Under the National Firearms Act, shotguns have to have a barrel of at least 18 inches.
That’s unfortunate because there are actual practical purposes to having a shotgun with a shorter barrel.
Fortunately, you don’t have to jump through NFA hoops like the extra cost, time, and paperwork to shoot shotgun shells out of a shorter barrel.
Under the NFA, a gun has to have a smooth bore to be legally considered a shotgun.
You see, 2.5-inch long .410 bore shotgun shells can be fired through .45 Colt barrels, provided the cylinder can accommodate their length.
So, since revolvers and pistols have rifled barrels, they don’t qualify as shotguns even if they are capable of firing .410 shells.
There are a few different handguns that have been made to do just that, and these are the subject of today’s article.
In this guide, we’ll be talking about a few of the best .45 Colt/.410 revolvers on the market today!
THE QUICK LIST
-
Editor’s Pick
-
Best for Carry
-
Lightest Option
-
High-End Option
Table of Contents
Loading…
.410 Revolver Comparison Chart
| Caliber | Action | Capacity | Barrel Length | Weight | Price | |
| Taurus Judge | .45 Colt/.410 | DA/SA | 5 | 2″ – 13″ | 29 oz. – 58.6 oz. | $399 |
| Smith & Wesson Governor | .45 Colt/.410 | DA/SA | 6 | 2.75″ | 30.2 oz. | $833 |
| Taurus Judge Public Defender Poly | .45 Colt/.410 | DA/SA | 5 | 2.5″ | 27 oz. | $385 |
| Magnum Research BFR | .45 Colt/.410 | SAO | 6 | 7.5″ | 72 oz. | $1375 |
How We Chose the Best .410 Revolvers
This article draws on the combined experience of the Pew Pew Tactical team and contributing writers. We conducted a meta-analysis based on our hands-on experience and research into .410 revolvers.
We included models that we either have direct experience using or extensive knowledge of. All guns with complete hands-on reviews are linked, and tested guns adhere to a strict testing protocol, which includes a minimum of 500 rounds through every review gun to evaluate accuracy and reliability.
When making this list, we considered the following criteria: capacity, reliability, fit & finish, accuracy, price, and availability.
Best .410 Revolvers
1. Taurus Judge – Editor’s Pick
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Various barrel lengths
- Optics ready versions available
- Easy to find
- Good holster compatibility
Cons
- Mediocre fit and finish
Specs
- Caliber: .45 Colt/.410
- Action: DA/SA
- Capacity: 5
- Barrel Length: 2″ – 13″
- Weight: 29 oz. – 58.6 oz.
The Taurus Judge is perhaps the most well-known .410 revolver on the market. In fact, its introduction in 2006 likely kicked off the interest in .410 handguns.
Though marketed for self-defense, the Judge actually shines as a recreation and pest revolver.
I and other reviewers have found that accuracy leaves something to be desired beyond the very close range. I also wouldn’t say it’s my go-to trail gun because this thing is fairly hefty.
The Judge is available in various barrel lengths, from 2 inches to all the way up to 13 inches.
No matter which barrel length you opt for, each Judge has a 5-round capacity, a single/double action, an extended ejector rod, and a transfer bar safety.
They also each have a fiber optic front sight (except the home defender model) and fixed rear sight. Each version comes in matte stainless steel or matte black oxide finish.
Taurus has also recently added T.O.R.O. versions of the Judge, which are optics-ready and can accept RMSc/507K footprint red dots right out of the box. An optic-ready revolver- crazy, right?
All models feature black rubber grips, which aren’t great looking, but they do the job well.
The Judge has a good bit of kick, but the grips go a long way in helping you control it.
For mucking about in the woods or out in the field, we recommend either going with the 2-inch or 3-inch version to keep it reasonable to carry while still giving you enough oomph for small vermin and pests.
Be sure to check out our full hands-on review of the Taurus Judge!
2. Smith & Wesson Governor – Best for Carry
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Nice fit and finish
- 6-round capacity
- Cut for moon clips
Cons
- More expensive
- Only two versions available
Specs
- Caliber: .45 Colt/.410
- Action: DA/SA
- Capacity: 6
- Barrel Length: 2.75″
- Weight: 30.2 oz.
Our next pick comes from Smith & Wesson, and I think we can all agree that S&W knows revolvers.
The Smith & Wesson Governor is a fairly compact snub-nosed revolver with a 2.75-inch barrel and a single/double action.
It’s not quite as long as the 3-inch barrel Judge, but it stands a bit taller and wider.
It weighs a bit more than the smaller Judge, at 29.6 ounces, but that’s in part because it has a larger cylinder with a 6-round capacity.
