Let's try again: Which Handgun?

D

Daryl

New member
We have one thread that's titled "Which Handgun for Any Circumstance", but we're given a very specific scope of needs and conditions. As a result, most are choosing small-bore firearms for small game...

Which has very little to do with what we'd choose for ANY condition.

While I don't mean to dog on the poster of that thread, I'd like to see what folks choose for a broader scope of needs.

So, for this one:

You're planning a trip around the world in a smallish sailboat. You'll be stopping at unknown mainland ports, small (possibly) uninhabited islands, and anything in between these two extremes.

The idea is to see the world, and to have fun. Your boat is smallish but big enough to be seaworthy, with limited storage space. For that reason, you're planning to fish and hunt for food along the way. You'll be able to stock up on some things in various ports, but bear in mind that some won't be able to sell you ammunition in common American chamberings. Reliability is key, because parts may not be available at any given point along the way. Some parts can be stored on your boat, but reliability and durability is far more important than replacement, since something breaking at the wrong time can cost you your life.

You can bring a rifle (most would, I'd think), but it will have to be stored somewhere below deck for safe keeping. The handgun will be worn as a constant carry side-arm for first-line use when the rifle isn't at hand.

You're pretty open minded about where you'll visit, so most anything is possible on a whim.

Possible threats may include pirates, salt-water croc's, coastal bears, and various snakes. This is truly an "anything can happen" trip, and the handgun should match the possible needs.

So, what would you take?

Daryl
 
S&W Model 686 Plus Revolver - 6", 7-Shot

Chambered in .357 I would have more options (.38 or .357) for acquiring ammo in various places. The 6" barrel will allow increased range. 7 shots for the extra capacity. The revolver for the simple, reliable operation.
S&W because its my reply!!:cool:
 
Since this is a fantesy thread,I'll play.I would want a small 357 mag revolver for the power and concealability.38,s for small game 357's for everything else.I have a friend that has lived aboard and sailed to most of the places in North and South America,and concealment had better be your #1 consideration.Most South American countries take a very dim view of D---ed Yankes smuggling guns into their territory.The best of their jails make the worst of ours look like Club Med.
 
M14 rifle, scoped, for my ship-board anti-pirate and hunting rifle. I might even go so far as to have the entire rifle chromed for sea-duty protection.

A .44 special snubnose 5-shot steel framed S&W for my handgun. One that can handle some "Keith" level .44 special loads. Or, a Charter in that same configuration.
 
Something in a 38/357 that will stand up to salt water enviroment, same with a rifle choice. Maybe an AK so replacement ammo can be found locally.
 
My rifle would be an M1A, and a revolver? a S&W model 66 snub. Although I would consider my Glock 19. In fact yeah... I'd go with the Glock 19.
9x19 ammo is readily available all over the world. And there are a whole lot of world militaries using the CETME, or H&K's. Ammo shouldnt be a problem.

Yep... an M1A, and a glock 19. Thats the ticket.

Glenn Dee.
 
I like the .357 mag option as well ....and why not for a rifle too ...

Henry Big boy chambered in .357 mag / .38 spl ...( holds 10 rds of .357 mag ) - and its a good reliable lever action rifle (brass receiver ..) so good for the marine environment.

and a 4" barreled revolver - like a model 66 ...(stainless)...
 
4" stainless Smith L frame .357. Instead of a BUG rifle, a Stainless Ruger BH 6.5" convertible .357/9mm scoped.
 
Many countries have laws against weapons on board. Best check that out before you make plans to take a gun to a foreign country.

Also killing animals without a permit may also land you in hot water, might want to read up on that too. :)

So a boat, why not a good marine grade shptgun with a variety of ammo, bird shot to deer slugs.
 
careful

As already noted, you'd have to be VERY careful about concealment. Not just South America, in many countries (so my live on the sailboat son tells me) being caught with "contraband" firearms means fines, jail, loss of your boat - depending. Go into a harbor and have a customs officer come out to your boat - better be careful.
The handgun will be worn as a constant carry side-arm for first-line use when the rifle isn't at hand.
Click to expand...
Maybe while you are at sea.
But...I'll play. I like the .357 magnum idea. I like a .44 magnum even more - greater range. If I'm on the water, where judging distances is very difficult, I want all I can have in the range dept.
Shotgun - fer sure. 12 gauge, pump.
Rifle - a bolt gun with a lot of reach. Caliber?? .300 magnum at a minimum. I could see a .375 easily.
Pete
 
Browning Hi-Power for a pistol.

CETME for a rifle.

Both guns and ammo are common world wide.

Parts and ammo should be available in most countries.
 
For a handgun, I'd opt for a s/s Ruger Redhawk, chambered in .44 Magnum, with the 7 1/2" barrel. The rifle would be a s/s Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle, .5.56 caliber, wearing a 4X Leupold scope with a quick-detachable mount and retaining the factory irons. If a shotgun is also permissible, I'd pick a Winchester Model 1300, marine-finished (nickel) pump shotgun, with an extended magazine and "ghost" type sights. If I had to choose between the shotgun and the rifle, I'd go for the rifle. And if I had to choose only one of the three, it'd still be the rifle.

Bon Voyage!
 
Hmm I'll play...

