Why I want to get my DH a pistol for Christmas...

[Ravenlost]

Here's the almost 4' long water moccasin he killed back behind the house:



And this is the stick he killed it with:

[kasaj2000]

Keep your eyes peeled for another one. I know that down here in Fla, those things tend to run in pairs.

[radiofish]

That's an awful short stick for killing a snake, isn't it??? I walk with a cane, and it just over 3 feet long. So that is why you wan't to get your DH a pistola for a present, like one of these? It is a Czech CZ-52 in 7.62X25mm Tokarev. It is a Soviet-Bloc (Czech) military sidearm in a common soviet pistol/ sub-machine gun cartridge. For me - my four CZ-52's are deadly accurate, and I use this one particular CZ-52 and the inside the waistband holster combination as my primary CCW carry weapon.



If the bullet/ projectile doesn't get them, then the muzzle flash will cook 'em for sure at close range using a CZ-52!!! Suprising low recoil, due to the locking roller cam mechanism used. The same as in some German machineguns, and lessens recoil of the round. I gave my brother and sister each one of these and ammunition with lessons from their big brother the Marine, for Christmas presents a few years ago. My sister is now Annie Oakley with her CZ-52.



What is scarier than encountering poisionious snakes unarmed?? Going to Detroit, Michigan to visit for almost a month, without my CCW!!! Glad that one can legally fly with a firearm..

[bgak47]

Its pretty hard to hit a snake with a handgun unless you're Real proficient. A hoe is actually more practical. A shotgun is even better,but its harder to carry.

[radiofish]

Bgak47 - Well in California I have to worry more about Bears, Mountain Lions, and tresspassers (maybe Bigfoot) much more larger targets than snakes. But my grandma in Eastern Oklahoma was another crack shot with an weapon on cottonmouths, water moccasins, and the occasional copperhead that came near the house. Or the owls that went after her chickens.. She taught us grandkids early on how to shoot a firearm well.. That is why I do not go out my door unarmed up here on the hilltop, usually with a larger caliber weapon, if their is sign of the larger animals nearby..

[bgak47]

Originally Posted by radiofish

Bgak47 - Well in California I have to worry more about Bears, Mountain Lions, and tresspassers (maybe Bigfoot) much more larger targets than snakes. But my grandma in Eastern Oklahoma was another crack shot with an weapon on cottonmouths, water moccasins, and the occasional copperhead that came near the house. Or the owls that went after her chickens.. She taught us grandkids early on how to shoot a firearm well.. That is why I do not go out my door unarmed up here on the hilltop, usually with a larger caliber weapon, if their is sign of the larger animals nearby..

I've been shooting all types of firearms for over 50yrs. Learning to shoot a handgun isn't something that is easily accomplished. That CZ-52 is a nice & fairly economical pistol. Ravenlost gave me the impression in her post that her husband doesn't own a handgun. That suggests to me that he may be a novice handgunner. That's why I mentioned a hoe...its very effective against snakes,& considerably easier to use.

[nehimama]

SHUDDER! Glad the moccasin didn't survive, and that your DH did!

NeHi

[fordson major]

every farm needs a Colt!! yep thats one good reason to get a pistol, there are many others as well. glad he got the snake and not the other way around!

[Callieslamb]

I carry two rounds of snake shot in my pistol - the first two shots. I wouldn't be without a gun around. There are just too many things that can happen outside of town with no one else around all day. I have never done it- thankfully, but my sister can shoot a snake from 20 ft. with a pistol. Everytime we walk past the neighbor's house with our dog, the neighbor's dog tries to attack. He hits the end of his chain really hard - enough to move his doghouse. The last time he got loose, he attacked another neighbor.

No, wouldn't be without some kind of weapon where we live. Go for it, Raven, but it has to be available for it to be of use. If it is in the house and he is in the field it won't do him a bit of good. You should learn to shoot it too. And, I tell myself all the time - thank goodness I don't have just one shot! I am not nearly the shot DH is, but I get by just fine.

