Large-caliber revolver Taurus Judge (Taurus Model 4510)

These revolvers are suitable for both self-defense and entertainment.

Large-caliber shotgun revolvers have always been an excellent alternative to traditional short-barreled weapons for self-defense. Their main advantage is huge damage and successfully hitting the enemy without special aiming.

Modern .410 caliber revolvers can fire both shotgun and traditional .45 Colt cartridges.

Thunder Five .410

The Thunder 5, which appeared in 1992, was quite successful, although not for long, and even appeared in several films. In 2011, Charter Arms tried to resurrect this revolver, under a different name - Big Dawg, but it never went into production.

Big Dawg

Another interesting model was the M4-410, which combined the design of a 19th century revolver with the flash hider of an M4 carbine. It was shown in 2012, but also did not go into production.

M4-410

Today, the main manufacturers of such revolvers are Taurus, Smith & Wesson and Magnum Research, with Taurus considered the clear leader and trendsetter in this industry.

Let's take a look at some of the excellent options for large-bore .410 caliber revolvers on the market.

What kind of prey is it suitable for?

Based on reviews from hunters who used this weapon, one nuance can be noted. You should immediately stop using shot and buckshot when hunting. Alas, the weight here will be very small, and it is almost impossible to hit a flying bird due to the small spread. The only exception is hunting with decoy ducks, when you have to shoot at an almost stationary target at a short distance.

But the bullet promises a more interesting hunt. Of course, here you need to skillfully choose your prey. Of course, it is possible to kill a bear or an adult wild boar, but this is more of a fantasy - for example, if you hit it right in the eye or heart. But it’s quite possible to go after a roe deer or a young wild boar - at a distance of 40-50 meters you can confidently catch them. Still, this is the firing range that is specified in the characteristics of the Saiga-410 and is optimal.

However, for such a hunt it is advisable to be in good physical shape. The fact is that very often a light bullet inflicts a severe, even fatal wound on an animal, but still leaves it alive for a few minutes. During this time, the roe deer may well run several kilometers from the wound site. It is necessary to follow the trail as quickly as possible in order to find her in hot pursuit. Otherwise, the killing will become meaningless - not a single self-respecting hunter who considers the forest his second home will allow himself to do this.

Revolving shotgun Sibergun 410 RSC

Sibergun brand weapons are produced by the Turkish company Akdaş, founded in 1948 by the famous gunsmith Omer Akdaş and still the leader of the weapons industry in the country. The history of Akdaş began as a family enterprise for the production of piece shotguns, but today the company cooperates with the world's leading gunsmiths and produces its own weapons under the Sibergun brand.

Domestic shooters and hunters are already familiar with pneumatic models and, of course, the Sibergun 312 smoothbore shotgun - perhaps the main hit of the Turks on the Russian market. And so, at the largest arms exhibition of the year, IWA-2018, the Turkish company presented another new product - the Sibergun 410 RSC revolving shotgun. The premiere turned out to be as interesting as it was mysterious - there is still no information about the characteristics or release date of the weapon. Actually, after the exhibition model was shown in Nuremberg, the company no longer made any announcements regarding the new product.

What is known about the Sibergun 410 RSC today?

For now, the model remains a mystery. All we know is that it is a 410 caliber smoothbore shotgun with a 5-round revolver cylinder. The barrel length is 61 centimeters; the weapon is planned to be produced with a wooden or synthetic stock. The company's catalog at the exhibition contained information that in the future they also plan to produce guns in 45 and 223 Remington calibers. The possibility of modifications with rifled barrels was also allowed. The company noted that they would think about rifled barrels with order volumes of more than 500 pieces per year - that is, they first plan to study the demand.

However, at the moment, not even the basic model has gone on sale or into mass production - naturally, no one has yet tested the gun at the shooting range either. At the very least, no information was made public even from weapons manufacturers. Therefore, one can judge the new Turkish gun only by photographs and reviews of those who held it in their hands at the IWA-2018 exhibition.

Externally, the weapon looks much lighter and more elegant than the smoothbore carbines of the same manufacturer presented nearby at the stand. A Sibergun with a wooden stock was exhibited in Nuremberg - according to the Turkish side, it is made from carefully selected Turkish walnut wood. In general, the gun leaves a pleasant impression and does not look clumsy and bulky, which is sometimes the problem with the products of Turkish gunsmiths.

