[NRA_guy]

I got to thinking about carrying a Ruger LCP .380 while taking walks.

I wonder if a person could hit a snake (preferably in the head) at, say, 4 or 5 feet.

I doubt that I could with "only" 7 or 8 rounds. Maybe I could with the second magazine if he would wait for me to reload.

In my neighborhood, that is a more likely need than hitting a man size target.

I guess I need to get in a little more range time and test myself, but had I just never pondered it before.

And a bulls eye is not the same as a snake head . . .

ETA: Do they make rat shot for a .380?

 

[DoyleAlley]

I hit a baby rattler in the head with 4 or 5 shots from the Polish P-64 I was carrying. So yes, it can be done.

 

[jakeg823]

Depends on the distance and how steady I could get my hands. Not a fan of snakes. I have to work on some firewood this weekend and the same thought occurred to me. I’m taking a 590A1...

 

[Vick]

Don't know how accurate your pocket gun is, but my little Beretta M-950 always surprises me at how well it shoots. If it is daytime so I can see the sights, I have no doubt I could hit a snake's head at 4-5 feet. Now, if its at night...those sights are awful small,,,!

 

[namsag]

I would have to be pretty doggone close, closer than I would like to be to some snakes, it would probably be easier just to back off and let him go on his way...I don't feel the need to kill every snake I see. They do play a useful ecological role.

 

[Chicknman]

I would have to be pretty doggone close, would probably be easier just to back off and let him go on his way...I don't feel the need to kill every snake I see. They do play a useful ecological role.

I don't kill any snakes unless I have to work in the immediate area or they are right around my house. Then I only kill the venomous ones. Many snake bites happen because someone was trying to kill a snake they could just as easily have left alone. Having said all that, an old fashioned garden hoe is the best snake killer around the house.

 

[oO_Rogue_Oo]

Snake Slayer - Bond Arms

EDIT: I don't even have an interest in trying; That's what these are for. Pocket 410

 

[2DARK2C]

i had to shoot a big cottonmouth with a 2" .357. it took 2 shots the first shots concussion (down in a 8' ditch) stunned her and made water rain down on us both. second shot right in the top of her [email protected] about 2' from gun to snake. I had a mile or so walk and when I got home she was still wriggling in the bag.

I was out to catch snakes. walking in a man made drainage about 20' wide at top 3' wide at the bottom with 1' of water. tongs gaiters and pillow case. after 2-3 times of me trying to get her in a bag, she decided that getting away was over. when she started towards me in a stance i'll never forget, I drew and fired. fist size head and softball girth about 40" or so. she struck like mike Tyson....

 

[NRA_guy]

Oh, I agree with not killing all snakes. Way too many folks call every snake that does not have rattles a "copperhead"---unless it's near water, in which case they call them a "moccasin".

Truth is most snakes are non-poisonous.

I let them live unless they are poisonous.

Not being inclined to inspect the shape of the pupils in their eyes, I have noticed that poisonous snakes tend to be thick, short, and "chunky". (Think "Walmart shopper".)

Non-poisonous snakes tend to be long and lean and gradually taper down to the end of their body. (Think "Melania".)

 

[rigrat]

I don't kill any snakes unless I have to work in the immediate area or they are right around my house. Then I only kill the venomous ones. Many snake bites happen because someone was trying to kill a snake they could just as easily have left alone. Having said all that, an old fashioned garden hoe is the best snake killer around the house.

If it’s not a king, grass or garden snake it’s got to go. Best snake killer around my house isn’t a hoe either it’s any one of my shotguns followed by my handguns and rifles. Hoe for me is pretty far down the list, lol.

 

[Chicknman]

If it’s not a king, grass or garden snake it’s got to go. Best snake killer around my house isn’t a hoe either it’s any one of my shotguns followed by my handguns and rifles. How for me is pretty far down the list, lol.

My female cousin who lives alone now has a hole in her back porch thanks to her neighbor. I think a hoe would have been a better tool in that case at least.

 

[rigrat]

My female cousin who lives alone now has a hole in her back porch thanks to her neighbor. I think a hoe would have been a better tool in that case at least.

Do t think I’m stupid enough to shoot one on a porch. In that case I would have used a stick to toss him into the yard where he would have met s firing squad.
Besides haven’t had a garden in years or a hoe.

 

[2DARK2C]

Not being inclined to inspect the shape of the pupils in their eyes, I have noticed that poisonous snakes tend to be thick, short, and "chunky". (Think "Walmart shopper".)

too general. lots of heavy bodied harmless snakes. there are 8-10 species of water snake that are harmless, butt mimic a cottonmouth. most snakes that fall in boats are harmless water snakes. watersnakes are arboreal and have a prehensile tail. cottonmouths rarely climb higher than a shrub or bush.

I have been in a ditch (stay out of ditches!) face to face with a yearling cottonmouth that was on top of a bush......he got in the bag way easier

 

[rigrat]

too general. lots of heavy bodied harmless snakes. there are 8-10 species of water snake that are harmless, butt mimic a cottonmouth. most snakes that fall in boats are harmless water snakes. watersnakes are arboreal and have a prehensile tail. cottonmouths rarely climb higher than a shrub or bush.

I have been in a ditch (stay out of ditches!) face to face with a yearling cottonmouth that was on top of a bush......he got in the bag way easier

You need to come further south I’ve seen cottonmouths in the branches of trees by water. And yes I know the difference between the two.

 

[Doc]

I have killed snakes with pistols - but if I can and can get to it I prefer a shotgun -
I will use a stick or hoe if that is handy -- main reason is that (for me) shooting a piston is "tuff" on my ears...... If I am walking on the old home place, etc, I must be pressed to shoot a snake with a pistol because of my ears - but I will do it.

 

[2DARK2C]

You need to come further south I’ve seen cottonmouths in the branches of trees by water. And yes I know the difference between the two.

you looking for a fight this morning catch one and post pic........

 

[2DARK2C]

Living Alongside Wildlife: The Proof is in the Field Notes: Cottonmouths Rarely Bask in Trees --Guest Post--

 

[GunnyGene]

Oh, you're talking about shooting a snake w/.380. :lol4:

 

[Southern Reloading]

Load you some with #8 Shot and kill away!!!

 

[stewbaby]

Shot a pine rattler (4' maybe) 4 or 5 years ago with my Ruger LCP when we were planting food plots at camp. It did have the laser on it at that time.