The 410 shotgun is the shotgun world’s equivalent of the iconic .22LR.
Light kicking and a bunch of fun to shoot, a 410 shotgun is the first foray into shotguns for many young hunters and shooters. However, they aren’t only for younger shooters and are still capable in the upland bird fields on the shoulder of an adult hunter.
Read on to learn more about choosing the best 410 shotgun.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 410 Shotguns
- OUR TOP PICK: Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon
- BEST 410 SHOTGUN FOR THE MONEY: Remington 1100
- BEST 410 PUMP SHOTGUN: Mossberg 510 Youth Mini Super Bantam
Comparison of the Best 410 Shotguns
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What to Watch For When Buying a 410 Shotgun
While still fully capable in their own right, the 410 shotgun definitely lacks the range and firepower of larger gauges. Let’s take a quick dive into the world of 410 shotguns and learn some more about them.
This Section Written By:
Brian Belko
Expert Author
Brian is an experienced freelance writer and technical writer who has previously written for publications such as Wide Open Spaces, Bigfoot Gun Belts, Alien Gear Holsters, and Kampgrounds of America. He brings both a passion for writing and a love of the outdoors to his published content.
Aside from writing and the outdoors, Brian enjoys gardening, being a co-host on The Nostalgia Blast Podcast, and learning to code.
Know Their Limits
This is one of the most important things to consider when shopping for a 410 shotgun. When used within those limits, a 410 shotgun is a perfectly capable hunting tool. Good shotgun hunters can take birds up to the size of a pheasant at ranges of about 30 yards and below. The shot pattern quickly spreads out too much to be useful past that. If you can resist taking longer shots while hunting, then a 410 shotgun will serve you well in the field.
Not Only for Kids
A common misconception is that 410 shotguns are “kids guns”, but this mostly comes from the low level of recoil they have. While that does make them more kid-friendly than a 12 gauge, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best shotgun to start out with.
This is especially true on moving targets. The limited range and shot patterns can lead to frustration instead of enjoyment. Using a 410 shotgun on stationary or straight away targets is a good place to start for kids. However, experienced shotgunners will have a lot of fun wing shooting with 410 shotguns.
Photo credit: businessinsider.com
Not a Gauge
Despite being commonly called a 410 gauge shotgun, the word gauge is a misnomer in this case. The 410 number is actually a caliber and isn’t a gauge at all. When using the terms correctly, a 410 shotgun would actually be a 67 gauge shotgun. However, referring to 410 as a gauge has become so common that ammunition manufacturers label boxes of shells with “.410 Ga.”.
In the Turkey Woods
With advancements in ammo, namely the development of tungsten super shot loads in 410 size, the 410 shotgun is beginning to find more of a home in the turkey woods. It is still vitally important to pay attention to range limitations to ensure you are making ethical shots. As long as the turkey is within safe firing range, 410 shotguns with the TSS loads are fine to use. Especially if you like to call in tom turkeys as close as possible before squeezing the trigger.
Review of the Best 410 Shotguns
Read, understand, and choose one for yourself. These shotguns have been compiled after comprehensive research and include some of the most popular and high-performing 410 shotguns.
Best Overall:
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon has been one of the most highly rated and professionally used sports shotguns for quite some time now. So it was obvious not to find any negative customer impressions about the build quality, performance, or customer service.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This gun hits the gold standard of a 410 caliber shotgun. It is the best you can buy for this caliber. The double-barrel allows you to use two chokes simultaneously. Plus the simplistic design makes it more reliable and easy to clean. The aesthetics are just amazing and the gun points really well.
Who Will Use This Most
This shotgun is ideal for skeet shooting and bird hunting. Being an over/under, the application for clay sports is quite obvious. Plus the double barrel design and perfect swing (with a rib barrel) are suitable for hunting fast-moving birds.
Bottom Line
The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I is a high-end sporting and bird hunting shotgun that’ll bring the best out of your 410 bore shotshells. The gun is priced exorbitantly since it was designed for pro shooters and professional uses. But anyway, it is a gun that will last for generations and still not get obsolete.
