[maracho]

Any pocket guns that can withstand a lot of wading and occasionally in saltwater?

I hear that titanium withstands saltwater very well but doesn't it have problems firing lead bullets-maybe thats a compromise I have to live with?

I also hear that glocks stand up pretty well by Navy Seals.

I thought about just using a ziplock bag but that would slow my draw a lot. A rubber surgical glove tied off might allow quick trigger pull?

[Black Majik]

Tennifer & plastic = your best friend through wading through water.

Glock, Walther P99...


Ziplock bags do sound ideal though. I wouldn't want my personal firearms being sunk in nasty ol' water :D

Let us know if they hold up!

[Car Knocker]

Just remember that the innards, such as springs, will be attacked by the salt water and will be compromised even though the exterior of the handgun may look fine.

[Lonestar]

Semi Auto = Glock
Revolver = All Stainless steel revolvers. A lot of Vietnam Vets bought S&W model 60 for the same reason. New would be expensive, but you might find one used for cheap.

[oweno]

Having done my share of wading in both fresh and salt water (and having gotten dunked more than once), I'd recommend something that's easy to detail strip....like a Makarov. If I can detail strip this piece, anybody can.

Instructions, with pictures, at makarov.com

and if there's a delay between dunking and cleaning, if you can maybe drop the gun into something like a bucket of kerosene?

[Ben Shepherd]

A double action stainless ruger revolver and a small can of wd-40(as in water displacing formula 40). Worked well on many a wet fall deer hunt for me.

Just remember to use real cleaning/lubing products when you get home.

The situation you describe is the ONLY time wd40 gets anywhere near my guns though.

[Carbon_15]

Glock, without a doubt

[10-Ring]

I'd say a pre-owned for this one. I have a buddy that has a cheapy Mak in his tackle box. Over the years that thing has seen some punishment! But to its credit, it still shoots well. For me, I'd go w/ a Glock in a ziplock bag.

[Geronimo45]

Maks aren't so cheap now. A CZ52's not bad, though, and you could get a cheap wheelgun and have it duracoated or something.

[Hogfan1911]

Been wanting one of the Taurus total titanium revolvers to carry when wade fishing. You didn't mention where/why you'd be wading. What kind of threats are you anticipating? Does it have to be a "pocket gun"? All these questions factor in. A 2" titanium revolver could be carried in a pocket w/the right holster. The barrels are stainless surrounded by a titanium shroud so don't see where lead bullets would cause any problems. They're ported, so maybe getting those clogged is where the lead bullet issue came from. Stainless or the Glock's finish would work too, just less corrosion-resistant than titanium. Regardless, after a dunking you'd have to at least field-strip an auto, remove the side plate on a revolver & give everything a good blasting with solvent from a pressurized can to get out any fine silt/sediment etc., then lube thoroughly.

[Rangegod]

I would forget revolvers as even SS and Titanium models use carbon steel for springs and lock work parts. Plus access to these parts for preventive maintenance is difficult.

First choice would be a Glock. I carried a G19 IWB against the bare skin of my generous “love handles” for 5 years in South Florida on both land and sea. It was given no maintenance other than routine cleaning after firing sessions. The condition of this gun could still pass for LNIB.

Second choice would be a 1911 (a compact model as I understand you want it small) preferably in SS or some tuff finish. The reason for this choice is simple ease of maintenance after exposure. The gun can be detailed stripped to the last pin and spring in about 2 minutes and reassembled in 5 or so. Simple fresh water wash down, blow dry, lube, reassemble and your good to go.

JAC

[cookekdjr]

I am not an expert, but I personally would carry a Glock, Mil-Spec style 1911, or stainless .357 revolver.
-David

Edited to add: I'd also recommend the Makarov.

[knoxx45]

When it comes to plastic, my choice is HK. Their finnish is just as tough as the golck's and I just like them better.