How about:
- A 76mm cannon
- A couple 25mm cannons
- A couple .50BMG M2's
- A couple 240B's in 7.62x51mm
- A few dozen M16A2's
- A handful of Rem 870 Police 12ga.
- A Couple dozen Sig P229DAK in .40S&W


Oh, yeah... My boat is a big white one with orange and blue racing stripes on the bow... And "U.S. COAST GUARD" written on both beams in black block letters...:cool:

I know, I'm cheating... :D

But I couldn't resist... :D
 
I like the .357 mag option as well ....and why not for a rifle too ...

Henry Big boy chambered in .357 mag / .38 spl ...( holds 10 rds of .357 mag ) - and its a good reliable lever action rifle (brass receiver ..) so good for the marine environment.

and a 4" barreled revolver - like a model 66 ...(stainless).
Click to expand...

I like your take Big Jim. A lever action rifle in 357/38 would be a good all round weapon. A revolver like a model 66 4 inch barrel or a Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch barrel which I happen to own both would be a good companion to the lever rifle. The 357 round will do the job on most varmints.

Now, all I need is the rifle and I am set.

Regards,
roaddog28:)
 
Well, because you opened up the parameters, like the other thread, and said we could also bring a rifle, and that we could hunt as well as defend against pirates, it's pretty simple.

Pistol: 4" 357 magnum revolver. 38spl and 357 mag ammo is pretty available world wide.

Rifle: AK-47 variant; 7.62x39. Excellent hunting deer size animals up to 125 yards with 123 grain bullets. Excellent fast follow-up shots for defense. Ammo available every town/city/country on the planet. Rifle is the most reliable and dependable on the planet. Easiest thing in the world to fix. And tie a rope on it, and it doesn't even matter if it falls into the ocean, it will still fire when you pull the trigger.

This is too easy.
 
For a handgun, I'd take a stainless .44 Magnum DA revolver with a 4" barrel and synthetic stocks such as a S&W 629 or Ruger Redhawk and some reloading and bullet casting supplies. Cases are easily saved with a revolver so as long as I can find powder, primers, and lead ammo availability isn't an issue. The revolver can handle the widest possible range of ammunition for any foreseeable need. The .44 Magnum cartridge will give enough power and range for anything I'd use a handgun for. While still a large gun, a 4" barrel .44 can still be concealed practically if need be. Finally, the stainless/synthetic combo would be the most durable around salt water.

For a rifle, I'd want an AK variant in 7.62x51 NATO a Saiga 308 with the best corrosion-resistant finish I can find. This cartridge is powerful enough with enough range to handle most situations and quite popular worldwide. In addition, this platform also has the ability to accept quickly detachable optics that will hold zero when being taken on and off as the situation requires.

For a shotgun, I'll take a Remington 870 Special Purpose Marine Magnum or Mossberg 500/590 Mariner as these two shotguns will be the most reliable repeaters under adverse conditions. The 3" 12ga will do anything I need of a shotgun and the specific models I chose will have the most durable finishes for a saltwater environment.
 
I'll cheat.


http://www.magnumresearch.com/Expand.asp?ProductCode=DEXIX

Desert Eagle Mark XIX.

Six and ten inch barrels for .50 AE, .44 Magnum, and .357 Magnum. Interchangeability with a barrel and magazine swap.

Hard matte chrome finish for corrosion resistance, but with dimished ability to reflect light.

Quick detach rings on a long eye relief scope.

Additionally, I might try to find some machinist guy to fabricate a detachable shoulder stock.
 
Many countries have laws against weapons on board. Best check that out before you make plans to take a gun to a foreign country.

Also killing animals without a permit may also land you in hot water, might want to read up on that too.

So a boat, why not a good marine grade shptgun with a variety of ammo, bird shot to deer slugs.
Click to expand...

I just recieved a PM that was written in a condescending way, implying that I was somehoe ignorant of the fect that some countries won't allow firearms. I'v e only been shooting firearms since I was big enough to hold both ends off the ground.

There are states within the USA that won't let you legally bring a firearm in; obviously, there are many countries that are the same way.

But the question is still the same; "Which handgun for ANY circumstance?"

For me, the sailboat might be my Chevy truck. Limited storage space, and "below deck" for the rifle might be behind the seat. Pirates could be any of the many drug smugglers that constantly migrate north from Mexico, then south again. I see UDA's with backpacks pretty regularly when out in the hills.

For those who heard about the rancher who was recently killed by one such criminal? I've hunted his ranch many times. There's a lot of deer in that country, as well as a few bears, mountain lions and such.

I killed a bear some years ago about 10 miles NE of that ranch, and 20 miles NE of there I spent a few hours awake with a couple of horses one night while a mt lion screamed at me from a bit beyond my lantern's light.

So the question remains, "Which handgun for ANY circumstance?" Legalities aside, what works best for keeping a person alive and well, no matter what (s)he might encounter?

BTW-I do keep a rifle behind the seat of my truck most of the time. Like the scenario I described initially, it's not always within reach. I carry a handgun pretty much always, and which one depends on where I'm going to be. My prefered handgun for woods/hills/desert carry is a SA revolver in .45 Colt. I've carried it in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Alaska with complete confidence in it's capabilities, and my abilities with it. It's enough to handle anything I'm likely to encounter that needs shot, and that's why I take it with me on "out of town" outings.

It's also not so heavy that it ends up being left in the truck, which is also important in a constantly carried sidearm. I also prefer stainless for reasons of corrosion resistance in humid or wet weather.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top