Best 410 Shotgun for the Money:
Remington 1100
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The action of the shotgun is smooth and reliable. The gun has an impeccable finish, plus the vent rib barrel is very pointable and helps with the accuracy. The finish of the gun is just amazing and justifies the price tag.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Remington 1100 is a classic shotgun and has been around for more than 5 decades now. It’s flawless gas operating system runs smooth as butter and seldom causes any jamming issues. It is one of those rare 410 shotguns that come with an interchangeable choke system.
Who Will Use This Most
The gun is perfect for competitions and hunting. Spending this much money is not very appropriate for a 410 shotgun. So casual shooters won’t like it very much. However, it works perfectly for clay shooting competitions and is also widely used for hunting birds.
Bottom Line
The Remington 1100 is a classic shotgun available in a wide range of calibers. This gun features a high-end design and has a gas-operated action which works reliably with almost every 410 load you feed.
Best 410 Pump Shotgun:
Mossberg 510 Youth Mini Super Bantam
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The Mossberg 510 Youth Mini Super Bantam is a very well-built and compact pump-action 410 shotgun with an utterly reliable feeding mechanism and an ability to handle 3” shells. The gun is pretty light and has a simple build. The price is just amazing, given that it is meant for young shooters.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Mossberg 510 is a complete pump-action shotgun chambered for the 410 bore shells. It has the reliable mechanics of the Mossberg 500 and an adjustable stock to suit the shooter for years to come. The full camo finish is a plus and the compact plus lightweight design makes it very maneuverable and intuitive to use.
Who Will Use This Most
The gun was designed specifically for young shooters in mind. This is the perfect pump-action shotgun to introduce your young ones to shotguns. Especially for kids below 14 years. The gun is also suitable for small-framed shooters and women, as it allows LOP adjustments using spacers. Perfect for hunting and fun shooting.
Bottom Line
The 510 super bantam is a compact and reliable shotgun for young shooters. It features an ideal price tag and is complete in all respects compared to a normal 12 gauge pump action. A worthwhile investment for young shooters or people who only trust Mossberg.
Best 410 Shotgun Pistol:
Bond Arms Texas Defender
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The gun is extremely well built and doesn’t malfunction. This gun allows the user to interchange barrels which is a plus for many buyers. However, some users reported the gun and trigger to be heavy. Others found it quite useful.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The gun allows you to switch calibers by interchanging the barrels. This is a small and compact gun which can be concealed with ease. The gun has less moving parts and has an over/under style barrel system which doesn’t malfunction and shoots all loads you feed.
Who Will Use This Most
The gun can be used as a backup firearm in your truck. Or it can be used for eradicating pests and varmints from a close range. The gun is more of a novel firearm due to its low capacity and ergonomics. But switching calibers is an amazing feature nonetheless.
Bottom Line
The Texas Defender shoots .45 and .410 caliber rounds and is a concealable firearm. However, it is more of a novel backup weapon and finds limited use. The ability to change calibers is a plus.
Best 410 Shotgun for Home Defense:
Mossberg Model 500 Classic
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
There have been buyers who have been using this shotgun for about two decades and haven’t encountered a malfunction or damage. The gun is very well built and works perfectly well in all weather conditions. The follow-up shots are very quick and positive, as is the portability of this gun.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Mossberg 500 is a renowned defense weapon. Not only among civilians but also among defense personnel. Using a 410 round for home defense is a different debate. But if you have to shoot it, this is the shotgun you’ll want to be using.
Who Will Use This Most
This is an amazing home defense weapon chambered in the 410 bore. However, the gun can also be used for hunting vermin, small game, and birds. The pump action is a reliable feeding mechanism if you are accustomed to it.
Bottom Line
The Mossberg 500 is a known and tested self-defense weapon. It is an all-purpose shotgun and a workhorse. It will allow you to utilize the maximum potential and application of the 410 caliber in all weather conditions.
Best 410 Shotgun for Hunting:
ATI Nomad
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A very pleasing factor for buyers was the appearance of this gun. Despite being a synthetic stock, the checkering is both beautiful and ergonomic. The gun is built well and feels classy when held. The action is reliable and the gun points really well. Capacity is not an issue since the buyer knows what he/she is paying for.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The ATI Nomad is a simple and reliable shotgun that’ll continue firing flawlessly for decades. Maybe even generations. It is very easy to maintain and has a price tag you won’t even blink an eye upon. Although the capacity limits the rate of fire, it’s prospective game targets don’t need to be shot at twice.
