kayaking gun

Again...unless you walk around in camp all the time with that shotgun in your hand, it is not going to be readily available enough to get to when that bear bust into your camp without warning!!! Pack a big bore handgun...plain and simple!!!

The bear that I mentioned swimming the channel, had to swim a couple miles between an island and the mainland. Bears in the water, isn't that unusual a thing.....
 
maclaren27 said:
i have not had much gun experence.......
Click to expand...

Then, unless you plan on taking a bigbore handgun seriously, you'll be better off with that 870 Marine shotgun with a FULL stock, even tho it is stowed away. Be sure and seal the crimp on the shotgun ammo with nail polish or similar.

Shooting handguns is not an instinct and it is certainly not like on TV. I remember an old episode of "Police Woman" where Earl Holliman (real life anti-gunner) cannot, for the life of him, qualify with his gun at the beginning of the show, but makes a near impossible shot at the end of the show, saving the day.

IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT !

It takes practice and plenty of it.

So, how serious are you? Is money an issue ? How long before your trip?

.
 
A Stainless Marlin .44mag lever gun is sweet.
Get a stainless 4 inch 629 to go with it and you're set.

The Glock 20 is nice too but for Boar,bear or Gators I'd prefer a flat metplate hardcast bullet.
That gives the advantage to the revolver and lever gun.
 
InfidelShootist said:
A Stainless Marlin .44mag lever gun is sweet.
Get a stainless 4 inch 629 to go with it and you're set.

That gives the advantage to the revolver and lever gun.
Click to expand...

A very good case can be made for a stainless Marlin in .44. It won't take too long to become adequately proficient with it.

But unless he's willing and able to learn to shoot a handgun, he's better off without it.


.
 
So again, how serious about the gun issue are you? Is money an issue ? How long before your trip?
 
I would view the handgun option as a last resort. You buy a big bore (>0.40 caliber) and shoot with it. You need to be able to hit reasonably well at 10 yds. That is not too far and in an emergency, you're probably going to shooting pretty instinctively. So, practice is important.

If the trip is short. I'd make do with a marine 12 ga shotgun. If it is longish, timewise I'd get a handgun in addition to the shotgun. In southern Alaska, you will mostly be dealing with Black Bears or a possible irritated moose as I understand the distribution of game in AK. The 44 mag should be enough. Still kicks though. I would probably pack my 4" 41 mag revolver with solids since I don't own a 44 magnum revolver or a short barreled 480 Ruger. If you already owned a 357 mag, I'd carry that with the shotgun.

The more I consider this question, the more I would just take the 41 mag revolver as long as grizzly or brown bears aren't an issue. The long gun in a kayak is going to make it heavier and you will probably be carrying supplies too. Remember, you aren't hunting these animals, it is purely defensive. If you want to shoot some game for food, I'd take along a 22 rifle rather than the shotgun. I would wear the 41 (or 44) mag most of the time.
 
Last edited:
22-rimfire said:
You buy a big bore (>0.40 caliber) and shoot with it. You need to be able to hit reasonably well at 10 yds. That is not too far and in an emergency, you're probably going to shooting pretty instinctively. So, practice is important.
Click to expand...

I would want to be able to hit something beyond 10 yards. I'd want to be able to hit a coffee can at 25 yds on demand. And trying to do it "instinctively" will result in too many misses.

You need to practice so you DON'T "instinctively" spray and pray, you practice to learn to do it RIGHT.
.
 
I've rafted many miles of rivers in Alaska, the Yukon, and NWT. If you go with a shotgun, don't rely on 00 buckshot to stop a large bear. You need serious slugs. 3" magnum Rottweil Brennekes are not bad but the best way to go is a Dixie Terminator or Dixie Tusker (for smoothbore). www.dixieslugs.com. Read the Linebaugh penetration tests and check the word on the shotgun and hunting forums. I think you'll be impressed.

For backup to my shotgun (Mossberg Marine 590 with hand-polished action, tritium sight, and Surefire forend light) I carry a S&W 629 Trail Boss in 44 mag with the 320 gr. Cor Bon penetrators*. As mentioned above, it is worthwile to have a lanyard on your handgun when working over water.

DancesWithKnives

*Cor Bon's 320 gr. load went down in velocity by 100+ fps recently and I think there are probably better choices out there these days. If you go with a 44 mag, get something more serious than standard 240 gr soft lead bullets and don't let anyone tell you to use hollowpoints on heavy game. Cartridge choice is as important as caliber.
 
A pump shotgun in 12 gauge (Mossy 500 or Rem 870 Police or express)
Get waterproof shells.

Also, a lightweight .357 mag or 44 mag revolver. If you are not a big revolver fan either a Glock 20 or 29 (10mm) would be good choices too.

I would suggest a lanyard for the handgun and a waterproof sleeve for the shotty when onboard. I also highly recommend the Wilderness System Safepacker Holster for the handgun (not 100% waterproof, but it has many different ways to carry without people knowing it is a gun, and it will protect the handgun better than most other holsters).

Bring some Marine Tuff CLoth for cleaning and protection of the firearms and you should be good to go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top