In a previous post we discussed the Florida laws regarding carrying a weapon on a boat. For people who don’t have their Florida CCW, the “not readily accessible” rule applies. However for those boaters who have a Florida CCW, they are free to carry a concealed handgun on their person. If you are using a gun in a marine environment there are some considerations that apply to corrosion that we will go over below.
Gun Finish
As you know, you have several finishes available to you for your gun. Lustrous deep blue finishes that are commonly prized in a display case are highly susceptible to rust on the water. Stainless steel is a bit of a better choice but it too will rust in the marine environment. Nickel plated firearms are a better option as they are very rust resistant and require little maintenance.
For marine use we recommend guns with salt bath nitrate finishes that permeate the metal and provide stellar corrosion protection. Look for a boat gun that has a Parkerized finish such as those guns that many law enforcement officials carry. Tenifer or Melonite are also recommended and are available on Glocks, the Springfield XD, and Smith & Wesson M & P series handguns as well as some AR-15 guns. Combining the above mentioned three handguns with a salt bath nitrate finish and a polymer frame will provide an excellent rust-free firearm. After you make it back to dry land, a quick wipe with an oily rag will help to keep the guns in tip-top shape.
Marine Grade Ammunition
You should be equally aware of your ammunition as you should your guns. Avoid brass rounds for rifles or handguns because they will corrode over time in a salty environment. Instead look for ammunition that is nickel plated as they are much more rust resistant. Most major ammo makers – Federal, Remington, Speer, Winchester – offer nickel plated ammo. Nickel plated cartridges can sit loaded in magazines for years without risk of corrosion and are the ideal choice for a marine environment.
Marine Gun Case
Finally, you should also put some thought into your marine gun case. Soft cases don’t provide ample protection against vibration, pounding, moisture or salt—all issues that a case will come up against on a boat. Instead of a soft case get a hard plastic foam-lined case for your marine gun. These cases are inexpensive and can hold your pistol and a couple of magazines. Hard plastic foam-lined cases also float whereas soft cases sink like nobody’s business.
Get Your Florida Concealed Weapons Permit
To get your Florida CCW in Citrus County and to learn more about gun care, contact Citrus CCW today.
Leave a Reply