Need Advice on Modification Plans - Home Defense for Wife and I

[ahheck01 0]

The primary purpose of our 410 will be home defense. We'll probably go out and shoot trap for fun a couple times a year, but that's probably it.

 

I don't mind spending some money over time to set this up right. The idea is that it's fairly easy for my wife to handle, while still providing decent stopping power in home defense situations.

 

Based on thorough review of the forums, here are my thoughts:

 

Pistol Grip Conversion

Shorter Barrel (more maneuverability in tight spaces)

Muzzel Brake (decrease kick if possible)

Adjustable Folding Stock

Laser/Flashlight Combo

- Foregrip for this? Not sure.

Red Dot Sights

 

Would this make sense to you all? Is there anything else you definitely would do, or anything on that list you probably wouldn't suggest doing?

 

Thanks, all!

[Misery 22]

Good choice but I love my mossberg 500 persusader for a bedside gun nice to build on and my wife at 5"3 115 can handle it no prob for the money I love this unit

[romad7 75]

Do you already have the gun? I was just thinking that an S-410 might not be the best choice for HD. I don't know you so you might have already thought this through and this is the best choice to you. In that case do what works for you.

 

To answer your question though,

 

If I were building an HD S-410:

 

No muzzle break, the recoil reduction will be hardly noticeable on the already light .410 and it will be louder for the shooter. Bad for HD.

 

A simple flashlight with pressure switch is good. Keep it as simple as possible, lasers and red dots complicate a stressful situation unless you/her are well trained in their use. Turn on flashlight, center light on bad guy, fire away.

 

I would want an SBS with suppressor but for the money the SBS is easier granting that you can successfully build one or send it off to be built. This will give you the max maneurvability. Just thought about this, does a 410 fall under the same length rules?

 

Fore grip, VFG or AFG is shooter's preference. Have her handle it with and without to see what she is comfortable with.

 

Adjustable folding stock is very good if keeping it by the bed or similar, can always shoot PGO if in tight quarters.

 

There's my thoughts for what it's worth.

 

Good choice but I love my mossberg 500 persusader for a bedside gun nice to build on and my wife at 5"3 115 can handle it no prob for the money I love this unit

 

I have a 500 stashed in the house as well, great gun.

[liberty -r- death 1,445]

Sounds like the mods you're considering would all be good. Make sure you do a function and reliability check at the range before changing anything.

 

That gun with Winchester PDX would be a good home defense load.

[obiwanbonjovi 337]

sounds like a pretty good list. I would stay away from a vfg on a home defense shotty, they shoulder quicker for me without one.

I'd like to suggest this for a folding adjustable stock.

 

http://bonesteelarms.com/Ak-Saiga-Folding-stock-with-integral-M4-collapsable-stock-akfstb.htm

[gunfun 3,931]

Crap. Typed a response and accidentally back paged. Here's the do-over.

 

+1 on PDX ammo

 

+1 on skipping the break. .410 doesn't kick. My dainty little aunt has a break action .410 snake charmer that she uses like a pistol one handed. It weighs less than half a saiga and doesn't have a gas system or moving bolt to absorb recoil. Since you are using it in the house, keeping the length down is a plus, and so is keeping the cost down.

 

-1 on dissing lasers. I use a green laser on mine for HD because I think it is superior to a flashlight. A $65 Green laser will light up the point of aim easily enough to identify any target. It also will not blind you like the glare from a 'tactical' light. I had my cousin shine mine centermass on me when my eyes were adjusted to darkness (not on the gun at the time); I could barely see his outline with concentration. I have repeated the experiment with lots of people with the same results. So basically it doesn't blind you, it does more or less blind your intruder.

 

You can see the whole beam at dusk, and sometimes even day, and the dot all day or night. It is a great way of communicating that you mean business. It also allows for very rapid very precise reflexive aiming, even if you are not holding the gun properly. You and your wife will be very aware of where you are and where you are not aiming, even if you are half awake. You can know whether the edge of your spread is on your assailant or not just by the fuzzy 'halo' splashed by the dot, which is similar size to your spread at home ranges. It can be just as rugged and simple as any momentary flashlight.

 

Do make sure that the model you buy can withstand shotgun recoil. .410 probably isn't much of a problem, but 12 gauge kills some and doesn't affect others.

 

--addendum-- I would chose a simple laser with momentary switch and avoid gimmicky ones with fifteen settings of strobe and light, and whatnot. Pulse is good, but I want the button to be on when I touch it and not on when I don't. I don't want to be cycling through modes when I need the thing.

Edited August 26, 2012 by GunFun

[Dad2142Dad 6,559]

Have a cheap NC Star green laser on the S12, simple on/off. As GunFun said it will blind the intruder. PDX ammo for sure, would alternate mag with those and slugs. Adjustable/folder is a must for HD.