At the exhibition, variants with various shooting devices were presented: both with a ventilated vertical sighting bar, and with a classic front sight and rear sight. So far, nothing is known about the ability to install optical sights, although for possible rifled modifications such a function should certainly be provided.

In advertising materials, the gun was positioned as a “premium-segment” weapon. Manufacturers have not yet announced even the approximate cost of the new product, but based on the declared status, we can conclude that it will cost more than most production smooth-bore models. In the West, the average price of an Akdaş smoothbore shotgun is just over $300. In Russia, new Sibergun 312 models cost from 35 thousand rubles. These amounts can be used as a starting point, taking into account that a premium-class revolver gun should cost significantly more.

At the Sibergun stand they showed an interesting and intriguing model, which attracted the interest of many both in its design and appearance. I would like to believe that the Sibergun 410 RSC shotgun will eventually reach Russian stores and undergo full shooting tests. Then it will be possible to talk not only about the appearance, but also about the effectiveness and hunting prospects of the gun.

Specifications:

Sibergun. Marlasilah Gun caliber: .410x76 Barrel length: 610 mm Total length: 1270 mm Magazine capacity: 5 Reloading system: revolver Version: wood Choke tubes: 5

You can choose the right hunting rifle for yourself in our catalog of suppliers of hunting goods.

Material prepared by Arkady Bobrovsky

Smoothbore revolver OTs-20 "Gnome"

The OTs-20 (“Gnome”) smoothbore revolver was created at TsKIB SOO for law enforcement agencies, although at one time it was also presented as a possible “farmer’s weapon.” Introduced in 1996, the complex “smoothbore revolver OTs-20 - cartridge STs-110” was a new and original approach with the task of obtaining the greatest stopping effect from a weapon carried in a holster. The development of the revolver was carried out by V.I. Seregin, A.N. Nevizhin, S.V. Zotov, cartridges - S.M. Sheinin. The OTs-20 revolver was based on the OTs-11 Nickel combat revolver and the MTs-RG gas revolver, developed by the same group of designers.

12.5-mm smoothbore revolver OTs-20 "Gnome" with a laser designator installed

The 12.5x40R cartridges are based on a 32-caliber brass case, shortened to 40 mm, and the primer is borrowed from a pistol cartridge. The main version of the STs-110 cartridge is equipped with a pointed steel bullet with a plastic tray. The pan with obturating grooves ensures the effective use of powder gas pressure to accelerate the bullet, and serves as a stabilizing “tail” during flight. A steel bullet weighing 11 g has a small flat area on top and pierces a 3 mm steel sheet at a distance of 50 m. Such a bullet allows you to hit a living target wearing personal armor protection. Moreover, at a distance of 25 m, a revolver can reliably hit a chest target. The STs-110-04 cartridge is equipped with a lead bullet weighing 12 g with an initial speed of 350 m/s and a muzzle energy of 735 J. With significantly lower penetration power, the lead bullet, when it hits the target, quickly transfers its energy to it, providing a high stopping effect. The STs-110-02 cartridge contains a projectile of 16 pellets with a diameter of 4.5 mm (shot number “00”) with a total mass of 10 g or a charge of buckshot with a diameter of 5 mm. Variants of a cartridge with a rubber bullet of traumatic effect, a marking cartridge KP-32 (with a dye), have also been created. There have been no reports of the use of these cartridges in personal weapons of security forces or employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The weapon itself is a revolver with a cylinder that folds to the left and an extractor rod, although with a number of original solutions. The revolver consists of the following parts: a frame with a barrel, a striker mechanism, a drum lock switch and a sighting device, a trigger mechanism, a drum with a rocker, an extractor and a lock, a rocker axis, a handle with a screw.

Revolver OTs-20 "Gnome" with the drum folded back for reloading

The bore and drum chambers are chrome plated. To ensure their alignment when firing, the traditional cylinder stopper for revolvers is supplemented with a simple device. On the surface of the drum in the rear part there are five recesses and five grooves - the drum stopper slides in, and a special protrusion of the trigger fits into the groove just before the shot, otherwise the shot simply will not happen. The chambers of the drum are loaded one at a time, extraction is done simultaneously (the protruding rim of the cartridge case made this easy to implement).

