I'm looking for a lightweight short barrel pump .410 for a nightstand (near) home defense weapon. Can't legally own a Judge or Governor in CA. Anyone have any suggestions on the gun or the concept? Thanks!

If you want to step up to 20 gauge, you can get the Remington 870 Express with a 26" Rem-choke barrel, for $350-$400. Even less if you get a used one.

The Wingmaster is available in .410 with a 25" modified choke barrel. Expect to pay about double what the Express goes for, and .410 ammo is more expensive.

Another 20 gauge option would be the Mossberg 500. They're comparable in price to the Express. I'm sure Mossberg has something available in .410, but I didn't look through everything to find it.

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Illegitimus Non Carborundum

I have a Mossberg 500 chambered in .410 for an HD gun that I bought for my wife to be able to handle.
PERFECT if you're looking for a .410 for defense.

18.5" barrel, pistol grip front stock, short, small package.
With Federal Personal Defense 000 Buckshot, its a nice defense tool.
The Mossberg part number is 50359.

Here's a couple links to check out.
O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. - Firearms, Shotguns, Rifles, Accessories, and Precision Machining
http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossb.../NEW/50359.jpg
Federal Premium Ammunition - Every Shot Counts

Does it have to be a 410??

20 gauge is more better. Certainty would not like to be hit with a 410 and new ammo but look up the actual tests of 410 .

But either way I like the Mossberg primarily due to the top mounted safety . None of the new guns are built like an older one.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I gave $200 OTD for a well used but properly cared for Mossy 500 .410 a while back. I had looked at many Remingtons in the well over $500 range and just couldn't spend the money. I bought slugs for it just in case I needed it for social purposes, but I'm not sure that I would make that my go-to HD gun. I guess you could... Mom kept a bolt action Mossy .410 under the bed for years, but when it came time to usher out an unwelcome visitor, she grabbed the Colt Cobra.

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This is out of the realm of the OP's post but I always thought a cool gun to modify would be a Valmet 412 o/u but that would be sacrilege to some. Would you be able to switch barrels on such a gun like a normal shotgun?

my wife's Mossberg homedefender 410 comes with a short synthetic stock (pistol grip added later.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wbCus9T6Cg

Attached Images

mossber1.jpg (38.9 KB, 15 views)

I personally think a 12 gauge would foot the bill a whole lot better than a .410 would. A .410 is fine for squirrels, rabbets, quail, or snakes, but I think it's a bit too small for 2 legged animals.

Does you LGS or Walmart even carry self defense type ammo in 410 flavor? 20ga would be much more available.

Yes, they both do. It's marketed toward the Judge crowd, but I'm wondering how it would do with a 22" barrel. Anyone know?

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Me thinks you meant to say, The Governor crowd......right?

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Ogy

$500 Remingtons must have been Wingmasters.

You can usually buy a Very Good - Excellent Remington Express for $225 - $250 here in western Kentucky. On my table I have NICE ones for $250 - a couple with ugly home done camo jobs for $225. All function very well.

Bekeart

They were Wingmasters. I like the old ones with the pretty blue finish.

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Doesn't Taurus make a Circuit Judge? I believe it's a lever action revolving long gun.