Snake Shot question

[sport.pilot]

Hello everyone,

I roam the Mojave a lot looking for gold nuggets and meteorites, both in CA and in AZ. I normally carry my trusty .38 with snake shot just in case I meet an unfriendly sidewinder or other type of rattle snake. I see that they sell 0mm snake shot too. I recently acquired an XD-9 subcompact for CCW, and am wondering if I can use snake shot in it. It seems like it would have trouble recycling due to the fact that the snake shot is in the shape of mini shot gun shells (at least the type I use in my .38). I would hate to have my weapon jam on me with a snake in the strike position! Anybody have an opinion on this? Thanks.

Darryl

[AK4me]

They usually wont cycle semi-auto so I would just stick with the revolver.

[tbhracing]

Serious question- Wouldnt just regular FMJ or JHP work well on a coiled snake?



PS- Dont like snakes!

[locosway]

Or you could just leave the snake alone and walk around it...

[Quiet]

They usually wont cycle semi-auto so I would just stick with the revolver.

[-hanko]

Hello everyone,

I normally carry my trusty .38 with snake shot just in case I meet an unfriendly sidewinder or other type of rattle snake. I see that they sell 0mm snake shot too. I recently acquired an XD-9 subcompact for CCW, and am wondering if I can use snake shot in it. It seems like it would have trouble recycling due to the fact that the snake shot is in the shape of mini shot gun shells (at least the type I use in my .38). I would hate to have my weapon jam on me with a snake in the strike position! Anybody have an opinion on this? Thanks.

Darryl

Step 1...Buy some snake shot ammo that fits your semi.

Step 2...See if the snake shot ammo cycles your semi.

Step 3...Decide which gun to take.

I've tried 9mm factory snake ammo in 3 different guns, all of which shoot any non-snake ammo with no problems. Occasional feeding issues in all 3 made me decide to keep using a revolver in snaky areas. Further, snake ammo in cailbers smaller than .38 to me don't hold enough shot to make me confident that it can kill a snake in one shot.

The only semi snake ammo that's worked 100% is .45 reloads using cut down .308 brass, reforming dies, and .410 wads...a lot of work but a neat project if you reload.

-hanko

[sport.pilot]

snake shot

Thanks for the replies. I am going to the Reno Gun Show in March, and I will check around and report back. In the mean time, I will contine to carry my .38 revolver as I usually do.
Walking away from a snake is an option that I usually take if I can. But, a Mojave Green is an agressive snake, and it is not unusual for them to come at you, and they move very quickly. It is a very agressive snake. And remember, the desert is their territory, so it is not always that easy to move away as quickly as they can move at you. The snake is on familiar ground. And, as far as a coiled snake goes, yes shooting it without snake shot might work if you are not surprised, have time to take aim, etc. And, rattlers do not need to coil up to strike, and a stretched out snake that blends in with the surroundings is a hard target to take aim at and hit - especially when you are concerned about being bitten. Thanks again everyone!

[erik_26]

Or you could just leave the snake alone and walk around it...

I agree. Unless you are going to eat it, don't kill it. I like seeing wild life.

By the way, rattle snake does taste good.

[joefreas]

My semis wont cycle snake shot. I have to manually actuate the slide.

[RedFord150]

... a Mojave Green is an agressive snake, and it is not unusual for them to come at you, and they move very quickly. It is a very agressive snake. ...

I have read that the Mojave Green also has a very toxic venom, compared to other Rattlers.
A friend of mine had a visiting dog bitten by a Rattlesnake (no idea what type of Rattler) in his backyard. This was in Diamond Bar, CA. Nowhere near the open Desert. I was surprised to hear the local emergency Vet Hospital had the correct anti-venom in stock.
If you are in 'Snake country', keep an eye on your pets.

[glockman19]

I use CCI #12 shot in my handguns for snakes. No issues cycling in a semi auto, however I usually shoot it out of a revolver.

[sport.pilot]

snakes

We always give out dog the anti rattlesnake venom shot - She gets the booster every year. Does not protect them totally, but it slows down the effect of the poison to you have more time to get your dog to the vet.

[tbhracing]

Good thread, thank you.

[Swoop]

Most do not cycle well with semi auto to my knowledge.

[Full Clip]

CCI's .45acp works fine in both my 1911 and XD.
And if I shot one, it would absolutely be on my menu!
BTW, great article on making snake shot.