Snake Gun

shankbone

shankbone

New member
Disclaimer: I do not actively search out snakes to shoot. I try to avoid snakes at all costs, there just happens to be A TON of snakes where I do my most frequent recreation.

I fish and wet wade a lot in rattlesnake country and, after an experience last night, would like a compact pistol with a rail for a laser or light/laser combo. All the gun needs is the following:

1. Must be able to shoot snake shot (manual cycling of the slide is okay)

2. Must have a rail for a laser or laser/light combo

3. Small/light enough to slip into a small shoulder bag

I immediately thought "Kel-Tec PF-9", but my wife will most likely shoot this pistol as well, so I was thinking of something with less recoil.

Calibers I already own and would like to overlap:
.357/.38, 9mm, 22LR

So, what should I use for a snake blaster?
oh, and I'm a total "no-go" on the judge and it doesn't qualify because it is not light or small, and my brain functions.
 
Originally Posted By: NdIndyBuy some snake shot for the 357, send me 1/2 what you would have spent on a new pistol. Win win.

Sorry, the .357 has a long barrel and a scope. I did use this .357 before I scoped it, but it was pretty heavy then.
 
Originally Posted By: cyoteklerBrowning Buckmark.....Light, accurate. Will fit into a small shoulder bag.

This might actually save me some money! I do have a Buckmark! And what better time than now to buy a Tac-Sol barrel?!
 
I have a Star PD .45 1911 style that actually likes to eject shotshells. It's like carrying a small semi-auto shotgun. I've shot the .22, and .38 shotshells and from my real world experiences the .45 can anchor a snake from much greater ranges than the 38 and most certainly the .22. Unless you are standing within a few feet you will do nothing but piss off a larger rattlesnake with the .22 shotshells. Been there, done that. And if it's under your feet you've just about had it anyway. Forget the .22 imo.

I would stick with something that will shoot the 410 or 45. If you really think your life may depend on it then you need to bring something big enough for 1 shot and done.
 
Originally Posted By: shankbone
oh, and I'm a total "no-go" on the judge and it doesn't qualify because it is not light or small, and my brain functions.

grin.gif
 
Had good results with a Ruger Single Six and ratshot. You can get Crimson Trace grips for them, but I don't really see the point. It's pretty much a point and shoot deal at snake distance. Great thing is they are quiet, cheap to shoot, and very versatile with the 22LR/22WMR cylinders. Much more reliable than trying to manual feed a semi-auto. I tried that with the MKII, it's doable, just not as quick and easy as a wheel gun.

Good call on the Judge. I have one of those paperweights. Luckily it was a gift
crazy.gif
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judge was the first thing that poped in my mind...lol!!! my first choice for killing a snake would be a shovel(killed many with), preferably square point, second would be any shotgun w/6,7-1/2,or8 bird shot.....so try to find a collapsable square point shovel and attach a sling....
 
Originally Posted By: shankbone
oh, and I'm a total "no-go" on the judge and it doesn't qualify because it is not light or small, and my brain functions.

While my judge isn't small, it is pretty light.

We shoot a whole lot of snakes around our place.

.22 snake/rat shot just [beeep] most snakes off.

We generally either use a .410 or a .22 with subsonics.

Look at .410 snake charmers.
 
No offence intended but this has to be the oddest snake gun question I've ever seen. You know what you want, there isn't that many options for what you seek, grab some cash and go shopping.

Personally I'd forget about all the gizmos and just get a .38 or .357 snub. You don't need another cartridge/caliber, you need/want a differnet platform. Not like having 2 different platforms in the same caliber is a bad thing.

CB
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOREYHad good results with a Ruger Single Six and ratshot. You can get Crimson Trace grips for them, but I don't really see the point. It's pretty much a point and shoot deal at snake distance. Great thing is they are quiet, cheap to shoot, and very versatile with the 22LR/22WMR cylinders. Much more reliable than trying to manual feed a semi-auto. I tried that with the MKII, it's doable, just not as quick and easy as a wheel gun.

Good call on the Judge. I have one of those paperweights. Luckily it was a gift
crazy.gif
.

Have you tried .22WMR shotshells? I imagine they are the same as .22LR shotshells.
 
I had not tried the 22WMR shotshells. The 22LR ones seem to work good enough for me and were readily available so I never bought the larger. I typically just shoot for the head at 10' or so away. Usually, that is when I discover them. I like the single action, no jamming, always goes bang. Put some spare ammo in your pocket and pop chucks or whatever nuisance critters while you're out and about. Works good for the coup de grace shot for big stuff too. I tried the 38 and 9mm shotshells. I like the 22's better, they won't tell on you as bad. "The man" don't always like you shooting things, regardless if you are about to get bit.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris_BriceNo offence intended but this has to be the oddest snake gun question I've ever seen. You know what you want, there isn't that many options for what you seek, grab some cash and go shopping.

Personally I'd forget about all the gizmos and just get a .38 or .357 snub. You don't need another cartridge/caliber, you need/want a differnet platform. Not like having 2 different platforms in the same caliber is a bad thing.

CB

I have to agree. Even if you buy a new handgun, go with something like a Tarus 85 UL in stainless steel that is light and can handle +P loads. Get some 38 shot shell loads and your ready to go.
 
Originally Posted By: PABobOriginally Posted By: Chris_BriceNo offence intended but this has to be the oddest snake gun question I've ever seen. You know what you want, there isn't that many options for what you seek, grab some cash and go shopping.

Personally I'd forget about all the gizmos and just get a .38 or .357 snub. You don't need another cartridge/caliber, you need/want a differnet platform. Not like having 2 different platforms in the same caliber is a bad thing.

CB

I have to agree. Even if you buy a new handgun, go with something like a Tarus 85 UL in stainless steel that is light and can handle +P loads. Get some 38 shot shell loads and your ready to go.

I agree with everything except the Taurus part...........Yuck!
 
I have a short double barrel 12.I have a scabbard for it that allows pulling it across your shoulder pretty fast.Works wonders for snakes.I know you asked about pistols which this ain't.But when I shoot at a snake I mean business.Also it works for protection from most things walking.Fills the cook pot.Just load the loops with different kinds of ammo and you are ready for most anything.I think it is one of the most versitle tools around.Also the plain old 45 works good.I don't care much for snake shot in pistols.Just my op.
 
Originally Posted By: bigsky_songdogsOriginally Posted By: PABobOriginally Posted By: Chris_BriceNo offence intended but this has to be the oddest snake gun question I've ever seen. You know what you want, there isn't that many options for what you seek, grab some cash and go shopping.

Personally I'd forget about all the gizmos and just get a .38 or .357 snub. You don't need another cartridge/caliber, you need/want a differnet platform. Not like having 2 different platforms in the same caliber is a bad thing.

CB

I have to agree. Even if you buy a new handgun, go with something like a Tarus 85 UL in stainless steel that is light and can handle +P loads. Get some 38 shot shell loads and your ready to go.

I agree with everything except the Taurus part...........Yuck!

I just thought that a Tarus would be less expensive that something like a S&W 36 Chiefs Special. When I worked in a gun shop, a lot of police bought them as backup weapons and later came in and told me they really liked them. They all carried them in ankle holsters. they all bought the stainless model.
 
Originally Posted By: shanedogg my first choice for killing a snake would be a shovel(killed many with), preferably square point,

Shovel's good but a garden hoe's better.
grin.gif


Back on topic.
I can't speak for lights, lazers, rails, and such but I'd think any good 38/357 with snake shot would be as good as anything.
Luck
 


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