Are you packing

[Night Stalker 0]

When out in the desert I always have some type of fire arm with me. A lot of two legged varmits here in the desert that are up to no good. So my question is will that affect a Detector when I can finally get one?

[AzOverland 0]

I generally carry a XDM 9 with me. I like the sidearm because it carries 20 rounds. However I am really not sure it's a good idea. If you run into trouble in armed bandits in the desert they will most likely out number and out gun you. A hand gun will do little in the way of defence against a AK-47 or half of the arms we let go during the well thought out Fast and Furious operation. If you are not armed you may be robbed, have your vehicle stolen, and be left in the desert naked but personaly think a guy with headphones on and a sidearm is a sitting duck and would stand little chance in a fire fight. But what do you have to worry about any how. Our borders are secure.....just look what i found last Sunday.....

 

[trinityau 2]

Hey All, I do not believe in wasting time. The very few first moments are where most people are hesitant. I do not believe in being hesitant and if I am going to go down then by God somelse is going down with me and it does not matter what they are armed with. I will not go quietly. Old Ranger qoute....." the seven P's" PROPER PRIOR PLANNING PREVENTS PISS POOR PERFORMANCE. TRINITYAU/RAYMILLS

[Adam 16]

Oh good ! Another gun thread But to answer the question No, if the gun is holstered high on the hip, it should not cause interference with the detector.

[Night Stalker 0]

AZOverland you know what I'm talking about and feel the same way, not sure a side arm is enough. Might start slinging an AR on my back as well. I take my daughter and wife with me so I have to look out for them as well. I don't think they will stop at robbery now a days

 

I don't think a rifle on my back would interfere either

[Night Stalker 0]

Ive seen that type of pic before, god knows what went on. kinda like over seas to tell you the truth

[Hawkeye 4]

I keep mine holstered in my belt behind my back and its not a problem with the detector.

Take care and be careful out there.

Wes.

[fredmason 8]

When I went to Moore Creek Alaska there were several guys that brought 45's 38's and big, long shotguns...the sidearms would not have stopped a bear but at least they could run the detector without a problem...you won't get much detecting done trying to carry a long gun...

 

And if you are actually paying attention to your detecting you will be surrounded or shot before you notice a bunch of bandidos...after you notice then you can try to take a few with you...or silently surrender and hope for the best....your choice.

 

fred

[Night Stalker 0]

Just A few words on the Idea of surrender: NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

I believe in Never Give UP Never Surrender because if you do there is no tomorrow with these guys. The Cartels coming up from Mexico are using terrorist techniques cutting off heads and killing senselessly

 

We use the battle buddy technique and have been in this desert a long time

[DolanDave 1]

No I do not carry, and I own several guns, but when out metal detecting, 99.9% of the time, I do not carry. In the 20 years I have been detecting, out in the desert all alone, miles from anyone or anything, I have never had anyone pull a gun on me, threaten me, or have any kind of hostility of any kind. I have never needed it from snakes or any other wildlife, as they usually scram away, or I go around them, and I have come across my fair share a few times.

Dave

[matt 6]

I occasionally carry while detecting in a remote area and I carry in the city all the time. It more dangerous in populated areas of the city

than it is in the country.

[Explorer 0]

Night Stalker,

 

To answer your original question. Based on my experience, I agree with Adam. Carrying a sidearm has no effect in operating my VLF or PI detectors.

[Explorer 0]

To address other legitimate concerns here in this thread. Carrying a firearm may depend on where you are and the exact area you are prospecting.

 

Years ago, at 13,600' I was prospecting a vein under a small hidden waterfall after climbing up about 100' above the lower road. There was only one 4X4 road in and out of this area in the high and mighty Colorado mountains. The only living things at this altitude was low alpine tundra plants. I left my firearm in my truck about 100' away before climbing. When I climbed down to the somewhat level ground road. This bear crossed my path between my truck and me. From then on, I always carry when prospecting. You never know, even in the middle of nowhere and no one.

[El Dorado 0]

At one place I camp and hunt there has been some very mean bears. This summer one wreaked havoc to all the campers in the area (except Montana's) That same bear has also challenged people. So I keep my shotgun in my camper and carry my Ruger Blackhawk all the time there.... In over 30 years of being out in the woods looking for gold, I only had one issue with a 2 legged animal that I was glad to have had a weapon on my side.

[Bucket 0]

Very valid question and we all have our own experiences and preferences, a buddy of mine was tooling around in KOFA when he came upon a search and rescue guy in a jeep,looking for a missing couple that weekend, the guy asked him if he was packin...my buddy said no, the search and rescue guy told him he was crazy..."never...ever come out here unarmed" and I tend to agree. If your unarmed your dead, if your armed, well then you got a chance, no matter how slim, fact is you got a chance. Be quick or be dead.

[rexb 0]

When I do go out I carry a pistol, and sometimes I even have a back-up rifle in the vehicle, although chances are hopefully I'll never need either of them.

[dredgebug 0]

When I am at an outing or with a group then I do not carry as I feel there is safety in numbers. When I am out alone I am usually far from anywhere and in Colorado that usually means no cell service or outside contact so then I carry. S&W .44 mag double action Mountain Gun 4" barrel in shoulder holster under left arm and no problem with detector. I have never needed it and I hope I never do. The sidearm does not make me feel more secure but it does make me feel more confident and confidence comes across as strength to both man and beast afield.

