I have never done any tests to see how my guns will hold up in sand. I know that when I've gone to the beach, cleaning them afterwards is a pain. So what would you use to stand up the the sand, salt water, and gunk that builds up at the beach? Can a revolver function reliably with sand in it?
Beach gun
- Thread starter Jamas
- Start date
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
A beach gun. Really?
Machinery generally doesn't "like" sand, or any other form of fine grit, debris and particulate contaminants.
Yes, I know some firearm manufacturer advertising includes such extreme or abusive conditions in their promotional materials, ads, etc. It is what it is.
Then there's the wealth of personal experience and opinion to be found among online internet firearm forums.
Me? I've long since stopped being surprised when a pistol of some popular make/model ... like one of them often portrayed as working after "torture tests" involving cubic yards of fine sand
... experiences stoppages after something as simple as having one of the magazines dropped onto loose sand and then reloaded for continued use in some qual course-of-fire. I'm even less surprised when someone drops their pistol onto a loose sand range and tries to continue shooting it, only to have it seize and then require bench time to get it apart.
I've listened to another armorer who had some experience using a few different makes/models of pistols overseas in one of the sandy environments where our military forces have been operating. I was unsurprised when he told me how some of the more popular (with firearms enthusiasts) pistol could exhibit functioning issues due to exposure to sand in as little as a single day.
Some designs might be less intolerant than some others, granted.
Revolvers? The tight tolerances and moving parts don't often seem to benefit from sand & grit getting inside them. Revolvers are also generally harder to maintain and clean (from an armorer's perspective) in a hostile environment which could include fine sand, grit, silt and such contaminants.
Both pistols and revolvers have been used in such environments for as long as they've been around, though.
The times when I've felt it was prudent and reasonable to take one of my guns to the beach on my own time, I used a carry method which prevented sand from getting to the gun (typically one of my small revolvers). (This presumes it's lawful and permissible to take a firearm onto a specific beach!)
Those times when I had to operate in a sandy environment while wearing an issued revolver or pistol? I took care not to let my weapon come into contact with the sand (or dirt), but if it did come into contact, or if it was exposed to wind blown sand & dirt, I inspected it at the earliest time available, cleaning it as may be necessary.
As an armorer, I've had to detail strip and clean out weapons that have been dropped into loose sand. Hard packed dirt hasn't usually been as much of a problem, although having a weapon dropped into a bay, river, creek or other running or standing water (where dirt & soil may be present) might require armorer level cleaning and decontamination before the weapon is returned to service. Things can happen.
Frequent cleaning of firearms exposed to adverse conditions, such as abusive and hostile environmental conditions, might reasonably require more frequent inspection & cleaning. Depending on the conditions and circumstances, such exposure might require the attention of an armorer or gunsmith, at times, too.
There's a saying in the risk management field ... "Predictable is Preventable".
If you end up with wet sand in your J-frame, you might ask yourself if it was really necessary to have it in those conditions ...
Yes, I know some firearm manufacturer advertising includes such extreme or abusive conditions in their promotional materials, ads, etc. It is what it is.
Then there's the wealth of personal experience and opinion to be found among online internet firearm forums.
Me? I've long since stopped being surprised when a pistol of some popular make/model ... like one of them often portrayed as working after "torture tests" involving cubic yards of fine sand
... experiences stoppages after something as simple as having one of the magazines dropped onto loose sand and then reloaded for continued use in some qual course-of-fire. I'm even less surprised when someone drops their pistol onto a loose sand range and tries to continue shooting it, only to have it seize and then require bench time to get it apart. I've listened to another armorer who had some experience using a few different makes/models of pistols overseas in one of the sandy environments where our military forces have been operating. I was unsurprised when he told me how some of the more popular (with firearms enthusiasts) pistol could exhibit functioning issues due to exposure to sand in as little as a single day.
Some designs might be less intolerant than some others, granted.
Revolvers? The tight tolerances and moving parts don't often seem to benefit from sand & grit getting inside them. Revolvers are also generally harder to maintain and clean (from an armorer's perspective) in a hostile environment which could include fine sand, grit, silt and such contaminants.
Both pistols and revolvers have been used in such environments for as long as they've been around, though.
The times when I've felt it was prudent and reasonable to take one of my guns to the beach on my own time, I used a carry method which prevented sand from getting to the gun (typically one of my small revolvers). (This presumes it's lawful and permissible to take a firearm onto a specific beach!)
