun-owner was arrested for possession of a firearm in a NJ Hotel after missing his flight connections at Newark-Liberty airport. He was forced to collect his luggage w/ legally transported firearm in it. The airlines put him up at a local hotel and he was promptly arrested for illegal possession of a firearm in NJ. Fire arm confiscated (later returned after going to court) Best advise keep it with you and take your chances. IMO

[MikeyKahr]

The NJ gun owners should have said no thanks to the free hotel and slept on the concourse. That, or NJ should just change the laws. ;)

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[gunmut]

Keep the house cleaning staff on your side; I always leave two $$ on the pillow of my bed as a tip for the maid. I always get extra soap and stuff and I think it may keep them out of my stuff.
I have been a road warrior for 25 years and have never had anything stolen....I stay in hotels about 7-10 nights a month.

Thinking about it I may need to bump up to five $$.

[skiflydive]

Always flip through the Gideon Bible for cash. So many travelers head out to the (ballet) bars and stash cash in the Bible so they don't spend it. Then they forget about it the next day. I've found enough over the years to pay for a couple of CM9's

[HDoc]

The NJ gun owners should have said no thanks to the free hotel and slept on the concourse. That, or NJ should just change the laws.

The airport is still in New Jersey. I want to know who called the cops.

[wyntrout]

I can CCW up to but not including Illinois. So I stop in Paducah, KY, and unload and lock up my gun(s) and ammo... AND get gas before Illinois' higher prices... +30¢ a gallon!!

At the motel in Illinois I just carry from vehicle to room and back empty and locked up gun(s)... ammo and guns in their own lock boxes.

It's a PITA and I wish that my daughter and Ex lived in a more gun-friendly state. Fortunatately, it's usually just once a year... usually for Thanksgiving that I go up there.

Well, back to installing my danged front door!

Wynn:)

[Planedude]

The airport is still in New Jersey. I want to know who called the cops.

Someone from the airline... The firearm was declared and on the manifest. The weird part here, if I remember right, was'nt this guys flight diverted to NJ due to weather at his planned stop. He never wanted or planned to go to NJ, ever.
I bet it will be a cold day in Haiti before he returns too.
Too often lately the cops will attack someone "safe" like this in an effort to generate statical data for budget time.

"Oh look at how many illegal guns our stelar police force has removed from your streets mr. mayor..."

That has happened at my job at a US defence plant. They went Waaay overboard on a fellow employee for ONE box of .40 S&W ammo, in a plastic bag with it's receit, locked in the trunk of his car. No firearm of any type was present, but it took him a year to get his job back. The thinking of the plant security folks, they stopped a possible IED... :der:

[HDoc]

Someone from the airline... The firearm was declared and on the manifest.

Wonder if it was Airline policy or a personal anti-gunz type. Sounds like a firing if was personal.

That has happened at my job at a US defence plant. They went Waaay overboard on a fellow employee for ONE box of .40 S&W ammo, in a plastic bag with it's receit, locked in the trunk of his car.

Having worked in a nuclear defense plant for many years, a I understand.
Nevertheless they were REAL specific on what NOT to bring onto company
property. And how did they get in the trunk of this guys car unless he had loose lips or was already on their radar??

[mrvco]

My first guess would be a dog, but can an explosive sniffing dog indicate on gun powder, but not gasoline?

[AJBert]

I had a few handlers on the K-9 team when I was in FL. We never tested the dogs on ammo, but just about every type of explosive that is currently available today. I will say none of the dogs while on patrol ever hit on one of the MA's who carried with extra mags, so I don't think a dog was used to bust ammo in the trunk.

[Planedude]

The employee in question was stopped at the front gate for a "random" check. Of note, it was the only car randomly check in that shift/day/week & month.
What are the odds?
Who was painting the target???
The silly and sad part here is that Texas law has since made this type of check for firearm/ammo issues a moot point. Your firearm and ammo locked in your car is now perfectly legal when parked at your place of work.

Have a good one.

[Fishng]

Wrap your gun, valuables, etc in two baggies, one at a time, please. Squeeze as much air out as possible. Lift commode tank cover carefully put the gun on the corner by the fill tube. Put tank cover back on.
No maid in the world would lift the commode top to look for valuables.

[Cokeman]

They will now.

[jlottmc]

Just don't forget about it. Plus, as maintenance man, we look in some strange places.

