I’m looking at some options for a pistol to wear on my hip while hand clearing the back of my lot. Code won’t permit equipment as it’s on the river. I can use the chainsaw but am not allowed to use a skid steer to pull it out. I only have Sigs, S&W and HKs. I don’t want to use those while getting sweaty and wet. I like to keep them in top condition. Lots of rattle snakes and moccasins around. Want to get something I don’t really care about. Thinking about 2 guns based on price. Taurus TX 22 and Ruger security .380. Thoughts on either for this purpose?

I have one of these for carrying during bow season and hiking. Great little gun for what it is intended for. IIRC I gave about $275 for it brand new.
https://www.taurususa.com/revo...-lr-matte-black-3-in

Based on experience, .38 cal shot shells are way more effective on snakes than anything in .22 cal. Unfortunately these don't come in .380 that I know of. Don't know what your budget is, but you might be able to find an inexpensive, reliable wheel gun in .38 that will suit your needs. Charter Arms and Taurus .38's can be had in the low $300's on some of the more popular online sites. I've read that shorter barrels are better for shot shells since there's less spin to the exiting shot, and shots from my S&W 642 have been good enough to dispatch a few snakes over the years with just one or two rounds.

If you want a semi-auto for the task, you can find LEO turn-in Glock 22s online for $279. I bought a cheap used G27 a few years back and it does ranch duty just fine. Being a Glock it's just a tool to me, so it's not a real concern when it gets accidentally knocked around, wet or dirty. That said, I haven't shot any snakes with it.

A good set of snake resistant leggings are going to be a must for the work you'll be doing.

I'm a bit lost how you think you are going to hurt any HK or SIG getting it sweaty or wet if you maintain it. you want at least 9mm for shot shells for snakes.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
I'm a bit lost how you think you are going to hurt any HK or SIG getting it sweaty or wet if you maintain it. you want at least 9mm for shot shells for snakes.

It’s going to get banged up, dirty, sweaty and scratched up. I don’t want to mar my other guns up like that. I have pistols with tens of thousands of rounds through them. They still look pristine.

S&W 642/442. I carry a 640 or a 63-5 for exactly the tasks you are describing, and they work well. They're small and unobtrusive for carry, can handle shotshells reliably (although I'd rather have the .38 than .22 for snakes), and you're not going to hurt them with sweat or dirt or anything else they might come into contact with. Just wipe them down when you're done before you put them away, and don't store them in the sweaty holster you just took off.

If it’s your own land, in a general area, skid steer, whatever, how about the gun off your body while working?

Say you were chainsawing, or similar, maybe just set the gun in the skid steer or vehicle nearby? For the involved work, I mostly wouldn’t want a gun on me anyway.

It’s like a cell phone, like I took my kids while splitting wood, it’s better set aside so it doesn’t get abused in your pocket.

In my mind, you’re describing a stainless revolver, and, as previously stated, something that will reliably shoot 38/357 shot shells. My "yard gun" is a well-used S&W 681 loaded with 3 shot shells and 3 38+P's but any stainless revolver of your choice would do. Check your LGS used case.

Mine is a S&W model 19 first two rounds are snake shot, next four are hydro shock 357s.

I agree with pace40 above... stainless steel revolver in 357. 4" barrel is my favorite for carrying on my hip.

Charter makes solid, inexpensive revolvers. Might be worth a look.

With shot shells I’d rather a revolver. That said why not a cheap 12 gauge, even a single shot break open. Just keep it near by. I’d much rather a 12 gauge for a snake/critter then a pistol shot shell for both the power and the ease of aiming/pointing.

That said I’d probably just use one of my HK’s with normal ammo.

I’d want a .38 in that situation. Good suggestions above.

The last cotton mouth I saw in the fall was absolutely massive. The one time I wasn’t armed because it was a drinking day with my buddies. Huge damned snake. And they are mean bastards.

My "yard work" gun is my S&W Model 38 Bodyguard. (Mowing the grass, raking leaves, shoveling snow... is about the extent of it though...)

I typically use my SAA in a gun belt. First two are handloaded shot shells, last three are 250 grainers. The gunbelt is nice as it's easy on easy off and you can hang it anywhere.

Any large bore revolver with bird/snake shot or a decent machete will do the trick.

I agree with others having a 3-4" stainless revolver with some type of shot load for snakes. Aluminum framed revolvers have issues/develop corrosion, if you don't clean/lube them periodically, depending on how much you sweat/elements get at it, especially by the crane/frame area. I like pace40's idea of a split load.

22 magnum shot shells work well on snakes and will stop a rat pronto. I alternated shot round and then a hollow-point for serious rat elimination.
22 magnum revolver is a handy farm gun. Only downside is it is louder than a 22lr. When I'm outside I am not wearing any hearing protection which makes the 22lr a safer alternative.

Sounds like you need a cheap 38 revolver.

I use a Taurus UL85-5 shot 38 , it’s some aluminum frame magic. I reload my own so I can carry it for snakes here in TX.

If I’m mowing, it’s in a pocket. If I’m using a tool belt, it’s in a pouch.

I’ve dispatched possums with a shovel & a cottonmouth with a stick. Just saying, maybe you don’t need much of a gun.

My yard gun is my Security Six with .38 shot shell.