Recently, Tom R. posted an article about the new Springfield Kuna. Unlike many articles and videos about the compact sub gun (ehem, “large-format pistol”), he framed the weapon as a truck gun. This made me think: What is the best truck gun? But that question leads me down a rabbit hole, like many of my thoughts and ideas (nothing is ever simple). These questions are: Is there a “best” truck gun? What types of guns can be classified as truck guns? What are the different applications? Someone who lives in the country versus suburbia has different needs. But wait, what defines a truck gun? All seem essential, right?
The obvious starting point is to define a truck gun. In my mind, this refers to any weapon stored in your vehicle for defensive, hunting, or survival purposes. These firearms have key characteristics such as versatility, compactness, and lethality. Of course, this definition is somewhat ambiguous, with many variables to discuss. Throughout several articles, I’ll delve into the concept of truck guns. I will cover a variety of available options, ways to enhance them, and for whom they are intended.
**Legal Warning** If you are interested in pursuing this concept, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you to check local laws regarding the carrying of weapons in vehicles, particularly long guns and NFA items. States with concealed carry or constitutional carry favor the carrying of handguns. Things can get spicy when long guns and other scary items are loaded in vehicles.
The Gun
To me, nothing is better than an uber-quiet rifle. The only sounds heard are the ping of the hammer hitting the firing pin, followed by the dull thump of a heavy slug smacking a target downrange—pure joy. A quiet, handy rifle also seems to be the perfect option for a truck gun: something that can eliminate pests while running a fence line, has enough energy to harvest game, and possesses precision within the confines of a suburban development. With this idea in mind, I selected the relatively new Ruger American Gen II in 300 BLK (the Ranch model specifically) as the basis for a designated suppressed truck gun.
But I wasn’t going to leave the gun in its basic configuration. No, sir. I can’t leave anything as it is. I must put my twist on it, right? Where’s the fun in a basic model rifle?
The Spec Sheet
Once purchased from my local FFL, I spent a bit of time researching and acquiring the components and accessories for the rifle. Before I break it all down, here’s a list of everything (with links in case you are interested):
I’ll admit that the stock shipped with the American GEN II is an upgrade from its predecessor. However, it’s still classified as a “budget” rifle, so it doesn’t have all the features I want in a stock. My goal was to be conscious of the budget and improve ergonomics. There are many aftermarket stock and chassis options for the Ruger American series. However, the MDT Field Stock quickly caught my eye. Not only was it affordable, but it also offered the creature comforts I was looking for. For one, it was AICS compatible. Additionally, the LOP and the height of the comb were easily adjustable. It included a vertical pistol grip, and the stock featured M-Lok along the bottom of the forend.
Next came the accoutrements. I planned to run ARCA to attach a bipod or tripod easily. Thus, a 7” strip of ARCA to M-Lok was necessary. Additionally, because I couldn’t resist, I added the MDT GRND-POD to the order. The GRND-POD is the little brother to the CKYE-POD, and while it lacks some features of its sibling, it offers enough functionality for most shooters. Weighing 15.3oz compared to 21oz for the lightest CKYE-POD, the GRND-POD is perfect for most hunting and shooting situations for those who aren’t dedicated competitors.
Now, let’s discuss optics. The Vortex Venom 1-6 is my favorite LPVO (low-powered variable optic) when considering cost. Does it have all the functionality and features of its competitors? Perhaps not. However, it provides good clarity and a simple, easy-to-use reticle, and it weighs only 19.5 oz. As a nice bonus, the optic ships with a throw lever and Vortex Defender Flip caps. These are all qualities I value in this type of optic.
The optic sits in a set of Vortex Pro Series rings. Specifically, they are 30mm, and Vortex’s equivalent to a low height. I’m not a fan of the current super-tall optic mount trend. I still like to keep things low and close to the bore.
Finally, the most critical piece of the puzzle is the suppressor. For this project, I decided to use my Daniel Defense SG-30 Titanium. This suppressor line was designed and built in partnership with KGM. For those unaware, KGM is one of the biggest names in suppressor manufacturing you’ve never heard of. While KGM has its own line of cans, it is also one of the largest OEM manufacturers, driving much of the technology we see today. I bought this suppressor for use with my 300 Blackout AR and 6.5 PRC bolt gun. It features low back pressure capabilities and reduced weight due to its titanium construction. Those were the features I was looking for. (If you are looking for an alternative that’s a bit easier on the wallet, check out Otter Creek Labs Polonium 30, which is about half the price of the SG-30 Titanium.)
A Completed Build
The build was a breeze. The only stressful part was attaching the magazine latch to the chassis after installing the barreled action. The assembly, including mounting the optic, took just over 30 minutes. The final product? A badass and incredibly quiet bolt gun.
Initial testing took place at my buddy’s range just before Christmas. Shooting from a tripod at 50 yards was comical. There was no recoil, no noise, just the dull thud of a 208-grain slug hitting the backstop. It was euphoric. Everything functioned flawlessly. The MDT Field Stock was ergonomic, and all other accessories worked as intended. Smiles all around. Even my friend’s dad, who rarely shows emotion, was overcome with joy from shooting the rifle.
But let’s return to the main topic: how does this perform as a truck gun? In my view, this gun is suited for any rural area or a place with ample space. It is not a close-quarters combat weapon. However, this gun excels for those looking for something handy for taking game or eliminating pests and predators. With a 16” barrel, the gun is compact enough to be stored behind (or under) the seats of most trucks or could live on the back of the rear seats in an SUV using a system like that from Grey Man Tactical. For urban dwellers, while this might not be ideal for cityscapes, it could work as an “urban sniper rifle.” I find the gun plenty accurate and capable within 200 yards when using subsonic ammo (and I’d say that is as far as I’d push the rifle unless you switch to supersonic ammo).
Final Thoughts
The Ruger American Ranch Gen II is an excellent choice for the truck gun concept. Even when left stock, the gun has tremendous upside. My customized version might be a bit overboard, but it checks most boxes I look for when specing out a rifle.
It is easy to adjust, and I can adapt it to a tripod or bipod. The optic offers exceptional clarity and eye relief for its cost. And the suppressor is the icing on the cake. Additionally, I find the 300 Blackout ideal for most situations, especially given the variety of ammunition available. What’s better than that? I have plenty of working guns that I train with or shoot competitively. However, now I have a rifle that can comfortably reside in the back of a truck or SUV and fulfill nearly any task I ask.
Trending Products
