Smallbore defensive shotgun - The Firearms Forum

Pfletch83 · 11-04-2011, 03:23 AM

What would you folks say about a Mossberg 50104 with a 50455 barrel on it as a family defense arm?

Boris · 11-04-2011, 08:35 AM

With the buckshot loads you can get these days for 410 it would be a better choice than 20 gauge.

Jim Hauff · 11-04-2011, 10:16 AM

Pfletch83,
Welcome to the forum!
The use of .410 bore shotguns for self- or home defense is a hot topic, currently, with the introduction of several handguns capable of handling ammo in that "caliber." The firearm forum that doesn't have a a bunch detailed discussions on this topic is RARE.
The comparison with 20 ga. shells is also a common topic.
MY PERSONAL preference is a 20 ga loaded with #2 buck. I own a "few" 12 ga, 16 ga, 20 ga and .410 bore shotguns (including a Mossberg 500E HOME SECURITY pump) - but the one that sits ready for use is a 20 ga.
If I owned ONLY a .410, I would choose one of the modern buckshot rounds loaded with 3 or 5 00 buck pellets.
Here's some info on 20 ga shot shells for defensive use:
http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

And here's some info on .410 bore defensive shot shells:
http://www.internetarmory.com/shotgun_ammo.htm

Both of these articles are comprehensive and easy to understand. Read them until you understand what's being written.
DON'T consider "bird shot" - it is not effective, pellets are too small, don't have the mass and momentum to do much deep damage.

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Boris · 11-04-2011, 10:23 AM

Ammunition to go has a buckshot load that has four .400 lead balls and a shorter there'd pellet version. It is not made for pistols and hits real hard with the three pellet version I have.

Federal makes a nine pellet three inch 4 buck load that patterns really tight too. I wouldn't hesitate a second to use my410 for home defense at all.

11-04-2011, 03:23 AM	#1
Pfletch83 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 1	Smallbore defensive shotgun What would you folks say about a Mossberg 50104 with a 50455 barrel on it as a family defense arm? -->

11-04-2011, 10:16 AM	#3
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Smallbore defensive shotgun Pfletch83, Welcome to the forum! The use of .410 bore shotguns for self- or home defense is a hot topic, currently, with the introduction of several handguns capable of handling ammo in that "caliber." The firearm forum that doesn't have a a bunch detailed discussions on this topic is RARE. The comparison with 20 ga. shells is also a common topic. MY PERSONAL preference is a 20 ga loaded with #2 buck. I own a "few" 12 ga, 16 ga, 20 ga and .410 bore shotguns (including a Mossberg 500E HOME SECURITY pump) - but the one that sits ready for use is a 20 ga. If I owned ONLY a .410, I would choose one of the modern buckshot rounds loaded with 3 or 5 00 buck pellets. Here's some info on 20 ga shot shells for defensive use: http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm And here's some info on .410 bore defensive shot shells: http://www.internetarmory.com/shotgun_ammo.htm Both of these articles are comprehensive and easy to understand. Read them until you understand what's being written. DON'T consider "bird shot" - it is not effective, pellets are too small, don't have the mass and momentum to do much deep damage. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie Last edited by Jim Hauff; 11-04-2011 at 10:18 AM..

11-04-2011, 10:23 AM	#4
Boris Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 607	Re: Smallbore defensive shotgun Ammunition to go has a buckshot load that has four .400 lead balls and a shorter there'd pellet version. It is not made for pistols and hits real hard with the three pellet version I have. Federal makes a nine pellet three inch 4 buck load that patterns really tight too. I wouldn't hesitate a second to use my410 for home defense at all.

11-04-2011, 08:35 AM	#2
Boris Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 607	Re: Smallbore defensive shotgun With the buckshot loads you can get these days for 410 it would be a better choice than 20 gauge.