[maracho]

Thanks alot guys for all the posts!

http://www.manasquanfasteners.com/Stainless%20Steel%20Technical%20Data.htm I don’t know what grade SS is used in guns but it looks like 316 grade stainless is the best for saltwater. Titanium however is supposedly even much better than SS 316. http://www.thekrib.com/Marine/stainless.html

I did not think about the innards like springs and screws so a gun with fewer of these and with ability to easily exchange them would probably be the way to go. http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13586

This glock site says their guns are highly resistant to saltwater because even all the metal parts have a tenifer finish http://www.arringtondistributors.com/GLOCK/glock.htm

H&K Socom is supposedly resistant as well http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Auto-Pistols/HK_SOCOM.htm Maybe I should have got this instead of my compact model but I doubt I would ever drench this one.

Here is a little comparative oppinion between Glock and HK element-hardiness. http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=231

I had originally leaned toward a small titanium 38 revolver for roaming tropical wetlands that are occasionally inhabited by modern-day pirates and tasty critters but by maybe a glock 26 would be better even though they are so chunky. A keltec would be a better pocket gun but it probably wouldn’t last long.

[stiletto raggio]

A G26 is good if the biggest thing you are worried about (besides people) is a dog-sized animal, but if there is something big or scratchy, I would check out the G29. Power at or above nearly all .357 loads, moderate recoil and a ten round flush-fitting magazine with the option for 15 if you so desire. DoubleTap ammo.

[maracho]

Yes big cats and crocs and even bull sharks are a big fear of mine but I doubt if if a gun would help alot in this situation but I sure would be shooting if attacked. Most of the attacks that have been happening are by small groups with machetes. I picked the 9mm cause it is easy to find in tropical countries but so is 38 spcl. A 357 would be nice but since it needs a longer barrel it would be just to big and I dont know how available 357 ammo is or 10mm either. I need to check into 45acp availability.

[weregunner]

One caveat. Drain all the water possible out of the firearm you chose prior to shooting it. Otherwise complete catastrophic failure of the whole pistol can take place to to the pressures involved.Glocks fired underwater in a lot of the tests were modified by Glock or the military. Some individual fired one in his bathtub down South somewhere and was nearly killed by the experience since he heard about it being done from a media source. Some Glocks have been fired without prep for this but Glock and the veterans writers who have done this recommend against it.Recorded instances show where revolvers have been used in San Salvador and Viet Nam due to water draining out more quickly and completely ,then brought into use quicker than semi autos can. Exceptions do exist.So a semi auto could be a pick. So good luck on your choice.

[Carbon_15]

One thing to take note of with a revolver, even stainless or titainium, many of the parts under the sideplate are going to be unfinished 'white' metal, blued or case hardened. Lots of little bits in there to rust...
if you get your revolver very wet, be sure to remove the sideplate and flush with WD-40, then clean/lubricate as normal.

[Autolycus]

Arent there Spring Maritime cups avilable for the Glock 17?

[PO2Hammer]

I'm not a kool aide drinker, but I would have to go with Glock there. Maritime spring cups (maritime, not under water) may not be a bad idea.
I would worry more about my ammo than the pistol. Primer sealant would be a must for me.
A Glock 17 with either NATO spec or Wolf laquered ammo would be my choice.

[PO2Hammer]

and if there's a delay between dunking and cleaning, if you can maybe drop the gun into something like a bucket of kerosene?
A rinse, then soak in fresh water is recomended.

[Guncrazy45]

When I lived in Florida, I carried my Glock 19 to the beach many times. In the water, drying on the sand, back in the water, several times a day. When I'd get home, I simply field stripped it, rinsed it in the sink, reassembled it and put it away. The ammo in the magazine was the first to be shot at the next range trip.

I've had this Glock for...say...nine years now. Still works great with all the original springs, and has no rust anywhere that I can see, even after detail stripping it.

(edit) Oh, and I didn't carry it in a plastic bag, either. I used a SmartCarry holster.