Boogie Rated Comparison – Why Center Console Mounted MOLLE Panel Is Superior to Other Ways to Mount Pistols

Introduction

People have been looking for ways to mount pistols in their trucks for years, and over time some interesting solutions have emerged. Some are clever. Some are practical. Some make you wonder if the designer skipped both engineering class and firearm safety class.

From map pocket mounts and magnetic holders to clipped-on holsters and dedicated MOLLE panels, there is no shortage of ways to stage a firearm inside a vehicle. The problem is that every solution solves one problem while often creating another.

A mount that is inexpensive may have poor retention. A mount that works with every firearm may introduce safety concerns. A mount that feels secure on pavement may become far less convincing once the truck leaves the pavement.

This article examines four common methods of mounting a pistol inside a truck:

·         Map Pocket Mount

·         Magnet Clip Mount

·         Clipped-On Holster

·         MOLLE Panel Mount

The strengths and weaknesses of each approach will be discussed, along with the compromises that come with each design.

By the end of this article, you should have a pretty good idea which mounting methods are worth considering, which ones create more problems than they solve, and why the center console MOLLE panel ultimately became the preferred solution.

 Arguments For Mounting a Pistol

"Your truck is not your holster."

That's a common argument whenever vehicle-mounted firearms are discussed, and honestly, it's not wrong.

The purpose of mounting a pistol inside a vehicle is not to replace a proper carry method. The goal is to provide temporary relief for drivers who spend hours behind the wheel or spend days driving off pavement while still maintaining quick access to their firearm when needed.

Anyone who has spent ten hours crossing multiple states or bouncing through desert trails with a pistol digging into their side knows exactly what this feels like. What feels perfectly comfortable walking through a grocery store can become significantly less comfortable after an entire day in the driver's seat.

But comfort isn't the only reason people choose to mount a firearm inside their vehicle.

Accessing a concealed firearm while seated typically requires clearing a cover garment, moving the seatbelt out of the way, and then establishing a proper firing grip. Appendix carry is generally faster than strong-side carry, but both require additional movement before the firearm can be drawn.

A properly mounted firearm changes that equation.

Instead of clearing a shirt and working around a seat belt, the driver's hand simply moves from the steering wheel to the firearm. The draw becomes more consistent, requires less movement, and eliminates several obstacles that naturally exist when seated in a vehicle.

For long highway drives and off-road travel, vehicle-mounted firearms can significantly improve comfort. For everyone else, they can provide quicker and more consistent access while seated.

The question is not whether people mount firearms in their vehicles. They clearly do.

The real question is whether they're doing it in a way that is safe, secure, and repeatable.

And that's where the different mounting methods begin to separate themselves.

(It’s too big to fit – that’s what she said)

Method 1: Map Pocket Mount

A map pocket mounted pistol holder is exactly what it sounds like: a 3D printed holder designed to fit inside the front corner of the center console map pocket. These mounts have become increasingly popular because they are relatively easy to design, inexpensive to manufacture, and require no permanent modifications to the vehicle.

The concept is actually pretty clever. The map pocket already exists, so why not use it?

Most map pocket mounts are vehicle-specific and take advantage of the existing shape and contour of the center console. Installation is simple: place the holder in the map pocket and it's ready to use.

Benefits of Map Pocket Mount

The biggest advantage of a map pocket mount is cost.

Most designs can be downloaded for free, and only a fraction of a spool of ASA filament is required to print one. Using a quality ASA filament and a pair of magnets for retention, total material cost is typically around $10.

The second advantage is the no-drill installation. There are no holes to drill, brackets to install, or permanent modifications to make. If you decide you don't like it, simply remove it and move on with your life.

The third advantage is accessibility. The firearm is positioned near the driver's right knee, making it easy to reach while seated. Compared to under-seat mounts or other locations that require additional movement, the draw feels natural and intuitive.

In short, map pocket mounts are inexpensive, easy to install, and place the firearm in a convenient location. Unfortunately, they also come with several limitations.

Drawbacks of Map Pocket Mount

The biggest limitation of map pocket mounts is fitment.

Because the holder must fit within the dimensions of the map pocket, available space is limited. Compact and subcompact pistols generally work well because their shorter barrels and smaller dimensions fit comfortably within the available space while still maintaining trigger coverage.

