Help a first time gun owner pick a handgun
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Kendal Black
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Nothing crazy about living on a boat. I looked into it years ago but got sidetracked by career opportunities inland. Might do it in retirement.
The boatman's best gun is the shotgun. Why? His footing is no more stable than the swells, so the margin of error is a good thing.
You can also use a shotgun to loft flares or rig it to throw a line, so explaining its presence to sourpuss authorities might be eased that way.
The boatman's best gun is the shotgun. Why? His footing is no more stable than the swells, so the margin of error is a good thing.
You can also use a shotgun to loft flares or rig it to throw a line, so explaining its presence to sourpuss authorities might be eased that way.
Sappyg2.0
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A Shotgun would be my first choice on a boat. Specifically an inexpensive pump such as a maverick 88. More aluminum means less rust and not a great loss if it goes overboard.
If I needed a handgun I think a SW 10 in good order would do nicely but a glock 19 or ,better still, a SW 9e would be a good choice due to price.
Of course, non of those choices matter one whit if you're unprepared to use them.
If I needed a handgun I think a SW 10 in good order would do nicely but a glock 19 or ,better still, a SW 9e would be a good choice due to price.
Of course, non of those choices matter one whit if you're unprepared to use them.
WestKentucky
Member
Living on a sailboat. My brain hurts from just thinking about that. Good luck, and find a deep bay with good wind, wave, and storm protection. As far as firearms go on the water, I would think long and hard about what to buy, especially if it’s saltwater. Even stainless gun steels rust so a lot of thought needs to be on maintenance, probably as much on maintenance as anything else. The finishes on modern guns vary, some better than others in given situations. As much as I hate the things, a Glock might be a good fit here just for the polymer frame, and coated metal bits. But be careful on Glocks, they have changed their coatings over the years and some were pretty thin and wore through quickly. I absolutely would not want a revolver in this role because they aren’t nearly as easy to detail strip as a slide gun.
I truly despise Glock so I’m going to recommend it’s plastic fantastic beaver tail safetied cousin, the XDM. 40sw, full size. 357 sig would be better but that’s a handloaders cartridge already and you don’t want to go that route on a boat.
I truly despise Glock so I’m going to recommend it’s plastic fantastic beaver tail safetied cousin, the XDM. 40sw, full size. 357 sig would be better but that’s a handloaders cartridge already and you don’t want to go that route on a boat.
Hmmm... how bout a S&W Governor? .45acp, .45lc and .410 shot shells all in one fool proof revolver. The Taurus Judge would be a simular option. Some times a shot shell is a better tool in some situations... putting down a big fish without putting a hole in the deck, .45lc should be enough knock down power for just about any situation. .45 acp is cheap and very easy to control in a revolver. Sounds like a great boat gun to me.
Do they make flares in a .410 shot shell? I think they do which would give the Governer even more functionality on a boat.
Do they make flares in a .410 shot shell? I think they do which would give the Governer even more functionality on a boat.
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FL-NC
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I would recommend a Glock 19 or a Ruger Sr9- also available in stainless. Whatever you end up with, invest in some training.
Armored farmer
Member
I think it needs s light rail.
It gets dark out there.
I like the judge though.
It gets dark out there.
I like the judge though.
Ignition Override
Member
A middle-aged customer in Bass Pro was in his boat cabin, somewhere in the Caribbean...when he heard footsteps up on deck.
There was nothing he could do except get robbed. That country doesn't allow visitors to keep guns on boats. But having the right gun--legal or not-- might Not be the real issue here.
A Different guy in the Caribbean was in a very similar situation and hearing feet on the deck, went up the ladder with a gun in his hand. The thugs on deck immed. shot and killed the boat owner (a pro. bicycle racer), before the boat owner could even assess the situation, see where they were. He had little common sense, but might have had a very Cool Gun.
One can never assume that a robber has No tactical advantage. They probably use tiny motors (or battery-powered?) on skiffs when approaching targeted boats late at night. If I were a ruthless thug, I would take one other guy, blacken my face, arms, and quietly paddle to a target at 0400 on a moonless night.
Don't assume that you are smarter, more clever than an experienced, sociopathic criminal with initiative, just because you are of higher moral character than a drug gang, have more integrity, have more education and
might be better-looking.
If a gun (in your hands, on a slippery deck) is the solution to all of these potential issues, try out rental guns at a range and don't kid yourself about what you like. But chances are very good that any salty mist or air will corrode it somehow and knock a big chunk from the resale value.
There was nothing he could do except get robbed. That country doesn't allow visitors to keep guns on boats. But having the right gun--legal or not-- might Not be the real issue here.
