Of beaches, boats, sand, swimming, sun and guns!

**Bushboy** · 11-10-2010, 10:30

Ok, We are now entering another wonderfull South African summer along all the wonderfull things we as residents and citizens have the (right and priviledge), love to do over these times. Im talking about going to the beach, swimming , boating and all that great stuff. Problem is, wearing a cozzy (swimming trunks for those entering winter right now

) and a gun isnt so easy. Mine certainly dont have belt loops and besides going into the surf or the dam /river isnt really an option with a gun on your hip

. I just had a fantastic weekend away camping and boating which was great but presented a few difficulties. This is the first time Ive gone on a weekend of camping and boating since my sd licence came through. I have been camping a few times since but not where swimming etc was contemplated so carrying wasnt an issue. The camping area is in a generally very safe district and in a remote ish spot in that district, so I feel quite safe there but it certainly is possible that trouble could arrive there. Obviously when around camp braaing etc, no problem. When it was time to go wakeboarding or for a swim, thats when it became more problematic. Do I lock it in the car? do I put it in my "Go bag" in my tent under my strecher? Do I take it on the boat and put in the cubby hole? Locked in the car was a thought and I did do that once but then thought If do need it first ill have to get the keys from my wife then retrieve the gun etc and thought this too difficult. Also If Im out on the dam without my family the gun and I are useless to them anyway. (my wife is not a huge gun fan sadly). My reasoning here is if I was down at the waters edge with the kids, still in my cozzy but near camp, Id keep it in the tent in my go bag. Out of reach of most short people but close enough that I could run in and retrieve it relatively quickly if trouble broke out. I did keep the tent fly screen zipped up to the top so no un educated little ones could gain accidental access. What would you have done?

What about when you go to the beach? Do you carry it in a bag? Or leave it in the car? I spend almost all of my holidays in a swimming costume from dawn to after dusk when at the beach. If you do carry in a bag, what do you do about sand ingress? Or do you just wear the gun on the beach

, Havent seen that yet so assuming not many people do this.

The thoughts and wisdom of the sages with the ages will be usefull

Ok you younger lot may also contribute

**Paul** · 11-10-2010, 11:03

If you tighten the drawstring on your Speedo it should be capable of supporting the weight of an Inside Pants holster...

**Bushboy** · 11-10-2010, 11:17

If you tighten the drawstring on your Speedo it should be capable of supporting the weight of an Inside Pants holster...

Ja but I want to have some blood flow to the other half of my body! I also dont wish to have to swim to the bottom of another dam or river to retrieve whats mine

---------- Post added at 09:17 ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 ----------

I suppose i could put it down the front, but I think there isnt much more space.

**Ghostrider** · 11-10-2010, 11:37

Can't you swim with a GLOCK in your skivvies?

And when the girls ask if you've got a GLOCK in your pants you can tell them no, you're just happy to see them! *S*

Seriously, unless it's on you or being looked after by a second party who stays on the beach while you rotate hitting the water, your car (in view and within a reasonable distance that you can get to) will be the next best option. Fag bags don't always have to be black and look like they are carrying a gun either.

**Bushboy** · 11-10-2010, 11:40

Originally Posted by Ghostrider

Can't you swim with a GLOCK in your skivvies?

Ill have to reply "no, im not pleased to see you"

**Maml** · 16-01-2012, 16:18

Any further thoughts on this...like hitting the beach before/after work...where to keep fa?

**Freakazoid** · 16-01-2012, 18:47

If you really want to, you can probably buy one of those wateproof bags from a camping store and keep it on you while you swim.

**Wanderin' Zero** · 16-01-2012, 20:46

It really depends upon the gun to be honest.

If its something like a Glock subcompact then you best have an SABS safe fitted to your car in accordance with the SABS spec for temporary storage - and do something intelligent to utterly immobilise the car too.

If its something nice and small (like a NAA .22 Mag for example), well get a proper waterproof arrangement, zip it into your swimming trunks pocket and Bob's your uncle.

**Prodigal** · 16-01-2012, 21:14

I spent the day kayaking on the umkomaas river last week, about 12km's on the river in total and I kept my gun & wallet in a water proof bag, attached to my shorts - only other option was leaving it in my car which really was not an option. Went swimming (not voluntarily) several times through some bloody big rapids and gun & wallet were bone dry at 17h30 when we finally got out of the river. I left gun (S&W M&P) fully loaded, one up and used CKCS trigger guard holster to reduce bulk of a full kydex holster while in the bag. When I go to the beach, I do the same thing.

**Maml** · 17-01-2012, 07:32

@Freakazoid, thanks - I had hoped that would work but was also wondering if anyone had actually used this method successfully.
@WZ - Glock19. Not keen on vehicle safe...but it's an idea for some peeps I guess.
@Prodigal, shot - that sounds good - what wpb did you use?