As firearm size increases, things become more complicated.

Full-size pistols, threaded barrels, extended magazines, weapon-mounted lights, and red dot sights all compete for the same limited amount of space. A setup that works perfectly for one firearm may not work at all for another.

This problem becomes even more apparent when considering how these mounts are developed. Most are designed around whatever firearms the designer happens to own. If the designer doesn't have access to a particular firearm or accessory combination, there's a good chance it was never tested during development.

Running a weapon-mounted light? It might fit.

Running a red dot? It might fit.

Running both? You're about to find out how much faith you have in somebody else's CAD skills.

Retention is another concern.

Most map pocket mounts rely on magnets to help secure the firearm. While magnets can provide some level of retention, they are not a substitute for a properly designed holster with mechanical retention. Rough roads, washboard trails, and off-road driving introduce forces that can challenge even strong magnetic systems.

There is also the issue of retaining the holder itself.

Most map pocket mounts are simply placed inside the map pocket and rely on friction to stay in position. There is no mechanical attachment between the holder and the vehicle. During aggressive driving or a rapid draw, there is always the possibility of pulling the entire holder out along with the firearm.

Drawing the pistol is one thing.

Drawing the pistol and the mount at the same time is a talent nobody asked for.

Map pocket mounts deserve credit for being inexpensive, easy to install, and surprisingly effective for certain firearm combinations. However, limitations in fitment, accessory compatibility, and retention prevent them from being an ideal long-term solution.

(Seriously? People do this and say it’s okay? WTF?)

Method 2: Magnet Clip Mount

If the map pocket mount is a creative solution, the magnet clip mount is what happens when somebody looks at the map pocket mount and says:

"Let's remove everything except the magnet."

The concept is simple. A small 3D printed clip attaches to the map pocket, and a strong magnet is fastened to the clip. The firearm is then held in place using magnetic force.

Like the map pocket mount, these systems are inexpensive, relatively easy to manufacture, and require no permanent modifications to the vehicle.

Benefits of Magnet Clip Mount

The biggest advantage of the magnet clip mount is flexibility.

Unlike map pocket mounts, firearm dimensions are no longer a major concern. Barrel length, slide length, red dot sights, compensators, and weapon-mounted lights generally do not affect compatibility because the firearm is being retained by a magnet rather than fitting inside a dedicated holder.

This means a single mount can work with a wide variety of firearms and accessory combinations.

Cost is another advantage.

Most magnet clip mounts require only a small amount of filament and a pair of magnets. Material cost is typically around $15, making them one of the least expensive mounting solutions available.

Installation is also straightforward. Once assembled, the mount simply clips onto the map pocket with no drilling, no brackets, and no permanent modifications required.

In short, magnet clip mounts are inexpensive, easy to install, and compatible with almost any firearm configuration.

Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends.

Drawbacks of Magnet Clip Mount

The biggest concern with magnet clip mounts is safety.

Unlike a properly designed holster, a magnet does not cover the trigger. The firearm is simply suspended in place with the trigger exposed.

One of the most fundamental rules of firearm safety is to keep anything from contacting the trigger until you are ready to fire. An exposed trigger creates opportunities for foreign objects to enter the trigger guard and potentially cause a negligent discharge.

This concern becomes even more relevant inside a vehicle where loose objects, gear, seatbelt hardware, and other items may be present.

Retention is another issue.

While modern magnets can be surprisingly strong, magnetic retention is still fundamentally different from mechanical retention. A properly designed holster physically captures the firearm. A magnet simply attracts it.

These two approaches are not the same.

Then there is the question nobody seems to ask:

What happens during a collision?

A loaded handgun typically weighs around two pounds. During a collision, rapid deceleration can generate forces many times greater than the firearm's static weight. At that point, the question becomes whether a magnet is truly the retention system you want responsible for securing a loaded firearm.

Physics tends to collect unpaid debts at the worst possible time.

There is also the issue of retaining the mount itself.

Like many map pocket mounts, the clip is typically secured using friction rather than mechanical fasteners. This means the entire assembly can potentially move along the map pocket while driving, especially when carrying a heavier firearm.

A firearm that changes location every time you hit a bump is not ideal when consistency and muscle memory matter.