Who Will Use This Most
An expert’s gun for expert shooters. Hunting with a single shot is not spray and pray. Single shots work on a ‘one shot, one kill’ principle, so this gun is for pro hunters. Additionally, it can be used to teach beginners the basics of shotgun handling and also improve one’s hunting skills.
Bottom Line
Shooters who like classic single-shot shooting will love this gun. The gun is super inexpensive and costs close to $100. Nobody will fret spending that amount on a rarely used .410 shotgun. A great gun for beginners and skilled hunters.
5. Henry Repeating Arms Lever Shotgun
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, the buyers widely appraise this shotgun for its performance and accuracy. The gun is built well and works flawlessly with zero feeding issues (except for a short-stroke). It is exceptionally accurate in the 30-40 yard range and is quite fun to shoot.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The ergonomics and dimensions of this gun are perfect. This is the only 410 shotgun that everybody in the family will want to shoot. The size is compact, and the 6 shot capacity is perfect. The smooth and reliable action combined with the accuracy makes it an ideal and interesting 410 shotgun.
Who Will Use This Most
This gun is a workhorse, and a collectors item. It’s pointability, swing, and accuracy make it a good clay shooting shotguns. Whereas the compact design helps with hunting down vermin. Being a lever-action this gun is very fun to shoot and will be liked by shooters from all age groups.
Bottom Line
While this may seem a vague addition to this list. Lever action rifles have ruled the firearms market for decades before the onset of the modern era. This is an all-purpose 410 shotgun that’ll suit collectors, clay shooters, hunters, and casual plinkers.
Best 410 Youth Shotgun:
Rossi Single Shot Tuffy
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The Tuffy is a super-affordable 410 shotgun which features a durable build and has been accessorized with everything you can ask. The gun points well, shoots well, and is very easy to carry and store. Users widely appreciated it as an entry-level turkey gun.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The gun is simple, easy-to-maintain, and allows the user to mount optics and chokes. The shell holders allow you to carry extra shells and grab them instantly when needed. The removable buttplate makes it suitable for both young shooters and adults. Plus the low price and indestructible stock are also very lucrative features.
Who Will Use This Most
This shotgun is ideal for hunting turkey and other birds and vermin. The gun is very lightweight and compact, allowing the user to carry it with ease. This is a great beginner’s gun and the single-shot capacity makes it a safe entry-level gun as well. Usable both by the kids and their parents.
Bottom Line
The Rossi Tuffy .410 is an ideal beginner shotgun for hunting and practice. The gun allows you to mount accessories without making any adjustments and costs far too less than other shotguns on the market.
Best 410 Semi-Auto Shotgun:
T R Imports Silver Eagle XT3 Tactical
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The gun is very durable and packed with features. It compares to an AR when it comes to tactical design. The detachable box magazine changes easily and the shotgun cycles very smoothly. The weight (11 lbs) was a concern for some users, but it could be overcome with practice.
Why it Stands Out to Us
As the name itself suggests, this gun is very tactical and feature-packed. Not that it is very suitable for a caliber like the .410. But that isn’t even a consideration when looking at its amazing price. The gun cycles smoothly, reloads quickly, and converts the 410 to an AR caliber.
Who Will Use This Most
The gun is perfect for AR lovers, who are obsessed with the function and fit of those rifles and want their .410 to be along the same lines. The gun is good for casual shooting, range use and hunting. People who get fascinated by new and unique designs will also like it.
Bottom Line
The Silver Eagle XT3 is a tactical shotgun chambered in the .410 ga caliber. It has an adjustable stock, removable muzzle brake, top & handguard rails, A2 handle, and a detachable 5 round box magazine.
Best 410 Double Barrel Shotgun:
Chiappa Firearms 536
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The design, fit, and finish of this shotgun has been meticulously crafted to bring out a beautiful and flawless shotgun. Finding a good double-barrel shotgun at this price is quite rare, but the Chiappa 536 suits that role perfectly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The gun has been machined to exact tolerances and with absolutely no errors. The mechanical reset trigger eliminates any chances of misfires. While the set of 5 interchangeable chokes offers versatile adaptability for different shooting applications.
