.22LR Pistol Suggestions

[TheBill]

My mother in-law called me last night. She has a rattlesnake problem and wants a 22 pistol and needed advice.

She wants to spend 200-300

I've looked through Gun Genie, but wanted some suggestions of what might be a good semi auto OR revolver.

I think a compact - subcompact size is her preference. Thanks

 

[Old Jimmy]

I would find her a snub nose revolver so she can use shot shells...

 

[TenDriver]

Just bought a Heritage. Only put about 100 rds through it, but so far so good. Way under $200.

 

[bestseller92]

I have a friend who has one of the little Beretta 21s and likes it a lot.

 

[MedWheeler]

Ditto on the Heritage Rough Rider. I don't own one, but have several reasons to be wanting one.
For snakes, she'll want to use snake shot ammo, which will not feed well in autoloaders, so have her stick with a revolver. The Taurus 94 (used), the RR already mentioned, the Charter Arms Pathfinder, and some Rossi guns can be had for under two bills. Any of these will make a fine snake gun.

 

[bigfatdave]

A .22 revolver on a budget?
How about a used NAA?

 

[BushyGuy]

try a used Ruger Mark II .22lr you can get a good used one for 300.00

 

[IndispensableDestiny]

I like your mother in law!

 

[ronzorelli]

I have a Walther P22, but I don't use it for snakes... and it's above $300 most places.

I love it for plinking though, and it's one of the best looking .22's I've seen.

 

[hogshead]

Heritage rhevolver if you cant find a used ruger single six . I assume she is gonna want to shoot shot shells or do a lot of practicing to hit a snake.

 

[bigfatdave]

Upon further consideration, a firearm is not the way to dispatch snakes anyway.
Get her a nice hoe and hatchet for dealing with snakes in her personal space, and advise her to leave the ones not posing an immediate threat alone.
Solving the snake problem often leads to a rodent problem ... if there's so many snakes that they are becoming intrusive ... what are they eating?

 

[LoneStarWings]

S&W 22a with 4" barrel would probably fit the budget and other criteria.

 

[Spirit 1]

I agree with a revolver! The inexpensive H&R .22's from yesteryear weren't fancy but very reliable. H&R 922 had 6" target barrel & 9 shots in cylinder, thinking 929 did too? Very accurate. Also the old Iver Johnsons were fine for this. These guns can be found real cheap.

I've lived in rattlesnake country all my life, shot dozens upon dozens with CCI 22 LR Shotshells. In this case 'close' counts, doesn't take the world's best shot to deal with a rattler. If coiled just shoot into the coils a couple of times, sort of at the head if possible. The CCI's kill them dead with a decent hit, up to maybe 12-15 feet.

Note: if they are Mohave rattlers there's greater danger. They don't often rattle a warning and if angered they'll chase you across the desert. Been there, ran that. They're not that fast chasing you but it isn't real funny at the time. Gotta really keep your eyes open.

I really wouldn't want to try to take out a 6'-8' timber rattler with a garden hoe. Rattlers in Georgia & elsewhere southeast strike so hard they break leg bones!

 

[bigfatdave]

I really wouldn't want to try to take out a 6'-8' timber rattler with a garden hoe.

It is surprisingly easy, at least it was with the ones when I lived in north-central PA. Generally I used my hiking staff, but I figure someone's mom living in the country has a hoe already, and the wider blade would be helpful to pin a rattlesnake down.
But I still stand by the statement that if a snake isn't posing a direct threat, leave it alone ... unless you want rats/mice IN your home instead of snakes outside of it.

Rattlers in Georgia & elsewhere southeast strike so hard they break leg bones!

Really? Surely you're exaggerating - or do you have a source on that?

 

[Myles]

I'll have to agree with other posters about not killing snakes. You will have a rodent problem if you kill their predators. If there are snakes in your area, they are feeding on something.

However, if she wants that option for those that get within her personal space, I don't recommend a .22LR. In the past, I have used a .22 Bearcat and a .22 Heritage Rough Rider with rat shot (Winchester crimped case is far superior to CCI blue cap.)

I can tell you that a .22 shotshell is pretty anemic; I'd prefer a .38 or larger, loaded with shotshells. Or, the previously mentioned garden hoe.

 

[TUBBY1]

I love a revolver but got to agree with lonestarwings, can't beat the s&w 22a nib for great value!

 

[tkopp]

I love my mark II, but if she's looking for snake duty she needs a revolver. Shot shells won't cycle a semi auto.

 

[zhyla]

Though seriously, I'd rather have a Ruger 10/22 for snakes. I seem to remember putting shotshells thru it too with no issue.

 

[otblue]

Ireland and New Zealand amongst others are free of snakes and last time I looked they weren't overrun with rodents at least not of the 4 legged type.

 

[Quadkid]

I picked my Beretta Neos up for just over $250 and its been a very accurate gun for me (to my low beginner shooting standards). Also has a weaver rail incorporated so she can put on a red dot and never miss them buggards.

 

[ozarkhillbilly]

If you have an infestation of poison snakes, which can and does happen, then kill them. By the way snakes eat other things then mice. As has been said, a revolver beats a semi and a 38spl beats a 22lr.

 

[DNS]

Yep,
Neos and mount a red dot on the rail to help out grandmas eyes.
Great gun!

X

 

[Quoheleth]

I would go with the Taurus 94 (seriously!) or a Heritage. Load the first cylinder or two with snake/rat shot and the next 4 with hollow points.

Either that or an inexpensive .38 with rat shot and 148gr wadcutters. Seriously! Jgsales has police trade-ins that are cheaper than .22s right now. Plus, they double as home defense guns, God forbid she ever have a 2-legged snake try to break in.

Q

 

[Ben86]

I'd suspect that a revolver would be better because like most women she probably doesn't want to be bothered with the extra maintenance of a semi auto. Try to talk her into getting a full sized revolver because it will be so much easier to shoot. With its better sights, larger sight radius and grip she will more be more accurate. Unless she would want to conceal carry the gun she should get a full sized .22 revolver.

If she really wants an auto I can recommend the Beretta Neos and Ruger 22/45. Both are great guns and not so picky on ammo.

 

[TheBill]

I'd never heard of heritage, but for that price it seems decent for shooting very rarely.

We live in AZ.....we kill snakes....I know about the "what are they eating" question. But when you're on 10+ ACRES and they like the shaded concrete and/or grass to cool off...you gotta get rid of them with kids around.

Plenty of prairie dogs, mice, and rodents in the desert surrounding them to stay full.

I think the Heritage (based on price, and frequency of use) may be her best bet. I too prefer a shovel, but she's not lookin to get that close to them.

Thanks for all the input