The trigger mechanism with a semi-hidden trigger is mounted in a separate housing (on the trigger guard) and is completely separated during disassembly. The mechanism includes: a semi-hidden trigger with a spoke, a feeder, a drum stopper with a spring, a disconnector, a trigger with a spring, a mainspring, a housing latch with a spring. The firing pin (fire striker) is mounted in the frame of the revolver. The trigger mechanism allows firing by self-cocking or with pre-cocking of the hammer. Assembling the trigger mechanism allows, with incomplete disassembly, to divide the revolver into only three large parts - a frame with a barrel, a drum and a trigger mechanism - an “aggregate” diagram.

Revolver OTs-20 "Gnome" with a separate trigger mechanism. Nearby are samples of 12.5x40R cartridges: with a steel bullet, with a lead bullet, shotgun

The sighting device includes an elongated front sight on the barrel strip and a rear sight inserted into a groove in the frame. A laser target designator (LTC) can be attached to the front part of the frame. The cheeks of the revolver handle are wooden on souvenir samples and plastic on standard ones. The dimensions of the trigger guard allow shooting with gloves, and the front protrusion of the revolver's trigger guard is designed for shooting with two hands.

To carry a revolver and spare cartridges, a set of an open waist holster and two pouches with valves has been developed.

The design of the Gnome revolver formed the basis for the MTs-255 revolving hunting rifle chambered for 12, 20, 28, 32 and 410 calibers.

Tactical and technical characteristics of OTs-20 "Gnome"

Caliber - 12.5 mm
Cartridge - 12.5x40R
Weight of weapon without laser pointer and cartridges - 1.01 kg
The weight of the weapon without laser center and with a loaded drum is 1.17 kg
Weapon length - 250 mm
Barrel length - 100 mm
Weapon height - 132 mm
Weapon width - 45 mm
The initial speed of a steel bullet is 400-420 m/s
Muzzle energy of a steel bullet - 880-970 J
Aimed firing range - 50 m
Drum capacity - 5 rounds
Dispersion radius at 25 m (firing with a steel bullet) - 50 mm

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410 caliber hunting revolver

Hunting pistols and revolvers are gaining increasing popularity in the civilian weapons market in the United States. Gradually, in other parts of the world, they find a response in the hearts of small arms lovers, primarily due to their versatility. The first to appreciate “pocket shotguns” were farmers. This weapon saved them more than once during unexpected encounters with dangerous snakes. In Russia, gunsmiths are also trying to “keep their finger on the pulse.” What a hunting revolver is, what its pros and cons are, will be briefly outlined in this article.

Versatility

Fierce competition among traditional short-barreled guns is forcing manufacturers to take bold, risky steps. A revolver capable of causing significant damage guarantees a successful hit even in the hands of an inexperienced shooter. This is the main idea when developing hunting revolvers, designed not only for firing 410 caliber for smoothbore guns, but also 45 caliber for rifled guns. Such “omnivorousness” and the low price of ammunition immediately captivated a certain group of people. It is necessary to figure out whether these products are so beautiful, about which various laudatory reviews narrate with aspiration.

A few notes about the 410 gauge

410 caliber is a low-power rifle cartridge. The main advantages are small dimensions and weight, moderate recoil. Here, perhaps, are all its obvious advantages. Many manufacturers produce such a cartridge. The most famous and sought-after of all the variety is with a cast spherical bullet (Foster bullet and, of course, Brenecke bullet).

If this is not a magnum option, then such a cartridge calls into question success in hunting and self-defense. The charge of a bullet, buckshot, or shot in ordinary ammunition is small. Therefore, it is often sold in the “Magnum” or “Semi-Magnum” variant. Their sleeve lengths are 76 mm and 73 mm, while the regular one is only 70 mm.

What happens if you use the 410 Magnum for hunting? The results won't be stunning. If you shoot such a shot load over long distances, then nothing good will come of it. You can somehow get used to the average distance if the shooter is accurate. Buckshot is even worse. With only a few buckshots, it is only suitable for short distances.

In a word, this caliber is very specific.

The best revolver for American judges

There are several companies developing revolvers chambered for hunting cartridges. The most popular are Taurus, Smith and Wesson, Charter Arms, Magnum Research. Each of them has created quite successful models, but the undisputed leader today is Taurus.

