Will a 9mm +P hollow point stop a gator, or just tick him off?

27696 Views 55 Replies 27 Participants Last post by freefallin1309, Aug 11, 2009

Twolimes

Discussion Starter · Jul 22, 2009

if I am out fishing, going for a walk around the lake with the wife, etc. and am rushed by a gator...

will my 9mm hollow points stop him?

would I be better off with FMJ?

or should I just run away and hope for the best?

thanks!

1 - 20 of 56 Posts

brownie

· #2 · Jul 22, 2009

If you can shoot accurately enough on the run, I'd suggest doing both :rolf

I'm not standing my ground to shoot while being rushed by a gator even if I've got rifle :drinks

MattB.

· #3 · Jul 22, 2009

I'd punch it in the snout and knock it out.

Make a nice pair of boots or a holster.

capngeo

· #4 · Jul 22, 2009

Yes, I can say it will ruin a gator's day.. Yes Brownie, I can still shoot while backing up very fast!

fuzzy03cls

· #5 · Jul 22, 2009

Yeah good luck with that :rolf

Better off with a big knife.

LoneWolf

· #6 · Jul 22, 2009

I'd poke him in the eye.

mikesid

· #7 · Jul 22, 2009

If you see this guy, run

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freefallin1309

· #8 · Jul 22, 2009

I've worked in the central Florida swamps for about 16 years now, and have worked around a LOT of gators ... I've stepped on them in waste deep water and even captured them when I had to ... and I've had to kill them in self defense. I have seen a .38 JHP bounce off of the skull of one (it was not perpendicular, but rather a glancing shot), never go for the head unless you have a big punch.

Unless you already have the gun out and one in the chamber with the safety off, you're better off just trying to outrun it. They can run all of 11 miles an hour and only for short bursts of time, so there's a good chance you can outrun them (I have many times). Also, don't zig zag ... that's a myth too, they can turn 180 degrees like a snake. 90% of gators are not aggressive, only 2 instances when they are the worst. 1. A mother guarding her nest and/or eggs. 2. A bull gator in mating season ... being rushed by a gator wont give you the time to pull a gun, so have it ready or run. If you are in the water swimming with them, you are probably SOL if it is a rare aggressive gator, as they can out swim you and hold their breath a lot longer than you, not to mention they are stronger and probably outweigh you 2:1 or worse. If you can get your hands around their mouth, you can force it shut and hold it closed, the muscles that hold their mouths open are very weak and this is the only time you will be able to overpower them.

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brownie

· #9 · Jul 22, 2009

freefallin1309 said:
I've worked in the central Florida swamps for about 16 years now, and have worked around a LOT of gators ... I've stepped on them in waste deep water and even captured them when I had to ... and I've had to kill them in self defense. I have seen a .38 JHP bounce off of the skull of one (it was not perpendicular, but rather a glancing shot), never go for the head unless you have a big punch.

Unless you already have the gun out and one in the chamber with the safety off, you're better off just trying to outrun it. They can run all of 11 miles an hour and only for short bursts of time, so there's a good chance you can outrun them (I have many times). Also, don't zig zag ... that's a myth too, they can turn 180 degrees like a snake. 90% of gators are not aggressive, only 2 instances when they are the worst. 1. A mother guarding her nest and/or eggs. 2. A bull gator in mating season ... being rushed by a gator wont give you the time to pull a gun, so have it ready or run. If you are in the water swimming with them, you are probably SOL if it is a rare aggressive gator, as they can out swim you and hold their breath a lot longer than you, not to mention they are stronger and probably outweigh you 2:1 or worse. If you can get your hands around their mouth, you can force it shut and hold it closed, the muscles that hold their mouths open are very weak and this is the only time you will be able to overpower them.

Very informative post sir. I'm running if charged by a gator. I've seen Steve Erwin's shows and there's no one fast enough to pull a heater and shoot it so it stops reliably before reaching you while fishing at the water line.