 

Just my thoughts

Glenn

[AzOverland 0]

As a father I do find myself often questioning if it is really in my son's best interest to go prospecting in the areas we do. I think about this stuff alot with requards to my son and our outings. I do not let fear govern my decisions but sometimes never the less second quess my reason. My 10 old son and I often go out alone and camp over night in remote areas in the Santa Ritas. He loves prospecting and is the one who really got me into it. He follows along for hours, has the patience of Job and digs holes! I think prospecting is good for him, gets hime away from the TV and video games and gets him outdoors. We are learning together and maybe someday he will learn how to better find gold. But news such as this should make all of us who spend time in the outdoors south of Tucson or the I-8 question what reasonible precautions to take...

 

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/12/07/20111207border-patrol-agent-kills-border-crosser-confrontation.html

 

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=13675683

 

Personal defence, sidearm training and awareness may really help. I think another really good option and an asset is a well trained K9 hunting partner. Dogs in the outdoors really come into their own. A well trained dog can heighten your SA and deter some evil doers including bears, loins, snakes and "coyotes". But I think the best think is numbers. I like putting together a small group of guys to hunt an area.

 

Heres some of my side kicks enjoying an outing.

 

 

Another thing I do is leave a gallon of water and a bit of food outside my vehicle when I go hiking. I once came back to my vehicle at Ariavca Lake to find a man waiting for me. I was scared too death and unarmed. He had been left out there and was living on lake water that I think was making him sick. He was very thristy. We gave him a ride to the closest town and alot of water. What if he had been breaking into my vehicle to get some water as I approached, what if I was armed, would I have shot him? What if he had a 10 year old son waiting for his dad somewhere, a wife, a daughter. I don't want to shoot another man because he need water to save his life even if it costs me my Jeep. You can't kill a man because he is a mexican in the US desert illegally. Use caution and reason, when you "go to" your gun you had better be sure about what you are doing.

 

There are basically three type of illegals around our southern borders.

 

1. Workers - Men and women looking to make a better life for themselves. Most hard working and good people

 

2. Mules - guys running drugs. Most of these guys have familes and lives too and just really want to make a buck and drop their load with no problems and are unarmed. You most likely will never see these guys, they are in the business of avoidance.

 

3. Bandidos - these guys are often armed and looking for easy targets. They steal from the mules and the workers. They are becoming increasingly aggressive toward Americans. They move in groups, have communications and some have military back ground in the 3rd world.

 

You end up shooting an unarmed "mule" or "worker" and your going to have to live with that most likely in a jail cell for a long time. You end up running into a well armed group of "Bandidos" and you're most likely going to be out numbered and out guned. You're not going to "quick draw" your way out of that. Give them what you got and keep your life then go join a border militia or something.

My hope is in the odds. Odds I got a better chance of finding the next Boot of Cortez then running into a group of bad guys. But I will still have my AR, my 9mm and my dogs close by. When out and about.

 

Well cheers guys! Best of luck in finding some great gold and not shooting anyone in the process.

[Rich 7]

Becareful who you give rides to down there. I would hate to see you get arrested for giving an Illegal a ride.

[Explorer 0]

I would express more help to someone out with a broke down car. Then somone "living" outdoors, how would I know if he is not a wanted criminal such as a Manson or Una bomber, etc. That's a tough call especially having your kid with you and letting this guy in your car, sorry! But it's great to experience an outdoor adventure like that with your son. Personally, if it came down to animals, I would always fire a warning shot first. As far as people, it's best to be prepared in case. There was a hiker not to long ago who was mauled to death by a bear at Yellowstone Park. If only he had a firearm.

 

There are Mexican "groups" who charge some $2000 to help illegals across the border. Yet some of these Mexicans crossing over are women. Are found raped and killed by these guides once across the border. Documented by American border control. Plus there are Jaguars (big cats) found south of Tucson. All I can say, to each is own.

[Night Stalker 0]

I would express more help to someone out with a broke down car. Then somone "living" outdoors, how would I know if he is not a wanted criminal such as a Manson or Una bomber, etc. That's a tough call especially having your kid with you and letting this guy in your car, sorry! But it's great to experience an outdoor adventure like that with your son. Personally, if it came down to animals, I would always fire a warning shot first. As far as people, it's best to be prepared in case. There was a hiker not to long ago who was mauled to death by a bear at Yellowstone Park. If only he had a firearm.

 

There are Mexican "groups" who charge some $2000 to help illegals across the border. Yet some of these Mexicans crossing over are women. Are found raped and killed by these guides once across the border. Documented by American border control. Plus there are Jaguars (big cats) found south of Tucson. All I can say, to each is own.

I can't argue with anything you've said about the Coyotes, the treatment of the women and even the Cats, don't think dogs would help there. I always carry something even in town and have had to pull it a couple times, my point is having been in Law enforcement and the Army has taught me always be prepared. I want apologize to the forum I never intended for this to be carry no carry debate, I was interested to know if firearms would interfere with metal detectors.

[Rich 7]

I was interested to know if firearms would interfere with metal detectors

No. You would get more interferance from any metal in your boots

so make sure yours are metal free.

[Night Stalker 0]

No. You would get more interferance from any metal in your boots

so make sure yours are metal free.

Great point hadn't thought about that