Why are the products of this company so popular in the West? The Brazilian Taurus came up with the idea of using a rifle and revolver cartridge in one weapon without changing the barrel. This was embodied in their main brainchild - the 4510 revolver. This marking most fully reflects its versatility (45 Colt and 410 caliber rifle cartridge). Their diameter is the same. It was even almost classified as a shotgun. The existing barrel rifling helped, and, to the delight of the creators, it was classified as a conventional weapon.

The model was immediately positioned as the most optimal means of self-defense. Shot charges disperse well at a distance of 10-15 meters. You don't even need to really aim. You can also use 45 Colt ammo, which further increases its range. American judges fell in love with this hunting revolver, and its creators had a reason to call it Judge or “Judge.”

The drum allows you to load 5 rounds. The range of uses for rifle ammunition is truly impressive (spherical bullets, shot, buckshot). But this is not enough. Owners of this miracle load rifle and pistol cartridges into the drum at the same time. This gives them the opportunity to feel confident at medium and close range. And most importantly, it is equipped with a safety lock in case it suddenly falls into the hands of children. Using a screw, the trigger is locked in the frame. It can only be screwed in and out using a miniature hex key.

Design of Taurus Judge revolvers

The revolver allows the use of .410 caliber cartridges as ammunition, which is the smallest caliber for shotguns. Its diameter is the same as the .45 Colt revolver cartridge, but the .410 is longer (76 mm).

From left to right - .45 ACP cartridge, .410 caliber cartridge, 20-gauge and 12-gauge cartridges

After numerous experiments with barrel rifling, Taurus International specialists found the optimal option (6 right-hand rifling with a short pitch), which allowed the use of rifle cartridges on a rifled barrel. The range of rifle ammunition used is impressive: spherical bullets, shot and even buckshot.

Many users load both rifle and pistol rounds into the cylinder at the same time, which makes the revolver effective at close to medium range.

And ammunition manufacturers have accommodated consumers and are producing combined ammunition from .410 and .45 Colt.

Combined ammunition from .410 and .45 Colt cartridges

The barrel frame and barrel are one piece and are made from a solid milled blank. The barrel can withstand up to twice the normal muzzle energy, which is typical for Taurus revolvers.

The surface of the revolver is devoid of protruding parts and sharp corners, which is important for quickly removing it without the risk of getting caught on clothing.

On the top of the barrel there is a ventilated sighting rib with the possibility of installing a guide for sights on it. The front sight is not adjustable with a fiber optic fiber insert. The rear sight is mounted on a dovetail and has protection on the sides.

The drum is five-shot, tilts to the left. It is fixed in the frame using a push-action latch with a tight stroke. An extractor is installed inside the drum, located inside the axis; when you press it sharply, you can immediately throw out all the spent cartridges; if you press it smoothly, it only lifts them. To use .410 caliber rifle cartridges, the length of the drum had to be significantly increased.

The revolver uses a double-action hammer-type firing mechanism, which allows firing both by self-cocking and with manual pre-cocking of the hammer.

The Taurus Judge is equipped with a mechanical two-position safety that locks the trigger in the lowest position. To protect against children, the revolver is equipped with a TSS (Taurus Security System) safety lock, which locks the hammer in the frame using a screw screwed in with a miniature hex key.

The handle is made of and covered with a rubber coating, which ensures a reliable grip and dampens vibrations when shooting. The handle is huge even for a large man's hand; it is recommended to hold it with two hands.

Smith&Wesson Governor

The stunning success of the Judge revolver haunted the monster of the American arms industry - the Smith & Wesson company. They announced their answer - Governor. Its drum is made of steel, the handle is made of various synthetic materials, and when making the frame, scadium was added to the alloy. The new product turned out to be light and durable.

But its main focus is expanding the use of different types of ammunition. There is also the possibility of combining them when charging. What ammunition can you use? This is the same 410 caliber, 45 Colt and 45 ACP.

Drum capacity – 6 cartridges. Its trigger mechanism is double-action (fire can be fired either with self-cocking or with a pre-cocked hammer). Weight without cartridges 839 grams.

Taurus Judge

The company's best seller, which fires .410 and .45 Colt cartridges. There is a more compact option for self-defense, and a larger one for hunting. In total, there are more than 10 versions of this revolver, which differ in the length of the barrel and chambers. MSRP: $480.

Existing disadvantages

Alas, any weapon that has advantages will certainly have certain disadvantages.