A Different guy in the Caribbean was in a very similar situation and hearing feet on the deck, went up the ladder with a gun in his hand. The thugs on deck immed. shot and killed the boat owner (a pro. bicycle racer), before the boat owner could even assess the situation, see where they were. He had little common sense, but might have had a very Cool Gun.
One can never assume that a robber has No tactical advantage. They probably use tiny motors (or battery-powered?) on skiffs when approaching targeted boats late at night. If I were a ruthless thug, I would take one other guy, blacken my face, arms, and quietly paddle to a target at 0400 on a moonless night.
Don't assume that you are smarter, more clever than an experienced, sociopathic criminal with initiative, just because you are of higher moral character than a drug gang, have more integrity, have more education and
might be better-looking.
If a gun (in your hands, on a slippery deck) is the solution to all of these potential issues, try out rental guns at a range and don't kid yourself about what you like. But chances are very good that any salty mist or air will corrode it somehow and knock a big chunk from the resale value.
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plumberroy
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I wish they would make that with a modified choke I would buy one and send it to AI&P tactical have it made lefty safety and shoot it all the time
I am not one of those folks who feels that a shotgun is always the best choice for home defense - you might well need a hand to pick up a kid, close a door, etc., so I prefer a handgun.
As long as you buy a modern handgun from one of the major respected manufactures you will be fine: Glock 19, S&W M&P Compact, Ruger SR9, etc., you will do fine. Just avoid Taurus. But the SP101 is also a great choice, and about as versatile and indestructable as a handgun gets. I don't recommend a 1911 for a new shooter, at least for self-defense.
As long as you buy a modern handgun from one of the major respected manufactures you will be fine: Glock 19, S&W M&P Compact, Ruger SR9, etc., you will do fine. Just avoid Taurus. But the SP101 is also a great choice, and about as versatile and indestructable as a handgun gets. I don't recommend a 1911 for a new shooter, at least for self-defense.
jleonard
Member
I have owned boats for 30 years, and have lived aboard summers for several years. In my opinion you whatever you get should be stainless. Corrosion eventually gets to everything even inside the boat.
I have had a Ruger 6 series or a Colt Gov't .380 in stainless aboard at different times and they stay nice in the marine environment.
I would also suggest staying away from a shotgun, especially on a sailboat . Inside space is limited and outside you'll have rigging etc in the way and you may not be able to swing a long gun around. That would suck.
Good luck.
I have had a Ruger 6 series or a Colt Gov't .380 in stainless aboard at different times and they stay nice in the marine environment.
I would also suggest staying away from a shotgun, especially on a sailboat . Inside space is limited and outside you'll have rigging etc in the way and you may not be able to swing a long gun around. That would suck.
Good luck.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Since you are a new gun owner would also recommend a shotgun for HD. It's just a superior defense weapon which requires less experience to operate well.
The above mentioned Remington 870 Marine Magnum is a good suggestion as is the Mossberg 590 Marinecote Tactical shotgun. The Mossberg is available for under $400 while the Remington is over $650. There are probably others suitable for on the Ocean use.
As for handguns, no one can tell you what to buy. Only you can know what feels good in your hand and which you can shoot well. The suggestion to rent some handguns is a good one to see what you might like. Very small handguns are light and difficult to shortfall so I would avoid them right now. Something heavier with a longer barrel will probably serve you better. I like a 45 ACP handgun but the 40 S&W or 9mm aren't bad choices either especially if you can control the recoil better. Quick and accurate follow-up shots are important in a HD situation. Personally, I'm a revolver guy and would highly suggest a .38/357 revolver. That's what I use along with a shotgun.
Good luck finding something you like and enjoy your floating home.
The above mentioned Remington 870 Marine Magnum is a good suggestion as is the Mossberg 590 Marinecote Tactical shotgun. The Mossberg is available for under $400 while the Remington is over $650. There are probably others suitable for on the Ocean use.
As for handguns, no one can tell you what to buy. Only you can know what feels good in your hand and which you can shoot well. The suggestion to rent some handguns is a good one to see what you might like. Very small handguns are light and difficult to shortfall so I would avoid them right now. Something heavier with a longer barrel will probably serve you better. I like a 45 ACP handgun but the 40 S&W or 9mm aren't bad choices either especially if you can control the recoil better. Quick and accurate follow-up shots are important in a HD situation. Personally, I'm a revolver guy and would highly suggest a .38/357 revolver. That's what I use along with a shotgun.
Good luck finding something you like and enjoy your floating home.
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