I Can't Believe I'm Starting a Gun Thread

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by ArmyDaveNY

The M1 Garand is an excellent weapon. I thought it carried eight rounds but regardless, I love mine.

On a different note, the bears will attempt especially if encouraged like these people did. I'm thinking this is perhaps not the best idea.

Here's a different encounter that was not encourage. My only question is how they returned to the vessel. I am guessing they had a second dinghy.

I have no words to describe what I think about the people in the first video.

As far as the second video is concerned -- this is actually a really serious concern. It would be life threatening to be left on shore with the dinghy destroyed.

What we plan to do about that is to have a spare roll up dinghy on board, and at all time without exception leave someone on board, when others are on shore.

But also I think we will anchor the dinghy a little off the beach, with a kellet to pull the dinghy out to the anchor when released, and a line taken ashore which can be used to pull it back to the beach. I don't think that's a 100% guarantee -- polar bears obviously are good swimmers. But maybe they will be less inclined to attack a dinghy in the water.

[John Drake]

12ga 3" Brenneke slugs.

And to relate this to cruising and provisioning.... buy the weapon (Mossberg 500 20"), own it, make sure everyone aboard has gone to the range to shoot it and knows how to use it...safely....knows how the safety works, etc.

Make sure you are legal everywhere.

One weapon should suffice for a defense situation. Everyone should know where it is, how it is secured, what ammunition to use and how to use it.

Keep it simple, and be safe.
Best
J

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I have no words to describe what I think about the people in the first video.

As far as the second video is concerned -- this is actually a really serious concern. It would be life threatening to be left on shore with the dinghy destroyed.

What we plan to do about that is to have a spare roll up dinghy on board, and at all time without exception leave someone on board, when others are on shore.

But also I think we will anchor the dinghy a little off the beach, with a kellet to pull the dinghy out to the anchor when released, and a line taken ashore which can be used to pull it back to the beach. I don't think that's a 100% guarantee -- polar bears obviously are good swimmers. But maybe they will be less inclined to attack a dinghy in the water.

That kellet is a great idea. I never thought of something like that so thanks for telling me about that.

The first video is proof that every pool needs skimming, especially the gene pool!

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by ArmyDaveNY

That kellet is a great idea. I never thought of something like that so thanks for telling me about that.

I don't remember where I learned about it, but I don't think I thought of it. I have used it on dinghy docks which were too crowded to leave your dinghy. Works like a charm.

Originally Posted by ArmyDaveNY

The first video is proof that every pool needs skimming, especially the gene pool!

ROTFLMAO.

Truly unbelievable behavior -- they seem to think they're in a petting zoo!

[Fence Man]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsTKFnThh6Q

I had no idea there was now a .700. 1,000 grains of lead!!

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I don't remember where I learned about it, but I don't think I thought of it. I have used it on dinghy docks which were too crowded to leave your dinghy. Works like a charm.




ROTFLMAO.

Truly unbelievable behavior -- they seem to think they're in a petting zoo!

Just make pets of them. Asinine to be feeding them.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

...a 45-70 big game rifle...

This is a good choice, as far as performance is concerned. Though ammo availability might be spotty.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by ArmyDaveNY

The M1 Garand is an excellent weapon. I thought it carried eight rounds but regardless, I love mine.

On a different note, the bears will attempt especially if encouraged like these people did. I'm thinking this is perhaps not the best idea.

Here's a different encounter that was not encourage. My only question is how they returned to the vessel. I am guessing they had a second dinghy.

I've done some really stupid things in my life, but feeding a polar of an anchored boat is beyond reason!
When I lived in AK I never stepped out of my vehicle without a pistol, out side the cities. There were just too many reports of people being mauled by bears. Even moose were trouble at times.

As for guns on boats, I keep a marine version of the Mossburg 12 gage model 590, holds 9 rounds.
Sometimes the only food to eat is birds. And slug will put a nice hole in the waterline of an unwanted boat.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

This is a good choice, as far as performance is concerned. Though ammo availability might be spotty.

Should only take one round. An 06 is formidable. It's the bullet and how much damage it can do with someone that can shoot not piss their pants under pressure.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Obviously Plan "A" is not to let a bear get close enough to be a threat, and Plan "B" is to scare one away if it does get too close. But if we do need Plan "C", we will have overwhelming firepower, which is always the best way to deal with a violent situation, if it's an available option.

When we were cruising in bear country we were similarly armed for shore parties.
I could not help but feel the irony that this protection emboldened us to approach congregation areas closer than as if we were unarmed and not the Alpha group.

After all, were were there to see them.

Luckily in one tense situation where an aggressive bear came too close, the air horn startled it enough to allow us to back off.

My point, even with that firepower, encourage your team to act as if they were unarmed.

[Midnight Son]

Polar bears are the top of their food chain, and act accordingly. So, you have to act accordingly.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

When we were cruising in bear country we were similarly armed for shore parties.
I could not help but feel the irony that this protection emboldened us to approach congregation areas closer than as if we were unarmed and not the Alpha group.

After all, were were there to see them.

Luckily in one tense situation where an aggressive bear came too close, the air horn startled it enough to allow us to back off.

My point, even with that firepower, encourage your team to act as if they were unarmed.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

When we were cruising in bear country we were similarly armed for shore parties.
I could not help but feel the irony that this protection emboldened us to approach congregation areas closer than as if we were unarmed and not the Alpha group.

After all, were were there to see them.

Luckily in one tense situation where an aggressive bear came too close, the air horn startled it enough to allow us to back off.

My point, even with that firepower, encourage your team to act as if they were unarmed.

Well, the polar bear is the world's largest land predator, and certainly one of the smartest and most aggressive. They weigh up to 3/4 of a tonne and can run at 30km/h. No amount of firepower would make me be not scared shirtless of these monsters. Believe me, if we catch sight of one, we will be going the other way as quickly as possible.


In other words:

Originally Posted by Midnight Son

Polar bears are the top of their food chain, and act accordingly. So, you have to act accordingly.

[RPZ]

Forget about shotguns. For a Polar bear you want a rifle with heavier weight controlled expansion bullets. Shotgun pellets will just make them really mad, and slugs do not have sufficient penetration.

A 30-06 with 180 grain premium bonded core bullets would be a minimum.

Forget telescopic sights, you want "iron" open sights of the "express rifle" type

Oh, and don't try to run from a bear - you won't make it. If they are not running towards you by all means try and make distance. Anything running a bear will regard it as food.

[Cadence]

The stupidest defense I had heard regarding polar bears was from a friend. While in the USAF he was stationed on an ice island, radar installation. Moving from trailer to trailer they had to travel in pairs each carrying an M1 carbine. I figure the best defense would be to beat the bear in the nose with the butts. He might get tired of it?