The Smallbore Defensive Shotgun

Ok Im interested in 410. Can someone show me a compact size that holds at least 5 rounds? Not interested in a long barrel.:)
 
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Well I have been tinkering with an idea...

The project code name is "Terrier" (Because like it's name sake it is little but it can be very mean)

It is the smallest defensive shotgun and is a variant of the Mossberg 510 mini.

It invloves taking the mag tube and barrel from the Mossberg 50455 and using both on the 510 receiver.

It would still have the shorter forearm reach and keep the adjustablility of the 510 stock (which should increase speed if any follow up shots are needed,and adapt to different size frames)

Total capacity would still be 6 (5, 2-1/2 inch shells in the mag tube + 1, 2-1/2 inch or 3-inch shell in the chamber)
 
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Moving on...

I'm going to start work on project Terrier soon.

I'm going to start out by picking up a 510 mini and then order a 50455 mag tube,spring,follower and barrel.

Then try to find a good smith that will do the work of removing the factory mag tube and installing it on the 510.

The only two problems that I can guess at this point would stem from the bolt not matching up with the cut out on the barrel and the mag tube not fitting.

But I figure Mossberg would keep the mag tubes for their .410 in spec.

*crosses fingers* lets see how it turns out.
 
You guys keep this thread going. I'm loading my 410 shells as fast as I can for the big shootout. I think it all comes down to you gotta go with what ya got for home defense. My wife is scared to death of a 12 gauge riotgun but she will shoot my 20 gauge double and not think twice about it. And now that I think about it my Winchester Mariner with 3" #4 Buck has given me a headache pretty much every time I've shot, it but Oh My, what results you get.
 
Pfletch83 said:
This is what I find rather funny about the whole situtaion,the person that has given me the most guff about my choice in gauge of shotgun and ammo load out….MISSED
Click to expand...

Don't go jumping to erroneous conclusions. He said neither perp was hit, he didn't say he missed. Dropping the hammer on someone is VERY serious business. I was at only one shotgun killing and I don't want a repeat performance.

Generally, I would recommend a .410-bore shotgun for home defense only if your other choices were a rock or a stick. Of course, there will always be someone who, for one reason or another, can't manage anything larger than a .410-bore.

I find it curious that in your OP you recommended a .410-bore, then a few posts later you said: "I would actually like to try a 28 gauge with the same setup." How can you recommend the .410-bore if you haven't even tried a 28-ga gun? You've reached your conclusion without gathering all your data. If you give the 28-ga a try and feel it's far superior to the .410-bore (based upon your criteria), then this whole discussion becomes moot. I've shot many thousands of .410-bore and 28-ga shells, and would select neither for HD, YMMV. FYI, in past postings I've mentioned a common opinion held by experienced shooters: A 28-ga kicks like a .410-bore and hits like a 20-ga.
 
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Acutally I just wanted to try the same standard setup in a different gauge,instead of going only with the best known,I went to the opposite end of the scale and applied the same to the smallest gauge that is factory loaded for defensive ammo and sure enough it seems to be up to the task.

The point is even if all you have is a .410 that has been handed down...with the right ammo and skill set it can still save your hide in a pinch.

Question....If someone shoots and doesn't hit what they aim at,wouldn't that be called a miss?

I would say so,and I'm sure others would agree.

Also my reason for wanting to try the same type of setup in 28 gauge is to bring it up to speed with other scatterguns and to show that it has just as much capability as other gauges.
 
While I am of the ilk that feels "All things being equal (which they rarely are), the bigger bullet wins...

I will say that my first gun being a .410 bolt gun from Mossberg was absolutely lethal in my hands... Being my first and only gun from the time I was 8 until I was 16 when I got my single shot .22 for trapline use... I was a crackshot with it... Rabbit on the run, pheasant on the wing and many larger game fell to that gun and more than one ol' timer with a 12 gauge respected my shooting skills even if I thought it was just average shooting by an average country kid...

It was also my only HD capable arm in my first years on my own... I pity the poor soul who would think it was a "pea shooter" For HD I kept #4 shot and the poly choke cranked tight to "FULL"... Any distance in a home had about a tennis ball or so size spread... I only had 3 shots but I could usually make do with those 3...

I look forward to seeing your results...

Brent
 
I look forward to getting the projects up and running as soon as funds allow.

First gray tail I ever knocked out of a tree was with a single shot .410,I've been hooked on the little gauge from then on.
 
Pfletch83 said:
Question….If someone shoots and doesn't hit what they aim at,wouldn't that be called a miss?
Click to expand...
Answer: Again, don't jump to conclusions. You're assuming he aimed at one of the perps. Perhaps, considering the gravity of the situation, a warning shot was fired… who knows? Now, let's not start a "warning shot or not" debate.
 
Lets just keep this thread related to the OP and his intents... At this point, I think we all can agree "Bigger is usually better" and "anything beats nothing at all"...

Brent
 
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