What gun for an offshore boat?

[Citadel99]

My father in law goes offshore fishing about twice a week in south Texas. There have been some issues with pirates/drug runners as of late. He asked me this weekend what I'd recommend for a boat gun.

My initial thought was a stainless pump shotgun. When I got to thinking about it, I thought a semi auto rifle stowed in a Pelican type case might be better. If I were having issues, I'd much rather have 30-45 rounds effective at a stand off distance than a shot gun. I was thinking an AK would fit the bill. Loose tolerances, rugged, not too expensive, powerful rounds, and easy to handle.

What are your thoughts? My only concern about a Pelican type case is accessibility.

Mark

 

[Ash]

If I were doing that, I would use one of the Classic Arms chrome-plated AK's.

But, I might more seriously consider a stainless Mini-14.

Ash

 

[DMK]

I think I'd rather have something with a little more punch to it, like a FAL, M1A, PTR, something in 7.62x51.

 

[Ash]

The trick would be having one that did not rust away, which could happen pretty quickly. Are there stainless pump action rifles?

Ash

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I know it seems like overkill but a bud of mine it's getting a .50 cal for this situation.

Can put big holes in a craft quickly at a long range. You often can't afford for them to get that close to you at sea.

If that isn't for you then maybe an Ar with a .458 or .50 Beuwolf upper. Again, big holes for the other boat.

 

[JWarren]

What are your thoughts? My only concern about a Pelican type case is accessibility.

Getting into one is fast-- provided you have it in easy reach.

If you stow it below, getting into one like mine (5160), it may require 4 men and a lot of cursing.

Granted, I store a 13 pound rifle in a 21 pound case.


-- John

 

[gpr]

boat gun

i have a keltec sub...in 9mm..you can get 40...folds up, stash it any where....mine is s&w that will handle 30 rounders...also comes in glock style...gpr

 

[rbernie]

For a large craft, I've heard that 308 semiautos are preferred. However, stand-off shooting from a small rocking boat isn't likely to be really effective. I'm starting to think that a scattergun would be the best option.

 

[rero360]

punt gun mounted to the stern. I'd go for a Ma Duce myself. Or you could just get a complete recreation of a VietNam era brown water patrol boat, with all the weapons.

 

[rc109a]

I have tried to shoot many times from a small rocking boat. It is very difficult, but can be done with a lot of practice. We were trying to hit 55g drums from our patrol boat and most shots were misses at 50 yards. maybe we just sucked, I would not doubt that one bit. I do know anything greater then that was a lucky shot at best. This was off a 28 ft boat with rifles. A shot gun would be better if your not going to practice much (you can load it with slugs for nice big holes in hulls). When I took my sailboat to the Caribbean I took along a 12 gauge and a pistol (both were cheap in case they needed to go over the side before pulling into port). Only pulled it once at night and it was the coast guard who was doing a welfare check (or that is what they called it). Good luck on what ever you choose...

 

[H2O MAN]

The NAVY prefers the M14 ...
I would go with something from the M14 family with M80HT from SEI.
This would provide excellent protection from salt spray.

 

[Ash]

But that would make an insanely expensive gun to keep on a boat. Plus, it still will rust in the Gulf salt air near Texas.

Ash

 

[H2O MAN]

Good morning Ash!

It's only money

 

[grilledcheese]

Mossberg Mariner 12 Ga.

I'm assuming they still make those...




Jeffrey

 

[Ash]

It is. But spending a bunch of cash on a rifle that will still rust out is like using $1 bills for toilet paper. They'll work just fine, of course, but it doesn't really make sense. The surface treatment that Smith uses is nice, but it won't hold up in the Gulf. And since it won't, then spending the extra dough to get a rifle so treated (or buying a Crazy Horse or other rifle) is just wasting money. I'm not trashing the M14 for the role, but it will be a high maintenance rifle for the role, and the treatment won't really change that. You'll note I don't recommend an FAL for the job, either.

