Boat Sidearm?

[fxstchewy]

The OP made it sound like it wasn't what he encountered out on the water that bothered him, but what he might encounter in the marina while docking his boat - more of a close human threat than anything. I'd say stick with a used plastic-fantastic.

early morning, late at night docking is the issue, out on the water not really much of a concern. probably carry J frame or Glock 26. Thanks.

 

[WBA]

The biggest guns the US ever mounted on battleships were 406mm, firing a shell weighing about 2500 pounds. The Japanese and British built a couple with 460mm's, firing a 3200 pound shell. Hard to imagine ANYONE messing with a boat mounting 870's!

I believe 870mm in this case refers to a Remington 870 Marine Magnum

 

[GCBurner]

When canoeing in Florida, I have a stainless .357 in my kit, mostly for aggressive alligators and water moccasins.

 

[kayak-man]

Last time I took a gun in a boat, it was my J-Frame. I put it in a pocket holster, then inside a ziplock bag incase I went in the drink.

I'm still trying to find a way to comfortably conceal a bigger gun while kayaking without worrying about it falling out.

 

[CraigC]

I'm sitting here thinking my stainless Bearcat needs a lanyard ring. Glock actually makes a very good and affordable lanyard.

 

[One_Jackal]

A boat is one place an AK ot AR will shine. A pistol is a bad idea for a boat. The ocean is endless. A 100 yard shot on a boat will seem like a 20 yard shot on land.

 

[CraigC]

A pistol is a bad idea for a boat.

Did you read the OP???

Lake/ ocean/ river/ pond?

Rifles are a little tough to maneuver while canoeing up a creek, not to mention impractical.

 

[TAKtical]

I vote glock. I have an OD 17 that Ive been abusing for about 6 years and Ive yet to have a problem with it. Rain, snow, sweat, nothing has rusted or malfunctioned and I only clean it every 500 rounds or so. I love my 1911s but they seem to rust pretty easy in my experience. Although I do have an old TRP operator full rail that seems impervious to everything except scratches.

 

[One_Jackal]

Did you read the OP???


Rifles are a little tough to maneuver while canoeing up a creek, not to mention impractical.

He made it sound like he has a real boat NOT a frikin canoe. If he is on a small boat a floatation device is more important than the gun. I use a boat bumper with a four foot line, with has a snap to go into the trigger guard, like duck hunters use.

By the way I have bagged some nice bucks from a canoe. I had no problem handling a 30/06 on a canoe or small boat. You just have to shoot straight over the bow. If you shoot over the side you can flip the canoe over.

 

[CraigC]

Sorry but I don't see anything more specific than "boat" and this is the handgun forum, not the rifle forum.

 

[splithoof]

Yes, 870MM =Remington 870 Marine Magnum.

 

[06]

Had a small run in with the "rabbit sheriffs" at a North Carolina boat landing last year. He asked if my old Makarov was loaded and I said absolutely. He made me unload it till I got into the river on the boat. Seems game lands prohibit loaded arms--even a side arm. The old makarov is my "working gun" but use a stainless 357 for a hunting sidearm. Do not have a lanyard on either but like that thought.

 

[TaylorBrassjole73]

I don't know how much power or size your looking for, and it seems your more worried about 2 legged critters than the slithery ones. So I will try to make the case for a Makarov, Tokarev, CZ surplus, or a Bersa. They are reliable and inexpensive. Bersa has every size and caliber you might want if your looking for an auto. Revolver wise a stainless 4in. Rossi .357 may not be a bad choice. Not hard to find used either.

 

[trickyasafox]

CZ-82 might be worth looking at. still fairly cheap, comes with a lanyard loop (mine even came with a lanyard) and a holster that no one minds getting soaked.

I would suspect much careful consideration needs to be made as to ammo- I would think nickled cases are a must, though I am unsure of the bullet type that would hold up to exposure a boat might offer long term. Also I'd take the time to seal the primers if they weren't already.

 

[mgmorden]

I've been carrying my Makarov while out boating (technically fishing, and open carry is legal here in SC while fishing so I typically just wear my gun OWB at the 5 o'clock position with a fishing shirt over it.

The fishing shirts are thin and light so they're still cool. If it blows up or prints I don't care.

 

[JShirley]

The old-fashioned way.

Well, doesn't look safe, but it sure is pretty.

 

[CraigC]

What's unsafe about it? You do understand that we're not all jumping in and out of aircraft all day, right? And that people have been using lanyards just like the one pictured to retain their handguns for a long time??? I guess I better call Hamilton Bowen, the premier revolversmith in the world, and tell him his lanyard rings and lanyards are unsafe.

 

[X-Rap]

You don't need to be jumping in and out of aircraft to want some sort of break away on a lanyard, I can think of numerous situations in which I would want my weight to easily break any connection I had to my gun attached to me by a cord.
How does that cord attach to your body? If it is a big loop over one shoulder and the other under I would not want brush hooking it on horseback or motorized travel nor have it get hung up in any kind of wreck.
The only time I require such retention is when I also wouldn't want to be hung by it.

 

[CraigC]

Ever wear a belt, backpack, shoulder bag, possibles bag, rifle sling or anything else attached to your body? Do you wear clothing??? I reckon while I'm at it I need to contact Kyle Lamb at Viking Tactical and tell him his V-TAC sling is also unsafe. No different.

And then there's all those Colt and S&W 1917's and 1911's in circulation with lanyard rings!!!

 

[JERRY]

while bass fishing with my brother in NC a DNR cop boarded us for pfds and the like and told us that the break back single shot 12ga. with bird shot we had for water moccasins was not allowed in the resevour but was ok once we got on the Tar River.....told us to make sure it was opened up and unloaded when we got back in the resevour to pull the boat out....

 

[JShirley]

Ever wear a belt, backpack, shoulder bag, possibles bag, rifle sling or anything else attached to your body? Do you wear clothing???

Most newer versions of the things on your list have FASTEX quick-release buckles or pull-tabs. Most clothing will rip under just a few pounds of pressure. Lanyards, on the other hand, are designed to hold weight. Fortunately, some of the newer lanyard designs break away under 15 lbs of pressure.

John

 

[CraigC]

I don't own a single stitch of anything with "FASTEX quick-release buckles or pull-tabs". Nor would I wear them while fishing if I did. You got those on your pants belt? One more time, you do understand that we're not all in Afghanistan, right? Good Lord, leave your handgun at home if you are so worried about it pulling you to your grave. The rest of us will reside in the real world where a handgun dropped overboard is a "real" concern. Ya know, that place where we use leather belts, leather slings, possibles bags, lanyards and fishing poles???

As far as clothing tearing away easily, ever seen what happens to a guy when a lathe grabs his shirt sleeve??? What the solution to that, velcro stripper pants?

 

[PO2Hammer]

I love lanyards (nice setup CraigC, Bowen?) and will wear them anywhere except in a canoe or kayak on fast moving water.
Yes, I wear clothing and a life jacket, I just don't want a strong chord attached to a small anchor (pistol) that might catch on an underwater snag.
I live on the Mississippi, and people have drown here when they capsize and get hung up on something below the surface.

 

[coolluke01]

Don't forget that a lanyard will not lay flat against the body all the time like a belt will. I have never snagged my belt on anything. I have snagged cords, harnesses shoulder straps and the like plenty. I think there is a huge difference here.

A break away lanyard is a great idea.

 

[CraigC]

Surely if lanyards are so dangerous than someone can produce one example of a person getting hurt or killed while using one???