What sets the Governor apart is that it fires not just .410 and .45 Colt, but also .45 ACP. You just use moon clips since .45 ACP is rimless.
Fortunately, the Governor comes with two 6-round moon clips and three 2-round moon clips. You could even load a combination of the three if you wanted.
This makes it one of the more versatile revolvers on the list, but it’s still limited to short ranges, considering the diminutive barrel.
The Governor has a synthetic grip to help you manage recoil that I think looks a lot nicer than the grip on the Judge.
The frame is made from scandium alloy, the barrel from stainless steel, and the cylinder from stainless PVD.
All visible metal bits have a matte black finish to match the grip. This revolver also has a dovetailed tritium front sight and a fixed rear sight.
3. Taurus Judge Public Defender Poly – Lightest Option
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Lighter weight
- Adjustable rear sight
Cons
- Awkward cylinder release
Specs
- Caliber: .45 Colt/.410
- Action: DA/SA
- Capacity: 5
- Barrel Length: 2.5″
- Weight: 27 oz.
The Taurus Judge Public Defender Poly is a more compact variation of the Judge. It’s shorter, both in height and length, than the standard Judge and uses a 2.5-inch barrel.
Taurus markets the Public Defender Poly as a concealed carry option, but I think it makes a better snake gun for the trail.
This Polymer version weighs 27 ounces, saving a few ounces over its steel frame counterpart.
Another bonus is that the Public Defender Polymer has an adjustable rear sight, whereas the steel versions all have fixed sights, with the exception of the T.O.R.O. models.
Although the frame is polymer, the cylinder, trigger, and hammer are all metal. Other than that, the features of the Public Defender are pretty much identical to that of the Judge.
4. Magnum Research BFR – Best High-End .410 – High-End Option
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Exceedingly high build quality
- Tame recoil
- Solid accuracy
Cons
- Shotgun-style bead sight can be tough to use
- Expensive
Specs
- Caliber: .45 Colt/.410
- Action: SAO
- Capacity: 6
- Barrel Length: 7.5″
- Weight: 72 oz.
Last up is the Magnum Research BFR.
“BFR” officially stands for “Big Frame Revolver,” though Magnum Research will also call it their “Biggest Finest Revolver.”
You’ll also sometimes hear it called by the official title but with a different f-word.
And no offense to the other revolvers on this list, but this is the best one.
All of the mechanical bits move smoothly and are highly reliable. The BFR feels just like a revolver should, just bigger.
The BFR weighs 4.5-pounds, the same as the larger Judge. But it doesn’t appear as bulky because the weight is distributed on a longer, taller frame.
It’s 6 inches tall and 15 inches long.
In addition to stabilizing the recoil, the 7.5-inch barrel also helps provide the BFR with greater accuracy, though that’s still only relative to the other revolvers that we’ve talked about.
It also comes in at about the same price point as the Raging Judge. I personally think the BFR gives you a better bang for your buck as long as you’re not too caught up in being able to shoot .454 Casull.
The one other slight disadvantage is the 5-round capacity.
It comes with a black rubber grip, which is effective for helping manage recoil but is also understated.
That, combined with the brushed stainless steel finish, gives you a pretty classic-looking, though large, revolver.
The BFR has a single-action, transfer bar safety, and 4- to 5-pound trigger pull with a fixed front sight and adjustable rear sight.
What do you think of the BFR? Rate it below!
What Is a .410 Revolver for Anyway?
Most .410 handguns are marketed as self-defense weapons, which is actually quite controversial.
The actual viability of .410 for self-defense applications is pretty hotly debated, but I tend to be against it.
For one, it doesn’t penetrate deeply. Your attacker will mostly get surface wounds without causing damage to anything too important.
Realistically, those wounds will probably still be painful enough to deter most attackers…but I’m not a big fan of qualifiers like probably and most when it comes to defending myself and my family.
You never know if this will be the time where the attacker is particularly determined.
There tons of better options for self-defense than .410.
Secondly, to balance shooting both .45 and .410, .410 revolvers have to make sacrifices for each.
That means that they’re typically not as good at shotgun things as a shotgun, nor as good at revolver things as a revolver.
Accuracy is one such place that is most evident.
Compromise isn’t something you want out of a self-defense gun. With so many dedicated self-defense weapons available, there’s really no reason not to go with one of those.
Ok, so what’s a .410 revolver really for then?
Practically speaking, pest control — especially in close quarters where a shotgun would be impractical.
That covers clearing rats and squirrels out of a barn or storage shed. It’s also decent for medium-sized varmints.
And if you’re out hiking on your property or on a trail, a .410 revolver makes for a good snake gun.
