[FloridaMan76239]

GT Community,

Not sure if this belongs here, feel free to move it. It does have to do with survival lol.

I routinely go offroading in Central Florida with my side by side. Some of the areas are pretty wild, especially when it comes to gators. I currently go out without protection but I'm a bit uneasy about it. If my side by side breaks down or gets stuck in the middle of the water I'm a sitting duck. I've had close calls and been in areas where we stopped and multiple gators got real close. If I had to walk back I'm walking straight through their territory. I want protection.

The only glock I own is a G19 9mm. I know a 9mm can take a gator if you hit it in the right spot. I can talk a big game but realistically in a stressful situation my aim is not going to be 100%. I want a weapon where I can reasonably take it down regardless if I hit it properly. I don't care where you hit that gator but 6 rounds near the head with a .500 S&W will render it no longer a thread. I do like Glock due to the reliability and would rather have more shots than a 6 shot revolver.

What's the communities opinion on a woods carry Glock and ammo primarily for animal defense? A friend of mine uses a .40 for a bear gun. Not sure the power of the .45. It will be a carry gun so comfort is important but it will either be in my SXS glove or in a holster in my waders so I'm open to a larger frame.

No, I do not want to shoot alligator for fun. Yes I've lived in Floida all my life. I know to respect them should leave them alone, stay away, back away, respect them, don't feed them and use your weapon as a last resort. Yes, if it's me\my family or the gator, I will not hesitate to use force.

-FloridaMan

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

A .22 in the head is quite sufficient to kill gators. I like to carry a Vaquero in 45 Colt when I'm doing short day hikes.

 

[FloridaMan76239]

A .22 in the head is quite sufficient to kill gators. I like to carry a Vaquero in 45 Colt when I'm doing short day hikes.

Thanks. Ya I get that if you're hunting them and can really take aim but if that thing is swimming at me aggressively while I'm broken down in the water I want to point, shoot, and have a reasonable chance of just neutralizing it regardless if I get a perfect shot.

If you use a revolver why not something like a .44 mag? In the glock world I'd think the Glock 30 would be comparable to the Vaquero?

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

Thanks. Ya I get that if you're hunting them and can really take aim but if that thing is swimming at me aggressively while I'm broken down in the water I want to point, shoot, and have a reasonable chance of just neutralizing it regardless if I get a perfect shot.

If you use a revolver why not something like a .44 mag? In the glock world I'd think the Glock 30 would be comparable to the Vaquero?

Because my only 44 is a Super Blackhawk with a 5 1/4" barrel. The Vaquero is lighter and more compact. Buffalo Bore Hard Cast Wad Cutters in 45 Colt is nothing to trifle with I assure you.

 

[redrick]

10mm

 

[FloridaMan76239]

Because my only 44 is a Super Blackhawk with a 5 1/4" barrel. The Vaquero is lighter and more compact. Buffalo Bore Hard Cast Wad Cutters in 45 Colt is nothing to trifle with I assure you.

Is the 45 ACP (assuming .45 auto is the same thing) that the Glock 30 uses significantly weaker?

10mm

Ya was thinking about that, especially with buffallo bore hard cast. Some friends and the local shop said stay away from 10mm as the ammo is hard to find and expensive. Granted this is not a range gun.

 

[BucsBilly]

I think in many ways reliability of the gun in adverse conditions (dirt, moisture, etc) and bullet selection (Hard cast, bonded, fmj vs hollow point) would be most important.

22 mag/22 lr work well on a hooked gator and the soft spot in the skull, but if I had to shoot a gator because I had no other options I would want max penetration. I think a .44/.45/10mm would be ideal. A Glock 30 is about the size of your 19 and would be a great add to your collection 😀

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

Is the 45 ACP (assuming .45 auto is the same thing) that the Glock 30 uses significantly weaker?



Ya was thinking about that, especially with buffallo bore hard cast. Some friends and the local shop said stay away from 10mm as the ammo is hard to find and expensive. Granted this is not a range gun.

A 45 Colt can be loaded with a heavier bullet but they are fairly similar to 45 ACP.

 

[Valmet]

If I were stomping around in the swamps I’d feel comfortable carrying my Glock 21 with good ammo.

 

[Zerodefect]

All you'll ever need:

Just open that up. Climb. And laugh in their general direction.


Just don't loiter on the river bank, where they eat, and you'll never be prey. On land they'll back away, but might strike if they feel that they can't escape. In the water, they'll simply swim away.

Very benign creatures as long as you don't back them into a corner, or make them feel cornered.

 

[Dynactus]

Never had a problem with gators. They're in my pond and all around the area. If I'm outside, I'm watching for them. I suppose there's plenty for them to eat in the wild.

 

[BucsBilly]

I am a Floridian as well and agree - they are generally pretty passive except for mating season when they are on the move or after a female gives birth.

 

[Zerodefect]

The only one that freaked me out, came out of a pond. Stood up with it's legs fully extended. And came at me running.

I jumped onto the hood of my truck, where it just sat staring at me. Those water plant guys fed it chicken every week. It was tame-ish. It would hiss and back off, if you stood over it.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

All you'll ever need:

Just open that up. Climb. And laugh in their general direction.


Just don't loiter on the river bank, where they eat, and you'll never be prey. On land they'll back away, but might strike if they feel that they can't escape. In the water, they'll simply swim away.

Very benign creatures as long as you don't back them into a corner, or make them feel cornered.

They can climb chain link fence and jump right out of the water if they choose to. That step stool isn't going to be an issue for them to overcome.

 

[Zerodefect]

You have to tap your helmet and say " Your momma reeks of elderberries, and your daddy was a hamster."

They usually struggle to get out of a kiddie pool. I'm sure there are a few that got free from the circus though.

 

[bubbatime]

As a life long Floridian that has been in the woods and around gators for decades, and even caught them along with my friend the gator trapper....Gator defense is not a real topic.

Don't swim in swamps and you'll be just fine.

If you are driving a side by side into a gator infested swamp, maybe don't. Drive somewhere else.

The gator trapper uses a bang stick loaded with 38 special FMJ. Kills them deader than dead.

Gator are not something that you have to carry protection for.

The Glock 19 is just fine for general self defense purposes against 2 legged predators.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

 

[sas-G19]

GT Community,
The only glock I own is a G19 9mm. I know a 9mm can take a gator if you hit it in the right spot. I can talk a big game but realistically in a stressful situation my aim is not going to be 100%. I want a weapon where I can reasonably take it down regardless if I hit it properly.
-FloridaMan

Maybe something like a Mossberg Shockwave Shotgun with 00 or 000buckshot.

 

[RGP]

They're alligators. Don't mess with them and they don't mess with you.

If they were crocodiles, then you could have a problem.

 

[cadillacguns]

I have already shared this photo of meeting this guy at a Florida rest area off of I -75 near Homestead Fla two weeks ago.
I guess he was the “Welcome to Florida Yankee” visitor representative.
A G-43 in my cargo pocket with Critical defense 9mm, but he stopped at the bank, and I took his pic before saying Bye Bye Y’all….