.410 shotgun enough for HD?

My LGS has a Shockwave in .410 for sale. Thing is pretty sweet, and I think it'd be better in case my wife had to use it, rather than my 590.

Is it a viable man stopper?

 

Connecticut? Unfortunately, that probably does limit what you can legally use for self-defense. Shot placement is key, even with a shotgun (especially with a "weak" shotgun). .410 slugs can put out comparable energy to 9mm handguns, which are definitely lethal with proper shot placement. Is she comfortable shooting .410 already? Have you had her try several firearms such as your 12ga? Find something she is comfortable with that has affordable trainer ammo and practice regularly. Center mass shot placement will likely do the trick particularly if you get into the "buckshot" rounds.

 

Try this. https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/410-critical-defense-2-1-2#!/

I keep a youth 20 ga for my wife with #3 buckshot. She has weak hands/wrists and can use the pump well. If I had a 410 pump I’d be just as comfortable as far as self defense.

 

They make .410 critical defense rounds. I have them in my Governor.

 

Yep, the .410 may be the least powered of the shotgun rounds but it will still end a threat. Shot placement is everything with self defense. Doesn't matter what you use if you miss.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make absolutely sure she gets A LOT of practice with it!! I can't emphasize that enough. The more familiar she is, the less stress she'll have if she ever has to use it for it's intended purpose.

 

Women can shoot a 12 gauge no problem.
When I met my Wife She claimed She could shoot a beer can in the air from the hip.
Of course I didnt believe Her.
She missed the first one and then proceeded to hit four in a row.
To say I was shocked would be the understatement of the Century!!!
Started calling Her Annie Oakley..

I'm sure some of you have experienced this......
When shooting a Gun with lots of recoil at a target you feel every bit of that recoil!!!
When Shooting at a Deer or Duck or a Home Intruder whatever you dont even notice the recoil.
You just have to get used to it.
Of course it doesn't work that way with a handgun since grip and wrist strength becomes an issue in the larger calibers.

The Shotgun was cut down to 1/8 of an inch over legal.

 

Ehh, we have a hi-cap mag ban, and they don't take too kindly to AR's, but otherwise I can pretty much buy what I want.

She has a gun (never carries), and she's shot my 12g before and was not a fan, lol.

 

I would prefer the 20g, and still might, but I just saw the .410 version in the store.

 

I have them for my Judge too. I assume they would do better out of a longer barrel which is why I'm considering the .410

 

One of my fav guns to shoot was my AR 410. I'd load the mag with slugs and sight it in on steel targets. Pretty sure those slugs will put the hurt on anyone trying to do harm in your house.

 

They can in general but some women can be intimidated by the recoil and may not want to shoot it anymore so that translates into not practicing with it. That's why the .410 or 20 guage is a good alternative.

 

Yep, that will certainly do it.

 

Yep, my gf can shoot a 12 gauge but she prefers something with less recoil.

 

I think so. And with less recoil, women would enjoy shooting something that doesn’t hurt when they shoot.

 

Yep, most women are recoil sensitive.

 

Yep!

 

We all do.

 

A .410 shotgun fired at a perpetrator that is in your home will definitely evoke a sense of curiosity on the part of the offender.

Additional shots will develop respect.

 

My sons .410 kicks way harder than my 12ga. Could be related to the youth size of his gun. He’s 25 now, so it’s not really a gun any of us use anymore.

 

A .410 may not be a "manstopper", but it will definitely make the offending party reconsider advancing forward. I certainly wouldn't want to be shot with one.