kayaking gun

M

maclaren27

Joined
Sep 15, 2008
Messages
37
I am looking for a gun to take on an expedition kayaking trip, any suggestions.
I will need it to be compact but still hard hitting. other than that I really have no other needs.
 
Some follow up questions so we can assist you better...hard hitting meaning...for two legged or four legged preditors or both? Also does it need to be rugged for both dry and wet weather conditions or will it be in an H20 sealed carrying case? Are going to be in Alaska with really large critters or here on the lower 48? Will it remain primarly in the vessel or will you be carrying it as well?

Finally is this salt water or fresh water adventure?
 
Handgun? Rifle? What do you want the gun to do?

I'm assuming you're talking about self-defense against bears, etc. If that's the case, and you're looking for a handgun, I would recommend at least a .357 mag. It's a good general caliber. I'm a fan of the Ruger SP101 and Ruger revolvers in general, so that would be my recommendation.

Others will surely chime in shortly, rendering this info obsolete and incomplete ;)
 
All good questions that you will need to answer before the right advice is given. Also if a handgun, are you looking for a semi-auto or revolver? Also define compact.

If you are looking for a semi-auto, which many may encourage you away from, I would only look at the compact or sub compact glock 10mm. About as hard of a punch as you're going to get without a "ridiculous in the wilderness gun" like the desert eagle.

Go online and look for glock forums and you will find all the research that you need about that brand and size.

With that said there are much harder hitting calibers in revolvers but they are big, weigh a ton and don't generally do well in drenched conditions.

Just my .02c
 
A 336 is sure a good gun. Not sure if I would go so far as to say it's perfect, but they work very well. One in stainless would be a great wilderness gun. The .30/30 round isn't all that spectacular, but it works well in closer ranges and it'll put animals down well enough. I love my 336.

Were I worried mainly about larger animals and liked leverguns, I'd probably go with a Marlin in .45/70, they pack more punch.

Another suggestion is that if you have the opportunity, go to a gun store and handle the guns you're thinking about getting. Comfort with a gun is very important, even more so for a gun intended for self-defense. You need to be able to use the gun instinctively and quickly in that kind of situation. You may go to a store and pick up a gun that, say, I love, and you won't like the way it handles at all. Perfectly fine. But make sure the gun works for you.
 
454 Casull!!!

IMG_1729.jpg


Just kidding :D

Although the Alaskan version has really caught my eye ;)
 
Dude 454 is for sissies. Little kids hunt squirrels with that gun, it's totally not suitable for anything more than that. I quit using 454 when I was like 8. :D
 
Around water, I might go for the Tactical Tupperware (Glock). Plenty of calibers to choose from.

What possible uses do you foresee? Sharks? Pirates? Sea monsters?
 
I find a lot of stuff scuba diving so I'd recomend one with a lanyard. The best gun in the world is useless if you drop it in the water and lose it.


Mitch
 
Marlin Papoose in the case or AR-7. Both float if dropped overboard. For a harder hitting compact gun, you can't go wrong with the .45-70. I love my Stainless Guide Gun from Marlin. The only problem, you're going to have a lot of weight to lug around with it.

For handguns, get yourself a stainless S&W in whatever flavor you prefer and ask the company for a lanyard loop from their "Trail Boss" model. My 629 .44 magnum has the loop and it comes with me when I go to Maine and paddle around.

Hope this helps.
 
Two legged predators are my concern and for that I believe there to be no better option than a Glock 19. It rides with me wherever I go. Works great in the kayak too.

Cheap and easy to shoot, very corrosion resistant and they are the Busse Knives of the gun world when it comes to durability.
 
for the most part I am looking for a rifle or shotgun all though a hand gun is starting to sound good
 
Again, for what purpose?

Mission dictates gear. Where are you located? What type of traveling will you be doing? What type of predators are you preparing for? What experience do you have with firearms? What guns do you already own?
 
Maverick 88 security, 12 guage pump. Cheap but gets pretty decent reviews, and I love mine.
I also have a Marlin 336 in 30/30, great and fairly compact. More of a game getter then security, though.
If you go with a handgun I'd get a marlin papoose as was mentioned as well, it breaks down into a floating case about the size of a laptop. (longer but narrower)
 
Some guides who kayak in the high arctic where walrus can be a problem carry a shotgun. The first round is a banger to scare and the second shot is to kill.
 
1.what due you intend to shoot bears,cougars,sharks?
2.how big of package compact pistol or 870 loaded with 00 buck or 416 rigby?
3.how much ammo

Tyrantblade
 
Traveling ultralight, like backpacking in black bear country, I pack the S&W 360SC scandium/titanium "kit gun", 3+" barrel, .357 mag, only ~12 oz! That is what I would chose for the Kayak, unless I was in griz country.
 
If you were wanting a long gun, then that is an option. Go with a stainless version of whatever you choose. I'd vote for a Stainless Marlin over any shotgun. This is due to several reasons, but the main two would be that the ammo is more compact and waterproof than shotgun ammo.

But, just because you take a long gun doesn't mean that there is no need for a handgun. As I see it, the long gun will, by necessity, be packed away, probably wrapped up in other stuff, eliminating quick access. Would you unpack it each time you hit the shore for whatever reason? You just KNOW that's when you'll suddenly need it !

The handgun, on the other hand, can be worn while paddling and it can be accessed very quickly. The gun that would work best in a kayaking scenario is easily the Glock. It's very durable and it doesn't care about being submerged.

I suggest a Model 22 (15+1 .40 caliber) a Model 21-SF (larger frame 13+1 .45 acp) or a Model 20 (15+1 10mm)

If you're new to handguns, or if you're going to buy your ammo off the shelf, forget the 10mm. Most current 10mm loads aren't that much more than the .40 loads. (You can buy some hot ammo online, but it's pricey and hard to replace on a trip. Hell, finding ANY 10mm ammo on a trip might be difficult!)

If you can rent a G-21-SF and G-22, shoot them and pick the one you like best. But find they kick too much, then go to the Glock 17, a 17+1 9mm.

.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top