Finally, .410 revolvers are a novelty, and I am a firm believer that’s a good enough reason to get a gun.
Shooting a shotgun round from a revolver is just plain fun. For a particularly good time, take one of these guns to shoot clays.
Meet the Experts
This article builds on the original work of Megan Kriss, former PPT author and freelance editor. Megan is an avid recreational shooter and writer/editor. She has an extensive writing and linguistics background, which she uses to analyze and collect data on guns and turn them into articles.
Our second set of eyes on this article comes from Wyatt Sloan, PPT Editor. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a competitive shooter. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He has used his extensive experience with firearms at large to test guns for Pew Pew Tactical — evaluating them based on our standards and metrics.
Our experienced team of gun reviewers is run by Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings, a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. She uses her extensive professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards.
Final Thoughts
Though .410 revolvers aren’t as popular as other revolver chamberings, these nifty wheelguns make excellent hiking and pest guns.
Which model is right for your next hike?
Well, that comes down to budget and gear. How much do you want to spend and how much weight do you want to carry? No matter what you are looking for, all of these options excel at keeping pests and snakes at bay.
What are your thoughts on .410 revolvers? Let me know in the comments. Looking for more revolvers? Check out our recommendations for the Best Beginner Revolvers and Best Concealed Carry Revolvers.
Latest Updates
March 2025: Removed Bond Arms Derringer and Taurus Raging Judge (discontinued). Separated Taurus Judge and Taurus Poly Defender.
14 Leave a Reply
That Taurus looks mighty nice with the long barrel. I'll bet it is a sweet shooter.
I briefly considered the Smith and Wesson, till I saw that it had the internal lock.
410 questionable for self defense? With Self Defense ammo 3 or 4 30 caliber(+/-) balls of buck or Winchesters flat plates and a bullet? Use the right load to maybe the first one #4 shot followed by several self defense loads or mix in heavy 45 Colt in bear country. Sorry to see this review, it has brought more scepticism regarding reviews. Every brand wins in a category, sheesh. But buy what you want....
In two places you state the capacity of the Magnum Research is 6 rounds. The you say, "The one other slight disadvantage is the 5-round capacity."
45 LC has taken ever North America game and almost every African game. So please tell me how a 325 gr lead hard traveling at 1,300 FPS is not going to take down a bear?
This load date was given to me by an Alaska native hunter who carries a 45 LC he has taken grizzly and polar bear with this rounds several times. Has the photos and the furs to prove it!
I don't know why you don't believe the 45 LC can't take a bear! Maybe not the poodle round you shoot from a Judge but Ruger rounds do an awesome job!
the best snake gun i ever owned was a nylon 66, see a snake, stand back from it, hold the weapon out and when the snake fixates on it pull the trigger
As an Englishman in London already stabbed in the forehead by local bastards under 16 I seek a 0.410 self defense pistol for self - defense.
I run across rattlers a lot and discovered that CCI's Big 4 in 45LC works very well in Ruger's 5050, Redhawk 4". This 0.32 oz load is 73% of the Federal 4 shot 2.5" load.
Bond Arms is not designed to use in a gun fight. it will stop a bad guy and give you the chance to get control on the event. that is what it is designed for. best gun for the money.
Im sorry, just dont see any use for a .410 pistol. MAYBE...MAYBE for a snake or a tweety bird at close range if you have to survive eating tweety birds and if you can get close enough---a squirrel. One can carry a lot more shells than 12 Guage. The big one is only 1.5 lbs lighter than a full shotgun which gives better range so its no big deal about hiking weight, etc. Maybe if one lived in AZ and walked around through rattlers all day?
I own both the Smith & Wesson Governor, and a Bond Arms "Snake Slayer". The Governor
handles recoil nicely for .410, 45LC and 45ACP. The Bond is a bit friskier with recoil due to the low weight. But it hits what you want it to.
I Have the snake slayer. In addition to a great hiking weapon, it works well as a car carry. It has an easy to slip on holster that makes access while belted in no problem, and it's mini size makes manipulating in small space less difficult. It's a carjacker stopper at short range.
What's the point of a bFr that doesn't shoot .454 ?? I've been interested in the raging judge magnum with a silencer, folding stock and a sling as truck gun trail gun anything but an EDC smh. I'd prefer the higher quality BFR but in order to justify carrying that much weight around with limited accuracy. 45 just not strong enough to drop a bear or charging moose or whatever else could become an issue.
Doubtful that any revolver is going to "drop a bear or charging moose..." certainly not a one-shot stop. I've seen these critters in the wild and they are impressive! Just sayin, YMMV...
The judge also has an Ultra-Lite version, although I do not think it is produced any longer.