Working Guns

[HGM22]

I'm not exactly 100% on what constitutes a "working gun", but I imagine them to be guns used/carried frequently, if not daily, whose tasks include varmint control (farmer/animal control), defense (police officer), hunting/"dispatching" (guides, trap lines, saltwater fishing). Oddball guns welcome too (assuming its ok with the mods) i.e. line-throwers, signal guns, flare guns, spearguns, etc. Basically, guns that are owned/used primarily as tools in some line of work. So, in my mind at least, hunting arms and concealed carry weapons are out as they are not used to do a job/make money.

Anyways, I was wondering if people would like to post stories or pictures of these guns. Maybe a description of how you use them, an interesting story that happened on the job, or a picture of the gun (in use or out).

Before anyone asks, I cannot myself post any stories or pictures of these guns since I am not employed in a profession that uses them. I just want to see/hear about some guns that are getting plenty of use, if not abuse, and also the variety of roles they play professionally. Besides, pictures of guns with character never hurt.

 

[Rail Driver]

I don't have any that fit the bill, but I must admit I'm excited to see some of these myself... Nothing like a fine gun with a bit of "character".

 

[possom813]

No picture of it, but my Marlin 336 .30-30 rides with me every day I go to the pasture.

It's nothing fancy, sited in with a Tasco 4x32 Japanese scope at 80 yards.

Does what I need it to do and the ammo is still only 12 bucks a box.

 

[statelineblues]

Over 17 years working as an armored service guard, later as an investigator, I carried several different "working guns", depending on what the company issued (or later allowed):

1911A1 .45 ACP
Glock 19 9MM
Colt Trooper MkIII .357 Mag
Ruger Security Six .357 Mag
S&W Model 10 .38 Spl

 

[ByAnyMeans]

I consider my guns loaded for self defense as working guns. A pocket gun, larger handgun and a shotgun. The others in the safe stay nice and pretty. I practice with them and run some drills with a few that could be used in defense if needed but for the most part the other three are well used and often practiced with.

 

[doc2rn]

Usually issued guns dont come home with you. I have used the following over the years
M16A2
92 FS
S&W Mod 19
Mossberg 12g

On the farm I have used a Marlin model 60 since the age of 10 to slaughter pigs n cows, and fight back water mocs at the fishing hole. Its even taken out those pesky gofers and on a lucky shot a couple of yotes.

 

[HGM22]

Just wanted to add that the show "Swamp People" on (I believe) the History Channel follows around several professional alligator hunters who seem to use a variety of guns to dispatch the hooked gators. I happened across the show and was rather intrigued by the hard use/abuse the guns were getting (laying in pools of saltwater on the floor of a boat, for example).

Have seen mostly cheap .22 rifles (Marlin, Savage, etc. Note: cheap in PRICE, not QUALITY; love my Marlin .22). One of the men used a .22 revolver while another "newbie" brought along his .38 revolver (he got scolded for bringing a pistol, though I myself would think a shorter/handier/more powerful pistol would be better than a .22 rifle, especially one handed (other hand holding the hook line/gator).

Beyond that, my friend's cousin carries a subcompact .45ACP Glock in an ankle holster (though it doubles as a CC off-duty). I'm not sure what his issued duty weapon is. I also know a farmer who uses a Marlin Model 60 for chicken-stealing foxes and coyotes. Wish I could contribute more.

ETA: On "Swamp People" I also saw what I believe could have been a Marlin 39 (lever action rifle grouped into the .22 category/no golden receiver). I'd trade the guy 2 cheap .22 semiautos for that poor 39 anyday!

 

[MaggiesPapaw]

"Working guns" are guns you 'use' for a purpose, rather than safe queens, displays, and collectibles, or even the occasional shooter that you 'pamper' or carefully protect. They're not just guns you get/got paid to carry. They're guns you aren't so worried about a scratch or ding here and there. They are guns you use regularly, whether it's carrying, hunting, or other.
My "working guns" are ones I carried as a police officer, currently ccw, and those with which I hunt. The guns I don't consider "working" guns are the ones handed down, don't have a 'use' for other than fun, or the few I have that I wouldn't want to get scratched or dinged. That includes some too small for (me to) carry ( .32 short, .25acp ) or less desirable for the hunting I do (30-30, m1, .410, 1917 mod 12 20 ga). Now, that 20 ga mod 12 WAS some more working gun in it's day...it fed my dad's family when he was growing up. Today, it is retired, but still gets shot on occasion.

