Water Proof, floating handgun case

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RoostRider

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I put this in the Handguns: General Discussion area because I could use any type of handgun (I have an auto, a revolver, and even a black powder... lol).... I did a search first, but all I found regarded a shotgun survival system... forgive me if this is a 'worn out topic'.... just link me there out of mercy... :)

I am going deep into the woods where I will have to, at points, carry everything that I put in my kayak (BWCAW). I am not interested in portaging a long gun of any sort, sorry, I have done it, it just isn't practical. There is a very real possibility of confronting a black bear (I have hunted them in the area), but, I know bears and this weapon serves more to comfort me than to be used in any real application. (although there was also a recent incident in the area involving "tourist terrorism", for lack of a better description... locals harassing tourists with guns and whatnot... sadly, kind of Deliverance in nature... *sigh*... you don't get to pick where you come from...)

While in camp it will be loaded and ready in my tent or on my person, but it needs to travel in my kayak, preferably at near ready, in a lockable, water proof (read- NOT water resistant) container that floats and can be anchored to the boat (via a handle or anything similar and a tie line). It would ideally be bright yellow, or something similar (reflective?), so as to be spotted floating should worst come to worst (the boat doesn't float real high when swamped)...

I would plan on using a sidearm that is registered to me, with a note on the outside with contact information (business address and cell phone).... as there are very few 'crooks' in this deep wilderness area, I think that would be the best way for it to get back to me if it were somehow lost

Any ideas? Please link to anything you might suggest and note why... similar personal experiences? solutions wanted.... I am thinking some sort of foam lined hard case (the smaller the better!!! the lighter the better!!)... I can cut the foam of some other sort of case.... cheap is good (water proof boxes are relatively cheap... so I am not stuck on a "Gun Case")

At current I put a Ruger P89 9mm in a deck bag, but it gets moist in there at least (things going in and out that are wet/ any sort of leak... etc)... and the gun can't be left in there for long without developing rust... I have an AR-7, which I have taken with, but it is more 'cute' than practical for aggressive bears, crazed animals or people... or I could use my S/W 686 357mag. (it is stainless), but that thing is kind of big and heavy... I realize that it would be a better bear stopper (as mentioned, I have taken black bear), but I have to 'weigh' it all in (pun intended), and the 9mm is lighter, easier to carry, has more rounds, and should be adequate to scare of most any bear (not all), and/or any self preserving conscious person... at very worst, I am confident I could take out a bear with 15 rounds of 9mm... so that is why I choose it... (oddly, I always pack an extra clip to play with... lol... somehow, that's worth the weight... lol)

So yeah, let me know what you think of this whole thing.... as normal, I am getting ready the night before I leave, so I won't be around to reply for a week or so (this will be for the next trip if I get it all figured out)... so don't flame the bejeebus out of me until I get a chance to reply to your input... I might agree, or I might not, but let me review the argument first is all I ask...
 
Pelican case.

I use them in kayaks and on boats for everything from delicate electronics to medical gear to firearms to documents.

Check the Pelican website to find a dealer near you, or go on the internet and find one that will meet your needs and size requirements. For most sizes they come in black, yellow, orange, grey and tan. I use different colors to keep my gear straight, so I do not have to open the box to see what is in it. If you need reflective markings, just get some 3M reflective tape (auto parts and boating stores usually have it) and add that to the outside.

Get some dessicant to use when storing the firearm for extended time periods in a maritime environment.

I have been using Pelican stuff since the early 80's and have had nothing but good results, and even go so far as to use them at home for storage (I live in a humid salt air environment, so EVERYTHING corrodes) to help extend the lifespan of some of my gear. My oldest cases date back to the early 80's and are veterans of many expeditions and travels, and are still working fine.
 
Pelican cases are hard to beat. They're not only waterproof, they're airtight.
 
If you're not wedded to hard case

I believe Waller & Son used to do a floating soft case you might like; might be lighter and less bulky than Pelican and suit your needs as well.

Cheers, TF
 
Also might check out Otterbox and Underwater Kinetics. They make some dry boxes as well. Try leisurepro.com for a source.

