Emergency Line Gun

With the message that I posted about the stranded kayakers and the tube incident at the damn, I am reminded about an article I read about an imporvised "line throwing gun" in some sort of book.
The idea was to use a shotgun, a broom handle a bit longer than the barrel and a shotgun shell cut down to eliminate the projectile.
The story was that by taping a light line to the broom handle that projected from the barrel, the shotgun could be used to project the broom handle into the air with some degree of accuracy, carrying the light line behind it.

I have always wondered if it would work and if so, how safe it might be.
Anyone have any experience with something like this?

Hmm...I'll give that a try out back when the rain let's up here and then I'll let you know.

Sounds like a good way to blow up a shotgun, and create more work for the EMS folks.

Why not just spend the money and buy a real line launcher if you really expect to have a use for one? It has to be safer to use then a shotgun with a broom jammed down the barrel. <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

If I recall correctly, the suggestion was to weight the top end of the broom handle with something farily light, perhaps taping a few washers at the end.
I thought of trying it at one time, using some sort of bipod and pulling the trigger by a remote control of some sort, string, etc.
Although the theory sounds okay, I am not sure that it wouldn't cause some type of a barrel explosion. I don't think I would use a broom handle/dowell that was too snug in the barrel.

One of the neat things about this forum is that it generates ideas of improvisation and the thoughts that stimulate the thinking process.
I doubt anyone would have need for a line gun to be available to them, but on the other hand, being able to improvise one might be worth knowing about.

I saw something similar to that about an improvised gernade launcher.

Knowing a little about shotguns, I would suspect the problem of blowing up the gun would be remote if you:

Use a full bore barrel (no choke)

Push the broom handle snug against the wads before fireing.

Make the bearing surface even the full length of the broom handle to the barrel (Just shimming the rear and front of the broom handle could result in torqueing of the broom handle as it exists the barrel).

Remember the inertia of the broom handle launcher has to overcome the increasing resistance that the line has as the length of line increases.

Make me the beneficiary of a large life insurance policy on your life.

Bountyhunter <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I see two possible problems with it. The broom handle is heavier than the original shot load. This may increase the pressure enough to blow up the barrel. The shortened shell may no longer seal the the back end of the chamber. This would allow the hot gas to escape through the back end. It depends on the gun what happens in this case.
I´ve seen photos of guns blown up both ways and the injuries that were inflicted on the people holding the gun. After that I would not try this at all.

I think the toughest thing about making this work would be to have a supply of line that feeds out in a manner that doesn't create any more drag than necessary.
If the theory is that the set up could be used as some sort of grenade launcher, it might have enough momentum to carry the line a decent distance.

Thanks for the feedback.
No go on the insurance policy!

The standard USCG line throwing rifles are converted 1917 Remington and 03 Springfield rifles. The barrel is a shortened smoothbore with an underslung reel. There are 3 different wieght projectiles consisting of a rod, line lanyard and two plastic and one heavy bronze tip. The rods slip down the bore conected to the underslung line. The cartridge used is a standard blank as used for grenade launchers. I recall many stories of black powder muzzleloading longarms discharged by accident or haste in combat with the charging rod the projectile. The safest option for a dedicated line throwing rifle is to locate a Greener Harpoon rifle. These were imported by the old Harrington & Richardson company in the 70's. It is a splendid piece ( it is the weapon used in JAWS) built on a Martini action. Last time I saw one, it had a pricetag of $800. There are two low tech options; A. making up a monkeyfist knot and practising, and B. Archery can be set up for fishing with a light reel. I doubt if archery would be viable. Conditions that merit any line throwing device mean throwing a handline is difficult due to distance and/or high winds. You must be extremely carefull discharging such a weapon. If everything works, there are tremendous recoils associated with the heavier rods. The bronze projectile must be fired with the rifle but braced on the deck. I watched a shipmate shatter his collarbone and dislocate the rotator cup firing offhand.

Mossberg sells a line throwing adapter for their 500/590 series shotguns. Remington doesn't list any on the website but they do sell shotties specifically for marine environments so a call to the service dept may yeild results. I know you were wanting to improvise but I'm leery of sticking anything down the bore of a gun that I'm about to shoot (a ball down a muzzle loader being an obvious exception). Any online instructions or Paladin Press type books should be taken with a liberal dose of salt.

A cheaper and more compact alternative that could be easily duplicated at home can be found here www.ezhang.com

Ed

Very interesting feedback.
Thanks much for the insight.

An interesting alternative. However, at $695.00 a copy, it is way over priced.

www.reveresupply.com/mcmurdo/linethrower.html

Hmm... An interesting image comes to mind, a kayak with a gun rack. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Depending where you're kayaking, a slingshot and paracord with a rock or similar weight tied to one end might be easier and safer. PlLus those tools have the advantage of multiple uses under different emergency scenarios.

Planning for vs (X) improvising
Hmmmmmmm

Our team uses the Lyle (Bridger) line gun. A brief history of the Lyle (Bridger) line gun can be seen here: http://www.cannon-mania.com/lyleguns.htm
The model we have can be seen at these two web sites:
http://www.lhrservices.com/search_and_rescue/line_gun_kit.htm and
http://www.rocknrescue.com/acatalog/Line_Throwing.html

We did have to get some type of exemption/license from BTF, since the barrel is shortened.

We are also in the process of buying the Sherril Big Shot also shown on the second web page. Pete

The broom handles I have don't fit down the cylinder bore barrell of my Remington 870, so my testing has not happened. the only thing I had thin enough was some copper pipe, and that's really not a great idea - a hollow pipe.

yeah, but the line thrower attachment from Mossburg costs 645 and that doesn't include the shotgun.....

Interesting reading.
I would be interested in learning about the training you go through with these.

Perhaps a piece of PVC. If it is the right diameter, it might be a bit more convenient. Obviously will need an end cap, most likely on the end outside the barrel.
Still sounds a bit dangerous, but might work. Don't think that I would want to make a habit out of using one, could work as a last resort.