.410 Shotgun For Self/Home Defense

[skb12172]

Yeah, I know. Still, the ballistics are close to that of a .357 magnum fired from a revolver. Plus, a 90lb. girl can fire it without trouble. I think at Goblin distances, this would be adequate to pull your bacon from the fire. Pros and cons?

[ButchS1066]

I like .410 shotguns, but unless I was being overrun by zombie squirrels I'd want something bigger for a defensive weapon.

What's the limiting factor causing you to choose a .410?

[skb12172]

Not me. I have a 12 gauge, SKS, .357 magnum, and 9mm all within easy reach. I was thinking of my 78 year old father and my 68 year old mother. They want a shotgun.

[mekender]

get a pump action 20 gauge and use low recoil loads...

[ButchS1066]

A 20 gauge coach gun would be my suggestion.

[SeekHer]

Far less recoil then a 20B and five times the shot and thrice the power of a .410G is the 28 bore...

I had started my girls on the .410G and frustration sets in quickly when they couldn't hit anything so I switched to the 28B and the improvement was instantaneous...

A superb shotgun that I'm giving very serious thought to buying for dove and quail shooting is a Franchi Model 48L in 28B...absolutely lovely gun, semi auto, 5 shot tube, very little recoil and with a LimbSaver recoil pad or equivalent there is almost none...

28” barrel that comes with the standard set of three screw-in choke tubes—improved cylinder, modified, and full—will handle HD and hunting situations. Optional cylinder or improved modified tubes are also available...Also available as a 20 bore with 24”, 26” or 28” barrels but not in the 28B for I don't know what reason…It has a small action and with a 28” barrel it is only 46” long overall and is very light at 5 lbs 6 oz… price though is $839.00 MSRP...

It might be a little more money but the semi auto, very light weight, multi shots and almost zero recoil for aged parents I think it would be ideal for them as a HD shotgun...

[SoupOrMan]

I've never been able to find a load that gives me confidence in my old .410. Not due to lack of lethality, mind you, but it's an old shotgun that hasn't been fired in decades, since before the Kennedy assassination and possibly since before the Korean War. The gunsmiths I had check it said they thought it looked good enough for gentler loads, so I'll check to see if I can find any good ones. I'd like to be able to put the #000 shells into it, but I think it's only a 2 1/2" chamber. You don't get many #000 into a 2 1/2" shell.

Hmm... I do have health insurance... maybe I'll try it this weekend with some clay loads.

[Aglifter]

Maybe an 1100 in 20 Ga? Pretty soft recoiling...

[Whirlibird]

Yeah, I know. Still, the ballistics are close to that of a .357 magnum fired from a revolver. Plus, a 90lb. girl can fire it without trouble. I think at Goblin distances, this would be adequate to pull your bacon from the fire. Pros and cons?

I have a 100lb deputy firing a full house 12ga slugs and buckshot with a Knoxx stock.
I can't see any reason to go under the 20ga.

And especially at goblin distances, if you have to fire, you MUST stop the threat.
And the .410 cannot be depended on to do such.

In this case, an M-1 Carbine, Ruger PC-4 or 9 or Marlin Camp Carbine might be warranted.

[SeekHer]

I'd like to be able to put the #000 shells into it, but I think it's only a 2 1/2" chamber. You don't get many #000 into a 2 1/2" shell.

I think you could fit two because a 12 bore 2¾" mag holds eight 000 (.360) Buck based on 6 to the ounce...You'd probably get 15 #4 (.024) Buck based on 20 to the ounce

You might want to check out the .410 Org before thinking about it as a HD gun...especially their References Sections...