Looking for the small 410 snake charmer pistol

[madokie]

can someone point me in the right direction?

Be gone most of the morning so I won't be getting back with you until I return home.

TIA

Peace

[DonP]

1. Probably more of an Outdoor Life, but ....

IIRC, the original "Snake Charmer" was a pistol gripped small pump action .410 shotgun.

Haven't seen one in years, but the Taurus Judge line kind of fills that gap now. A series of revolvers that handle either .410 or .45 Long Colt.

The early models were kind of finicky but the current ones are pretty good and there is a whole line of specialty .410 ammo designed for them now.

[winetourdriver]

2. Cabelas

What you are looking for is the "snake slayer IV at Cabelas.

[madokie]

5. Whats the price on this

I'm having a problem finding a price on this gun

I'm a 68 year old Vietnam Vet with no guns in my home, just in case anyone is interested. i have no problem with anyone else having a gun I just choose not too. This little devil I'm hoping to find is for a reason and that reason is for snakes and snakes only. It'll be permanently stashed on my mushroom hunting golf cart from hell

[texasfiddler]

3. Taurus Judge

I bought a Judge that can shoot 410 shells. I use it when I mow. I only shoot the poisonous snakes. Very good gun.

[madokie]

4. What I'm looking for is the derringer size/style

single barrel cheaply made 410 chambered pistol. that also can chamber a 45 round although I'd never want nor need a weapon that would do that. Its just the ones I'm looking for will chamber a 45. I want this, what I call a snake charmer, for the simple fact I'm in the woods this time of the year looking for mushrooms, woods that are inhabited by rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths.

TIA

[DonP]

6. Bond makes some "Derringers" that take .410 and .45 LC

Never saw a single barrel model, pretty sure they are all double barrel and they can be a pain in the ass (and hand) to shoot.

In fact, some of the Bond models have interchangeable barrels for the grip and action. So if you want to, you can buy different barrel set ups and play around with different rounds and shotshells, like .38 or .40 S&W for less recoil or concealed carry.

But the Bond models are hard to find and you'll probably have to pay MSRP and special order one.

That's why we've suggested the Taurus Judge, they are on the shelf all over the place and I've seen many of them in the Used case at the Local Gun Store. Plus, you have 5 or 6 rounds handy, depending on which model and a good quality Hogue rubber grip to control it and take some of the sting out of firing.

[madokie]

7. My late friend had what I'm looking for

but he passed away a few years ago and I have no idea where to find the family now. The gun he had was a single shot, single barrel and he paid 40 bucks for it a good 25 years ago, new by the way. I'm not wanting to spend a lot of money for what I'm looking for such as the judge or the bond brand. anyways what I'm looking for is no longer than maybe 4.5 or 5 inches long although I believe I remember it being about 4 inches max. Very small and very cheap little 410 chambered designed to kill snakes with. The one Carl my friend had with 7 bird shot shot a pattern of about a foot in diameter at about 8 feet, exactly what I'm looking for. i'm heading to the local gun shop to see if he can help me find what I'm looking for. Their out there all I need to do is find where that out there is.

Thanks for helping me though, I appreciate it very much.
Peace

[DonP]

8. Sounds like more of a "collector" type of gun

You may have better luck at local Gun Shows for something like that and it may take a few years to find one. (But I can guarantee you it won't be $40 when you find it.)

But you'll meet a lot of interesting people along the way.

For years I wanted a Spanish American War vintage 1896 Krag Jorgensen Carbine for my collection.

Took me 3 years to find a decent one at a local Gun Show, but I met a lot of characters along the way and learned a ton about the rifle along the way.

Good luck.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

9. would that be a .30-40? n/t

[DonP]

10. Yup 30-40, hard to find ammo for it

It is a USVC issued Carbine (US Volunteer Cavalry - e.g. The Rough Riders) and has an original Springfield Armory peep sight and a very, very smooth action. Of course after 100+ years of having the bolt worked, it should be smoothed out. Almost as slick as my Enfields.

But finding ammo or even the brass for reloading is a challenge.

I have the reloading dies and it takes a standard .308 bullet, but Winchester and Remington only do a short run of soft point for it, once a year in late Summer. Usually just prior to hunting season, so I guess there are still enough of them out there to make it worthwhile for them.

I'm signed up at several online sources for a few boxes when it comes in and it's another excuse to prowl the aisles at the local gun shows too. Never know what you'll run across.

Once I get a few boxes I can neck size them so they'll last a while with the low pressure loads it uses.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

11. I reloaded some and shot 2 of those...

...40 years ago. Nice rifle.
Kicks like a Garand IIRC.

[DonP]

12. Gotta load it a little light though

The combination of only one locking lug on the bolt and 1896 quality steel can make them a little "softer" than even a late serial# '03 or Garand with better lock up and alloy steels. So I'll need to be gentle with the old girl.

I'm probably going for something around 2000fps maximum with a 165 grain boat tail. When I get some brass I'll start slower and work the recipe up with the Chronograph. If I can find some 180 to 200 grain jacketed round nose at a show that'll be a bonus. But I'm not holding my breath on that.

Somewhere along the line somebody had the stock "sporterized", to add a pistol grip style stock to it. It's a really good job and I can barely see the line where they added the grip. But the factory peep sight is really cool and from what i can tell, pretty rare direct from the Armory.

[madokie]

13. It wasn't a collector type gun

it was an over the counter gun when Carl bought his. I wish I knew what brand it was but its been too long ago.
It was made for exactly what I'm wanting it for, too take to the woods with me to kill poisonous snakes with hoping like hell I never have to use it "but in case I want it"

I'm not going to spend 2, 3 or 4 hundred bucks for what I'm looking for. Its a pretty common 'cheap' gun in the mountains of Colorado and Montana, places I don't go too and don't know anyone who lives up in that region anymore.

I was hoping some of you all would be familiar with this little snake killer.

Thanks anyway. I appreciate the effort

[Mugu]

14. I once owned the weapon that you're thinking of.

Last edited Tue Aug 23, 2016, 02:55 PM - Edit history (2)

I would describe it as a pistol version of a Harrington-Richards single-shot shotgun. It had a black finish (not blue) and was a break open, single shot, single action pistol that was quite inexpensive. I bought it because of the novelty, but when that wore off, I gave it to my BIL. I don't remember the manufacturer, and the one that I bought is the only one that I've ever seen. This would have been the better part of 25-30 years ago.

ETA: Found one! It was manufactured by Cobray. You can see it here: http://junesblog.org/tag/single-shot-410-for-sale-buy-single-shot-410-online-at-

Edited a second time to add: Apparently, there is also a double-barreled version. One is for sale here: http://www.armslist.com/posts/1915798/corvallis-oregon-handguns-for-sale--cobra-ducktown-45lc---410-gauge-double-barrel-pistol

[madokie]

16. Thats it thanks

[madokie]

15. This is the gun I'm looking for

and can buy it from gunbrokers.

Thanks all

Leinad D