The 20 Handguns Worth Keeping in a Truck if You Drive Through Remote Country Regularly

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If you drive enough two-lane blacktop to get out of cell service, you already know the feeling. A blown tire turns into a long walk. A gate you thought was open is chained shut. A sick coyote is standing in the road like it owns the place. Most of the time, nothing happens. But “most of the time” is not a plan.

A handgun that lives in a truck has a hard life. It gets dusted, bumped, sweated on, and forgotten until you need it. It also has to be something you can actually shoot well under stress, and something you can secure properly so it doesn’t end up stolen. With that in mind, here are 20 handguns that make sense for regular remote-country driving—because they’re durable, common enough to support, and useful after the new-gun excitement wears off.

1. Glock 19 (Gen 3/4/5)

If you only keep one do-it-all handgun around, the Glock 19 is the boring answer for a reason. It rides easy, points naturally for most folks, and it’s forgiving of neglect. Dust, lint, temperature swings—none of it seems to bother a properly functioning 19 much.

It also wins the “parts and magazines everywhere” contest. If something breaks, you’re not waiting three weeks and paying collector prices for a spring. In truck-gun terms, that matters. Just don’t cheap out on storage—secured means secured.

2. Glock 17 (Gen 3/4/5)

The Glock 17 is the 19’s longer, slightly steadier brother. If you shoot better with a full grip and a longer sight radius, you’ll notice it. It’s also easier to run fast with gloves on, which comes up more than people admit in cold country.

The tradeoff is size. It’s not as “toss it in a belt holster at the gas station” friendly. But as a dedicated vehicle pistol that you might also take camping, it’s hard to argue with.

3. Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact

The M&P 2.0 Compact is one of the most shootable striker guns out there if you like a more hand-filling grip. The texture is aggressive—great when your hands are wet or cold, not so great against bare skin all day. In a truck role, that texture is mostly a plus.

They’ve been reliable, and they’re common enough now that holsters, mags, and sights aren’t a scavenger hunt. If you’ve got buddies who run M&Ps, mag compatibility can also be a quiet advantage.

4. SIG Sauer P320 Compact

The P320 is easy to fit to the shooter, which is the real story. Different grip modules let you dial in what your hand actually likes, instead of forcing yourself to like what the gun came with. That’s useful if the truck gun is also a “sometimes carry” gun.

It’s also widely supported with magazines and parts. Keep it clean, verify function with your chosen ammo, and don’t treat it like a magic talisman. It’s a solid working pistol, not a personality.

5. CZ P-10 C

The CZ P-10 C tends to surprise people who assumed it would be “just another polymer 9.” It’s a flat shooter and usually has a clean trigger for a striker gun. If you run it side by side with other compacts, the recoil impulse is often what wins folks over.

Magazines aren’t as universal as Glock, but they’re not rare anymore either. It’s a practical choice if you want performance without paying boutique prices.

6. Ruger American Pistol (Compact)

Ruger doesn’t always get credit in the striker-fired world, but the American Pistol is tougher than it gets talked about. It’s not the slickest, and it’s not the trendiest. It is, however, the kind of handgun that seems built for getting knocked around.

The grip angle and controls aren’t everyone’s favorite, so try one first. If it fits you, it’s a no-nonsense tool that won’t make you nervous about hard use.

7. Ruger Security-9

There’s nothing fancy about a Security-9, and that is kind of the point. It’s affordable enough that you don’t feel like you need to baby it, but it’s still a reputable brand with decent support. For a “backup vehicle gun” that still runs, it makes sense.

The trigger is workable, not match-grade. If you’re honest about your use case—close-range defensive shooting, not bullseye—this one covers a lot of ground for the money.

8. Ruger GP100 (4-inch)

A good .357 revolver still belongs in remote-country conversation. The GP100 is built like a fence post. It’ll digest full-power loads without feeling like it’s being punished, and it’s less finicky about ammo shape or light strikes than some autos can be.

Downsides are weight and capacity. Still, if you like revolvers and want something you can also use for camp chores and critter problems, the GP100 is a real answer.

9. Smith & Wesson Model 686 (4-inch)

The 686 has that smooth S&W feel that makes people fall in love with revolvers in the first place. A good one points fast, and the double-action pull can be excellent. If you practice, you can shoot it very accurately without fighting the gun.

It’s also a revolver you can load mild with .38s for practice and step up to .357 when you’re out where teeth and claws live. Keep it wiped down—stainless isn’t rust-proof, just rust-resistant.

10. Ruger SP101 (3-inch)

The SP101 in a 3-inch configuration is a handy compromise: smaller than a GP100, more shootable than a snub. It’s a tough little revolver that doesn’t mind living a rough life. As a “throw it on when checking a fence line” gun, it shines.

