First off forget about a “smooth bore” pistol. They’re completely illegal in any caliber without a very pricey tax stamp from the Feds.
For the purposes you’ve outlined here I’d recommend a .22 revolver with a 4-6 barrel. Ruger makes some very nice ones. You may be able to find something used in your price range. I’d not recommend any semi-auto as the shot shells will most likely not feed reliably due to the rather fragile plastic “bullet”.
If you’re going to use this against any sort of aggressive critter you want reliability over everything. A 4 inch barrel .22 revolver won’t weigh very much, comparatively. And you will know that it will go bang every time you pull the trigger.
Just my two cents. YMMV.
L
Clean up in aisle 4.
The 22LR shotshells I’ve seen have a crimped end unlike the plastic tipped shells for centerfire pistols. Feeding is always a concern with a semiauto though. I would be more concerned with the small payload stopping a dangerous snake quickly. Personally I would recommend a 38 or 357 with a 4” or 6” barrel. As for the noise, a 410 would be a lot worse.
Yes, that confirms much of what I’ve read. Except somewhere I read $5 for the tax stamp - not sure if that’s correct or what it applied to.
I read some discussion of modifying barrels to reduce the rifling but still meet the regs, but did not see any clear guidance on what actually was allowable.
It seems pretty crazy that a smooth bore .22 pistol is illegal or taxed “extra”. A Bond “Snake Slayer” is a h*** of a lot more of a dangerous weapon — it’s just more than I think I need, or can afford.