goldshellback

My favorite "snake charmer" for over twenty years was a SSA my dad bought used and was loaded with the CCI's that SIXTO said. Loaded with regular .22's itwas HOURS of plinking fun

__________________
"Just getting a concealed carry permit means you haven't commited a crime yet........CCP holders commit crimes." Daniel Vice, senior attorney for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, as quoted on Fox & Friends, July 7th, 2008

Superhouse 15

Not sure what model you were looking at, but the American Derringer:
GunBroker.com guns: American Derringer .45 Colt / .410 not Bond Arms (item: 99366615 ends: May-15-08 04:19:07 PM)
And Bond Arms:
GunBroker.com guns: Bond Arms Texas Defender 45/410 ,3 inch barrel (item: 99280806 ends: May-10-08 04:00:41 PM)

Are showing a lot more than $150 on Gunbroker (picked some auctions at random, nobody I know)

Maybe this:
GunBroker.com guns: Cobra Long Bore .38 Spl Derringer Nickel/Rosewood (item: 99468513 ends: May-16-08 08:26:53 PM)
in .38 spl would carry enough shot for comfort, Cobra also makes them in .22mag if you want to go smaller, or 9mm if you want common ammo with your 9mm CCW.


Or this:
GunBroker.com guns: LEINAD DD Derringer 45LC/410GA (item: 99441264 ends: May-16-08 04:13:36 PM)
Looks like what used to be called "FMJ". How unusual that a cheap gun company all of a sudden changes their name but if you had to go .410 and didn't care about loosing it.


Pistol shotshell ballistics and payloads:
CCI - Shotshells
CCI - Products/Ballistics

The smallest shot Federal or Remington lists in .410 is #9, and it's in a premium (read expensive) load.
Federal Premium Ballistics
Remington Premier® STS® Target Loads
Winchester lists it in the AA line, too.
Shotshell
Federal and Winchester also list .22lr shot loads, too. one in #9, one in #12 shot. Bet that performs like Thor's hammer

Now, if it was me and I didn't trust the OC, I'd dig out one of my small NAA or Hi Standard .22mag derringers and load up with CCI. That should do enough to give me time to get to my shovel. If i'm out of range for the CCI shot, I'm out of range of the snake.

mr surveyor

my business often takes me into areas frequented by snakes, and there are times when snakes just plain old need killin'. In that case, a cheap revolver with shot shells is fine. For "little snakes" with short strike capability I don't mind the 22 shot loads. I have an old RG14 than drops into any pocket that works fine. For the more formidable snakes, I carry an old J-frame Rossi .38 with two shot shells set up first in the rotation, and three jhp's behind. At "snake distances" the standard .38 shot shells do fine. I also don't believe the myth about damaging the rifling of a handgun with a limited diet of shot shells. Shoot it, clean it......repeat as necessary

Also, for a field beater/snake gun, just find a used revolver that is in reliable shooting condition that you don't mind scratching, getting sweaty, muddy, etc. A new gun is likely to see more console or glove box time than actual carry time!

Sticks

I grew up on the plains of CO, so being aware of snakes, and keeping an eye out for them was firmly pounded into me by dad when we were out turfing prairie dogs, (PETA - KMA ).

Even the use of a shovel will generally be to scoop up the critter and give it a little flight lesson. No need to kill it unless there is a territory dispute.

If it comes down to doing an inspection of the area under the equipment first, then I may as well get out the rosebud on the oxy-acetylene kit and do a quick flame job and burn anyone out. I sure as heck am not going to mace under or anywhere I need to work. Maybe a can of brake-clean and a lighter.

I have some good safety glasses (job requirement) so no worries there, and there is also the rule...what is behind your target.

I will check into this with the safety supervisor and see how her stance will be, since she is one who made the NO GUNS statement at the company meeting. Besides, I don't have any guns, only tools.

I thought that a box of 25 .410 shotgun shells would be cheaper than 10 .357 CCI. I may have to go the Mad Max route and get the sawed off double barrel 12ga.

__________________
Sticks
Curiosity was framed, poor judgment killed the cat

A Government is comprised of a body of people notably ungoverned.

Three can keep a secret if two are dead

Thumper

I have had the pleasure of killing a few rattlesnakes and I have used a lot of different guns to do it. CCI Shot Shells suck in my opinion!

I'll take a 12 GA with low base #8 shot. I HATE SNAKES!

__________________
ALWAYS carry! - NEVER tell!

mrhutch

cheap .38 special revolver (read: rossi, charter arms) with shot-shells (aka snake shot, rat shot). shot-shells don't cycle reliably in semi-autos. a .38 load of shot will ruin any snakes day, especially at any distance close enough to be worried about.

Mo

I carry a snake stick when walking in the woods. Took some herpetology classes in college when working toward my Biology degree, did some field work on frogs and used to have this guy:


I understand about not wanting to keep a stick with you all the time, sounds like a revolver with shot in it is the way to go. Just like with bad guys though - I'd recommend avoidance over engagement.

Redneck Repairs

about any pistol will work fine if you do your part . I have killed em with a p3at lol . I dont bother with special loads , I just make sure i shoot them within an inch or so if the head so if needed i can just step on the head and pull the body off of it . Last week i killed 3 in the same spot , they were desputing the territory around a corner post when i was building fence . My Kahr p9 loaded with ball ammo did just fine .

mr.stuart

In the 70's and 80's,I was in the auto salvage business.Talk about snakes!I carried a .22 revolver loaded with rat-shot.It never failed me.

KenpoTex

if it is about 2.5 feet or less, just step on its head and use your pocket-knife. If it's bigger than that, use a shovel, 2x4, or something to pin it down...then step on its head and use your pocket-knife.

seriously, I've dealt with scores of rattlesnakes and only shot 1 that someone else already shot and didn't kill (it was really ticked).

no sense in wasting ammo on snakes, especially if you stand to lose your job over it.

__________________
"There are no substitutes for violence of action and volume of fire..." ~Otto Skorzeny

If you carry in Condition 3, you have two empty chambers. One in the weapon...the other between your ears.

Matt K.