When I first encountered the name “Kwick Strike,” my mind, for reasons that will forever remain a mystery (or perhaps a neurological quirk), immediately flashed to the Globo Gym Purple Cobras. Yes, the antagonists from the venerable 2004 cinematic masterpiece, Dodgeball. If that reference sails over your head, kindly pause, queue up the movie, and then return. I’ll wait. That image of ridiculously fit villains is now permanently lodged, rent-free, in my mental lexicon, and it set a humorous, if irrelevant, standard for “striking” action.
In reality, Kwick Strike is far more practical and significantly less likely to lead to matching tracksuits. This company is spearheading a genuine rethinking of how we maintain immediate, safe access to a firearm while navigating the modern, sometimes chaotic, world of driving.
The Uncomfortable Truth of On-Body Carry and Long Hauls
Let me state upfront: I am a staunch, uncompromising advocate for on-body carry (OBC) whenever possible. However, a six- or ten-hour cross-country drive often forces a choice between carrying properly and staying comfortable. When locked into a seat for hours, OBC can become a literal pain in the backside.
If you must compromise—and long-distance driving is often the exception that proves the rule—the following requirements become non-negotiable for any vehicle-based solution:
- Ready Accessibility: Your pistol must be instantly reachable.
- One-Handed Operation: You might need the other hand for steering, shifting, or avoiding a roadside obstacle.
- Consistent Placement: No fishing around! It must be in the same, predictable spot every time.
- Unauthorized Access Limits: Safety first, especially if younger passengers are present.
- Security: It must remain firmly secured during aggressive driving or, heaven forbid, an accident. You do not want an unsecured projectile.
Confessions of the Guilty: The Console Carry Conundrum
I imagine many readers are nodding along with the list above, recognizing its inherent wisdom. And yet, I also suspect a large percentage of those same readers are secretly guilty of the vehicular crime known as the “Cup Holder Quick-Draw.”
We’ve all been there: a 10-hour drive looms, the belt-line is chafing, and we rationalize moving our pistol to the glovebox, center console, or, the horror, an empty cup holder. These locations are the vehicular equivalent of shoving your tax documents into a junk drawer—they are in no way designed for security or consistent retrieval. For years, I believed there was no solid, convenient, and compliant option that met my stringent list of requirements.
Then came the Kwick Strike system, and it didn’t just meet my criteria; it pole-vaulted over them.
How the Kwick Strike Delivers a Controlled Deployment
In plain terms, the Kwick Strike is a rugged, purpose-built metal chassis that mounts securely between your driver’s seat and the center console. Its genius lies in its simplicity and reliability: it’s a mechanized system designed for rapid deployment.
Activation is achieved by pressing the actuator on the side of the unit. This action releases a strong internal spring mechanism, which does two things simultaneously:
- It rapidly clears the deployment system’s cover out of the way.
- It pushes the handgun up and out of the box, firmly securing it in place for a quick, natural grip.
I’ve found that the system can be activated with a single hand, or even more rapidly with a simple push of the driver’s thigh against the activation point. It is worth noting that the actuator on the Kwick Strike requires a firm press of the actuator and after months of using the Kwick Strike I have not experienced an accidental activation. The deployment system relies on spring tension to both retain the handgun securely and launch it into the ready position. This means the dimensions and mass of your chosen sidearm are factors.
The system is engineered to accommodate pistols roughly the size and weight of a Glock 17 or smaller. While I successfully tested larger frames, the sweet spot for maximum reliability and deployment speed was consistently a Glock 19-sized pistol or smaller. For example, my IWI Masada Slim paired with a compact optic like the Holosun EPS Carry provided a flawless experience. It’s worth noting that very large optics might create a tighter fit, so keeping your setup streamlined is advisable.
Beyond the Quick Draw: Security and Flexibility
What elevates the Kwick Strike from a mere mount to a “must-own” component of vehicle preparedness are its additional, highly practical features:
- Key Lockout: The system includes a physical key lock. When engaged, the lid is locked down, preventing the deployment spring from activating, even if the activation handle is pressed. This is an essential safety feature for preventing access by children or unauthorized persons when you step away from the vehicle.
- Passive Security Tether: The Kwick Strike features a dedicated cutout and comes with a high-density cable that, when secured with a separate lock (like a Type 140D), allows you to tether the entire unit to the frame of your seat. While this is not a vault-grade safe, it offers a crucial layer of security, discouraging the smash-and-grab thief from simply running off with the entire device and your firearm.
Zero-Sum Modification
Another significant benefit is the absence of permanent vehicle modification. Many competing options require drilling, bolting, or other irreversible changes. For those of us juggling multiple vehicles (my wife and I drive vastly different models) or planning for future trade-ins, permanent modifications come with a financial and aesthetic cost.
The Kwick Strike system mounts temporarily, allowing you to easily transfer it between vehicles with minimal effort and at no cost beyond the initial purchase.
The Final Verdict: Ready When You Need It
If your requirements include a firearms storage solution that offers swift, one-handed deployment, a consistent retrieval point, key lockout security, and the flexibility of non-permanent installation, the solution is clear.
Stop tossing your peace of mind (and your pistol) into the junk drawer of your center console. Head over to KwickStrike.com and secure the professional and highly functional Kwick Strike System today.