Those times when I had to operate in a sandy environment while wearing an issued revolver or pistol? I took care not to let my weapon come into contact with the sand (or dirt), but if it did come into contact, or if it was exposed to wind blown sand & dirt, I inspected it at the earliest time available, cleaning it as may be necessary.
As an armorer, I've had to detail strip and clean out weapons that have been dropped into loose sand. Hard packed dirt hasn't usually been as much of a problem, although having a weapon dropped into a bay, river, creek or other running or standing water (where dirt & soil may be present) might require armorer level cleaning and decontamination before the weapon is returned to service. Things can happen.
Frequent cleaning of firearms exposed to adverse conditions, such as abusive and hostile environmental conditions, might reasonably require more frequent inspection & cleaning. Depending on the conditions and circumstances, such exposure might require the attention of an armorer or gunsmith, at times, too.
There's a saying in the risk management field ... "Predictable is Preventable".
If you end up with wet sand in your J-frame, you might ask yourself if it was really necessary to have it in those conditions ...
oneounceload
Moderator
Never felt the need to carry at the beach - most folks where I am are almost naked with no real place to hide anything
I suspect a Glock or loose-fitting 1911 might work; I seriously doubt a revolver would
And why would it have wet sand in it? place your gun in a zip-loc baggy big enough to allow you to fire it from the bag if necessary
I suspect a Glock or loose-fitting 1911 might work; I seriously doubt a revolver would
And why would it have wet sand in it? place your gun in a zip-loc baggy big enough to allow you to fire it from the bag if necessary
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Theres a bit smaller ones out there. Get one and carry a small gun, no revolvers. G27/G26 I would recommend, no 380's small pocket guns, sand can jam it up. Try to find one without the see through color. Or just wrap a cloth around your gun. Keep it in your cargo shorts pocket. It's waterproof after all.
Or, ziplock bag, no round in the chamber... for safety reasons, and put it in your pocket.
youngunz4life
New member
just put it somewhere where the sand and water won't get on it(an example is pictured above). You can use a bag that pretty much NO ONE will be rummaging thru(you, your kids, your wife, and/or any one). it only takes one second to have a pain to deal with. Pick up the gun only if you need it. I don't bring my gun to the beach but it might be in car and it can be done with care.
Those would be your 2 best options for reliability in sand. Any gun will choke if enough sand gets in it, but the Glock or 1911 will take longer to mess up and will be easier and quicker to get back in action than a revolver. The moving parts on semi's are pretty much enclosed and better protected from dirt, sand, etc. With so many openings for crud to get inside a revolver, and no way to quickly field strip them they are more prone to problems.
Carry_24/7
New member
Take a Big Gulp cup, place your pocket pistol inside, line it with plastic, scotch tape said plastic, fill it with your favorite drink, insert straw.
I do this with my NAA Pug .22 mag for poolside and or the beach. An LCP will fit in some such cups.
I also have a very small, yellow, waterproof Pelican case that the Pug just fits into. It can go into the water with me.
I do this with my NAA Pug .22 mag for poolside and or the beach. An LCP will fit in some such cups.
I also have a very small, yellow, waterproof Pelican case that the Pug just fits into. It can go into the water with me.
sigcurious
New member
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=459877&highlight=beach+gun
Link to two threads on the subject, not sure what you're packing but that member tried out a few different guns at the beach.
Link to two threads on the subject, not sure what you're packing but that member tried out a few different guns at the beach.
Carry_24/7
New member
Skans; that's life, none of us can or should envision always being in all the same situations as everyone else...thank God for that!!!!
In my case though, I would rather say there are few situations where you can catch me unarmed, even if it's at the beach with only a .22 mag.
As for a gun and sand, I would never intentionally do it. There are better options for concealment, even if it's a larger pistol than my Pug or LCP.
In my case though, I would rather say there are few situations where you can catch me unarmed, even if it's at the beach with only a .22 mag.
As for a gun and sand, I would never intentionally do it. There are better options for concealment, even if it's a larger pistol than my Pug or LCP.
Mrgunsngear
New member
Glock, no question in my mind. Youtube some torture tests, they are extremely durable and reliable. 'nuff said.
Saltwater is the key. Im not sure if a glock can withstand immersion. It will do in sand but it will rust just like any other gun. Maybe a coated sig p226? Unless it is one of those underwater cartridge HKs theres only one gun designed and tested for beach work (mk23) A coated p226 is a good compromise. (correct me if im wrong)
[edit] current p226 navy are all coated.
[edit] current p226 navy are all coated.
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