guns and sailing

[Lost Horizons]

Originally Posted by Exile

the only country who had an outright ban upon penalty of imprisonment (guns declared or not) was Mexico

That is correct. You need to obtain a permit with their consulate in advance if you want to bring any firearms to Mexico. Otherwise, just toss it overboard before checking in.

[Exile]

Originally Posted by Lost Horizons

That is correct. You need to obtain a permit with their consulate in advance if you want to bring any firearms to Mexico. Otherwise, just toss it overboard before checking in.

My $300 Mossberg Mariner shotgun would be a good candidate for that. As I recall, the sailors mentioned above did contact the Mexican consulate in advance but were denied a permit. Given how strict they are you probably need a compelling reason. Pretty ironic given the violence & carnage going on in that country the past decade or so.

[SV Siren]

If you are going to do it...go big...

Seriously though...there are many discussions on this topic already on this forum, search is your friend, and every country is different. You just have to weigh for yourself the cost/benefit of the risk.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by jim321

a good flare gun and a few shotgun shells ??

In USA (and finally Canada which made much hubaloo about the topic) they are flare launchers, not guns (not firearms.)

Despite the "12 gauge" moniker, the 12 gauge shotshell and 12 gauge flare are not interchangeable in form- i.e., you can't use a 12 gauge shotshell in a 12 gauge flare launcher.

The pressure profile of the 12 gauge shotshell far exceeds that of the flare. The general advice on turn of the century Damascus shotgun barrels is to NOT fire modern shotshells...and Damascus is metal. Given that the flare launcher chamber is plastic (and far weaker than even Damascus steel), it is foolhardy to even think about trying it.

Never, ever plan or try to fire a 12 gauge shotshell from a flare launcher.


Aside from that, you'll get into just as much trouble if caught with ammo as if caught with a firearm. So using a 12 gauge insert in a flare launcher and having 12 gauge shotshells doesn't keep one from upsetting the law.

[danielamartindm]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

In USA (and finally Canada which made much hubaloo about the topic) they are flare launchers, not guns (not firearms.)

Despite the "12 gauge" moniker, the 12 gauge shotshell and 12 gauge flare are not interchangeable in form- i.e., you can't use a 12 gauge shotshell in a 12 gauge flare launcher.

The pressure profile of the 12 gauge shotshell far exceeds that of the flare. The general advice on turn of the century Damascus shotgun barrels is to NOT fire modern shotshells...and Damascus is metal. Given that the flare launcher chamber is plastic (and far weaker than even Damascus steel), it is foolhardy to even think about trying it.

Never, ever plan or try to fire a 12 gauge shotshell from a flare launcher.


Aside from that, you'll get into just as much trouble if caught with ammo as if caught with a firearm. So using a 12 gauge insert in a flare launcher and having 12 gauge shotshells doesn't keep one from upsetting the law.

Years ago, I purchased a device that was marketed as a "Machete Stopper." It's a beautifully engineered tube of steel with a screw-on back end that contains a firing pin. A .410 shell is placed in it, the cap is screwed on, and the assembly is placed into a standard plastic flare gun. The hammer of the flare gun engages the firing pin, and as the entire firing mechanism is contained within this heavy steel gun-quality cylinder, no safety issues. You can leave the loaded cylinder in a drawer and pop it in a flare gun if need be. Of course, customs officials would certainly deem this a weapon if it aroused their suspicion and they chose to take it apart.

[Olddan1943]

Customs may want to visit your boat to visually inspect the firearms and count the ammo. I understand and accept that possibility.
I have NO intentions of removing the shot gun from my boat.

It is the same in the US when boarded by the USCG.... Stay at the helm and TELL them where the gun/guns and ammo are located.

Sad to say but, the days of the 'friendly' USCG are past.

[Olddan1943]

IF you have shotgun shells on board, you better have a shotgun of matching caliber.

Come on folks, think of the damage a flare can do to a person.
Doesn't matter the size of the flare launcher, when that flare ignites, the "target" will not be a happy person.

I am not sure if flares will work on zombies or aliens from other planets.

[weavis]

Well guys.

Guess we have run the normal course for a gun thread and time to close it down.

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