[cfabe]

Originally Posted by radiofish

What is scarier than encountering poisionious snakes unarmed?? Going to Detroit, Michigan to visit for almost a month, without my CCW!!! Glad that one can legally fly with a firearm..

You should be aware that michigan has a handgun registration system and guns must be registered to be in your posession. Out of state residents can't register. If you have an out of state CCW license that they recognize (and they don't recognize them all) then they exempt you from the rule, but you need to check on that with the state police.

[tallpaul]

well hittin a snake is not difficult IF ya practice and its not chasin ya... snakeshot helps a good bit and out of a .38 or larger does really well and the .22 shot loads generally work ok I used .22 shot on the only one I ever killed and it worked fine. For farm n ranch I say a 4 inch .357 mag. It has been a recommended starting gun/one gun for years in the pistol category. Ya can use .38 special for practice and cheap shootin and magnums for more serious stuff. If he may want to hunt with it later and has a likin for pistols and no need to conceal the 6 inch may be better- they are usually legal to use on deer with the longer barrel IF pistol huntin is allowed but a 4 inch is not usually.

[pancho]

Save your money. Looks like he is doing alright with a stick. Sticks are cheaper than handguns.

Grenades work even better!

[Ravenlost]

LOL@pancho! He's also killed them with a screwdriver and a rock. I'm afraid his luck may run out with the current weapons at hand!

BTW, we are both experienced with handgun use. My Daddy was a gunsmith and he had us kids out practicing with various handguns from the time we were old enough to hold one up and aim. Hubby won shooting competitions in college. He needs a handgun!

[Wolf mom]

Ravenlost: Do not give him a pistol. Give him a gift certificate for one.

There's so much more to buying a handgun. You want one that fits your hand, recoil is another factor - how strong/steady is his arm? New, used? Many newer models have less recoil. Automatic or revolver? - there's plusses & minuses for both. The expense of bullets for practice, practice, practice in order to shoot a skinny moving target. That's just a few things to think about.

He really needs to shoot different pistols to find what fits for him. How about at a range? or friends?

Actually, I find a shovel is best for the rattlers around here. Second is snake shot (lots a' little pellets sorta' like a shot gun shell), but there's always dogs with me so I defer to the shovel.

[rwinsouthla]

I can't find it right now on the internet but I saw this at Cabelas in Louisiana. It was either a .44 or .45 caliber handgun, that also shot .410 shotgun shells. It was $549.99 and I have already asked for one from my kids for the next 4 Christmases and birthdays and Father's days!

[CGUARDSMAN]

Originally Posted by rwinsouthla

I can't find it right now on the internet but I saw this at Cabelas in Louisiana. It was either a .44 or .45 caliber handgun, that also shot .410 shotgun shells. It was $549.99 and I have already asked for one from my kids for the next 4 Christmases and birthdays and Father's days!

Taurus makes the revolver you are referring to. It shoots 45 lc and .410. If it is like their other guns it is well made and has a lifetime warranty.

[hunter63]

RL, I like your thinking and as far a I'm concerned any excuse is a good one.
I have started invoking the "50 year old Rule", basically means that over 50 you don't need excuses any more.
As far as snakes go, I carry a double barrel .410 derringer, in my river boating/canoe gear, nothing worst than having a water moccasin charge you, or drop off the over hanging branches.

Shoots standard .410 shotgun loads, home protection loads,(three 000 buck in each shell, .410 slugs, as well a .45 long colt.

[Ravenlost]

Wolf Mom, that's what I plan to do.

[hotzcatz]

The gift certificate is the best idea. Then he can get the exactly proper snake killing device for him. Do you subscribe to the "you made it dead you gotta eat it" rule? I've heard snakes are tasty.

The only snake in Hawaii looks an awful lot like an earthworm. If is a funny colored earthworm then it might be a snake. I can't even see eyes or a mouth on them but I've only ever seen two of them.