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I know a 12_gauge is the standard for riot shotguns and has stopping power. A 12_gauge has great kickback, especially for women and children caught in the stress of a home invasion at 3:00 am.

Would a 410 shotgun also work in home defense, for a wife and or young teenager?

I considered a 410, but I think a 16 or 20 would be better without the kick of a 12
They throw more lead downrange than a 410, with a lot less kick than a 12
considering trading my 12 for a 20 for that reason, except I want to keep the 12 too for hunting or just having I guess

Nikola_Tesla wrote:I know a 12_gauge is the standard for riot shotguns and has stopping power. A 12_gauge has great kickback, especially for women and children caught in the stress of a home invasion at 3:00 am.

Would a 410 shotgun also work in home defense, for a wife and or young teenager?

Sure! A 1/2 oz. of No. 6 is a lot better than a thrown house shoe and/or a scream.

I prefer an 8 gauge with short barrels and loaded with BB up to 00 buckshot. Yes, it will kick some but I prefer to to pick myself up off the floor as opposed to being picked up off the floor by others. The hole in the wall/ceiling and clean-up that is left is a DIY project.

Nikola_Tesla wrote:I know a 12_gauge is the standard for riot shotguns and has stopping power. A 12_gauge has great kickback, especially for women and children caught in the stress of a home invasion at 3:00 am.

Would a 410 shotgun also work in home defense, for a wife and or young teenager?

a .410 would be better than nothing, but it's very weak.
I'd recommend looking for a nice 20 gauge in semi-auto. There's very little different in 'kick' between it and a .410, but MUCH more effective in quickly stopping a threat.

I'd recommend looking for a nice 20 gauge in semi-auto. There's very little different in 'kick' between it and a .410, but MUCH more effective in quickly stopping a threat.

I"ll second that. a 20ga pump or semi-auto would be a good choice.

My grandmother still uses a 20 gauge shotgun for home defense, and she's 82.


Not much of a shotgunner myself, so I have to ask the more experienced: I've heard that semi autos have less kick than pump guns. True, false, depends?

I've heard that semi autos have less kick than pump guns.

Generally true, but depends on the recoil system.
http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f26/ ... ated-1394/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Recoil-reducing stocks and other mechanisms now exist for pumps as well:
http://www.tacticalcity.com/product_det ... rodID=2712" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Massad Ayoob on the differences:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMv2z_PX ... r_embedded" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I agree with the others that 20 gauge is a good choice for an HD shotgun. The fact that the recoil is much more manageable makes it a preferable choice to 12 gauge if all family members will be using it.
That being said, I would not discount .410, especially with the good variety of modern HD loads that have been created to work with the popular .410 revolvers, like winchester PDX1. I have to think that would be a reasonable and effective choice.
I guess my opinion is that if you are going to purchase a shotgun, you would probably be better served with a 20 gauge, but if you already own a .410, I would load it up with good ammo and be comfortable that it will get the job done in the event it is needed.