Who Will Use This Most
The gun is suitable for people who like classic firearms and are more into precision shooting and hunting. This is an SxS shotgun and will be suitable for activities like bird hunting and vermin eradication.
Bottom Line
The Chiapp 536 is an affordable, well-built and reliable firearm chambered in .410 ga. The shotgun requires little maintenance and shoots accurately within its effective range. The manual safety, extractors, and mechanical selective triggers make it a suitable and complete SxS .410 ga shotgun.
What is a 410 Shotgun?
A shotgun chambered for the .410 bore shells is known as a 410 shotgun. It is also called “the experts gun” for good reasons. The .410 bore is the equivalent of 67 gauge when referring to normal shotgun gauges(10, 12, 16, 20, or 28). Hence, the correct designation for these rounds is .410 bore. But since they are used in shotguns, people often call them .410 gauge.
A 410 shotgun is widely used for pest control, clay shooting and hunting small game like rabbits. These shotguns have very low recoil and are more controllable, which makes them great for young shooters. These guns can also be used for larger game like coyote or deer, but with heavy loads and good accuracy-skills.
Are All .410 Shotguns The Same
.410 shotguns are similar to other normal shotguns in function and design. They can be pump-action operated, lever-action, semi-automatic, over/under, single barrel or double barrel. Some semi-auto models can even be magazine-fed for fun or function.
While some shotguns are good for range use and practice. Others can be good for shooting sports or hunting. Some models come ready to accept accessories, whereas others feature a very complete or stringent design and do not need accessorization.
Additionally, these guns also differ in price. Those intended for precision uses like competitions tend to have a higher price tag. Than ones suitable for plinking or pest control. Obviously with a few quality differences.
Characteristics of Our Favorite 410 Shotguns
Reliability
A good 410 bore shotgun must be utterly reliable and perform its job with precision. These shotguns come in a variety of mechanisms, but reliability should be the first and foremost factor for consideration.
Photo credit: thetruthaboutguns.com
Design
A good .410 shotgun must be lightweight since the caliber doesn’t deliver too much recoil and the compact size helps with pointability. All the shotguns reviewed on our list have a perfect balance of weight and size to perform exceptionally well in their trades.
Accuracy and Chokes
Accuracy is an important consideration for 410 caliber shotguns, given their small bore size and tight spread. Also, look out for choke compatibility and if the gun comes packaged with a set of chokes or not.
Pros and Cons of .410 Shotguns
Let's cover the considerations you should have to decide if a .410 is the best option for you:
Pros
Below are the main benefits of .410s:
Lightweight and Easy Handling
The .410 is the lightest commonly used shotgun caliber and has a negligible recoil. Even lower than a 28 gauge. Due to this, 410 shotguns are generally very lightweight and easy to handle. Plus it is also considerably less noisy than most other calibers.
Small Game Hunting
410 shotguns are perfect for hunting small game and vermin like rabbits, squirrels, rats, coyotes or even deer. These round pack the optimal amount of punch to ensure a small target doesn’t get obliterated entirely and shredded into pieces. Thus bringing meat to the table.
Great Starter Shotgun
Due to its low recoil, lightweight design and easy handling, these are popularly used as youth shotguns. Especially for kids younger than 14 years of age. It is also an effective option for recoil sensitive people.
Cons
Below are the main downfalls of this caliber:
Limited Applications
The .410 ga is not a very powerful caliber. Which limits its applications to a large extent.
Henry Repeating Arms Lever Shotgun
The round is not suitable for hunting any game bigger than a coyote or deer and is often in jeopardy to be used as a home defense round.
Expensive Ammo
A box of .410 ga shells can cost thrice as much as a 12 ga. While the shells themselves are smaller and pack lesser pallets. The cost is influenced by the demand and supply factor.
Tighter Choke
.410 ga shotguns have a very constricted spread of pellets, which limits their ability to be used for long-range or fast-moving targets. However, a shooter skilled with the caliber can perform exceptionally well and that’s why it is called an expert’s gun.