 

[joshk-k]

I don't have a single gun that I would mind getting scratched, dinged, etc. I make an effort NOT to, but wouldn't bat an eye. In my urban lifestyle, there's no reason to have a "working gun" of the manner I think the OP is asking about. I wish there was.

Josh

 

[Malamute]

I always took the meaning to be guns that are used regularly, like tools, not neccesarily work related.

I always have some in my truck, and carry whenever out with my dogs or exploring. I don't spend as much time out in the hills as I used to, but even just a dog walk at the end of the day can get interesting in some places. Pays to be prepared.

The usual state of my truck,




I guess you could call this a working gun,




One that gets out in bad weather, at one of my dog walking places,




Some of the local fauna. This ones just sleeping, waiting for a ride to somewhere new, where hopefuly it won't get in trouble again. A youngish sow.




This guy didnt have any working guns along, just a bow. His Dad shot this with his bow (on the run) while it was chasing him. It had caught him already, as can be seen from the picture. They were miles back in on horseback.

 

[Roadkill]

I conceal carry a S&W Model 40 daily, when open carry a Colt series 80 1911A1. When camping an Ithaca Model 37. Hunt with a Marlin 336 30-30.

 

[ccsniper]

I agree with Malamute, working guns are guns that get used regularly such as his well worn Smith.

 

[DFW1911]

Remember the Suzuki Samurai? I'll make this as short as I can. My girlfriend had one and we were just out driving. The top was down. We pulled up to a stoplight. A car of 6 guys pulled up next to us. The following dialogue ensued.

From the driver (he's on my right side) to me: "Hey buddy, we're going to rape your girlfriend and beat your *ss."

Okay, this set off some alarms! I turned left against the red. As the light turned green they when another way. Big mistake follows: my girlfriend insists that we stop at the frickin 7-11. I knew better, but stopped and she goes into the store. You see where this is going.

Yep, they pull right up next to me on my right. All 6 guys get out of the car and surround me. I'm in a convertible with the top down.

The driver comes over to the drivers side and says to me "remember what we said...well it's happening now." Bravado forces me to say "I'm ready when you are..." He then spots the GP-100 in my hand and changed his tune: "I'm sorry, we've been drinking all day...we're leaving...I'm sorry...." and that sort of stuff. They all back off, fast.

I, of course, have a response: "being drunk is a dumb reason to get shot" or some other face-saving term.

My point is that the GP-100 was working very hard that day. This occurred some 20 years ago.

I don't know what the true definition of a working gun is, but if I didn't have that GP-100 with me I really have not idea what would have happened.

So is it a working gun? I'd say it worked perfectly and did it's job. Running off six drunk idiots is a tough job, but the Ruger worked perfectly for such a purpose.

YMMV.

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[Isher]

There are working dogs and then there are show dogs.

There are working guns and then there are show guns.

I'll make a wager that the Emperor of all working guns is the bolt action single shot .22 LR..........mine is a Winchester model 67A, now on its third generation in the family.


Isher

 

[Dentite]

That is an awesome photo...beautiful.

 

[F40]

My glock 27 is my working gun, it's my ccw piece and we've been on some adventures together. The heine rear sight is pretty beat up and starting to rust from sweat and some water adventures, the finish on the slide is pretty rough from being carried and some hard use in the desert. She also has a nice ding in the barrel.

 

[Erik M]

Ive got an late 70's S&W model 64 stainless. Scratched, dinged, and pitted. I payed $200 for her. After a couple hours under the buffer wheel and a set of rosewood grips she definetly has the most 'personality' of any gun I own.

 

[CoastieShep]

Malamute, that is one beautiful revolver. I've always loved a well worn gun.
I agree with what everybody else has said, that a working gun is something used as a tool, not specifically just used for your job.
I don't have a working gun, as I just don't really have the need for one in my daily life.

 

[the foot]

Working guns? The Model 60 in my pocket. The Browning Hi-Power under my shirt. The Marlin 64 for squirrel/rabbit hunting. The Ruger Model 77 to knock down big animals. The LC Smith double that is my bird gun. The SIG Sauer 228 on my nightstand. Oh, I almost forgot the Remington pump in the corner there. And hey, the M-4 is loaded and ready for work if required.

 

[the iron horse]

I live in a rural area on a small farm.

-rattlesnakes
-copperheads
-coyotes
-black bears
-and other varmits

frequent our area


When outside working, I have my 12 ga. Mosseberg within reach.