And finally, we arrive back at the exposed trigger.

Seriously.

Anybody who thinks staging a loaded firearm inside a vehicle with a completely exposed trigger is a good idea should probably retake a firearm safety course.

Magnet clip mounts solve several fitment issues that plague map pocket mounts, but they introduce significant concerns regarding safety, retention, and consistency. For many users, those tradeoffs simply aren't worth making.

Method 3: Clipped on Holster

A clipped-on holster is exactly what it sounds like: a traditional holster, either IWB or OWB, clipped directly to the center console map pocket.

Compared to the previous two methods, this approach is refreshingly simple. Instead of designing a custom holder or relying on magnets, the user simply takes the same holster they already trust for daily carry and attaches it to the vehicle.

For many years, this was one of the most common ways to mount a firearm inside a truck, and for good reason.

Benefits of Clipped on Holster

The biggest advantage of using a clipped-on holster is compatibility.

Most people purchase holsters designed specifically for their firearm and accessory combination. Whether the firearm is equipped with a weapon-mounted light, red dot sight, threaded barrel, compensator, or some combination of all four, a properly selected holster is designed to accommodate those features.

Unlike map pocket mounts, there are no concerns about barrel length or available space inside a holder.

Unlike magnet mounts, the trigger remains completely covered.

This immediately solves one of the biggest drawbacks of the previous mounting methods.

Another advantage is convenience.

Because the firearm remains inside its normal carry holster, transitioning between vehicle carry and on-body carry is simple. Upon arriving at a destination, the entire holster can be removed from the center console and clipped back onto the user's belt without unloading the firearm or transferring it between different mounting systems.

This is a practical and convenient solution that works with virtually any firearm setup while maintaining proper trigger protection.

In fact, prior to dedicated MOLLE panel systems, this was how I mounted a Glock 17 equipped with a weapon-mounted light and red dot sight.

Unfortunately, it still has one major weakness.

Drawbacks of Clipped on Holster

The biggest issue with a clipped-on holster is retention of the holster itself.

While the firearm is properly retained inside the holster, the holster is typically attached to the map pocket using only a belt clip. There is no mechanical attachment between the holster and the vehicle.

As a result, the holster can move.

On smooth pavement this may not seem like a major issue. But once rough roads, off-road trails, washboard surfaces, and daily driving vibrations are introduced, the holster has a tendency to shift position along the map pocket.

Sometimes only slightly.

Sometimes enough to make you wonder where your firearm went.

This creates a consistency problem.

When adrenaline is high and reaction time matters, muscle memory becomes important. A firearm that occupies a different location every time you reach for it is less than ideal.

The issue becomes even more noticeable during off-road travel where constant vibration, bouncing, and side loads repeatedly act on both the holster and the belt clip.

The result is a mounting solution that is safe, compatible, convenient, and surprisingly effective, but not completely secure.

And that is exactly the problem dedicated MOLLE panel systems were designed to solve.

Method 4: MOLLE Panel Mount

A MOLLE panel mount is exactly what it sounds like: a dedicated MOLLE panel securely mounted to the center console that allows holsters, pouches, and other accessories to be mechanically attached to the vehicle.

Unlike the previous methods discussed, a MOLLE panel is not simply a firearm holder. It serves as a mounting platform that requires no drilling.

The distinction is important.

Instead of designing a solution around a specific firearm, a specific accessory, or a specific carry setup, the panel creates a fixed attachment point that allows the user to configure the system however they choose.

Benefits of MOLLE Panel Mount

The biggest advantage of a MOLLE panel is versatility.

As long as a holster exists for the firearm and accessory combination, it can be mounted to the panel. Full-size pistols, compact pistols, weapon-mounted lights, red dot sights, threaded barrels, compensators, extended magazines, and other accessories are no longer constrained by the dimensions of a map pocket.

If the holster supports it, the panel supports it.

Want to run a compact carry gun?

No problem.

Want to run a full-size handgun with a weapon-mounted light and red dot sight?

No problem.

Want to run a Gucci Glock that costs more than your first car?

If there's a holster for it, the panel doesn't care.

The second major advantage is consistency.

Because the panel is mechanically attached to the vehicle, it does not move. When a holster is securely mounted to the panel, the firearm remains in the same location every time.