How to Clean a 410 Shotgun
Different shotguns will have different cleaning procedures depending upon their type. A lever action, pump action, semi-auto, over/under, SxS, and single-shot will have a different disassembly process.
The simplest guns are the easiest to clean. That said, over/unders, double barrels, and single shots can be cleaned within minutes. Just take a 410 bore brush and a bore snake or bore cleaning rod. Along with some patches and a cleaning solvent. Pull the rod/snake in and out of the barrel switching between brushes and patches.
You often don’t need to disassemble the shotgun and you can push in the bore rod from the muzzle end. For a detailed disassembly, you can refer to your users manual.
The entire cleaning process for a 410 shotgun has been simplified in this video below. So make sure to check it out for detailed directions.
Conclusion
A 410 shotgun is a lightweight, inexpensive and reliable choice for eradicating pests and hunting varmints or small game. The shells do pack a lesser punch but also have a very light recoil. While these shotguns are great for beginners, hunting and clay sports. A 410 shotgun can work wonders in the hands of a skilled shooter.
People Also Ask
People are very often confused and jeopardized when making a decision to buy a .410 shotgun. While it can be a useful gun for some, for others it will be more of a collector’s item. So let’s get answers to some very common questions about these shotguns.
Can a 410 Shotgun Kill a Human?
Yes. The 410 is the least powerful caliber, but it is still a shotgun round. Any bullet can kill a human if shot from the right distance and at a fatal point of impact. While a .410 shell carries a lesser load than a 12 or 20-gauge, it still packs similar velocity in the pellets.
Can a 410 Shotgun Kill a Deer?
Yes. However, shooting deer with .410 slugs is illegal in some jurisdictions across the US. A .410 shotgun can kill a deer with the right shot placement and if fired closer than 35 yards. However, if the placement is not right. It will end up only injuring the deer.
What is the Gauge of a .410 Shotgun?
A .410 shotgun shell is technically 67 gauge. The correct designation for these shells is .410 bore (.410 of an inch) and not .410 gauge. It is more of a caliber than a shotgun gauge. But since the ammo is cased as shotgun shells and used in shotguns. Companies started marketing it as a .410 gauge.
What is the Effective Range of a 410 Shotgun?
The consistent effective range of a 410 shotgun is about 40 yards. However, 25-30 yards will be a safer bet if you are out hunting varmints. Plus some shells can be effective as far as 50 yards for clays. This also depends upon the type of load you are using.
Photo credit: outdoorlife.com
Can I Shoot 45 Colt in a 410 Shotgun?
No, since it would be very unsafe and you’ll either end up blowing your fingers off or getting the spent case stuck in the barrel. The 410 bore diameter is 0.410 inches whereas the 45 colt is 0.450 - 0.454 inches in diameter. Don’t do that unless the gun manufacturer mentions so. Like with the Bond Arms Texas Defender Shotgun Pistol mentioned above.
Why Are 410 Shells so Expensive?
A big reason for this is the low popularity of the caliber. 410 shotguns are great for vermin and pests, but they are not an all-purpose shotgun like a 12 gauge. So they are used less often, translating to lower demand. Hence they are expensive for the factories to keep up the cost. Despite the size, the production machinery and setup are quite the same for all calibers.
Will a 410 Kill a Pheasant?
Yes. As far as you respect the capabilities of a .410 shell, you’ll bring down pheasants just fine. The .410 shotguns help a shooter in improving his/s/her hunting skills given the limitations and the amount of precision and accuracy you require for these low powered shells.
Is a 410 Good For Home Defense?
It is better than having nothing on hand, obviously. A .410 shotgun can kill a two-legged social predator with the right shot placement. Additionally, the gun is more controllable due to its low recoil and the shells have limited penetration. The .410 pellets are also very tight at close range and the gun itself is very lightweight and maneuverable.
Is a 410 Powerful?
A 410 is powerful enough pertaining to rudimentary expectations. A .410 shotgun has a muzzle energy of about 600 foot-pounds. Comparatively, a 12 gauge 2-¾” 00 buckshot will deliver around 1900 foot-pounds of energy. A .410 shell about half as powerful as a 20 gauge and almost three times less powerful than a 12 gauge.
