If a .410 is all you have, then use it until you get something better. I'd recommend getting a 20ga pump. You should be able to get a Mossberg pump used for 100-150. All you need then is a shorter barrel OR you could buy a dedicated defense pump with a 18" barrel.
__________________ Sometimes you earthlings REALLY amaze me!
Forget the upper body aim point. A load of pepper shot above the knees and below the belt buckle from a revolver is guaranteed to make the eyes of a home invader seriously water, so a load of .410 number 8 shot in the same place is just as effective. With .410 or .22, the need is to incapacitate immediately by a presumably inexperienced person. So I would go for a double barreled gun. The reason the British preferred double barreled rifles for dangerous game was for that immediately available fast second shot. Lots of old but still good doubles out there. I bought an off brand oldie for $75 in a gun shop, cut it back from 30 to 26 inches for home defense. Big surprise, it's a great grouse gun in heavy cover! It's an open bore, but "Old Deadly" rarely misses up close!
They get peanut butter on your guns, and shoot up all your .22 ammo.
I cant believe the youngins would have that kind of access to peanut butter!
But seriously, there are dedicated .410 HD guns out there. Pick a shotshell, like the federal, and start practicing with it, so she knows how its gonna handle and can get comfortable with it.
Its still a shotgun! It'll work!
__________________ Desire for greatness doesnt have a bedtime.
If a .410 is all you have, then use it until you get something better. I'd recommend getting a 20ga pump. You should be able to get a Mossberg pump used for 100-150. All you need then is a shorter barrel OR you could buy a dedicated defense pump with a 18" barrel.
I agree with stalkingbear. A 20 gauge pump would definitly be more effective that a .410 single.
And a pump shotgun isn't too complicated of a weapon to use either . So you're wife shouldn't have a rough time learning how to use it.
If your wife know's that when you have a Perp. You only shoot when they show signs of hostility or if they have a gun. Taking a Life is the last means of defense.
I have a very basic knowledge of the power of guns, But I think a .410 would do just fine. If all else fails, Teach your wife to be good at scaring people with it. Becuz late at night, In the dark, If I see a person with a shotgun I doubt my first thought would be, "Oh it's just a .410 It can't do anything." Its gonna be more like "OH S*** SHES GOT A GUN."
__________________ "Happiness is a Belt-fed weapon"
Especially, if it's out of a Taurus Judge/Public Defender. I'd still have four more behind it, if needed.
There's a LOT of choices in ammo for that gun. 45 COLT ain't no wimpy round...
Linear Mode
