Sort of morbid, but I am curious....

Critch

Critch

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I don't think I have read any news items where someone defended themselves with a .410/.45 Colt revolver like the Governor.

What are the real life stopping power stories of those .410 shells...I know what a .45 Colt will do...
 
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Good ballistics from the 12ft mark. But spreads out after that. Just from targets... Don't know on flesh.
 
I don't have any data. My reasons are the perception that the pain from multiple projectiles should stop an attack...of course, I have .45LC hollow points following up.
 
Unless the .410 is loaded with slugs, I'd think the shot charge would dissipate rapidly as range increases.

I have a pal who relies on one of those things for home defense. Unless the range is very short, I doubt the .410 is all that potent. And the guns are large and clumsy.

The .45 Colt is very effective. But I prefer it in a conventional revolver.

I think you'll find it hard to locate instances where those odd guns have been used. At contact distances, the .410 probably causes a severe wound. But the gun is also exposed to a grab if someone gets close. A more compact handgun is more retainable in a struggle.

If anyone here knows how a conventional .410 shotgun has performed in defense, I'd be curious. As a boy, my only gun was a single-shot .410 until I got a Webley revolver at 13. I got a Colt M-1917 .45 at 16 and a .303 rifle in between. I can tell you, I relied on revolvers instead of that .410.

If you were in the Civil War , would you want a LeMat or a Colt or Remington .44? I bet that even Jeb Stuart had other handguns than his LeMat.

I've eaten doves and ducks that I shot with a .410. But that gun has a 30" full-choke barrel and was usually used within 25 yards. I think a 12 or 20 ga. is a much better bird gun. If a large, aggressive man is after me, I think he'd need more stopping power than a dove weighing a few ounces. And one shot kills even on doves were by no means routine.
 
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I remember when those revolvers hit the market everyone was talking about how effective they probably are..however, I shot a lot of 410s in my life and I know they lose a lot their "umph" fairly quickly..

I shot a ground hog with a 410 slug one time at about 30 feet or so and it knocked him *** over tea kettle...but that's a small animal and fairly close...

No one wants to be shot with anything for sure...but an enraged attacker may be more than a .410, even those fancy ones, can handle...
 
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Forgetting for a second that we are talking short pistol barrels....The 410 has gotten a rep as a whimpy round despite the fact that even a 2 1/2" game load is throwing a 1/2 oz of lead at 1200 fps out of a normal shotgun barrel. Think of that in terms of a 230 gr 45 acp round doing 350 fps faster than normal ball ammo and it kind of gets you thinking ( about not wanting to be on the receiving end.). That's some significant muzzle energy!
 
I wouldn't depend on a 410 as much as a 45 unless maybe it was across a regular sized room. I don't think that it would do anymore damage than a 45 inside that room either and accuracy would still be needed. 3 pieces of 00 buck? even with smaller shot your not putting out more lead than a 45 slug. I don't believe it is a superior to a decent handgun under any defense situation. Sorry, but, to me the the Governor and it clones are only interesting novelties. They will work, but, have you ever heard of a police or military organization opting for a 410 under any circumstances? 410 is for rabbits, doves, rats etc. It will work for other stuff, but then a 22 will kill a bear too, just not going to be my first choice.

No, I don't want to be shot with one, or a 22 short either, pellet guns are also off my want to be shot with list.
 
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I wouldn't want one fired in my direction, I don't care how close, it would black me up some.
 
Hey Critch,

I just bought one for my new CCW. Took me 17 months and some 8 guns later to find my ultimate tool. And it's the last gun I ever buy as well as my 60th birthday present.

I'm not looking to kill anyone (but if it happens so be it) I'd like though to stop the threat, but I also realize and understand my capabilities so if I can at least slow the threat down I'm still better off than with a stick.

And I don't care how hoped up someone may be on drugs or booze a .410 to the face gives you a chance to get away or come with your choice of .45 In my case I'll be running the first cylinder with with LC or Schofield and reloads will be .45 G.A.P.

It will be my do all gun for both CCW and house. Perhaps the best purchase I have ever made or at least in the top 5 anyway.

