I saw my first .410 revolver on a deer hunt way back in 2007, after Taurus introduced its Judge revolver the previous year. Now, .410 revolvers have been around for nearly two decades and continue to gain in popularity. And there are some pretty good reasons for that.
.410 Revolvers: Utility Is Number 1
My brother’s hunting buddy had one, and my kids, who were in their early teens, just had to shoot it. Of course, the gun’s owner was happy to oblige them. We set out an old tin can about 5 yards away, and let the kids fire away at it. Afterward, I remember being impressed, but also surprised by how loud the little gun actually was. Weird first impression, I know.
At first blush, when I saw the Judge for the first time, I didn’t really see a reason for a .410 revolver. After all, there were 9mm pistols that were smaller, and .38 Special snubbies that were easier to carry and shoot accurately.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
The answer, of course, is utility. And much of that comes from the fact that these guns have rifled barrels, allowing pistol rounds to be shot accurately through them. Some shoot the .45 Colt round, while one type, the Smith & Wesson Governor, shoots .410 shotshell along with .45 Colt and .45 Auto ammunition.
This makes them a legitimate self-defense option. And, because of recent improvements in .410 ammunition for self-defense purposes, they’re also useful in defensive situations with shotgun shells in the cylinder.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Where the shotgun advantage really shines, though, is as a snake or varmint gun. Pop a dangerous viper in the head with .410 birdshot, and you won’t have to worry about being bitten afterward.
The same can be said for dispatching various varmints around the home, barn, or hunting camp. Of course, carried along as a deer season sidearm, these little pistols can provide you with a rabbit or squirrel for the stewpot later in the evening. It’s also a great sidearm for working around the farm, where a varmint or small game animal might need to be quickly and efficiently dispatched.
A Few To Consider
Taurus Judge
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
The Taurus Judge is, in fact, still around and has undergone several improvements and introduced several new models over the past nearly 20 years. One of the most popular is the Judge Public Defender.
Chambered for 2 ½-inch .410 shells or .45 Colt rounds, it is built on a compact frame, and the cylinder holds five rounds. Overall length is 7.75 inches, the barrel length is 2 inches, and the gun weighs 29 ounces unloaded. The frame and cylinder are made of alloy steel, while the barrel is steel with a matte black oxide finish.
It is a double-action/single-action revolver with a fixed rear sight and a fiber-optic front sight, making it easy to get on target quickly. The Public Defender is available in matte stainless, black polymer, or black polymer with a matte stainless cylinder.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Smith & Wesson Governor
Smith & Wesson introduced its answer to the .410 pistol dilemma, the Governor, in 2011. The Governor is a single-action/double-action revolver built on the company’s Z-frame. It is a stretched version of the robust N-frame, and then paired with a K-frame grip. With a 2.75-inch barrel and a lightweight scandium alloy or stainless steel frame, it weighs just around 30 ounces unloaded. So, it is manageable for its size.
What sets the Governor apart is its ability to chamber three different types of ammunition: 2 ½-inch .410 shotshells, .45 Colt, and .45 ACP (with included moon clips). This multi-caliber capability makes it one of the most adaptable firearms on the market. It is capable of tackling everything from self-defense to small game hunting.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
The Governor is 8.5 inches long and comes from the factory with two 6-round and three 2-round moon clips for use with .45 ACP.
Magnum Research BFR
Our final choice, the Magnum Research BFR,really stands out from the crowd. That’s because it’s a giant revolver. (Just take a guess at what BFR stands for!)
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
This behemoth is crafted from stainless steel, looks like a million bucks, and shoots .410 shotshells and .45 Colt ammo. It’s available with either a 7.5- or 5.25-inch barrel. The shorter version measures 12.75 inches overall, while the other measures an even 15 inches. The long-barreled .45/.410 BFR weighs a whopping 4.5 pounds. You won’t be carrying this baby concealed!
The BFR comes with a choke tube to improve pattern performance. However, shooters must remember to remove the tube before shooting .45 Colt ammo or .410 slugs. The cylinder holds six rounds, and it has a very crisp, light trigger compared to some other guns in the category.
.410 Revolvers Offer the Versatility People Love
Over the past nearly 20 years, the .410 revolver has gone from a “Who would need that?” gun to one that many people are proud to have in their safe or nightstand. And with the versatility these guns bring, who would blame them?
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
WHY OUR ARTICLES/REVIEWS DO NOT HAVE AFFILIATE LINKS
Affiliate links create a financial incentive for writers to promote certain products, which can lead to biased recommendations. This blurs the line between genuine advice and marketing, reducing trust in the content.
