Gun Question

[Tony B]

This is a gun question on what to buy. Please don't get into gun rights and other political issues or this thread will get killed.

I'm targeting this question to those that already keep guns aboard. I used to keep a handgun with me on camping and boating trips but haven't in a very long time.
This particular weapon would be for self defense only. What I think I need is:
1) Something with as little swinging room needed as possible. The old Kentucky Long Rifle would not work for me on a boat.
2) Easy and non-intimidation for a female to operate - I'm speaking of my wife, not my feminine side.
3) 'Relatively' inexpensive ammo. The more a weapon is used the better it becomes. I'm of 'the most familiar weapon is the best weapon' school. I've known people that could carve you up with a knife well before you even realized you had to defend yourself.
4) Something that would not draw any attention on the boat. Like in, easily stored and easily available.

I know there is no one weapon that will fit all of the categories like a fully automatic shotgun the size of my walley - which is really small. I'm sure I will think of more stuff. If nothing else, tell me what you have on your boat and why you selected that weapon.

One more very important thing: I will only be cruising in the US so foreign laws will not apply. My cruising will be primarily on the eastern inland waterways.

Again, please keep this non-political. Hopefully, the moderators will bounce the offenders and not the thread.

Thanks in advance.

[ATC]

I stow a Mossberg 500 pump on board.

When you rack the slide, the sound will cause the perp to leave a DNA deposit.

[Tony B]

I have been leaning that way for the very same reason. Everyone and I mean everyone knows that sound.

[Stuarth44]

Originally Posted by Tony B

This is a gun question on what to buy. Please don't get into gun rights and other political issues or this thread will get killed.

I'm targeting this question to those that already keep guns aboard. I used to keep a handgun with me on camping and boating trips but haven't in a very long time.
This particular weapon would be for self defense only. What I think I need is:
1) Something with as little swinging room needed as possible. The old Kentucky Long Rifle would not work for me on a boat.
2) Easy and non-intimidation for a female to operate - I'm speaking of my wife, not my feminine side.
3) 'Relatively' inexpensive ammo. The more a weapon is used the better it becomes. I'm of 'the most familiar weapon is the best weapon' school. I've known people that could carve you up with a knife well before you even realized you had to defend yourself.
4) Something that would not draw any attention on the boat. Like in, easily stored and easily available.

I know there is no one weapon that will fit all of the categories like a fully automatic shotgun the size of my walley - which is really small. I'm sure I will think of more stuff. If nothing else, tell me what you have on your boat and why you selected that weapon.

One more very important thing: I will only be cruising in the US so foreign laws will not apply. My cruising will be primarily on the eastern inland waterways.

Again, please keep this non-political. Hopefully, the moderators will bounce the offenders and not the thread.

Thanks in advance.

Cannot resist, it is a big ask to ask the world to ignore this sort of post
I vote, keep all posts about guns away from a decent site
and thats pretty much all I have to say bout that

[Tony B]

Originally Posted by stuarth

Cannot resist, it is a big ask to ask the world to ignore this sort of post

Yes, it is a big ask. This is a serious cruising question. I plan on starting my cruise in 2 to 3 weeks if all goes well. I am neither young nor large, which could make me an easy target.

I do have a big ask for you though: Please be the thread cop and ask the moderators to remove all offenders or the thread itself. Until then, all is good.

[sailorboy1]

have to believe that using the site search function would answer the question much faster than waiting for the results of a new thread on an old topic

[SeaSloth]

A standard shotgun is going to need some pretty good swinging room. You'd probably also have to go with a 20 gauge for a smaller woman to handle it (or use really light loads).

Have you considered a shotgun and a handgun? Most women can handle a 9mm fairly easily with a little training. And you can get a 12 gauge with an 18" barrel, pistol grip and folding stock. It is legal but you get maximum stowability as you can while still being legal. You also get that shotgun rack sound that you really like.

[Intentional Drifter]

Remington 870 "Marine Magnum" 12 gauge pump. Made for the job. Not cheap, but quality counts. Shotguns are also least likely to cause a problem entering other countries. Note the length -- easy to handle, easy to stow.

Pump Action Shotgun - Model 870 Marine Magnum - Remington Shotguns

ID

[SeaSloth]

Originally Posted by Intentional Drifter

Remington 870 "Marine Magnum" 12 gauge pump. Made for the job. Not cheap, but quality counts. Shotguns are also least likely to cause a problem entering other countries. Note the length -- easy to handle, easy to stow.

Pump Action Shotgun - Model 870 Marine Magnum - Remington Shotguns

ID

I'd never heard of this firearm before. I'm updating my Christmas list.

Thanks.

[Tony B]

Yeah, your right. That could apply to 95% of all threads on here. Sometimes it's nice to hear new ideas from new people.
If you keep a weapon aboard what is your choice. If not, that's OK also.
I try to be realistic and practical. I keep an icepick next to my seat in my van. No one will ever pull me out. That's up close and personal. Not practical on a boat though where short distance self defense may be a reality. I am not the kind of person that will wave a gun in the air to scare someone off. It don't work as often as it should. Doing that may in fact create an incident that might have not normally occurred. I believe in surprises if necessary. I am thinking more along the lines of someone actually boarding or trying to break in.

[Intentional Drifter]

Originally Posted by SeaSloth

I'd never heard of this firearm before. I'm updating my Christmas list.

Thanks.

You're welcome. Just don't think you're gonna hit that goose with it! It's a limited use firearm.

ID

[autumnbreeze27]

I'm a fan of the Remington 870 Marine Magnum.
Pump Action Shotgun - Model 870 Marine Magnum - Remington Shotguns

Shotgun ammo, at least bird shot, is typically inexpensive and available. Remove the stock and put a pistol grip on it and mount a flashlight under the barrel.

[Greggegner]

12ga pump shotgun with a pistol grip or a judge pistol with 410 00 buck shot. They sell the shotgun in plastic storage tubes.

[Doodles]

Just for the sake of argument I'd have to pick a handgun, something like a 9mm Glock or equivalent. The weapon is no good to you or your wife if it is not quickly accessible in the middle of the night, so for me that means it's in the v-berth somewhere since there's no room (storage or swing) in my v-berth for a shotgun.

[MBLittle]

I second a Mossberg 500 but would recommend the home defender version with collapsible stock and pistol grip.

Any hand gun will cause endless issues (even if it is just looking up local laws) whereas long guns and shotguns are a far easier gun to keep while traveling interstate.