Good luck with your decision.
 
I would think a .410 with buckshot would work well. a 2 1/2" .410 has
3(?) 000 buck?
 
In May of 2010 a Denver homeowner used a governor to repel a group of three intruders that kicked their way into his home. It was initially reported that the teen burglar was shot multiple times in the head and died. They later reported that it was determined that it was one shell from the weapon that fired multiple projectiles, so buckshot was lethal in that case.
The news reported the "victim" died on the porch. He appeared to have a weapon, was shot, and the other two perpetrators ran off.
While it's tragic that a 17 year old was killed; they had earlier broken into other homes that night, and just picked the wrong guy to end their crime spree with.
 
mcmaniac said:
In May of 2010 a Denver homeowner used a governor to repel a group of three intruders that kicked their way into his home. It was initially reported that the teen burglar was shot multiple times in the head and died. They later reported that it was determined that it was one shell from the weapon that fired multiple projectiles, so buckshot was lethal in that case.
The news reported the "victim" died on the porch. He appeared to have a weapon, was shot, and the other two perpetrators ran off.
While it's tragic that a 17 year old was killed; they had earlier broken into other homes that night, and just picked the wrong guy to end their crime spree with.
Click to expand...

Well, it was a Taurus Judge, but who's counting. Here's an interesting quote from the story:

"Kutchin grabbed his loaded handgun- a Taurus Judge- so named because judges carry this type of weapon in their courtrooms for self- defense."

And here's the story, one of the better followup stories I found:

Make My Day Shooter: "I Did the Right Thing"

The Denver media apparently termed him the "Make My Day Shooter."
 
Half the time they can't even get the type of gun right. They say revolver and you see the crime scene pic with a semi auto. Or they say semi auto and you see a push mower or a tire iron. If they actually said 410 I think it would be banned in a nano second because it would go like this.....the individual shot several people with a four hundred and ten caliber weapon

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
Arik said:
Half the time they can't even get the type of gun right. They say revolver and you see the crime scene pic with a semi auto. Or they say semi auto and you see a push mower or a tire iron. If they actually said 410 I think it would be banned in a nano second because it would go like this.....the individual shot several people with a four hundred and ten caliber weapon

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

They say assault rifle when it`s a stick with a nail in it.
Im being sarcastic, I hope.
Jim
 
mcmaniac said:
In May of 2010 a Denver homeowner used a governor to repel a group of three intruders that kicked their way into his home. It was initially reported that the teen burglar was shot multiple times in the head and died. They later reported that it was determined that it was one shell from the weapon that fired multiple projectiles, so buckshot was lethal in that case.
The news reported the "victim" died on the porch. He appeared to have a weapon, was shot, and the other two perpetrators ran off.
While it's tragic that a 17 year old was killed; they had earlier broken into other homes that night, and just picked the wrong guy to end their crime spree with.
Click to expand...

Tragic a 17 year old died? Nah... he had a weapon. I say lucky and good he died before he was able to hurt or kill a real innocent person in their home.

Had I been in that home owners position it would have been buck shot alright I'd have used....just the 12ga version. ;)
 
Other than for shooting snakes, I don't see why one would load a Governor with 410 anyway for defense.

I'd probably go with a good hollow point 45 ACP round for home defense or carry.

Proven track record for more than a century.

But, then I'd opt for something smaller and lighter like a M60 J frame if I wanted to carry it.
 
Critch said:
I don't think I have read any news items where someone defended themselves with a .410/.45 Colt revolver like the Governor.

What are the real life stopping power stories of those .410 shells...I know what a .45 Colt will do...
Click to expand...

There have been two publicized use of the .410 Judge/Governor in shootings in Oklahoma, and neither came out well. That's not enough of a sample to generalize.

One pharmacist shot at two robbers less than 5 yds away and hit one in the head with one pellet. He completely missed the one he was aiming at, the one with the gun, who ran out of the store. The pharmacist ran out of the store and emptied the gun down the street, hitting nothing. He came back into the store and executed the unarmed robber on the floor, for which he is serving life in prison. :(

The other was less dramatic, simply involving the clerk shooting the store to pieces and hitting nobody. :eek:

I'm sure there are others, but I have no more specific info.
 
