overkill

We had a little excitement this evening... After putting the kids to bed, I needed to go out to tend to the chickens. Often when I am going to be outside much at night, I wear a holster with one of my pistols just in case Drinian finds a varmint so I grabbed the XD .45 and a flashlight and headed outside.

I filled a bucket with chicken feed and grabbed the water hose that had been left out from kids playing in the afternoon and started toward the chicken pen. Right away Drinian started barking at something. I couldn't see at first what it was - I thought it was probably a rabbit invading his territory. But as I looked I could see it was a large copperhead and it was coiled to strike. Fortunately Drinian was keeping a safe distance - amazing how he knows to since with other varmints he doesn't hesitate to attack.



Since it was coiled I thought I stood a pretty good chance of hitting, so I shot it with the XD - which was loaded with .45acp jacketed hollowpoint. My first shot hit but then he uncoiled and the two follow-ups missed. but at least he was moving slow and I had time to grab a nearby 5 gallon bucket and use the bottom edge to finish him.

Anyway, I can attest to the damage that a 45jhp will do even in something as small as a snake - he would not have gotten too far as it nearly cut him in half. It was overkill but it gave me time to find something else to use. I'd say that it also is a testament to the very natural and comfortable handling of the Springfield XD - it puts holes where you mean it to - I'd highly recommend it! :-)

Copperheads are the thing I worry the most about with kids around here. Since we've lived here, I've killed about 5 of them. They like leaf litter and rocks and are pretty hard to see. They are one of only three venomous snakes around here and the only one that we've seen on our land. One of many good reasons to have a dog!

Also, just in case you were wondering, when Drinian trees a varmint (as he has with a few chicken-hunting raccoons) I always opt for a shotgun over a pistol. Shooting up in the air with a solid projectile when there are houses/people within the range of the gun is a really bad idea...