Best Boat Gun

RUPZUK said:
Not to stir a hornets net but I've had multiple glocks- both broke at the range...



Absolutely agree on the 12g for all the reasons you mention,I don't need a take down, it will stow in a scabbard and needs to be available at a moments notice.
The BPS has my attention as parts of it are stainless and I had a BPS bird gun before and it was a very refined shotgun. The sight I'm not so sure of- it looks like something could get hung up and snagg, or break. I'd really like to handle one before I spend...



Gold! thanks, narrows one out of the running:D
With the 590 mariner; does the mag tube spring and plug come out the front (cleanout) or is it like the 500 (bolted- must remove the mag tube to clean it) ?
I have a 500 now and while it has seen a whack of abuse there are things I just don't like- they barrel retention bolt is one, and the cheap plastic forestock is the other (does the 590 use the older metal sleeve under the forestock?)
Seems like the mariners I've seen stocked or advertized have 9 shot mag tubes and fancy sights & stocks- This is not what I need, a shorter mag with a plain bead (a tritium would be a plus but I haven't seen anything like that) and perhaps a speed feed stock - or plain.
Also, is the 590 an aluminum receiver or steel?
Also, doe it use chokes (I would consider this a bad thing)?

It would be so much nicer to have a shop that stocked these things so a guy could get to touch them before dropping cash...
Thanks
Oh, and an Iowa class drafts to much water, the Dillon Aero looks like it could work- do they come in stainless,lol...
Click to expand...

The 590 Mariner is available with a plain bead front sight. The magazine has threaded end-cap much like an 870 rather than the solid 500 style which presents a maintenance problem IMHO. The barrel is secured to the 590 with the more conventional barrel ring. The Speed feed furniture while plastic is good quality, and resilient. Yes there is a steel sleeve that the forend slides over, which is then held in place with a threaded ring. Most often the gun comes with a plain cylinder bore muzzle, but you should perhaps consider the addition of a door knocker choke. I wish I had one on mine to protect the muzzle from dings; shotgun barrels tend to be thin compared to rifle barrels, and the muzzle is prone to scuffs and dents if you wander around in rocky terrain. The 590 receiver is aluminum, but the preference some have for a steel shotgun receiver is over stated, the aluminum is no disadvantage unless you're in the habit of putting the receiver in a vice without the trigger group in place. A Sidesaddle is a good investment regardless of whether you choose a 590 or an 870. Not only does it provide you with more round that are instantly available, but it gets rid of the trigger group pins and replaces them with screws. If I was you I would give Wolverine Supply a call (you can find them at the top of the page) give them the specs of the gun you require with your preference of manufacturer, and see what they come up with. If anyone can find you an 18" 6 shot 590 Mariner, those folks can.
 
VLT79 said:
Those 870s must be used often? 2000-3000rds a year?

My experience has been that it takes about 10 000rds before any of those problems occur (If they ever do. Most people don't even put half as many rds thru their shotgun in their entire lifetime!). In most cases where the ejector housing tab breaks, the cause is the mag tube cap/ mag extention not being properly tightened which causes too much play where the barrel and reciever mate. Recoil causes the barrel to twist in the reciever and eventually it cracks/shears off the tab. Keep the barrel tight and the problem is virtually non-existant. Even the newer thin ejector springs have an average 8000rd life expectancy (which is similar to the firing pins)...although I will admit I have seen one ejector spring break with as little 2500rds rounds thru it.

As for the shell stops...even if they do come un-staked it will absolutely not tie-up the gun. They will be held in place buy the trigger housing. Fore and aft movement is/will be prevented by the front trigger housing retaining pin as seen in the pic below.

30d9vh3.jpg


Edit: resized the pic so it wasn't so damned big! LOL!
Click to expand...

The 870 shell stops absolutely tie up the gun when they come loose, or I wouldn't have bought the tool to restab them! The guns in question haven't seen anything like 5000 rounds, and mostly they're used as cracker shells guns; they cleaned up quite easily, where as if an equal number of slugs were fired, I'd have been in for some tedious bore scrubbing. The company that owns the guns provides them for their drivers, mechanics, and guides, but no one is given a dedicated gun that they are responsible for. After talking to my pal Pounder we came to the conclusion that the guns were not damaged by shooting, but by being stripped and reassembled by someone, perhaps a single individual who had access to all of the guns, who didn't know what he was doing, and hammered the barrel down on the ejector housing rather than carefully lining up the index slot. With a 590's massive engagement lug, this type of inadvertent damage can't happen.
 
Boomer said:
The 870 shell stops absolutely tie up the gun when they come loose, or I wouldn't have bought the tool to restab them!...
Click to expand...

Not trying to get into a pi$$ing contest here but my oldest 870 (built in Nov. 1966) must be an exception, cause the left shell stop is currently un-staked and has been that way since February and I'm still shooting trap doubles with it without a problem. I've had the same thing happen with 3 others (2 left shell stop, 1 right and the one gun had both fall out) and the guns worked fine. The only time it went noticed is when the trigger assembly was removed and the shell stops fell to the floor. If you don't re-stake them, getting the trigger assembly back in is a bit of an issue but once you figure out the trick it's not so bad!
 
RUPZUK said:
Which one?
Any others?
Why?
Click to expand...

Hello,

Interesting post. You don't say exactly which type of boat, but if it's a gun that would be used in different type of boats (kayak, canoe, sail etc.) I would probably get a Mossberg (I like the safety better) with a regular stock and separately buy a pistol grip and change the stock when room is limited as kayak or backpack. It's like having two guns! (I have a folding stock that is also practical.)
If you want simple and light, have you ever thought of a SXS with a short barrel? Very light, easy to load, smaller to hide or pack (take down)....but it's only 2 shots! Easy to clean, not much mechanical failure possible!

OK:)
 
Ardent

Ardent said:
In my opinion, too big for a boat gun, that needs to be a takedown. It should be 12 gauge, to be able to shoot flares, birdshot, slugs & buck with equal aplomb. It should be a takedown, for the boat space, especially in small craft (very much so in a kayak). That brings me to doubles.
Click to expand...

Oups......I just realized that Ardent had given the same answer about the doubles, practical minds think alike!!!:)
 
I can't say I have 5000 rounds down my 870 MM, but I can tell you that it doesn't get babied, and it has been ROCK solid in every regard. I would trust it with my life. Oh, and short of being stored in a river, it gets plenty of moisture... and no rust. :)

6260937825_d9cc192c6d_b.jpg
 
A friend just picked up a IGA , might have been a stoger stainless 20" hammer less double for 3-4
Takes down to 20" or so, would fit in small spaces. Screw in chokes so you can shoot whatever you like.

On a similar topic does anyone know about shooting clays from a boat? I don't think your allowed to shoot from a motorboat but a canoe could be carried out and then only the shooter is in it while the trap machine stays aboard the power boat. Would you also have to use steel or bismuth? And if all that was fine and dandy and you went out smack in the middle of lake Ontario would it still be a bad idea?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom