clam guns

[ac_156]

Going to long beach January 2-4 looking for some information on clam guns. What works the best. Don't want to spend alot of money on some as this is my first time going and don't know that if kids and wife will enjoy it. Any info would be appreciated

[trophyhunt]

I would stay away from the PVC guns, they may work the first time but they break easily after time.  I like the stainless guns, thin walls make them easier to push down and pull up.  Good luck, it's fun.  Don't be afraid to start a couple hours before low tide, we do good and if its a late tide you get to dig in day light.

[TheFewTheProud]

Like this

[trophyhunt]

Like this

[trophyhunt]

Where do you live?  I bet guys on here might loan you some?

[ICEMAN]

ac, like stated above, go way way early and dig early. Nothing worse than a problem on the way to the beach and arriving a bit too late and basically missing the good time.

Gun or shovel, both work. We seldom damage a clam with a clamgun anymore, you just have to learn where to aim...

A long handled stick for whacking the sand is good.

Enjoy! Take a camera!

[WSU]

I use a pvc gun and it seems to work fine to me.  They are a lot cheaper also, so may be a good choice if you don't know how much you'll go clamming in the future. 

Face up the beach away from the ocean, put the gun around the show, and insert it as far as you can (preferably to the handle).  You'll break a few until you get the hang of it, but I rarely break them now that I know what I'm doing.

[Smossy]

I prefer the PVC guns myself, Lighter weight, Easier on your back, Better sensitivity for feeling clams, Easy to build/Easy to replace.
Just make sure you shave down the flat edge's along the bottom of the tube so it penetrates the sand with less resistance.
Also, PVC doesn't rust. We've bought 5 or so of the metal guns and even after being washed off with the hose when we get home, They still rust out, welds fail, and you loose your air tight seal.

[Westside88]

I prefer a shovel, but everyone has their own preference. The clams are sort of angles toward the ocean so I think centering on the hole with a slight tilt toward the ocean works best.  The way I showed my mom when she switched to a gun was facing the ocean, that way she doesn't get surprised by a wave,but everyone will have their own preferences.  Like others said, don't be afraid to ask someone. I always enjoy helping someone new get the hang of it. I agree on the 2 hours ahead at least especially when starting out

[pilebuck]

I use a pvc and a metal gun I like the pvc way better the shovel sucks in my opinion,And yes all ur digs coming up and will be dark make sure u put a strobe or a bright light to find your vehicle when its pitch black a bright strobe will let you see your vehicle if u don't mark it you could be roaming around for awhile ask me how I know good luck and make sure u have bright headlamps of good quality have fun 

[Smossy]

I use a pvc and a metal gun I like the pvc way better the shovel sucks in my opinion,And yes all ur digs coming up and will be dark make sure u put a strobe or a bright light to find your vehicle when its pitch black a bright strobe will let you see your vehicle if u don't mark it you could be roaming around for awhile ask me how I know good luck and make sure u have bright headlamps of good quality have fun 

We use strobe lights also

[Gobble Doc]

Agreed with the go early. The times posted are the low tide. You can start diging usually about 2-2.5 hours prior to that.

 

[ac_156]

thanks looked at some aluminum guns tonight do they hold up.

[lokidog]

Jack's Country Store in Ocean Park, north of LB has a good supply of guns.  We bought a pvc type that was molded as a clam gun, not plumbing parts, very nice and not too much $$.

[ICEMAN]

All the guns have drawbacks, PVC break (sometimes on clam #1) Steel guns rust, Aluminum deform (don't bang them on their sides on the sand, they deform then won't push in the sand...trust me, I know these things...

Only drawback of the nice stainless steel guns is their cost.

You will end up with stainless.