best handgun for alligators?

[ballistic gelatin]

Looking at moving to a new neighborhood which backs up to a creek. This is the first human development on the creek and alligators are certain to be noticed. Should I stick with my Beretta 92 when my kids and I are in the back yard near the creek or go ahead and get that 1911 I've been wanting. Or just keep a 12 ga. outside with 00 buck?

[mattf7184]

There was an alligator attack up here last year and the only thing the cops used that punched through was one of the officer's personal .30-06 rifles.

You may want to look into a CZ-52 if you want a handgun.

[angrywalkindude]

I would buy the 1911 because I don't trust a 9mm.
I have seen a gator killed with 1 shot to the head from a .357 magnum.

[joab]

Shooting gators is generally illegal

But a .22 will do the job if you put it in the right place.
Behind the head not in it, their brains are way back.
Of course if it is anyway justifiable you won't be able to take that kind of time.
The 12ga would be better, but probably not convient.
We just generally leave them alone, unless they're eating the chickens and ducks

[BluesBear]

Shooting Gators is usually frowned upon but "herding" them with pyrotechnics is not.

Pump shotgun, 12 gauge, loaded with bird bombs.
Gators don't like big booms. Especially if one gets in their mouth.

With some magnum strength BRI sabot slugs for backup of course.

[ballistic gelatin]

Sure it's frowned upon, because the defensless american alligator are on the delicate-species list or whatever, but they do eat little dogs and kids.

I figured it would be smart to keep a loaded firearm on the dock or on my person when we were close to the water. I know they can attack in a split second, and run off with your firstborn but thought it might give you something besides your bare hands if [God forbid] one did get after your kid or your spouse or whatever.

Haven't you guys seen "Lake Placid"?

[Lone Star]

I saw, "Lake Placid". Ever read Robert Ruarks', "The Vulgar Assasin", about Nile crocs? I think it originally ran in, "Field & Stream".

A gun editor (he edited a couple of annual editions of one of the Krause handgun journals) lived in FL, I believe, and he killed several 'gators with his Smith and Wesson M66 and 125 grain .357 ammo. His loads used the Hornady SXT bullet, I think. Probably Hornady factory ammo.

The M66 was the snub version with 2.5-inch barrel, too.

I have gathered data on wild animal attacks for about 20 years, with the idea that I may someday write a book on it. It is true that both alligators and cougars are more likely to attack humans today than at any time in the recent past.

I think the 9mm will work, but learn where to put the bullet. I'd use a 115-124 grain JHP. The .357 obviously can do the job, as could .41 or .44 Magnums. Lower velocity rounds like the .45 may be "iffy".

I think you'd be very prudent to carry a gun in your yard, and don't forget water moccasins and rattlesnakes, either. You're probably in Eastern Diamondback country. Don't let the kids out on their own, and don't keep dogs. They're alligator bait, and they disturb people with their barking.

Lone Star

[ballistic gelatin]

Yes rattlesnakes are around.

I grew up on 50 acres and it was nothing to kill 2-4 rattlers each summer. One particular summer, I killed a 5 footer (in a neighbors yard) with one lucky shot to the head with a S&W 6" barrelled .357. The very next morning I killed a 4 footer on my back porch. My dog was barking like crazy and I heard a weird buzzing noise. I put down my cocoa-puffs and peeked out the back door to see the dog jumping at the coiled up rattler. I grabbed the same pistol and never did get a good hit. Had to resort to the 12 guage and it only took one shot, imagine that.

Then a really cute college girl started calling me "Snake Man" :D
But anyway....gators...got be prepared.

P.S. - water moccasins totally give me the creeps! :uhoh:

[litework]

Since you asked about handguns, I would personally choose a large caliber revolver, preferably a scoped one. I've seen these critters taken with a bow, so it can definitely been done with a handgun.

[RustyHammer]

.357 Mag w/ JHP

[Ktulu]

Since alligators don't have opposable thumbs it's going to be hard for them to hold any handgun.

Edited to add: :D

[ballistic gelatin]

hehehehe

[Tropical Z]

I would think that FMJ's would be preferable on a tough hide-but ive never been anywhere close to a wild gator so i guess i really dont know.

