Defensive weapons

[wingtime]

The thread on the Bahama trip made me wonder if anyone on here carries a defensive weapon when they go off shore.  And if you do what do you carry?  I have a Mossberg 500 12 ga mariner that I carry.  While this weapon loaded with slugs could do some serious hull damage I don't consider it to be a long range weapon.  I had been considering getting a larger caliber M4 type of an AR built such as a .308 or 7.62.  What do you all think?  Also what is the Coast Guards position on weapons?

[pete]

Wing,
there are lots of info on that on THT....http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-for ... aters.html
 

[seabob4]

Wing,
there are lots of info on that on THT....http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-for ... aters.html
 

Pete's right, almost TOO much info.  Not as far as what the Coasties and Bahamian authorities consider "legal", and how you have to declare, but to the extent of the arsenals some of these people have...  

[pete]

I don't know how you guys feel,but if I have to bring a firearm with me to go fishing........
We bring our families out there do we want to put our freinds and family in that kind of situation?I have been boating since I was an infant no gun was ever needed.I'm not anti-gun.And I always thought how great it would be to go on an island hopping adventure,but after the stories I've heard about pirates,no thanks,I'll stick to my home waters.But,to each his own!

[gran398]

A short pump 12 ga is great...that's what I keep here at work, among other items.  Don't bring a knife to a shotgun fight.

Mine is for up close and personal, so it is loaded as follows:

#1 buck, 0 buck, 00 buck, slug, slug. I figure the first shot is gonna be point blank, then the rest for his buddies and the last two slugs for the car.

A stainless AR chambered .308 win. would be ideal, and some 30 round clips. The shotgun for close quarters.

I'm with Pete, I am handgun averse.  I am not a gun nut, or a doomsdayer, or survivalist.

I never have a gun on the boat. However, if were going in international waters....absolutely, I'd be packing, and packing heavy.

[John Jones]

Each to his own on this subject.  I don't go to THT but I can imagine the "discussions" over there.  All that I will say is that I will have something on board if it's in the water.  It's my choice.  I am legal.  Nothing anyone can say would ever change my mind.  

Over the years I have been boarded more than a few times by the coasties, state marine police, etc.  The CG guys always ask if I have a weapon and where is it located.  I tell them yes and where it is.  They have always said "Okay, just leave it there and stay away from that area until we are gone".  Various states may have different laws in state waters but in Federal waters there is no issue as long as you are able to legally own a gun in the first place.

On foreign waters, be very careful.  Make damn sure you know exactly what their regulations are and follow them to the letter.

[GoneFission]

Shotgun is the way to go.  The Mossberg 500 Mariner is a good choice, but the ultimate is the AA-12:
http://www.gizmag.com/aa-12-combat-shot ... tic/11393/

You don't need to hit something 400 yds away - it's gonna be more close-up.  For slugs, consider the Nobel Rottweil solids or Brenneke slugs  - they have good penetration power compared to hollow point slugs.  
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/60353-5.html  

As Gran said, mix up 0 or 00 shot with slugs to improve your options, and put a ghost ring sight on for quick sighting.  Make sure you have waterproof shells - you may even want to drizzle a little wax over the end to make sure.  There are as many special 12 ga loadings as you can imagine - exploding rounds, tracers, flechettes, etc:
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/index.php ... ialty-ammo  

http://www.hi-vel.com/Catalog__25/Speci ... uniti.html

Ditto what JJ said - know the rules for where you are going - Mexico can be very anti-gun and Canada hates handguns, but is OK with long guns.

[wingtime]

Whoa sparked off a thread with this one!  LOL  Yeah I load a mixture of slugs and 00 bucks in the Mossberg.  The AA-12 is sweet but I don't think us civvy's can get our hands on that one.  My buddy has the Saiga 12 semi automatic shot gun that is based on a AK-47 action and is made in Russia.  Check it out here:  http://youtu.be/hVFXc71_V7M

[gran398]

Betcha the fish won't bite in that pond for months

[John Jones]

flechettes

Possession will get you jail time in Florida

[GoneFission]

Like I said JJ - know the laws before you load!  

Sometimes caliber does not matter - a friend sent me this the other day - using a .22 for bear protection:

This proves that caliber is not as important as shot placement.

This reliable Beretta Jetfire .22 Short pistol is a personal favorite of mine and I am never without it.
It saved my life a few years ago when attacked by a Grizzly while hiking in the mountains with a family member.
I was able to escape, walking at a brisk pace, after I shot my brother-in-law in the knee.

[gran398]

If I'da shot my mother-in-law in the knee i might still be married to the first one....

Nah.

"I keep missin' her....but my aim's gettin' better"

[Mcdiver]

I typically carry my Kimber pro carry II.  .45, concealed on my person.  I figure if it puts a big hole in a person, it will do the same to a shark or other.  I've thought about taking the benelli, but a 28" Harrell makes it hard to draw quickly.

[fmaster360]

Hah "shoot brother in law in knee."

Good one.

[T Race]

Like I said JJ - know the laws before you load!  

Sometimes caliber does not matter - a friend sent me this the other day - using a .22 for bear protection:

This proves that caliber is not as important as shot placement.

This reliable Beretta Jetfire .22 Short pistol is a personal favorite of mine and I am never without it.
It saved my life a few years ago when attacked by a Grizzly while hiking in the mountains with a family member.
I was able to escape, walking at a brisk pace, after I shot my brother-in-law in the knee.

             

Thats a good joke right thar.....