Deep-Sixed the Guns off Mexico...
- Thread starter Travis McGee
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Pevey
Member
Excellent post, CFriesen along with an excellent thread. Very entertaining reading.
Mexican cops get a bad rap from us in the States because, of course, everyone here is honest as the day is long, right? Always bad to judge someone you don't know. For every bad cop in Mexico, there are those that believe in their job, look forward to going to work every day and literally, put their lives on the line. In Nuevo Laredo, one police chief was assasinated within one hour of being sworn in. He knew his life was in jeopardy but he took the job anyway. The drug war is fought for real with guns and money. Occasionally we get a brief glimpse into it and its not very pretty. They have their oun assumptions about Northerners and its not very accurate either.
As for Mexican gun laws, we may not agree with them but it is their country. Kinda where the ugly American sentiment comes from. We are always right, you should be like us and be right also. Just be very careful about some laws cause some, like the gun law, can get you in a heap of trouble.
CFriesen, you may not be from Texas but you sound like you fit in fine. Hope you stay awhile.
Mexican cops get a bad rap from us in the States because, of course, everyone here is honest as the day is long, right? Always bad to judge someone you don't know. For every bad cop in Mexico, there are those that believe in their job, look forward to going to work every day and literally, put their lives on the line. In Nuevo Laredo, one police chief was assasinated within one hour of being sworn in. He knew his life was in jeopardy but he took the job anyway. The drug war is fought for real with guns and money. Occasionally we get a brief glimpse into it and its not very pretty. They have their oun assumptions about Northerners and its not very accurate either.
As for Mexican gun laws, we may not agree with them but it is their country. Kinda where the ugly American sentiment comes from. We are always right, you should be like us and be right also. Just be very careful about some laws cause some, like the gun law, can get you in a heap of trouble.
CFriesen, you may not be from Texas but you sound like you fit in fine. Hope you stay awhile.
Don Gwinn
Moderator Emeritus
Jerry, you and I disagree.
Travis, I think you did what Phil or Brad would have done. That's a compliment.
Ranya, of course, would have sweet-talked those cops, assassinated them one by one, and quietly motored out of the marina while feeding the police dogs beef jerky and drinking a Corona.
Travis, I think you did what Phil or Brad would have done. That's a compliment.
Ranya, of course, would have sweet-talked those cops, assassinated them one by one, and quietly motored out of the marina while feeding the police dogs beef jerky and drinking a Corona.
cardboardkiller
Member
Just one quck question, Why didn't you ship them or drop them off with someone to hold until you got to your destination and then had them sent to you?
I figure shipping on your firearms couldn't have been more that about $200, could have saved yourself some cash and still had your firearms.
As long your buying more, no worries I guess.
Welcome to Florida!!!
I figure shipping on your firearms couldn't have been more that about $200, could have saved yourself some cash and still had your firearms.
As long your buying more, no worries I guess.
Welcome to Florida!!!
I don't think Travis had any plans on stopping in Mexico but the weather conspired against him. He had the guns along for protection but instead of trying to sneak them into and out of Mexico he chose to comply with their laws and got rid of them before entering port. Tough break but the fuel was more important to him at that point than dumping the guns. As an active duty Coast Guardsman who has spent the last 13 years at west coast surf stations I know he did absolutely the right thing. Jettison the guns, pull in and refuel, and then continue on. Talking about what YOU (not specifically you cardboardkiller) would have done in his situation is fine but Travis made the choice that most prudent seamen would have made. If you venture into the Pacific and you don't take every precaution you can possibly take such as fueling up whenever possible then you are asking for trouble. I am looking at his actions not only as a Coastie but as someone who made bluewater sailing voyages to Bermuda, Nova Scotia, etc. long before I joined the Guard, the Army Reserve as an 88K, or the Navy. I've also raced offshore, raced dingys, Lasers, 420s and FJs, taught sailing, and have kayaked in and out of the surf, rowed, and took an open 19 foot sailboat from CT to ME and back again. Besides it was only a Mini 14 and half of the guys here are still pissed off at Bill Ruger.
CajunBass
Member
Funny. When I read the story, I thought they were HIS guns to do with as he pleased. 
Great story BTW.
Great story BTW.
Zundfolge
Member
Unless you run into some unsavory types on the way back
silverlance
Member
Hey Travis... hate to resurrect this dead thread, but what is your opinion of the Mini-14 now?
Very sad to lose guns, any gun, but I've always wanted to hear about torture testing the Mini-14.
ps: isn't it hard to walk around on deck with those big brass ones?
Very sad to lose guns, any gun, but I've always wanted to hear about torture testing the Mini-14.
ps: isn't it hard to walk around on deck with those big brass ones?
Leedavisone
Member
I am glad you resurrected this thread, for I found myself frowning at all the misconceptions thrown about... about Mexico, pirates, safety at sea, firearms, and the 'third world' in general. I spent 5 years on a sailboat with my wife, and logged 50,000 miles. Had I been in that situation, I would have done the same and deep sixed the guns. that said, Mexico is still one of the most pleasant and safest places that I have ever seen, and we carried a gun! Granted, it was our 25mm flare pistol, with a barrel sleeve so it could shoot .410 shotgun shells. But that will pass any inspection anywhere, and did.
