Whether you’re a rancher, hiker, farmer, or just someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, odds are good you’re going to run across a snake now and again. Some snakes definitely fall under the heading of helpful reptiles while others, not so much. We’re not going to get into which snakes qualify as nope ropes and which you should allow to slither on. Instead, we’re going to show you which five guns we think are great for handling a snake problem should the situation arise. These top five picks are in no particular order, so choose what suits your needs and skills best when it comes to pest control on your property.
Bond Arms Snake Slayer
If you’re into ultra-sub-compact pistols and confident you only need one or two shots, the Bond Arms Snake Slayer is the derringer for you. The Snake Slayer is a high-quality derringer with a barrel that runs 410, 45 Colt, 357 Magnum, or 38 Special. Basically, you can choose your preference. Like standard derringers, this gun fires one barrel at a time. It’s exceptionally well made and tough which translates to fantastic durability and long barrel life.
The Bond Arms Snake Slayer has a 3.5-inch stainless steel double barrel, automatic spent casing extractor, patented rebounding hammer, and cross-bolt safety. It has an overall length of 5.5 inches and an empty weight of 22 ounces. Loaded with 410 or 357 Magnum there’s definitely more muzzle rise and felt recoil than with 45 Colt or 38 Special, but it’s still manageable. All you have to do is pick your round and go from there.
Bond Arms also sells excellent holsters for these guns, so you can carry it on your body with no need to hunt high and low for a holster. This is a proven snake gun that’s great for close-range shots.
Smith & Wesson 686 Plus
Looking for a full-size snake gun? The Smith & Wesson 686 Plus is a well-made, solidly-built revolver that’s fantastic for our venomous friends. This revolver is chambered in 357 Magnum, so you can run either 357 Magnum or 38 Special in it, and that means you can utilize something like CCI’s Shotshell 38 Special 100 grain #9 snake loads. Of course, snake shot isn’t required to shoot a snake, so don’t let a gun loaded with hollow points stop you from removing a rattler from existence.
The Smith & Wesson 686 Plus has a 7-round capacity which is plenty for defense against snakes. There are models offered with 4.0-inch and 6.0-inch barrels, so you have options. The 4.0-inch barrel model (technically 4.13 inches) has an overall length of 9.56 inches and height of 6.0 inches. It has an empty weight of 39.2 ounces, so it’s somewhat hefty. That weight comes in handy for mitigating felt recoil and muzzle rise which, in turn, can make follow-up shots faster and more accurate. And because this is a full-size revolver, it doubles as a great carry gun in general.
Browning Black Label 1911-22
With its 4.25-inch barrel and reduced frame size, the Browning Black Label 1911-22 is a Commander sized 1911. This is an extremely well-made gun that would be fantastic for teaching new shooters and for those who prefer 22 LR for shooting nope ropes. It’s also a wickedly precise pistol, and that makes it even better. Features include beautiful rosewood grips, stainless steel barrel block and target crown, blowback action, and angled serrations at the rearward portion of the slide. This gun has a 10 +1 capacity and an overall empty weight of 15 ounces.
So, is 22 LR a viable option for reptiles? Absolutely. It certainly helps if you use appropriate loads, but the 22 LR can be great on snakes. The nice thing about having a gun like the Browning Black Label 1911-22 on hand for pest elimination is that it’s a nice, compact size yet still large enough for easy handling. That and 22 LR has basically no noticeable felt recoil or muzzle rise. Not much is smoother than running one of these guns. It’s also worth mentioning the 22 LR ammo is generally way more affordably priced than larger handgun calibers, making it less painful to burn ammo on a snake.
Sig P220 Hunter
Want to make sure that rattler meets an untimely end even if you’re shot’s off by a hair? Interested in obliterating the slithering serpent rather than just doing away with it? Then the Sig P220 Hunter in 10mm Auto is exactly what you want. Even better, it’s a stellar pistol for handgun hunting, so it’s not just a snake gun, it’s an everything gun. This gun even features a Kryptek finish which is basically the perfect pattern for those snake trophy shot pictures.
The Sig P220 Hunter has a 5.0-inch barrel, 8+1 capacity, and empty weight of 45 ounces. It’s heavy enough to mitigate felt recoil and muzzle rise and is also nicely balanced. This is an accurate handgun that’s also fun to shoot. And rather than focusing on snake shot, just use quality hunting ammo. A good JHP does wonders on a rattlesnake. Just don’t aim for any parts you don’t want to be destroyed entirely. Translation: snake meat is actually pretty good to eat and their skins are great for belts and holsters. Don’t shoot a snake mid-body with a 10mm if you you want to utilize it for whatever. Frankly, that goes for any caliber, because once the skin is damaged, that’s really the end of it for the damaged area. Regardless, the Sig P220 Hunter is effective and excellent on snakes and can also function as a personal defense or general hunting handgun.
Taurus Raging Hunter
Maybe you want to shoot that snake, but you’d prefer not to get any closer than necessary. Then you should check out the Taurus Raging Hunter with an 8.37-inch barrel in all kinds of get-it-done calibers. Options include 500 Smith & Wesson, 44 Magnum, 454 Casull, 460 Smith & Wesson, and 357 Magnum. Yes, there are shorter barrel options, too. But wait, you’re thinking, isn’t this maybe…too much gun for a snake? Never. This is the gun that allows you to reach out and touch a rattlesnake or copperhead from a more comfortable distance, all while being quite sure it won’t survive the encounter.
Perhaps best of all, the Raging Hunter is an accurate gun that’s surprisingly comfortable to shoot. Part of that is due to its design and part is the weight and barrel length, but the felt recoil just isn’t as severe as you might expect. In fact, many magnum lovers would proclaim it negligible (yes, really). This revolver also has an ergonomically designed, comfortable grip and a Picatinny rail for easy addition of optics. And, like other guns on this list, it doubles as a general hunting handgun. It’s a win-win.
What’s your favorite gun for snakes? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