Stopsign32v said:
Can anyone explain to me why they would use a pistol for home defense?
Click to expand...

It is always on me, and sometimes that's all I have close enough. The most unlikely event possible at the strangest time possible is more likely than the scenario you plan for.
 
Our department worked an incident wherein an elderly gentleman shot his daughter's biker boyfriend who had just beaten her and was approaching the old man to do the same to him. A Taurus Judge loaded with 2.5" #4's did an effective job of neutering the thug when the would be victim "crotched" him from about 8 feet away. The Grand Jury ruled it justifiable and we returned his revolver to him. Score one for the good guys.
 
Muss Muggins said:
I think a Governor is probably one of the best hallway guns ever conceived . . .
Click to expand...

We are all given our birth right of an opinion but I'd disagree strongly with you. Short barrel, small and weak round, handgun that can easily be taken from you and used against you, no way to attach a light, and then the list goes on.

Best hallway gun is a 10ga-20ga shotgun in either pump or semi auto with a sling and 18.5" barrel shooting buck shot. That's my opinion.

Huge range of shot from 3.5" 0 buck to a light recoil #1 buckshot with a nice flight control wad.

Never limit yourself to a pistol unless you HAVE to (example out in public).

Muss Muggins said:
If I have pockets on, I always carry, and the Muggins family has a fairly hard and fast rule about wearing pants. I live in a great neighborhood with nice neighbors, a school adjoining the backyard, and a big high fence about the place. It is precisely because I'm relaxed and unafraid that I carry about the house. That's when bad things happen.
Click to expand...

I don't pocket carry so again that wouldn't work for me. I'd rather holster up with my 43 and have 9 rounds of Underwood 9mm +p+ over 5 rounds of 38. But if that is your jam, rock on!
 
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Stopsign32v said:
Can anyone explain to me why they would use a pistol for home defense?
Click to expand...

Because it's what I practice with, and over the course of over 45 years of practice, I'm quite good, even with point shooting. I haven't shot a shot gun in decades, whereas I was shooting pistols just this morning. I can keep a pistol close to me so there's less chance of someone grabbing it. The 45 has night sights and a laser, and can be reloaded a lot faster than a shotgun. Rifles have the same disadvantage as a shotgun in they stick out, and unless you go with a mild caliber, you risk over penetration.


Your turn.
 
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Stopsign32v said:
We are all given our birth right of an opinion but I'd disagree strongly with you. Short barrel, small and weak round, handgun that can easily be taken from you and used against you, no way to attach a light, and then the list goes on.

Best hallway gun is a 10ga-20ga shotgun in either pump or semi auto with a sling and 18.5" barrel shooting buck shot. That's my opinion.

Huge range of shot from 3.5" 0 buck to a light recoil #1 buckshot with a nice flight control wad.

Never limit yourself to a pistol unless you HAVE to (example out in public).



I don't pocket carry so again that wouldn't work for me. I'd rather holster up with my 43 and have 9 rounds of Underwood 9mm +p+ over 5 rounds of 38. But if that is your jam, rock on!
Click to expand...

You ever been in a fight in a hallway carrying a shotgun with both hands? What if the issue you're confronting suddenly doesn't warrant deadly force, and you have to try to quickly sling that shotgun to free your hands? What if you have to use a hand to do, I don't know, anything, like flip a switch, open a door, move an object, etc. Talk about something easily snatched from your grasp. I don't know about your house, but in mine, as in most, a person lying wait around a corner can get both hands on the barrel of a long gun as it precedes your advance before you can say "Uh Oh." As for a light, I'm not a huge fan of them in home defense. I know my house better than you do, and it's never pitch dark. Lastly, my Governor is variously loaded with .410 slugs or 000, .45 Long Colt, or .45 ACP. Call it what you will, but I would decline to call any of those rounds "small and weak." And the list goes on . . .

All of your points are duly noted, but you roll your way and I'll roll mine.
 
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