[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I used to have me a crack open single shot 20 gauge shotgun. It was a very fun gun.

[Yo-Yo]

I have an original H. Koon Snake Charmer that I inherited from my dad who bought it in the early 1980s.

In theory it was a nice little .410 for dispatching rodents, etc, but in execution...well let's just say they don't make 'em like they used to, and thank goodness for that.

There is a lug brazed to the bottom of the barrel to hold the handguard, and it is off by about 3 degrees, so the plastic handguard has one ear broken off. I didn't realize the lug was off, and bought a new old stock handguard, and the same ear broke off the first time I opened the action.

Also, there is no hammer block safety, so if you put one in the chamber but leave the hammer down, the gun will go off if dropped or whacked on the hammer. There is a half cock notch, but these guns were notorious for brittle sears that were prone to snapping off unexpectedly.

Snake Charmer photo from the interwebs:

[Big Red Badger]

Mossy has a New .410...
Same price as a 12 gauge!

[WayneS]

I have an old Ithaca Model 66 in 20 gauge that appears to be about the same dimensions as that Henry.

It’s a single shot break action gun that looks like a lever action - dropping the lever “breaks” it open to accept a shell.

It’s a nice little gun.

[painter]

A couple years ago I bought a Stoeger Uplander 410 double barrel. It’s not a coach gun with short barrels. They are 26inches long. Great squirrel gun and a challenging for clay pigeons.

[antidisestablishment]

That brings back memories: my “first” gun (after a .22 rifle) was a 410 single break-action. Took a lot of rabbits and snakes over the years. Perfect for back country hikes in the desert. Come to think of it, I think my little brother stole it. Lol

[central_va]

I have a Mossberg 410 home defense pump with a laser and flashlight. I like it.

[dirtboy]

My first real gun (after a BB gun at 8 years old) was a single-shot .410 at 10 years old. Used it to go dove hunting. A year later I was shooting an Ithaca 12 gauge double-barrel - quite a shift.

[ltc8k6]

Guns like this can indeed be used for self defense, as they are often all that folks have, or can afford.

There are lots of low-cost shotguns like this that work very well.

Wal-mart had some at $99 not too long ago.

[upchuck]

I had a Remington 12 gauge with bird's head handle. Two shots and I damned near broke my wrist from the recoil. Thus ended the 12 gauge.

Now have a Mossberg HS410 .410 gauge. Much easier to handle.

I'd really like to have a .410 semiautomatic with a 10 round or so magazine. I'm waiting... :)

[GingisK]

I’d like to see that made in lever action.