[Gump]

For a non lethal situation you could use Aligator Tear Gas;)

[joab]

Sure it's frowned upon, because the defensless american alligator are on the delicate-species list or whatever, but they do eat little dogs and kids.
Actually it's frowned on because they are an endangered species they barely outnumber us 2 to 1 now:)
The only reason it is mentioned isa to satify the prohibition on advocating illegal activities:uhoh:
Back in the old days I killed a 41/2 footer with a Old Timer Sharpfinger

[Waitone]

I vacation on Hilton Head and play at golf for a round or two.

I am assured of hearing at least one story of some poor slub golfer chasing a ball into the rough and meeting an alligator. Generally the golfer gets an adrenalin goose. Every so often the golfer will lose a hunk of calf muscle. On one occasion a golfer's partner broke off a driver and drove the shaft into the animal.

I'm thinkin' a Ruger GP-100 3" with .357 Mag round nose in an IWB clip-on holster.

[Majic]

Being since it's already prone wouldn't the gator prefer a rifle? :D

[M16]

Alligators are not an endangered species. I get a permit every year to take one on my ranch. I prefer a .22 magnum pistol for dispatching them although almost anything will do the job is the shot is in the right place. Here is a pic of a 10' gator that resides on my ranch. If you look closely you can see a gator hook by his eye. One of the neighbors must of hooked him but he got loose.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/134357.JPG

[joab]

M16
I did a search to prove you wrong but found out that they are only on the threatened list. And that's only because they look like American Crocodiles :o
The alligators are not an endangered species but they are legally protected. They are classified as a threatened species because of their similarity in appearance to the American Crocodile, an endangered species. http://agrigator.ifas.ufl.edu/gators/

[Serpico]

M16, I bet if you pulled that nasty hook out of his eye he would be forever grateful and become your best friend and watch over you and your family for the rest of his days....

[shu]

off the original topic, but...

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The alligators are not an endangered species but they are legally protected. They are classified as a threatened species because of their similarity in appearance to the American Crocodile, an endangered species.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

yes, that is indeed what the referenced web site says. must be the same logic that prohibits certain semi-automatic rifles 'because of their similarity in appearance to' burst-capable rifles.

hmmm... ... what else fits here?

counterfeit bills are prohibited 'because of their similarity in appearance to' real currency.

should full scale plastic toy m-16s be prohibited 'because of their similarity in appearance to' real, functioning m-16s?

in the case of the alligators the rule benefits the animals themselves. in the case of counterfeit the rule benefits humans who may be acted upon. in the case of the rifles the rule likewise benefits humans who may be acted upon.

counterfeit bills are fully worthless; the recipient suffers a complete loss vis-a-vis real currency. the recipient of a .223 rem round from a ban-compliant ar-15 is scarcely less damaged than the recipient of a three round burst of 5.56mm from an m-16.

gotta get some coffee and think this stuff out.

[ballistic gelatin]

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:The American alligator is federally classified as “threatened due to similarity of appearance” to other endangered and threatened crocodilians...The alligator is listed by the State of Florida as a Species of Special Concern.But that wouldn't stop me from putting a few rounds right behind the smile of an aggressive gator.

[M16]

Serpico, If you will remove the hook I will shout words of encouragement from high on the bank. I could take him out but he has become a fixture on the ranch. Visitors really enjoy seeing "Big Al" I'm getting soft in my old age.

[litman252]

Nothing personal, but I'd like to see big all through a nice Scope.
;)
Tony

[BWC]

Having lived (and hunted) in South Florida for a few years, I definately have some opinions on the matter......

While the 12ga pump with some buckshot would be nice.....(sure go ahead, stick one in the golf bag, tell everyone that is what you use for those "really tough holes").

But for a pistol, a .45 or .357 would be best. I have carried both at various times, and felt safe. And I did have a hunting buddy take a 8' gator out with a S&W M686 4"bbl /w JHPs. He had taken down a boar in the swamp. While he was dressing it to try to get it out of there....the gator came up and wanted to lay claim to a easy meal. his rifle was a few feet away, but the pistol was on his hip. Three shots later....no more gator. He probably didn't need the three shots to do the job, two shots had it stopped cold, the third was to "be sure".

And of course the discussion later was: which tasted better ? pig done done in a pit ? or gator on the grill ? Happily we got to eat our fill of both........

[BluesBear]

Fried gator Tail is AWSOME!

Big Al sure would make some nice boots!

[Curley]

Best handgun for alligators?

I think it would have to be a small-frame revolver so they could get their little alligator hands around the grip. And with their little short arms, they'd probably have a tough time racking the slide on a semiauto.

:D Sorry, but I couldn't resist. :D