Xbonz

· #10 · Jul 22, 2009

brownie said:
Very informative post sir. I'm running if charged by a gator. I've seen Steve Erwin's shows and there's no one fast enough to pull a heater and shoot it so it stops reliably before reaching you while fishing at the water line.

I hear those Arizona desert gators are by far the most dangerous..Be careful out there Brownie..

GlockComa

· #11 · Jul 22, 2009

I have faith in my .40's

all 14

deadeyedick

· #12 · Jul 22, 2009

When he tries to bite you, just insert the Stick 'O' Death into his mouth to keep his jaws from closing. :laughing

Mac45

· #13 · Jul 22, 2009

Actually, I wouldn't shoot an alligator, crocodile, cayman, wild hog, cougar or any other decent size wild animal with less than a magnum handgun [no offense to your 357Sig, Brownie]. Animals are tough and if they are determined there is an excellent chance that they will do you significant harm before you can put them down with a 9mm.

The best bet with alligators is simply to avoid them. What do they call that, situational awareness? Alligators are big and if you stay a reasonable distance from the shore they are easy to see. They rarely attack humans, except as noted by freefallin1309. If you encounter one move away quickly.

I have a very simple agreement with wildlife, I avoid them and they avoid me. That way both of us are happy.

Huckleberry

· #14 · Jul 22, 2009

Just flip them over and rub their belly.

I grew up in Miami and spent allot of time around them. I've never had one charge me, this may be the fact that I do not bother them either. Most one the time they're getting away from us. Now if you have a poodle with you then all bets are off.

My younger brother hunts them and he has some stories now.

Rvrctyrngr

· #15 · Jul 22, 2009

Xbonz said:
I hear those Arizona desert gators are by far the most dangerous..Be careful out there Brownie..

That's because they're POd they missed that left toin at Albuquerque (wife musta been reading the map)!

deadeyedick said:
When he tries to bite you, just insert the Stick 'O' Death into his mouth to keep his jaws from closing. :laughing

It better be a big : censored stick, Deadeye.

Humor aside. Gators are hard to kill, believe me. Nuke them from orbit, it's the only way to be sure.

They'd unclog their noses at your silly handgun and taunt you a second time. :rolf

Hodawg

· #16 · Jul 23, 2009

Just for safety's sake, I think I would try both approaches to this. RUNNING like Bo Jackson and firing behind me like Joe Peschee!

Beers y'all,
Ken

P.S. I won't be posting for several days. Mrs. Hodawg and I are flying out tomorrow for Chicago

uke Our middle son, Patrick, is graduating from Navy Boot Camp at Great Lakes! :dancingbanana :dancingbanana Talk about one proud Papa! Gonna be tough keeping a dry eye in my head. I'll send pics when we get back.

MRBARRY

· #17 · Jul 23, 2009

My congratulations to your son and his proud parents.

Hope your trip is safe and uneventful. I was gonna ask if you were bringing a firearm, but then I re-read where you were going.:thumbsdwn

Hodawg

· #18 · Jul 23, 2009

MRBARRY said:
My congratulations to your son and his proud parents.

Hope your trip is safe and uneventful. I was gonna ask if you were bringing a firearm, but then I re-read where you were going.:thumbsdwn

Yep, MRBARRY, I'm not exactly looking forward to going through O'Hare and the suburbs of Chicago unarmed. And since we are only using carry on baggage, I can't even take a knife on this trip! Fortunately, once we get out of the airport we're heading strait for Great Lakes Naval Training Station, and staying at the Navy Inn on base. Should be pretty safe there. I feel like I'm traveling naked. Thanks for the congrats, and yes we are VERY proud!

Beers Bro',
Ken

Hodawg

· #19 · Jul 23, 2009

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the "Gator" thread. Just so I keep it connected, there shouldn't be any Gators in Chicago.

Beers y'all,
Ken

MRBARRY

· #20 · Jul 23, 2009

Hodawg said:
...yes we are VERY proud!Ken

As well you should be.:thumsup

In regards to a gator attack, since shooting it doesn't appear to be an attractive option, and I don't run well, I suppose my best strategy would be to always have someone around who I can in fact outrun when in gator territory.

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