[getsome]

I've posted this before but it's an interesting story anyway...The man arrested in Newark NJ was named Greg Revell and what happened was that he was from Salt Lake City Utah and was traveling to Allentown PA in 2005...

The flight went from Salt Lake to Newark where he was to catch another connecting flight on to Allentown and he had his pistol and ammo in seperate locked boxes in his checked bags and informed the airline ticket agent and all was ok in Salt Lake but due to snow his flight was delayed getting into Newark and he missed the connecting flight to Allentown...

The airline arranged for a bus to take the passengers to Allentown but his bags didn't make it on to the bus so he got off and picked them up at baggage claim...His plan was to take a taxi to a local hotel and try again for the next mornings flight to Allentown so thats what he did...

Next morning he went back to Newark airport and checked his bags with the ticket agent and advised them of the locked firearm and ammo like he was legally required to do...The ticket agent overreacted and alerted the friendly TSA agent who searched the bag and found the gun...The TSA took Greg to their holding area and called the Newark Police who arrested Mr. Revell for having an unregisterd gun in the state of N.J. and no amount of explaining about the missed flight did him any good and Greg spent 10 days in jail and his pistol was confiscated....Greg was finally able to post bail and later the charges were dropped but it took 3 years to get his pistol back...:mad:

[dkmatthews]

I have a Nanovault 300 (http://www.gunvault.com/nano-vault-300-nv300.html) and a Pelican 1170 (http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1170). I believe the Pelican is stronger than the NV300, so I usually stash my pistols in the Pelican and other valuables in the NV300. The Pelican can be locked with two padlocks and I use the cable from the NV300 to connect the two together and secure them both to a solid and secure fixture in the room.

[roskee]

I have a Nanovault 300 (http://www.gunvault.com/nano-vault-300-nv300.html) and a Pelican 1170 (http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1170). I believe the Pelican is stronger than the NV300, so I usually stash my pistols in the Pelican and other valuables in the NV300. The Pelican can be locked with two padlocks and I use the cable from the NV300 to connect the two together and secure them both to a solid and secure fixture in the room.

Thanks for the info. Those are awesome because of its mobility, and very convenient due to its size.

[JohnR]

Always flip through the Gideon Bible for cash. So many travelers head out to the (ballet) bars and stash cash in the Bible so they don't spend it. Then they forget about it the next day. I've found enough over the years to pay for a couple of CM9's
I was going to suggest getting a Gideon Bible and cutting a gun-shaped hole in the pages, and leave your gun in it, in the drawer, thinking "Who even looks at those things?" But I stand corrected.

And I'll be flipping through it next time I stay somewhere! Thanks for the tip!

[AJBert]

Wrap your gun, valuables, etc in two baggies, one at a time, please. Squeeze as much air out as possible. Lift commode tank cover carefully put the gun on the corner by the fill tube. Put tank cover back on.
No maid in the world would lift the commode top to look for valuables.
I'm afraid Hollywood has already found you hidey-hole as it has been in a number of movies. You don't think the maids watch movies?

[skiflydive]

I was going to suggest getting a Gideon Bible and cutting a gun-shaped hole in the pages, and leave your gun in it, in the drawer, thinking "Who even looks at those things?" But I stand corrected.

And I'll be flipping through it next time I stay somewhere! Thanks for the tip!

I used to travel extensively for business. You'll find a hidey hole about 1 in 10 or 12 stays. Most I've found in a Bible...$300.00, but totals about $800. Most I've found under the corners of a mattress...$90.00, but totals about $500. Most I've found under the headboard...$50. That's been about 4 times but you have to unroll the $50's and rinse off the coke. Hotels are profitable if you know where to look. My guess is the "hiders" are too embarrassed to go back and say "can I get back in that room? I left something" or they're way too far down the trip to go back when they remember.

YEARS ago, travelers stashed porn under mattresses for the "enjoyment" of other travelers. It started with airline pilots. They called it "The code of the road." Housekeepers got savvy to that and that's pretty rare now.

[JohnR]

The hotels started offering PPV porn, so no need for magazines. :rolleyes:

[roskee]

My guess is the "hiders" are too embarrassed to go back and say "can I get back in that room? I left something" or they're way too far down the trip to go back when they remember.

Wow, I never thought about that. It sure makes perfect sense. I gotta start looking in these spots when I check into hotels. Might end up with some extra beer money. :behindsofa: