Commanche Pistol: aka, cheap snake killer

[RSKY]

Does anyone have any experience with the .410 Commanche Pistol? I need a cheap snake killer. Something that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to purchase. While bushhogging last fall I stepped off a tractor and onto an eight foot long, six inch diameter copperhead. At least that's what I thought for a few seconds. It was actually a two foot long black racer but all of you know the feeling.

I want something that will kill a snake, rat, bird, etc. at close range without much aiming. #8 or #9 shot should do the job at less than twenty feet. And with the Rio 410 #12 shot shells I could get rid of the starlings in the stables without tearing up the roof.

I can find these online for less than $200 but would like to hear from someone who owns one.

Thanks.

RSKY

 

[Parkanzky]

No experience myself, but I suspect it would be pretty jarring to shoot.

You can get a single-shot shotgun that would do the same thing more accurately and with less recoil. If it's going to live in a scabbard on your ROPS, the extra length probably doesn't make any difference for portability but will make it much easier to use.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

You need something easy to carry on your hip. Personally, I carry a stainless Rossi 38 spcl with snake shot.

 

[k0ua]

You need something easy to carry on your hip. Personally, I carry a stainless Rossi 38 spcl with snake shot.

Each to his own, but I would rather have the revolver too. More versatile, more rounds on tap (you can always squeeze off another shot at old slinky) and way more user friendly.

 

[Bigfoot62]

You need something easy to carry on your hip. Personally, I carry a stainless Rossi 38 spcl with snake shot.

Agreed.
Except my preference is a stainless Bulldog Pug in .44spl. About twice as much shot per shell as the .38.

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/470698000/470698619/pix755435015.jpg

You could also check out the Taurus Judge. Standard .410 shotshells

 

[RSKY]

The Rossi looks interesting. More versatile too. I may just carry my S&W 642. But it seems the 410 would be easier to get a quick no aim hit. Especially using a low powered 2.5" shell. I'm not interested in hitting anything beyond about 30'. The pistol will probably sit in a cabinet all year except for bush hogging season and when I go down in the river bottoms.

 

[k0ua]

Well, you still have to "aim" and your effective ranges with the pistol stoked with snake shot, will be less than that 30 feet. More like 10. The patterns open up pretty broad, and ole slinky could slither thru without many if any pellets striking anything vital. The comanche, with the 10 inch barrel might have a little longer range, but I would still rather have the revolver. Since you already own the 642, I would surely investigate the effectiveness of that.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

When you encounter a snake ... just how far away does it usually happen? For me, it's never been more than 10 feet - usually 5 or 6. While 22 shot is pretty much useless, almost anything up from that can be quite effective at such short range. I do have an 18.5" 20 gauge to carry around but I find the revolver much more practical.

 

[k0ua]

If the snake is much over 10 foot away, I am thinking he isn't much of a threat anyway.

 

[the old grind]

I've long carried (10 yrs+) a Laserre SuperComanche on hip for 'yard work' as alternate to Taurus 94 in .22 LR, and find it quite handy, esp considering effective range. btw, It rides a bit high in an Uncle Mikes #9 holster, but the end is closed & the muzzle protected. Better, deeper fit is in a #14 of similar length, but with muzzle protruding an inch or two thru' its open bottom with either end-piece on the barrel.

One thing that should be considered when comparing SC to revolvers is the 'Wad-spin stopper' on the muzzle that produces decent patterns beyond 10 yd, vs hollow-centered 'cones' of shot dispersal. Be sure to replace the muzzle piece with the alternate thread protector when shooting .45 LC, or expect disaster.

You'd really have to compare S x S at distance to see what difference a 'Judge' or other revo's rifling makes. Spinning wad & shot spread out, leaving fewer shot to travel directly to point of aim. .45 will give roughly half the recoil, but I've seen palm-sized groups with 'cowboy lead' at 30yd or so. ('Sighting plane' is ~7 5/8" and inspires confidence.) Shotshells aren't what I'd call 'a handful' of recoil.

Would I recommend SuperComanche? Enthusiastically, after comparing patterns to a friends Judge with 2 1/2" Rem #7 1/2 shot (SP41075) and Win AA 2 1/2" #9 (AA419) (Bobby sold his Judge soon after, btw, and went back to carrying a 'nine'). You'd have to know what you want and what you'd get to appreciate such a unique piece.

BTW, Motor bikes and fish/ski boats taught me much about 'dual purpose' where each is compromised a bit too much. That said, I'll keep my SC as long as it gets the job done. (cowbirds, house sparrows, snakes, muskrats, red squirrels, ...) Adjustable sights, 'ergo' manual safety, and transfer-bar ignition are nice touches for the $$, but it's controllable firepower that stands out in my book.