What is the best shotgun for a marine environment?

Don't rely on the word "stainless steel". Many of the inner parts (springs, firing pin etc) are not going to be stainless. You cannot substitute for proper cleaning, protecting and storage.

A normal blued or parkerized 870 is just as good. Maybe better since you will pay more attention to it.
 
David K said:
.. You might want to reconsider taking a firearm with you. Reality is that it will be seized in the vast majority places you're likely to visit, and if not creates a major paperwork Headache. And will in all probability, trigger a very, very through search of your vessel, by the authorities. .... As to Security, a little prudence would go a long way. Route Planning to avoid risky transits, and if transiting dubious areas, sailing in Convoy offers a measure of security IE Safety in numbers. Anchorages are another issue, and there one should anchor in designated areas ( where applicable) and again safety in numbers. Perhaps supplemented by a Motion Detector Alarm. ... In a Marine Environment, maintenance, even of Stainless Steel Firearm's is an ongoing battle, and that's before you consider the ammunition. With managing the day to day tasks, plus navigation etc. there is little time to lavish on cleaning and oiling a firearm thats of debatable value. ...... If your bound and determined to carry a Firearm, then a shotgun is not a bad choice, oil/grease and store in a DRY LOCKER, that's secure and can be turned into a Bond Locker, with desiccant bags. .... Anyway, just my two cents worth, and no doubt many would disagree. ...... David K
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David is right on the issue of travel. I have been to a lot of foreign ports where when the guns were declared I was told that they had to stay on the boat out if sight. Most marine customs officers a used to this and have some latitude. There are some places where you can buy a gun. I have bought AK's and a G3 in some weird places....I have also had to disassemble and ditch some parts over board before returning home.

For instance in the Bahamas where guns are illegal they let us leave the guns on the boat. This included 2 full auto Mac-11's.
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i use the Remington 887 Nitromag duck hunting. been in salt water and no problem.
 
I wouldn't trust a newer Remington to go skeet shooting let alone trust my life to it... The Browning All Weather is my favorite, or if you can find one a Winchester Stainless Defender. Mossberg might be the winner for price and availability though. The Browning was only made in 2011 and the Winchesters are rare as hen's teeth.
 
Myself I would not put too much trust into the Winchester Defender. The US Army (late 1970s) and some Canadian Army units at CFB Petawawa (mid to late 1980s) had the Winchester product under use for a brief time over here. Niether entities chose to take the Defender to any overseas foreign dangerous places in the end. The CF brought along older Remington 870s with them to Somalia, that were previously held in war stock. We also had Remington 1100 slug guns in the middle east, just for shooting feral dogs nearest the outlying platoon houses. And while visiting many US Naval bases one sees alot of Mossbergs augmenting the Beretta sidearm. More M4s seen at US Airforce bases.
 
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My wife gave me a Winchester "Marine" 1300 as a gift in the early 90s. Nickel plated with composite black furniture, came with a pistol grip... At first I was not too keen about this shotgun as it always attracted a lot of comments regarding Rambo, etc... However, at the time I was living on the coast of northwestern BC in an extremely salty environment, and after I put a standard model 1200 wooden butt stock on it, I eventually came to appreciate the shiny nickel finish and it's utility as a boat and bear gun. Although I have had a few opportunities to trade this shotgun for something less "flashy" over the years, I have resisted the temptation thus far, as I have found it reliable and after all it was a gift.....
 
Strangeday said:
David is right on the issue of travel. I have been to a lot of foreign ports where when the guns were declared I was told that they had to stay on the boat out if sight. Most marine customs officers a used to this and have some latitude. There are some places where you can buy a gun. I have bought AK's and a G3 in some weird places....I have also had to disassemble and ditch some parts over board before returning home.

For instance in the Bahamas where guns are illegal they let us leave the guns on the boat. This included 2 full auto Mac-11's.
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Captain Ron ?
 
Well I guess I'll chime in on this one as well and suggest you go with the shotgun option, either by Mossy, Winchester or Remmington which all make a "marine" shotgun and give you some flexibility with the types of rounds you can use at different ranges if need be. I would as some others have mentioned however consider the hassles that come with carrying guns onboard when entering and cruising in foreign countries. Having spent a year sailing down south and travelling overland in many countries with the wife, we never felt the need to have a gun with us anywhere to feel or be safe, and this includes in countries such as the DR, Venezuala, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and pretty much all the small Island nations in the Carribean. You just have to use common sense and be situationally aware as much as possible to avoid most trouble. As far as "piracy", which just robbery on the water, it does happen but not as much as people think or fear.

All countries will ask you if you have firearms onboard, some countries will allow shotguns onboard without much hassle, some will even allow pistols and some will not allow any guns and require you to surrender them to customs until you clear out of the country, but that means you have to clear from the same port entry which can be a hassle if your cruising. In Bermuda you even have to declare and surrender flare pistols for storage with customs!

The decision you make whether or not to take guns with you is a highly personal one and not for me judge your decision, lots of people do take them but most don't. I'm not suggesting you not try and protect yourself or your property but shoot someone in a lot of these countries, especially with an undeclared or illegal firearm even if its in self defence and your in for world of trouble. If you think our justice system goes after homeowners acting in self defence, just imagine trying to get a fair trial in a country where you might not speak the language, there is no Charter and the guy you killed is related to half the people in the island, even if he was a criminal. Boat likely seized, your held in jail cause your a foreigner and a flight risk, not good. I remember visiting with some officers on Nevis and had a look at the main jail/prison, built in 17somthing and the cells don't appear have been updated since, Yikes and that's pretty common for most countries down south.

Anyhow good luck with your decision and have fun casting off the lines.
 
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