Panama was a dangerous place, but only in Panama city, or Cristobal Colon after dark. You just can't get safer than when you are on a boat. And there are no pirates. The places that have full blown pirates are Indonesia (and the military offers protected passage for a fee), and well... I can't think of anywhere else. There have been people robbed when they left their boat in many places, but it just doesn't happen that pirates come aboard and do you in... Believe me, the long distance sailing community is a pack of gossips, and they hear all the stories.
I have included a picture of a US Army gunboat patroling while we were anchored off the Panama Canal on the pacific side. (We anchored off the island where Noriega was being held). The guys on the patrol boat said that we were as safe as it could get, with the US Army guarding us!, though they admitted that they were bored, and wished for a little action. In Mexico, several times we traded Spam, Playboys and .22 bullets for diesel fuel from the government docks. In Costa Rica the Port Police were downright apologetic and deferential when they came aboard the boat to check us in. In Grenada, we had no port clearance papers from our last landfall (Cape Verde Islands), so a receipt for diesel from Portugal was good enough.
By the time our daughter was 10 months old, she had been in 18 countries. Never once did we have any fear from the locals, military, police, or anyone else. Mexico is much like every other country... they want to please you and make your stay enjoyable... what they are afraid of is a reputation for being a bad place. People have all kinds of stories, but those are the people who have never been there. Their fear of the unknown, based on rumors prevents them from enjoying some fantastic places. Man, this is starting to make me miss the boat! (the other picture is of the boat dried out for repainting the hull in Scotland)
Not to worry... I am off to the Sierra Madre in Mexico on my BMW motorcycle soon. I am going to do an inspection of the cantinas Y Moras. Lee Davis
Panama was a dangerous place, but only in Panama city, or Cristobal Colon after dark. You just can't get safer than when you are on a boat. And there are no pirates. The places that have full blown pirates are Indonesia (and the military offers protected passage for a fee), and well... I can't think of anywhere else. There have been people robbed when they left their boat in many places, but it just doesn't happen that pirates come aboard and do you in... Believe me, the long distance sailing community is a pack of gossips, and they hear all the stories.
I have included a picture of a US Army gunboat patroling while we were anchored off the Panama Canal on the pacific side. (We anchored off the island where Noriega was being held). The guys on the patrol boat said that we were as safe as it could get, with the US Army guarding us!, though they admitted that they were bored, and wished for a little action. In Mexico, several times we traded Spam, Playboys and .22 bullets for diesel fuel from the government docks. In Costa Rica the Port Police were downright apologetic and deferential when they came aboard the boat to check us in. In Grenada, we had no port clearance papers from our last landfall (Cape Verde Islands), so a receipt for diesel from Portugal was good enough.
By the time our daughter was 10 months old, she had been in 18 countries. Never once did we have any fear from the locals, military, police, or anyone else. Mexico is much like every other country... they want to please you and make your stay enjoyable... what they are afraid of is a reputation for being a bad place. People have all kinds of stories, but those are the people who have never been there. Their fear of the unknown, based on rumors prevents them from enjoying some fantastic places. Man, this is starting to make me miss the boat! (the other picture is of the boat dried out for repainting the hull in Scotland)
Not to worry... I am off to the Sierra Madre in Mexico on my BMW motorcycle soon. I am going to do an inspection of the cantinas Y Moras. Lee Davis
Leedavisone
Member
zedsdead
Member
"picture of a US Army gunboat"
An Army??? gunboat? Didn't know we had any...
An Army??? gunboat? Didn't know we had any...
Kimber1911_06238
Member
That sucks, bring an sks next time......if you have to toss it you're only losing around 100 bucks
Mr Kablammo
Member
I would gladly pay $100/yr or $8/mo to avoid Mexican Prison. Well done, TM.
Browns Fan
Member
Quote:
"The most fun was heating up the Mini with a few hundred rounds rapid fire, and then "quenching" the entire rifle by submerging it into the ocean off of the swim platform. You should have seen it make the water boil for a few seconds! "
Wow! A water-cooled mini14!
"The most fun was heating up the Mini with a few hundred rounds rapid fire, and then "quenching" the entire rifle by submerging it into the ocean off of the swim platform. You should have seen it make the water boil for a few seconds! "
Wow! A water-cooled mini14!
Travis McGee
Member
Silverlance: I think the Mini is a fine rifle if you're not looking for a lot of accuracy. There are a lot of factors, but I'd guess you're looking at a 3 to 5 minute of angle gun off the rack. For shooting on the water, you're more or less adjusting fire by your splashes at long range, so it's not that critical. Like Kimber1911 said, an SKS would have been a better choice, similar utility, and a lot cheaper.
Cosmoline
Member
My reaction as well. I had no idea we were still sending guys out on little gunboats like the "Sea Pebbles." I figured Panama did it or we had subcontracted it out.
feedthehogs
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Not true in all cases.
