Shotgun for home defense.

[tmark]

Would a 410 shotgun be suitable for home defense?

[Allen]

I wouldn't want to depend on it.

There's practically nothing coming out of the muzzle.

A 410 slug maybe though.

[PWC]

If it's all you have..but I'd prefer a 12 GA in cylinder bore, with #4 buck.

[oscars]

I have a 20 gauge coach gun and have never doubted this gun for home defense.

[lyman]

use what you are comfortable with,


410 may not be for some, but remember it is roughly the same dia as 45LC. so the shot/wad will not open up that much across a room

[Johnny P]

In the close confines of a house #6 shot is more than adequate without the possibility of buckshot penetrating your walls and then neighbors house.

[JB White]

Any long gun in the house for defense is assuming the assailants aren?t close enough to get a hand on you or your weapon. Assuming you won?t be surprised in close quarters where the long gun might not be able to be put on target in a split second.
Could be a situation where you might win, maybe. Chances are 50/50. You win or lose.

A handgun or a knife can still be put into the groin or gut even if your arm is partially compromised. Anyone who cannot understand why has never been through a real life altercation before.
Experience wins over hypothesis. Even then you can still lose. Either way you will not emerge unscathed. But at least you didn?t stack the odds against you from the get-go.
Back to the original question. If the only thing available is a 410 then make sure the load can deliver a shocking punch. A shot column of bird shot creates a nasty often lethal would. But it might not stop the attacker before he gets a piece of you too. A slug or a trio of lead balls into the same area could pack a stopping shot IMHO. Seeing what?s possible on targets inside 7 yards. Bird shot often leaves a mushy spot barely moving melons and such.
The objective is to stop first.