When you are searching use the term "dry box" or "dry storage". And get some dessicant packets to put in it. If it doesn't let water in it won't let water (condensation) out either.

And make sure it has an equalization valve. If you open it in the mountains and bring it to sea level you might not be able to open it otherwise. If you think that's not important multiply something like 1 or 2 psi by 12" x 12" and see how much force is holding the box closed. I've gone kayaking in the Sierras and had to pry open small 4 x 6 boxes open with a screwdriver because I opened them at altitude and didn't leave them open for the drive down.
 
The Pelicans, Hardiggs, and Starlights will to the job without question. They are, however, on the more expensive side.

Natchez is having a sale on Gun Guard All Weathers which are also water tight and are considerably less expensive than the top end makers (of plastic hard cases). The All Weathers are patterned after the others but just use a less rigid plastic. The smaller (of two) handgun case is, though a bit big but light. If you don't plan on driving a Humvee over it like you can with a Starlight, it'll do what you are looking for.

http://www.natchezss.com/category.c...y=11&subCategory=11&catLevel=1&prodID=GG10802

Unfortunately, they only come in black but you can always spray paint.

NOTE: It has to be the ALL WEATHER line. The other lines of products are well short of what is required.

(I have samples from all of the manufacturers noted above and find the GG AW adequate and capable for a hard case.)
 
I'll reply before reading the post.

Cabelas "Bulletproof" Marine QUality aluminum pistol cases
14 inches by 10 inches by 2" x 2" botom top that pivots on a
piano hinge. Stainless STeel hasps anchor the lid to the equal
sized lower with approx. 2" of rubber foam. it has a solid metal upper
lip that fits in a hard rubber trough so it wont float forever unless
you put a peel off silicone barrier. It will hold two N-frame 6" barreled
revolvers with room to spare. It has a steel rod that goes through
both hasps and has an L shape for the lock down $12 brass lock down.
The sides are cut at 45 degrees and then a plate welded in with thick beads.
to resist dings by gorilla baggage handlers. I' have been asked to look at the case at the range in the entry/lobby area.

$120 I have the same make/model Cabelas touts for an AR-15 or TC Enforcer It is 14" x 12" x 4" and is a good container length wise for my
Marline 1894 A longer one is available for a scoped Bolt Action rifle at $170

I buy the WIlson COmbat silicon impregnated
wipe cloth wrapped around my S&Ws in their cases
from Cabelas alum. cases.

Randall
 
Make sure if you get the Pelican it has the rubber o-ring in it. If it isn't in there they are not as water tight as one would like.
 
IIRC, last time I was in the BWCA, firearms are strictly prohibited, and the Rangers aren't shy about searching.

I've had three encounters with black bears up there, and all were resolved peacefully by surrendering whatever food the bear wanted.

One of the three times the bear wanted our fish, so we threw a few raw fish in his direction, no sale. He walked right in and proceded to eat our fried fish, the batter and all the tarter sause we had.

I guess it proves the old saying "what does a bear eat? ... anything he wants.'
 
While this was a good solution for you it's unfortunate in that it reinforced the bears "misbehavior"...
 
Had my eye on Pelicans for some time, but a bit pricey. Found these at the gunshow today. Military surplus. Got two of the smaller black ones, and one of the larger green.
The black has a label that says it held an infrared aiming light, The green had night vision goggles. Both have rubber seals. The green one has air valve. So I guess they're at least watertight. I'll need to get some foam. They both have stiff pre-molded styro for the items previously in them. Lockable. The hinges look pretty good. Seller was asking $18 for the green, came down to $15. Wouldn't budge on the black ones, $12/ea. So if you're not in a big hurry, you might look for something like this. The price is sure good.

Guess I should have cleaned them up a little:rolleyes:

Tuckerdog1

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They appear to be a Starlight cases. Very good cases (have to be if the military uses them).

They too are a bit pricey new. Also, in comparable models between ths Starlight, Pelican, Hardigg, and Gun Guard, they Starlights tend to be on the smaller side. But still, vey good cases.
 
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