In 01' I delivered a 54' Ocean sport fish to Isla Mujeres for a customer to fish Sails for a month.
Customer carried a stainless mini 14, 200 rds of ammo and stainless mossberg 12 g.
Upon pulling in and having the dockmaster meet us on the boat and check us in, the parade of 4 customs inspectors began. Having done this before each inspector was treated with a drink, some food and 50 bucks for their trouble.
The inspector who asked about firearms, admired the mini 14 and I thought he was going to keep it but handed it back.
This is a high class place and the poorly paid customs inspectors are not going to shoot themselves in the foot by hasseling boaters who's tips keep them comfortable.
In Port Adventures, I encountered the same.
Since the boat did not carry enough fuel to cross from Key West to Mexico, I carried 3-55 gallon drums of fuel on the back deck and transfered half way.
Well on the return trip after transfering fuel, I tossed the three drums over board and proceeded to use up the two hundred .223 rounds and the couple of dozen 12 g rounds into the drums sinking them.
Best part of the trip.
Essex County
Member
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Haven't You ever been told about...........
Mordida? the little bite? I've spent enough time as as resident of border cities and a frequent traveler deep into Mexico to know that greenbacks can easily cover a multitude of sins...........Essex
Mordida? the little bite? I've spent enough time as as resident of border cities and a frequent traveler deep into Mexico to know that greenbacks can easily cover a multitude of sins...........Essex
Leedavisone
Member
Mexico is a wonderful place for Americans, and especially boaters. A little mordida goes a long way, and I should know... I have had literally hundreds of episodes with the Mexican customs people bargaining on how much I should pay (I have a business in Mexico, but live in the US). It works out to be cheaper than tax in New Mexico. I have sailed both the pacific coast and part of the atlantic coast of Mexico, and dealt with customs, immigration and Los Capitans de Puerto in two dozen towns on the coast. I have presented pistols as gifts to a half dozen friends in the Police and Customs, been in Jail (for peeing in the street), romanced Moras Bonitas, bribed government fuel dock workers with bullets and playboys in exchange for diesel (what a deal!), and had the best food and parties of my life.
A gringo's life in Mexico is Golden... if you appear to be fairly well to do. If you are a down and out, you are ignored. If you look rich (and we all do, what with our nice cars and trucks), you are silently watched over. I went into a pharmacy to buy some Nexium for my father (prescription? never). I kinda parked a little odd, for space was limited. When I came out, 3 cops were standing at my truck... guarding it from being dinged. We talked a bit, joked some, and I found three more friends. They didn't want anything from me... just to have another tourista with pleasant feelings.
Sailing in Mexico is one of the best things I have ever done. At Bahia Magdelena, the Port Captain came out to our boat with his young son. He wanted his son to meet Americans. We were later invited to their home for dinner. In Acapulco, we went ashore at the Acapulco Yacht Club... guarded by two Mexican Military commandos with machine guns at the door. We stayed off the yacht club because the best bar in Mexico is across the street (the Mitla Bar). In Zehuatenejo the Customs man took us on a tour of the town, and the surrounding countryside, just to be neighborly.
I did have one bad experience though... The prettiest gal I have ever seen in my life wouldn't talk to me. I think it was because of all the bandoliers of ammo I was carrying. Terrible, terrible
"Fortunately, I always keep my feathers numbered" -Foghorn Leghorn
A gringo's life in Mexico is Golden... if you appear to be fairly well to do. If you are a down and out, you are ignored. If you look rich (and we all do, what with our nice cars and trucks), you are silently watched over. I went into a pharmacy to buy some Nexium for my father (prescription? never). I kinda parked a little odd, for space was limited. When I came out, 3 cops were standing at my truck... guarding it from being dinged. We talked a bit, joked some, and I found three more friends. They didn't want anything from me... just to have another tourista with pleasant feelings.
Sailing in Mexico is one of the best things I have ever done. At Bahia Magdelena, the Port Captain came out to our boat with his young son. He wanted his son to meet Americans. We were later invited to their home for dinner. In Acapulco, we went ashore at the Acapulco Yacht Club... guarded by two Mexican Military commandos with machine guns at the door. We stayed off the yacht club because the best bar in Mexico is across the street (the Mitla Bar). In Zehuatenejo the Customs man took us on a tour of the town, and the surrounding countryside, just to be neighborly.
I did have one bad experience though... The prettiest gal I have ever seen in my life wouldn't talk to me. I think it was because of all the bandoliers of ammo I was carrying. Terrible, terrible
"Fortunately, I always keep my feathers numbered" -Foghorn Leghorn
ClonaKilty
Member
Leedavidson, great to hear your stories about Mexico. I have lived & travelled a lot in Asia, and can attest that going to another country is one of the best life experiences you can ever have. Glad to see someone else like-minded here.
ctdonath
Member
Glad the thread was resurrected. Had heard some of Travis' stories, but had missed what happened to the guns.
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