PCP on board a cruising sail boat?

[Shaq]

Having discussions about sail cruising the Bahamas and the subject of security comes up.  It’s possible to carry firearms on board but it can be very inconvenient to do so legally, with complicated declarations in each country and sometimes they even hold them while you are staying etc.  so many cruisers don’t choose to keep guns on board.  And, pirates know this.  There are some very scary stories.  As if the sea wasn’t scary enough on its own.  So, I was wondering, with these new pcp rifles being able to actually deter someone pretty well, I’m wondering if that would be a smart way to legally keep some defensive tools on board?  I know that in USA we have very slack laws about them, with no FPE limits for example.  But what about those island nations?  Is there an easy reference that lists restrictions for pcp by country or region? 

[Chickenthief]

The more bass ackwards they are, the less they regulate airguns.
A fine Airforce Texan in .50 caliber will do very well on any taret out to 100m.
At the very least it will let the vilans know you are prepared and go for someone else.
It will go a fair way on a 300bar~4500psi bottle of good size. Mine does some 50 shots from 330bar to 250bar on a 9 liter bottle.

[Shaq]

Yep and most boats of this kind have scuba air on board anyway so that’s no issue.  I’m thinking it’s a great way to get a little bit of peacefulness.  A friend was describing meeting some folks in Puerto Rico who were robbed and raped and had many injuries while they were cruising the Bahamas.  I’m sure it’s very rare occurrence.  But  can see a pcp being handy for lots of stuff including fun.  I’m loving my aea semi auto and wouldn’t want to be on the or side of it even at 800 FPS.  But they offer a similar rifle in 357 that looks downright nasty. 

[Dan H]

May I suggest staying on dry land in the USA !  just a thought ! 

[CableStop]

I don't think any PCP is going to fit the bill for self defense, even a big bore airgun makes way less power than a firearm.  Even a Texan .458 is barely making more power than a .45 ACP pistol, and it's a single shot long gun.  The thing to remember is that usually people robbing you don't want to kill you, they just want your stuff, but if you fight back and especially if you put them in fear of THEIR life they very well may decide to kill you.  If you point a gun at someone you best be aiming to kill them because chances are you've just escalated the situation to life or death in their eyes. 

A modern PCP can certainly kill a person with a good shot but imagine trying to shoot someone while you're both standing on boats which are moving and rocking up and down.  If you're really that worried you need to just deal with the hassle of declaring a firearm, if that's too much effort you have to reconsider how big a concern it is to you.  Fortunately I've never felt the need to carry a gun for self defense but I can tell you if I did I'd be carrying my Shield .45 ACP and not my Dragon Slayer .50 air rifle.

[wolverine]

I havent sailed outside the U.S. except for Canada, but i have met many sailors who regularly do. Just last week a man from Holland who has circumnavigated 3 times now.  Depending where you sail, stories of pirates are very rare.  The waters of the Caribbean are very safe.  Sailing the red sea is a different story and most sailors do arm themselves. When sailing through the gulf of aden, they never travel alone and most are armed.


They do make a stainless/synthetic marine shotgun.

[Back_Roads]

 Back in the day a spear gun was often onboard, flare gun with some quality flares, and other MacGyver stuff typically. If they be real B.A. it probably doesn't matter less authorities assume you may be of the pirate type by having such arms. 

[Chris USA]

Heck no! Do as you will,... but anywhere there is thieves and "pirates",.... everyone is on the take. Including whatever law enforcement there "supposedly" is. The world is not what it used to be.

I would get me a $2 sail boat at a dollar store,.... grab a 12 pack, run a hot bath and call it good. Worst case,... ya' pass out,.. wake up in a cold bath,.. swear off drinking,... and live to see another day. 

[Duane38]

Nope.  I say an AR platform.  Unless your vessel is required to be searched upon entry/shoring, I would declare nothing.

Most pirate attacks happen in coastal, territorial waters...  I'd keep a hidden compartment stocked with munitions. 

Pirates row up on me thinking they are going to pillage my vessel...  Not going to happen.

[woogie_man]

What they don't know won't hurt them.  Don't declare anything.  Don't give your safety up to someone who us not guaranteed to be there when you need them.

A good AR platform with a full combat load, typically 210 rounds, and a good cleaning kit.

Would also consider a 12 gauge as well.

You need to take security for yourself and family into your own hands.  Make a smugglers compartment and keep quiet.

[SILENT SQUIRREL]

I havent sailed outside the U.S. except for Canada, but i have met many sailors who regularly do. Just last week a man from Holland who has circumnavigated 3 times now.  Depending where you sail, stories of pirates are very rare.  The waters of the Caribbean are very safe.  Sailing the red sea is a different story and most sailors do arm themselves. When sailing through the gulf of aden, they never travel alone and most are armed.


They do make a stainless/synthetic marine shotgun.

How about a link please, Carl?

[Norcal]

I havent sailed outside the U.S. except for Canada, but i have met many sailors who regularly do. Just last week a man from Holland who has circumnavigated 3 times now.  Depending where you sail, stories of pirates are very rare.  The waters of the Caribbean are very safe.  Sailing the red sea is a different story and most sailors do arm themselves. When sailing through the gulf of aden, they never travel alone and most are armed.


They do make a stainless/synthetic marine shotgun.

How about a link please, Carl?

https://www.mossberg.com/product/590-mariner-9-shot-50299/

[Ribbonstone]

Been like +45 years (way before GPS),,part guest and part crew for rick folks….quick look on line just now….you really really don’t want to get locked in a Bahamian jail. 

Been back twice (flew)...I rather like it, although it’s more Americanized than it was.

[Wepster]

That full auto pellet rifles look mean. I know nothing about them.
http://air-ordnance.com/smg-22-basic/
https://hatsanairgunsusa.com/product/blitz
There are co2 "paintball" guns, designed for self defense, hard rubber balls and pepper spray balls. Umarex has several as do others. The co2 has a striker that you hit to pierce the cartridge preparing the gun to fire, multiple shots, some .50 caliber. The pepper balls seem like effective, but just to give you chance to get away, or get some other implement.
Google T4E, less than lethal, pepper balls.

[Sfttailrdr46]

Sorry guys but this is an "Air Gun Forum" not to squash this thread but the prospect of using an AG for self-defense is not really advisable. This topic crops up every year and there are better options than air guns.  If you feel that where you plan to travel is less than safe and may be compelled to use lethal force reconsider your travel plans.

I am locking this thread for admin review.