How much power?

[bennyblanco]

a sheridan pistol in 22 is about the most powerfull pistol you can get
loud as a canon though

I can confirm that one of these is well up for the job

[Rob M]

The chap wants cheap, and there are people on here recommending the HW45 and Co2 pistols. The HW45 will be expensive for what the chap wants, even secondhand and there's no point him buying a Co2 pistol, with gas cartridges to buy and the possibility of it leaking its gas when not in use. For the purpose described, any mid-powered pistol will be adequate, from a Webley Tempest or Hurricane upwards. Even one of those cheap Turkish Webley break-barrel pistols would do the job.

[brettguise]

Can go wrong with a tempest that's on the sales section (link below) Capable of easily dispatching a rat at almost point blank range. Put in a nice heavy pellet like a bisley magnum or bisley pest control and you should dispatch it in one.


http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread....ey-Tempest-.22

[LandRoger]

I have been doing the same job for many years and use an SMK break barrel think it cost about £30.00 its well up to the job and would be pretty poor if it wasnt at point blank range!!,

[Ieazo]

I have been doing the same job for many years and use an SMK break barrel think it cost about £30.00 its well up to the job and would be pretty poor if it wasnt at point blank range!!,

I have one of these in .22, I bought it as a backyard plinker and a bit of a challenge, took it apart deburred and relubed, very easy to do and the result a nice consistent 4.5ft/lb plinker. Personally I'd never need to use it for humane dispatch but would think it'd be up to the job at point blank or nearest offer.

At the risk of stirring up a shit storm, drowning? Not necessarily my point of view just thought I'd put it forward for discussion. I remember reading a good while ago the RSPCA tried to have a guy charged with cruelty for drowning a grey squirrel, not sure how that ended up but from a legal point of view this would probably set the precedence. From an ethical stance there are arguments both for and against, there are those who believe drowning is a very peaceful way to go.

[magicniner]

Can go wrong with a tempest that's on the sales section (link below) Capable of easily dispatching a rat at almost point blank range. Put in a nice heavy pellet like a bisley magnum or bisley pest control and you should dispatch it in one.


http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread....ey-Tempest-.22

Interesting thought given that heavy pellets increase the power output of PCPs and reduce that of springers and the Tempest produces around 3.6ft/lbs with more suitable pellets on a good day
A light pellet such as the Thunderbolt would yield significantly more power from a low to mid powered spring pistol.
Regards,
Nick

Research the real meaning of point blank rather than that associated with poor fiction and even poorer news reporting, it doesn't mean up close

[Rob M]

A Tempest would be a good choice, not as powerful as some pistols but will certainly do the job at close range, compact and unobtrusive too which might be a benefit for the OP's purpose. While I love BSA Scorpions and they have plenty of power to do this job the large size might be a hindrance.

[Jim McArthur]

Seeing as how it would be used for the purpose only now and then, I'd opt for a springer over a CO2. Cock it and fire it only as needed: no worrying about loading a CO2 bulb and either leaving it in there for a prolonged period, or having the waste and hassle of removing it while it's full.

Jim

[Jerry Cornelius]

Seeing as how it would be used for the purpose only now and then, I'd opt for a springer over a CO2. Cock it and fire it only as needed: no worrying about loading a CO2 bulb and either leaving it in there for a prolonged period, or having the waste and hassle of removing it while it's full.

Jim

The trouble with that is with the exception of the scorpion (too big, and not available new) and the HW45 (too expensive) do they have enough power?

But then my only experience is squizzers, which are tougher than rats. For a squirrel IMHO a tempest is not powerful enough.

[hawkeye]

a sheridan pistol in 22 is about the most powerfull pistol you can get
loud as a canon though
HW45 , Crosman 2240.
I have used all of these but for price and power I would go for the Crosman 2240 .22
with a good pellet , cheap and good power - around 4.5 -5 ft Lbs .

[gasman1]

a 22 hw45 would do the job with no problems. it would last a lifetime also.

[Jim McArthur]

a 22 hw45 would do the job with no problems. it would last a lifetime also.

There's another good choice. But expensive!

Jim

[RJVB]

slightly amused with the image of 'humanely killing rats in a trap' ... does that mean killing them as if they were humans?
I'd say have them killed *naturally* ... hand them out to ferret (or python, or anything of comparable tastes) owners, possibly for a small fee covering operating expenses!

Another method (picked up from a mate working in a biotech lab): which sounds cruel but is quick and probably painless:
grab by tail
swing onto table top with enough force to stun then animal for a few instants
put thumb on neck behind skull
yank tail

This will break the neck and severe the spinal cord. Does require some training, though.

[Minuteman]

slightly amused with the image of 'humanely killing rats in a trap' ... does that mean killing them as if they were humans?
I'd say have them killed *naturally* ... hand them out to ferret (or python, or anything of comparable tastes) owners, possibly for a small fee covering operating expenses!

Another method (picked up from a mate working in a biotech lab): which sounds cruel but is quick and probably painless:
grab by tail
swing onto table top with enough force to stun then animal for a few instants
put thumb on neck behind skull
yank tail

This will break the neck and severe the spinal cord. Does require some training, though.

For non-lab rats? You first.

That is assuming you could actually keep hold of it long enough.

[Peche]

"grab by tail"

Have you ever tried to grab a wild rat that is slightly peeved at been stuck in a trap for a few hours. Even with good gloves I wouldn't risk it. These rats are riddled with diseases that you really don't want. The only wild rat I pick up is a dead one.

Dave.