More seriously, I really am seriously interested in the technical / engineering side of what “shot” does in a rifled barrel, and why on earth the gov’t would enact barriers to someone having a .22 pistol with the ability for such a pistol to shoot a usable / moderately tight pattern of light shot, while someone can go out and buy a “Snake Slayer” and blow off someone’s face.* And, what would “fill the bill” for the usages I described (not just zapping a copperhead or three each year.)
*Don’t get me wrong, I think any non-felon should have any means they desire to protect themselves against snakes of any species. But the deterrent to, by comparison, having a smoothbore .22 pistol just don’t seem to make any sense at all. (I’m not even sure anyone even sells a .22 metal BB airgun — I think only rifled .22 pellet guns are available.)
“More seriously, I really am seriously interested in the technical / engineering side of what “shot” does in a rifled barrel, and why on earth the gov’t would enact barriers to someone having a .22 pistol with the ability for such a pistol to shoot a usable / moderately tight pattern of light shot, while someone can go out and buy a “Snake Slayer” and blow off someone’s face.* And, what would “fill the bill” for the usages I described (not just zapping a copperhead or three each year.)
Well, rat/snake shot will lead up the lans and grooves in your barrel if shot very much. If I were you I would go to a pawn shop and buy a well used cheap revolver with a 41/2 ~ 6 inch barrel to use exclusively for this purpose. About federal gun laws, don’t know why certain laws exist. But, I do know that it’s easy to get yourself in a heap of trouble when modifying or altering guns. As an example, I give you Ruby Ridge.