Ash

 

[H2O MAN]

The surface treatment that Smith uses is nice, but it won't hold up in the Gulf.

I'm not so sure about that... it passed the salt spray and corrosion testing regiment with flying colors.
Maintenance wouldn't be any worse with the M14 tan any other.
Water tight storage, desiccant packs and good cleaning will prevent most problems.

 

[dglockster]

Personally, I would go with the AK-47. However, no matter what you get, do as rc109a did and practice from the boat. In fact, dedicate at least a half- to a whole case for practice. You want to be the man in "Beware of the man who has but one gun for he knows how to use it."

 

[Ash]

H2O, no offense, really, but I grew up in Mobile Alabama and know the Gulf environment very well. The Smith rifle treatment, which is not generally offered universally but is possible, would not solve the problem. And, since maintenance would still be required, there is no reason to spend the extra cash.

In this case, I would think the chrome Classic Arms beasts would be perfect. Pretty cheap and require very little maintenance. That's the other problem. There are already many parts of a boat, as well as gear, which require maintenance. It is a pain in the neck to add one more thing to that mix.

Ash

 

[H2O MAN]

It can't be any worse than marine patrol in Miami ...

 

[benEzra]

For me personally, a plated AK with a 30 or 40 round magazine would by my first choice. Another option would be a stainless Mini Thirty, if you can find good magazines. However, I know from personal experience that a stainless Mini will rust in Gulf Coast humidity, never mind salt spray, so I think a plated AK would be as good or better, and the magazines are easier to come by. Otherwise, I'd probably choose a stainless shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot.

I have tried to shoot many times from a small rocking boat. It is very difficult, but can be done with a lot of practice. We were trying to hit 55g drums from our patrol boat and most shots were misses at 50 yards. maybe we just sucked, I would not doubt that one bit. I do know anything greater then that was a lucky shot at best. This was off a 28 ft boat with rifles. A shot gun would be better if your not going to practice much (you can load it with slugs for nice big holes in hulls).

The problem I see with a slug gun is that it is just as hard to shoot as a rifle, kicks more, and doesn't give you many followup shots to allow for misses. Can't argue with the "makes big holes" thing, though; .73 caliber holes definitely let in more water than .30 caliber holes. A shotgun with an open choke and loaded with buckshot would be easier to aim, although effectiveness with shot loads falls off with range.

 

[Ash]

I have no idea about Miami, just know personal experiences. And this applies to more than just on the boat, but in non-climate controlled structures on the shore.

Ash

 

[Vaarok]

I'd suggest whatever you pick, get one of those plastic heat-sealable bags, or a bedding-size ziplock, and stow it in there with a couple silica packs.

And remember, stainless isn't rustproof. It WILL and DOES rust, it's just it takes longer due to the layer of chromium oxide on the surface. Once it starts to pit and corrode, it actually does so faster and more severely than a blued firearm. American Hunter had an article about it about two years back.

 

[Fumbler]

I think the best answer is to have two guns.
1 - A mossberg Mariner or Remington 870 Marine within quick reach.
2 - A semiauto rifle stored in a water proof case. My pick would be an SKS because I can't afford anything nicer and the cartridge would do just fine. If I could pick any rifle it'd be some sort of semi auto in 308.

 

[Art Eatman]

I can't see where any Bad Guys would stand off at some distance and shoot at a boat; they'd have all the same problems of accuracy as mentioned above. And, what they want is an intact boat. So, they gotta get in close and personal. That makes a shotgun quite effective as a "Surprise!" defensive weapon.

Me, I think a Rem 870 with an extended mag, or an 1100 (one-hand capability) with an extended mag would work. And carry WD40 for routine use while on the water, followed by a thorough cleaning when back ashore.

I'm guessing alternating slugs and 000 buckshot.

Some cheap .38 or 9mm handgun for the occasional shark...

Art

 

[El Tejon]

I'd want something with some punch so I can inside the other boat, maybe in .375 H&H.