It is still a small .357, and hot loads can be stout. But for folks who want revolver simplicity in a package that fits better in a console or a chest rig, it earns its keep.

11. Glock 20 (10mm Auto)

If your remote driving regularly involves big woods, big hogs, or just more animal encounters than you like, the Glock 20 is hard to ignore. Full-power 10mm has real punch. The gun itself is reliable and easy to service, like most Glocks.

The grip is large, and not everybody shoots it well. Don’t buy one and assume you’re “covered.” Run a few boxes through it, confirm what loads function, and be honest about follow-up shots.

12. Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 10mm

Some shooters simply do better with the XD-M ergonomics than the big-frame Glock. The XD-M Elite 10mm gives you capacity and a grip shape that can feel more natural. It’s also a platform many people already have time behind in 9mm.

It’s a little bulkier and not as universally supported as Glock, but it’s not an oddball either. If you’re committing to 10mm in a vehicle role, pick the one you actually shoot well.

13. Smith & Wesson M&P 10mm

When the M&P 10mm runs right, it’s a very shootable “woods auto.” It carries flatter than some big pistols, and the grip texture helps you keep control when you’re sweating or wearing gloves. For folks already invested in M&P controls, the learning curve is short.

Like any relatively newer model, you want to vet it with your ammo. The 10mm world has a wide range of power levels, and not every pistol loves every load.

14. Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan (.44 Magnum)

This one is not polite. The Alaskan is a short, heavy, brutal-looking chunk of revolver that exists for a reason: close-range problems where you want big-bore reliability. In a remote-country truck, it’s the “I am not guessing” option.

It’s also not a casual range toy for most people. The recoil is real, practice costs add up, and it’s heavy. But if you’re the type who actually needs .44 Mag capability, you already know why it’s on the list.

15. Glock 26 (9mm)

The Glock 26 is the little brick that just keeps running. It’s small enough to hide on your person when you stop for supplies, and it’ll take bigger Glock mags if you want more capacity in the console. That flexibility is useful on long drives.

Short grip means some folks need a mag extension to shoot it well. If the gun makes you fumble, it’s not the right one. But for a compact backup that matches larger Glock systems, it’s hard to beat.

16. Smith & Wesson J-Frame Model 642 (.38 Special)

A 642 isn’t glamorous, and it’s not pleasant with heavy loads. But as a dead-simple, corrosion-resistant revolver that can sit in a door pocket (secured properly) or a small lockbox, it’s still relevant. Five shots of .38 beats harsh language.

The key is practice. Small revolvers punish sloppy grip and trigger work. If you put in the time, though, they’re dependable in a way that’s comforting when you’re a long way from help.

17. Colt King Cobra (3-inch)

The 3-inch King Cobra is one of those revolvers that feels “just right” in the hand. It’s sized to carry, sized to shoot, and it balances well. For a truck gun that might also ride on your hip while you’re working around camp, that matters.

They cost more than some competitors, and that can make folks hesitate to leave it in a vehicle. I get it. If you’re going to do it, secure it and keep it out of sight. But as a working .357, it’s a good one.

18. Beretta 92FS

The Beretta 92FS is big, smooth, and about as proven as service pistols get. It’s also friendly to shoot, which is underrated. A gun that’s easy to run encourages practice, and practice is the whole game.

It’s not the easiest to mount lights and optics on in stock form, and it’s not small. Still, for a glovebox-safe-sized pistol with a long track record, it’s a classic for a reason.

19. CZ 75B

The CZ 75B has that all-steel, “settle down and shoot” feel. It points naturally for a lot of shooters, and the weight helps with recoil control. If you spend time on back roads, a handgun that’s easy to hit with is worth more than one that just looks rugged.

The downside is weight and, depending on your setup, a little more maintenance attention to keep rust away. But if you like hammer-fired pistols and want something that feels solid in the hand, it belongs here.

20. Ruger Mark IV (in .22 LR)

A .22 in the truck might sound like the odd entry, but I’ve used .22 pistols more for real-world outdoor chores than most people admit. A Mark IV is great for dispatching trapped pests where legal, dealing with snakes around a barn, or just having an accurate, low-noise practice option at camp.

It’s also one of the easiest .22 pistols to maintain, which is why the Mark IV specifically matters. No, it’s not your primary defensive tool. But as a “quietly useful” handgun that earns its keep all year, it’s tough to beat.

The best truck handgun is the one you’ve proven on the range, can get magazines and parts for without drama, and can store securely without turning your vehicle into a rolling gun giveaway. Pick something you can shoot well, keep it maintained, and don’t let “remote country” talk you into bad habits. The goal is to be prepared, not reckless.