From: ems@michael.apple.com (E. Michael Smith)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Odd home defense shotguns (was Re: suggested weapons
Date: 5 Sep 92 05:19:50 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA

In article <1992Sep2.184041.14205@hou.amoco.com> jim@n5ial.chi.il.us writes:

>seriously, though, on the shotgun issue --- I'm curious as to why nobody
>has suggested either a 10 gauge (too strong, perhaps?  to much kick for
>an amateur?) 

These are generally 'goose guns'.  That means very long and not 
very handy in a hallway.  Also, they don't hold alot of rounds...
They do kick more, there are far fewer shell loads to choose from
and far fewer gun types to choose from.  They cost alot more.  They
don't add a thing to speak of from an effectiveness point of view.
Other than that, the're a great choice ;-)

>or a .410 (too ``wimpy''?).  

There are a couple of guns in .410 bore intended for 'home defense'.
The concept does have some (minor) merit.  You can get a very small
gun that is easy to handle with low recoil.

The problems:  First, like any gauge other than 12 guage, you will
have a very limited choice of ammunition and guns.  The .410 is
considered marginal for birds ... I'd consider it near useless for
anything bigger than a pigeon.  Most people are larger than pigeons.
On the other hand, a 1/2 oz of lead at 1200 fps doesn't really know
what kind of gun it came from ... and at close ranges the 'sparse'
pattern of a .410 doesn't show up as an issue...  IF you can find any 
buckshot loaded in .410, it will have far far fewer pelets than the 
12 guage load.  This means the likelyhood of a miss rises and the 
effectiveness of a hit drops.

The good points:  You can get some odd guns that are chambered for
.410 shotgun AND .45 Long Colt, which just happen to have the same
bore diameter despite the names.  These present interesting possibilities
for a gun nut looking to get an odd gun... but the original question
was for a novice looking for a simple direct choice (i.e. not in the
96th percentile of some odd preference, but in the 1 standard deviation
from the norm and wanting to know what the largest modal point was...
so this isn't a good thing to recommend to them...)  The .410 has damn
near no kick.  Even a frail 90 lb grandma with osteoporosis should be
able to handle it with ease.  The guns are usually sized as kids guns,
so small frame folks can get something that fits (where 12 guage pumps
are sized for State Troupers...).  They are often cheap, since they
are marketed to the 'kids market' as a first shotgun.

If someone wants a .410 for home defense (due to size or strength
limits) Mossberg makes an interesting gun.  The Model HS410 Home Security
(yup, the name is HS410 Home Security.  guess what market it's aimed
at?).  The specs are .410 bore.  Takes both 2 1/2" and 3" shells (so you
can use most any .410 ammo you can find).  Barrel is 18" long (as short
as legally allowed).  Weight 6 1/4 lbs.  Features:  Synthetic (plastic)
stock, pistol grip forearm, spreader choke, rubber recoil pad (to make
the negibible recoil truely non-existent I guess...), muzzle brake (which
seems to be really going overboard on recoil suppression),  cablelock
(to keep it secure from kids?), Home Security video tape, optional laser
site integral with forearm (for folks who really don't know how to 
aim?  Or just want that movie set look?).  Price:  $308 ($561 w/laser sight).

The Shooters Bible doesn't list the number of rounds, but it looks like
the magazine runs the whole 18" bbl. I'd guess 6-8 rounds.

So, yes, you can get a .410 pump shotgun (in full combat dress, no less)
for home security if the thought of a 12 guage and even a 20 guage
intimidates you (or is not appropriate due to size, age, etc ...).

Remington makes a 1/5 oz. slug in .410 (this is about 87 grains or about
the size of a light .380 slug.).  I'd go with the 1/2 oz or 11/16 oz
loads of #4 or #6 shot myself...

>these may be dumb questions....

No question, asked in good faith, is dumb... Now answers, that's another 
thing entirely ;-)

Hope my 'dumb answers' help ...


-- 

E. Michael Smith  ems@apple.COM

'Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has
 genius, power and magic in it.'  -  Goethe

I am not responsible nor is anyone else.  Everything is disclaimed.
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