Waterproof holsters or pouches?

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Tropical Buzz

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Have any of you that carry while boating, surfcasting, wading or exploring coastal and watery areas ever looked into the availability of waterproof carry options designed or at least adaptable for handguns? Does anyone make a waterproof holster/belt pack that can take a serious dunking?
 
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I suppose I should clarify - I'm primarily concerned with salt water exposure and immersion on long powerboat trips, PWC/kayak coastal excursions and surfcasting weekends in relatively heavy breaking surf.
 
Do you want a waterproof container for the gun, or do you want a holster that doesn't care about saltwater?
 
It is unclear what you are looking for here. A holster that completely encloses and shields the gun from the salt water would be difficult if not impossible to draw the gun from. Or are you looking for a material or construction that is impervious to salt water? The closest thing I can think of to this would be one made of Kydex or other plastic, but metal parts (tension/retaining screws, snaps, etc.) could still be affected. Horsehide is highly resistant to perspiration, which is salt water, but this is not the same as a soaking in seawater.
 
1- sharpen trigger finger nail

2-heat shrink hammerless revolver in a clear plastic baggie

3-place in holster.
 
I'm concerned about protecting the gun and ammo from repeated or prolonged immersion/wetting in sea water on trips that keep me away from home and gun cleaning for days at a time. The gun (for now) is a Glock 25. Soon to include a stainless steel 1911 variant or EAA Witness Match. I am getting the impression this is an unusual or un-tacticool question...?
 
Keep in mind that any such holster would almost undoubtedly be considered concealed, as it will require full coverage and will not follow normal holster dimensions. You also won't be able to mount it on your belt. What you're basically asking for is a Ziploc bag that can be used to store your pistol in your cargo pocket. The closest "normal" holster which would only serve to keep rainwater off your pistol would be a Russian pleather Tokarev holster; these holsters will fit Commander-sized 1911s.
 
A Glock is pretty corrosion resistant as it is. I read an article by Chuck Taylor where he had a G17 immersed in seawater for a year and there was only a trace of rust on one of the internal parts. This gun went on to shoot 170,000 rds (and may still be shooting) so there was no real effect by the seawater.

Soon to include a stainless steel 1911 variant or EAA Witness Match.

Keep in mind stainless steel is rust resistant not rust proof. I've seen plenty of S&W stainless guns get rusty under the grips because they weren't removed when cleaning.

There are a variety of waterproof pouches and containers available and while it might not be a quick draw, these might meet your needs.
 
Mike; all civilian handgun carry down here has to be concealed, so that's fine.
Griz - Glocks will rust like any other gun. They are very popular here and in this hot, humid climate, poorly kept ones rust readily from exposure to perspiration and salt spray. I clean and lube mine regularly to prevent surface rusting which will appear surprisingly quickly if they are neglected. I know about the stainless guns. A fellow boater/adventurer has a stainless Beretta 92 that he just sticks in his waistband without a holster and it's a mess externally. Still seems to shoot ok, though. I don't know what sea Chuck Taylor immersed his G17 in but I guarantee you a year in the sea down here will turn any gun into an encrusted relic.

Do SEALS and other professionals who have to go into the sea with their weapons just let them get wet and clean them up later? I know that most cartridges are reasonably water resistant for brief periods, but I would not like to have to rely on soaked ammo in a life and death situation.
I realize that the type of protection I am talking about would involve a penalty in quick draw utility.

The fact that no such equipment seems to exist specifically for handguns tells me that maybe my concerns are unfounded - I'm sure millions of boaters, kayakers and outdoorsmen would have created a demand by now if there was a legitimate need :confused:
 
If all you are interested in is waterproof, get a standard WP kayak bag of the appropriate size.

I sometimes carry when fishing rivers or the salt - shoulder holster inside
my chest waders. If the gun gets wet, so be it.

I do not know of any waterproof holsters.

isher
 
Oh I see what you mean. When I was paddling whitewater in WV, I just stuck my P11 in a baggie and put it in my PFD front pocket.

I paddled the Lower Gauley a few years ago. We stopped for lunch on a big flat rock, and I happened to see the grip of a holster poking out from the inside lip of his boat. He had fashioned some sort of retentive holster that bolted to his boat.

BTW I did a doubletake when you mentioned the Glock 25, which is the 380ACP version...not available in the US. And then I saw your location.
 
A swiss gun magazine once did a test whether you could use a black powder revolver for self defence. They loaded one, put it in a sealed plastic bag and left it to lay in the moist for a year. They shot it directly from the closed bag. That was a bit messy, but worked fine.
Just cause things sound funny doesn't they don't work!
 
I hear lots of military boys conducting saltwater operations use horsehide holsters. I carry a Kramer horsehide myself. It's gotten pretty soaked in the rain a couple times and it hasn't deformed yet. Here are the bullet points.
1.) If you want a holster that isn't bothered by water, use kydex, fobus, or horsehide (Kramer is recommended).
2.) If you want the gun water proofed, do so by means of a plastic bag or waterproof case. You can have it ready to fight, or bone dry. NOT BOTH. I will say a prayer for you if I hear you're actually going to try to carry a gun vacuum sealed in plastic for self defense. :banghead:
 
Thanks again for the suggestions. Altitude_19; no fear my friend, I won't be heat shrinking my gun anytime soon! :rolleyes:
If there is a high risk of immersion and a low risk of unfriendly encounters, I will consider the plastic pouch in a carry bag approach. In areas where I feel I might need quick access to the gun, it will simply stay in the holster.
 
Why not just heat shrink the baggie with your finger on the trigger so it's ready to go when you need it?
Click to expand...

Sounds funny but I've seen guys put their guns in a thin ziploc bag then holster it..

Never tried it myself but I guess it might work.
 
As far as a waterproof gun goes, it's hard to beat a Glock.

I'd get one in a better caliber than .380, tho.

.
 
I don't know if this will help, but here's what I do when fly fishing in S/E Alaska, which means we have A LOT of saltwater, water, and well, more water.

I carry a 329PD in .44 Mag in a nylon chest holster. Nothing fancy. My gun gets wet, quite a bit, with both salt and fresh water. It's my back-up to a shot gun.

S/E Alaska is a rain forest, so keeping anything dry is nearly impossible. After several trips, both my 329 and my "Robarized" 870 do not show any signs of rust - at all.

While in remote areas of AK, both are wiped down when I can, but by no means are they given a proper cleaning. My point in this diatribe is that the material of the firearm and cartridges is more important than the material of the holster.

PM me if you need more details on keeping them functioning in an environment that's pretty hostile to, well, everything.

I hope this helps.

Take care,
DFW1911
 
W. Waller & Sons

Sell a bag that they advertise for this purpose; supposedly floats with gun inside and is of course, waterproof; remember the product as interesting, but I've never tried one. I do own one of their locking softsafe pistol cases which is fantastic. They've been around a long time and make quality products.
They have a website; or last I looked are located at 58 Stoney Brook Rd. Grantham, NH 03753-7706 Tel 603-863-4177.
Cheers, TF
 
I double bag my guns in zip lock bag & put in cooler. Once I get to where I'm going, I can put the bag in a fanny back.
IMO, this works best w/ a Glock b/c they tend to take the moisture better plus its tough to make them uglier ;)
 
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