HANDGUNS FOR PEST CONTROL

Written by: Der Luftmeister

It is no secret that airguns are the tools of choice for some types of pest control. We all know that a break action, precharged, or multi-pump rifle in the hands of a good marksman is wonderfully efficient for eliminating small pests. For example, as spring approaches, you may want to clear the garden of starlings (where it is legal to fire an airgun). But what if you are a handgun hunter and would still like to use an airgun for dispatching vermin? In a rifle required for such work?

There are numerous air and CO2 powered pistols available that are suitable for practicing for hunting with firearms, and some of them are even suitable for small pests. It takes no more than a 177 caliber pellet traveling about 400 ft/sec to cleanly dispatch a sparrow or a mouse. Move that velocity upward a hundred feet per second or so and the pests can include starlings (one of my favorite targets) and an occasional rat. Some 177 caliber air and carbon dioxide handguns are capable of that level of power. Make it a 20 or 22 caliber model and the power is sufficient to eliminate even larger pests when the pellets are carefully chosen and accurately placed.

If you like single shot pistols, there are several airguns that will make excellent tools for use on small pests. My preference is for one of the carbon dioxide powered models, and it is difficult to find a better choice than the Crosman 2240. This 22 caliber single shot launches pellets at velocities up to 460 ft/sec. At that velocity, a 22 caliber pellet hits with a lot of clout. I would have no hesitation about going after a lot of pests with this pistol. I have had two of these handguns for years, and they are my favorites for pest control.

If you want to shoot from a more stable platform, Crosman makes a detachable shoulder stock can be attached simply by removing the grip panels. With this skeleton stock, the 2240 then becomes a short barreled rifle. Another feature of the Crosman 2240 is that you can mount a scope easily. A two piece intermount is available that clamps on the barrel. Grooves along the top of the mount allow clamp on type scope mounts to be attached. I use a compact scope with a long eye relief that works very well. With this combination of scope and stock, I have obtained groups smaller than one inch at a range of 25 yards. This combination is a real pest popper.

Two other single shot pistols are the 177 caliber Benjamin EB17 and the 22 caliber EB22. These models are only slightly less powerful than the Crosman 2240, but they are more compact. No shoulder stock is available, and these models are not as readily fitted with a scope. However, the open sights are very good, and both pistols are capable of fine accuracy. My EB22 is a favorite carry gun because it is so compact. It is accurate and gives a heavy pellet a velocity of about 425 ft/sec which is adequate for many pest species.

If you do not mind pumping, the Crosman 1377 pistol is a .177 caliber powerhouse. A brother has used this model on rather large pests at short range when the pellets are placed accurately. Like the Model 2240, the 1377 can be fitted with a shoulder stock and scope, although that sort of defeats the advantages of a pistol. The Benjamin Models HB17 and HB22 are excellent multi-pump pistols that also work well as pest eliminators.

If you want to keep the ranges short and the pests very small, the various repeater CO2 pistols will suffice. Particularly appealing are the Smith & Wesson Model 586 revolvers. These fine handguns have the same dimensions and weight as the Model 586 firearms in 357 Magnum caliber. In other words, you can shoot mice and sparrows with a CO2 pistol that exactly mimics your hunting handgun. My experience with these guns is that they have excellent adjustable sights and are wonderfully accurate.

For those whose taste runs to a CO2 pistol that is patterned after an autoloader, the Beretta, Walther, Colt, and Gamo models are available. However, these are models of low power so the pests must be very small and the range short. The pistols that fire BBs are not suitable for use on pests.

The point is that there are several handguns suitable for pest control. All of the models described above are available from Compasseco so take a look at the catalog and find a model that appeals to your taste and fits your budget. Be sure to select a model that is sufficiently powerful for the types of pests you plan to pop. Then, try a few types of pellets to find some that are accurate in your pistol, and do a lot of practicing. As was described in the blog posted April 9, 2007 this type of shooting is ideal practice for the hunter who uses a center fire handgun.