shotgun carry on a tractor

[emmie]

was cutting weeds in the pine thicket,100+ acres and had 4 large dogs come up in the area. I carry a pistol,never know what might find you in the woods,but felt underguned with these dogs. now they never came at me,but better safe then chewed on.
I'm driving a Massey 240 tractor,that do't give a hole lot of room to put anything,so I'm looking for suggestions as to how to mount a 870.
also what type of case,might be best? yes tree limbs do slap me from time to time.
all suggestions welcomed

thank you for your time


emmie

 

[Kingcreek]

You can mount a scabbard or one of those Kolpin Gun Boots on the inside of the fender.
I also go out on the tractor to mow road-banks and some acreage where I planted trees. also maintain some fire-breaks and trails. I just carry a handgun on my hip. As long as I'm on the tractor, I don't feel too threatened. Only problem I had was one neighbors dog but somebody else hit him on the road so I didn't have to.

 

[Fred Fuller]

emmie,

The best thing I can think of to protect you, the tractor and the gun would be the kind of gun boot that's used on ATVs. There should be lots of mounting options for positioning it so that it will keep your shotgun safely out of the way yet easily accessible if you need it. Take a look at http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4630449 and see what you think.

lpl/nc

edited to add: The boot is designed so that its butt end is removeable to give access to the gun, most ATVers mount them muzzle down on their vehicles though a few mount them horizontally.

 

[Glockman17366]

If your tractor has a ROPS (Roll Over Protection System), you could mount a scabbard there. Another place would be the hood, if you don't mind drilling holes in it.

If you're brush cutting...well, you know how limbs and brush can snag everywhere, so however you decide to mount the shotgun, make sure it's robust and the trigger is well enclosed (or, keep the chamber empty and pump a round in when you need to).

As far as type of shotgun, I'd consider a .410 pistol gripped model from Mossberg (they're called a Cruiser). .410 isn't too much recoil, but would be quite lethal at close range.

You don't mention what caliber your handgun is, but a .357 would kill any dog. Personally, I carry a .38 revolver in my pocket (in a holster) when I'm mowing.

 

[armoredman]

Or carry pepper spray with your sidearm.The bear spray will do a number on any dog.

 

[MSK]

need info

i have a remington model 31L s.n. 118818 pump action 12 gauge which i need a manual for. plus can some one confirm that the L stands for lightweight with aluminum receiver. tks

 

[Steve C]

What is it with people and their fear of dogs? Good grief, a shotgun for protection from dogs because a handgun doesn’t feel like enough! Kind of like taking a baseball bat to defend yourself against those killer butterflies because the “fly swatter” just doesn’t “feel” big enough.
When my family farmed and later when I worked on my Uncles farm/ranch we shot strays, not because we where afraid of them, but because they molested and killed livestock, mostly calves and chickens. For that deadly task we generally used a .22 rifle and never felt under gunned.
Dogs can be pretty brave on their home turf but anywhere else they’ll usually high tail it out of there with a yell or if you even pretend you’re picking up a rock. Those that haven’t experienced a thrown rock learn fast after you chuck one at them whether you hit one or not. Any dog that doesn’t run away would make me suspect it was rabid.
There are rational reasons you may need to shoot a dog but any handgun you can hit what you aim at with is certainly sufficient.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I like tractor guns for reasons other than feral dogs. A 22 LR in the ear works as well as a 12 gauge slug.

As a farm boy, I often got shots at divers game critters from the cockpit of an old Ford Farmall or an older Massey-Ferguson. An ancient section of stove pipe served as a scabbard with some rags inside. Baling wire tied it in place.

The Kolpin is a good scabbard.

MSK. the L does stand for Lightweight. Remington can advise you where to get an out of print manual.

The 31 is one of the best pumps ever made. Enjoy....