Guns on board

[Jaxfishgyd]

We like to anchor out a lot up here and usually we are alone. But from time to time during the night we have had small boats come by and sometimes circle us before going on.

Am getting a shotgun to have onboard. Have a .357 but if I were to shoot someone it would also pass thru muliple boats before stopping if we were at a marina or dock someplace.

Our local "Dicks Sporting Store" has a 12 guage pump with 18.5" barrel for $179. The local Gander Mountain store has a 20 guage pump with 18.5" barrel for the same price.

Admiral perfers the 20 guage "if we are to have one".

My question is, what size shot to buy. I want something that will put a person down now, but not go thru a bunch of other boats like my .357 would.

A lot of people around here have number 7 shot, saying in 95% of the time, you are less than 15' of someone on your boat.

I want the pump as it's a universal sound everyone understands, no matter if you speak ebonic,spanish or whatever....

 

[SKYCHENEY]

First off, you will probably never have to use it. If you do, you will then most likely scare them off with the sound of racking in a load or by the sight of it. If that isn't enough, then it probably will make no difference what load you have in there. Any shot at close range will do the job on them without major harm to nearby property.

 

[Westfield 11]

I believe the 870 Remington comes in an all stainless version with a plastic stock. I am not sure if all the parts are rustproof, but perhaps someone else here will know for certain.

 

[krush]

I believe the 870 Remington comes in an all stainless version with a plastic stock. I am not sure if all the parts are rustproof, but perhaps someone else here will know for certain.

It's not stainless. Both Mossberg and Remy make a "marina" and "marine" version...forget which is which though.

A 20gauge will blow a hole in somebody just as nice as a 12 LOL.

 

[Mambeaux]

Remington makes a "Marine Magnum". It is made to stand up to the marine environment. It cost more but will last a lifetime.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_marine_magnum.asp

 

[Sparky1]

Forget the 20GA and go with the 12. This is not something you're going to shoot skeet or sporting clays with, so the bigger the better... more pellets.

As for shot size, that depends on what kind of range you want. You'll be severely limited with birdshot, but 00 buck will reach out and touch someone. Carry some 00 and maybe #2 or #4 shot for different situations. If you want to blast somebody in your own boat, use the #2 or #4. If you want to keep them from getting too close to your boat, load up the 00. For that matter, carry a few slugs for across the bow warning shots.

One other thing where your .357 is concerned. Load it with wadcutters and you won't have to worry about penetrating anything other than the bad guy.

 

[MicroKap]

Sparky1,
If memory serves me correctly, you might have a good contact for a gun safe that you can keep on the boat too!

 

[thoward]

I would look at a heavier load like 3" Magnum 00 Buck. You are using lethal force so your shells need to be bust your ars lethal. A 20g will get the job done but in the case of a specific home defence gun I would want the 12ga. If 12ga recoil is the issue you could get the lower recoil shells. In our case I had a 45acp, 20ga, and a SKS on board. If I was looking for specific boat guns I would go with Stainless Winchester 1300 12ga pistol grip shotgun, a Stainless Ruger Mini 30 folding stock with 2 high capacity clips, a Stainless Springfield PX9151L 45 and a Kel Tec P-3AT 380.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

I fully expect to go with a 12 guage since in 99.999999% of the time I would be the one with it.....
Like Sky said, in most cases just the sight and SOUND will chase the bad guy away.
I just want the "cheapest" one as it will be in a case cept when we are anchored out or at a different marina.... And it gets cleaned and oiled several times a year.....
We have twice had people come onboard at about 2AM when docked at different cities (once in St Augustine, the other at Fernandina Beach).... But they just wanted their friends to take their pictures on a boat...
To say you could see "the whites of their eyes" when I came up with the .357 in my hand would be a major understatement....
The difference between a hollow point bullet and a wadcutter is..... The noise of the real bullet is so much louder it will cause the bad guy to die from fright...... And the Admiral LIKES the .357
But am also 100% convinced after she fires a 12 guage (with a light load) she would have no problem using it either....

 

[MikeP]

I like the Mossberg Mariner; 12Ga for sure.

Based on advice from a very close friend who is a cop, he recommends NOT use the folding stock or pistol grip option on any "home defense" weapon. This sends a VERY bad sign to law enforcement re your intent and can lead to a lot more issues than you want to deal with. Based on his suggestion, I removed the pistol grip option on mine and went back to the standard stock.
But do what you want.

You definitely want a stainless model regardless of the brand.

 

[Finalee]

Agree with Sky that you likely would never use it. Good friend of mine has sailed the globe 2x. He tells a story about being off the Coast of Somalia 8 years ago. He swears that if he had a gun onboard he would not be here today. Pirates came alongside his 32 Dreadnought in a threatening manner, he was able to convince them he was not worth the trouble, and they left with just a pack of smokes. In all my years of boating, never had an incident that warranted any more than a baseball bat. And then just for show.