There is no sliding along the map pocket.

There is no searching for where the holster migrated to after a rough trail.

There is no accidental removal of the mount during a rapid draw.

The firearm is simply where you left it.

Every. Single. Time.

This consistency becomes especially important during off-road travel where vibration, bumps, and constant vehicle movement place additional demands on any mounting solution.

Safety is another major advantage.

Unlike magnetic mounting systems, a properly mounted holster fully covers the trigger and provides positive retention of the firearm. This significantly reduces the likelihood of accidental trigger contact while also ensuring the firearm remains secured during normal vehicle operation.

The final advantage is that the panel can do far more than simply hold a firearm.

Need a place to mount a flashlight?

Attach a flashlight pouch.

Need quick access to a tourniquet?

Attach a medical pouch.

Need extra magazines?

Attach a magazine pouch.

Need a place to hang a HAM radio microphone?

You guessed it.

The panel transforms otherwise unused space into a functional storage platform that can be configured around individual needs.

In other words, you're not just mounting a firearm. You're adding capability.

Drawbacks of MOLLE Panel Mount

The biggest drawback of a MOLLE panel system is cost.

Compared to 3D printed alternatives, a properly engineered MOLLE panel represents a larger investment. CNC-cut aluminum, vehicle-specific mounting hardware, development time, testing, and manufacturing all contribute to a higher purchase price.

There is no way around that reality.

However, the comparison is not entirely apples to apples.

A map pocket mount is a firearm holder that is picky about what firearms and accessories it will accept.

A magnetic mount is a firearm holder that leaves the trigger exposed.

A clipped-on holster is a firearm holder that occasionally decides to go on adventures by itself.

A MOLLE panel is a mounting platform that supports virtually any firearm and accessory combination, keeps the trigger protected, stays exactly where you mounted it, and still has room for everything else you need to carry.

The goal is not simply to hold a firearm. The goal is to provide a secure, repeatable, and adaptable foundation that addresses the shortcomings of the other mounting methods discussed throughout this article.

For users who prioritize cost above all else, less expensive options certainly exist. Whether those savings are worth the compromises is a decision each user must make for themselves.

For users who prioritize retention, consistency, versatility, and safety, the value proposition becomes much easier to justify.

At some point, every mounting solution runs into the same question: "How secure is secure enough?" After all, there is usually a reason why professional equipment tends to be mounted to MOLLE platforms rather than held in place with magnets and wishful thinking.

(No, seriously, who does this? This is so hilarious that I have to post the picture twice)

Conclusion

There is no shortage of ways to mount a firearm inside a truck.

Map pocket mounts are inexpensive, easy to install, and work surprisingly well within their limitations.

Magnet clip mounts solve many fitment issues but introduce significant concerns regarding trigger protection and retention.

Clipped-on holsters offer proper trigger coverage and excellent compatibility, but the holster itself remains free to move around the vehicle.

Each of these solutions addresses a particular problem. Unfortunately, each one also introduces new compromises.

A properly designed MOLLE panel takes a different approach.

Instead of acting as a firearm holder, it serves as a mounting platform. By providing a fixed attachment point for holsters and equipment, it eliminates many of the shortcomings found in the other mounting methods. Firearms remain securely retained, triggers remain protected, holsters stay where they are mounted, and compatibility is no longer limited by the dimensions of a map pocket.

The benefits extend beyond firearms as well. Flashlights, tourniquets, magazines, radios, and other equipment can all be mounted to the same platform, turning otherwise unused space into functional storage.

Ultimately, the center console MOLLE panel was designed to solve the problems encountered with existing mounting methods. It has been tested through daily driving, long-distance travel, and high-speed off-road use where vibration, impacts, and constant vehicle movement place additional demands on any mounting solution.

Ultimately, the center console MOLLE panel was designed to solve the problems encountered with existing mounting methods. It has been tested through daily driving, long-distance travel, and high-speed off-road use where vibration, impacts, and constant vehicle movement place additional demands on any mounting solution.

For those seeking the most secure, versatile, and consistent way to mount a firearm inside a vehicle, the answer is clear: a properly mounted holster attached to a dedicated MOLLE panel remains the benchmark by which all other solutions should be judged.