 

[BUSTER]

I like the Mossberg Mariner; 12Ga for sure.

Based on advice from a very close friend who is a cop, he recommends NOT use the folding stock or pistol grip option on any "home defense" weapon. This sends a VERY bad sign to law enforcement re your intent and can lead to a lot more issues than you want to deal with. Based on his suggestion, I removed the pistol grip option on mine and went back to the standard stock.
But do what you want.

You definitely want a stainless model regardless of the brand.

That's exactly why ! took the pistol grip off my 12Ga.stainless Mossberg pump.I thought it wouldn't look good if when I showed it to Bahamas Customs. When in the States I also keep a .38 special Colt Cobra on board.

 

[SereneWarrior]

During my time in the Navy, the ships' internal security forces weapon of choice was a 12 guage sawed off pump with the plug removed and a capacity for at least seven shells. Ammo was always 00 buckshot. The shorter, sawed off barrel allowed for more maneuverability inside the vessel. Topside, the security forces were armed with a .45 cal pistol and/or an M-16, but that was due to great ranges to anticipated targets. On a boat, I'd stick with the shotgun and the shorter barrel. Just my opinion...

 

[thoward]

The reason for the pistol grip was being able to move around while pointing the gun at the potential target in front of you(not at the floor). As far as a pistol grip, I have heard that argument before and I call BS. Don't forget you have a 18" barrel. A pistol is ment for self defense as is a pistol grip shotgun. There is no difference, it is for personal protection and if used within the confines of your property for self defense there will be no question about the type of gunstock. If you pull a gun, you fear for your life and I would think you want the BEST possible gun for your situation, not the one that is PC.

The 870 is a nice gun too, the 1300 is lighter and has a shorter throw.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Agree with Sky that you likely would never use it. Good friend of mine has sailed the globe 2x. He tells a story about being off the Coast of Somalia 8 years ago. He swears that if he had a gun onboard he would not be here today. Pirates came alongside his 32 Dreadnought in a threatening manner, he was able to convince them he was not worth the trouble, and they left with just a pack of smokes. In all my years of boating, never had an incident that warranted any more than a baseball bat. And then just for show.

When I say that you will likely never use it, I mean that you will probably not ever been in that situation(hopefully). That said, I still encourage anyone who knows how to handle a gun and who is willing to use it, to have one aboard.

I carry a 9mm now but we had a shotgun with us when we came up the east coast. There were just too many unfamiliar anchorages for us to feel comfortable without one.

 

[garyd]

Living on some property in S.W. Florida I've had to shoot all kind of things (varmits). 12 guage is the way to go to put something big down.

And 00 then slug then 00 then slug then 00 slug 00 is the way to load it.

I learned that from a nam vet that seen some up close and personal action.

Once you go to shooting with that arrangement things disappear in front of you. And if some bad guy picks up something to block the buckshot the slug will knock him down.

Growing up in Detroit the old rule was shoot them and make sure they die or else they will sue you even if they broke into your house. And when you pick it up be preparred to pull the trigger now.

Once you pick your weapon of choice use it just like you would if you had an emergency. In other words if you think you will be inside the cabin simulate that situation and have at it. Most folks pull the trigger and then crap their pants because their ears are ringging and the flame out the barrel scares them etc etc. It is loud, kicks back, smoke, flame, and it's confusing. Do it under controlled circumstances first. With the crew!

garyd

 

[antiqua]

A FLARE GUN will do the job. Cheap and Effective.

 

[Boatsb]

Flare guns will not chase back a real bad guy. It will only scare off the amatures.

The 357 can be loaded with hollow points or 38 if you want to hold back a bit. 1st shot 38 snake shot ( warning ) second through 4th 357 hollow points (or wad cutters ) the last 2 should be as big and bad as you can get. If they go through somethinng at that point you should not be too concerned since the forst 4 shits did not take him/them out.


I like the beretta 92 Inox with 16 round magazines. It's stainless and holds 17 with one in the pipe and has a great safety. Using standard "military ball type" target ammo shows I was not intending to do human harm.

If I feel threatened I will fire off 4-6 shots and still be holding 10+ if they are not scared off.

 

[MikeP]

Nothing is as effective as a shotgun for close in defense - as would occur if someone boarded your boat. If you want to repel boarders before they actually get there, then some sort of semi-auto rifle like a Ruger Mini14 or an M16 would be ideal. Pistols are, as the military has always viewed them, the weapon of choice only if you have no other weapon!

 

[krush]

Just hope the cops don't get the wrong boat when executing a knockless warrant......