And it is no less important to know about them, so as not to be disappointed in the purchase later.

Let's start with the fact that the bullets used in 410 caliber cartridges have a low weight, as mentioned above: from 6 to 7.5 g. For comparison, a bullet in 12 gauge cartridges weighs from 30 to 35 g. This provides not only a greater firing range , but also much more severe injuries. The same can be said about pouring shot. Therefore, using “Saiga-410” of this caliber when hunting elk, bear, duck or snipe is quite problematic.

The firing range is also not too long. Even in experienced hands, when shooting with a bullet, it is not always possible to hit a stationary target at a distance of 70 meters. What can we say about the forest, when the target is actively moving and has a much smaller size than a target at a shooting range!

The low weight of the bullet causes unnecessary trouble when shooting from bushes. Alas, a light 6-7 g bullet can change its flight direction even upon contact with grass, leaves or thin branches. Therefore, it is advisable to shoot only in more or less open areas.

An additional disadvantage is the high cost of ammunition. Knowing what caliber is used on the Saiga-410, keep in mind that you will have to pay 1.5-3 times more for a cartridge compared to an analogue for 12 or 16 calibers. Of course, for many hunters and just shooting enthusiasts, such a significant overpayment will be unacceptable.

410 is a hunting caliber!

Andrey Ponyaga

[email protected]

I can describe the 410 caliber of my Belka (MP 94 Scout) in one word - half-charged. Persons praising this caliber, especially in Saiga, give me conflicting feelings. It seems like a person is working on finding ammunition, equipping it, and then shooting at targets hundreds of times, but why? What the Kulibins didn’t do with it, what they didn’t poke and pour into these “pencils” in order to hit the target and shoot while hunting. But the 410 remained adamant, that is, it remained a fly swatter, and it will never compare with other full-weight calibers, and to demand good scree from it is at least stupid, may the members of the “Saiga 410” sect forgive me.

Small caliber - economical, commercial!

Gentlemen, hunters, stop shooting at pieces of paper in the quarry! With the 410 everything is clear, its limit in hunting is self-rolling 14-18 gram charges of small shot No. 9-11, at a distance of 15-25 meters. Everything you got further and with larger fraction numbers is an accident. This happens: I also took ducks indecently far and with a large shot, but from the 12th this is a tendency, and from the 410th it is more of an accident.

Working shot numbers for 410 caliber.

With a rolling load (Sunar 410+PK+shot No. 9 with buffer) I took ducks, grouse, hazel grouse, martens, a lot of squirrels, minks, in short, all the small game and furs that I have in the area. Naturally, all this is from a reasonable distance of about 20 meters. Many people are afraid of small shot in 410 caliber. I think this is a stereotype left over from 12 gauge, where such small numbers are used for hunting quail and snipe. Experts say that the energy of the shot fired from 410 is different from the 12th. The higher pressure in the 410th barrel has an effect. Small shot is accelerated in it so strongly that the charge acquires a very lethal sharpness, although at the same time the shot is deformed and the accuracy is not the best. I won't argue, I'm not a gunsmith. As a hunter, I reached small shot numbers No. 8, No. 9 in the 410th experimentally, gradually “going down” from the first shot number to nine. Now I am sure that there is simply no other lead shot for 410 hunting. Recently I watched a video of one hunter with a Saiga 410, he complained that with five and seven he had a lot of wounded hazel grouse. I think the guy just didn’t have enough time to “go down” to the ninth number of the fraction, the difference is noticeable right away.

But in the USA they shoot turkey with a 410 caliber at 35-40 meters! You say: “why was that possible?” I present to the court the following videos about shooting a 410 caliber turkey:

Yes Yes! As you understand, we are talking about a wild turkey, friends, under 10 kg. When I watch this monster approach the scarecrow, I mentally take out from my bandoleer something with zeros, no less than 12 gauge and, of course, a semi-magnum. And here they are using a fly swatter to hunt a bird larger than our capercaillie, and the children are so joyful, they killed the turkey on the spot! The Americans have developed a whole area of serious turkey hunting with 410 caliber and nine shot. The sharpness is so good that the turkey's head and neck vertebrae are blown out. During such a hunt, it is clear that they aim not at the body of the bird, but at the head. This is recognized as humane in relation to turkeys, effective in terms of slaughter and included in local hunting rules. The only thing used for hunting is solid shot with tungsten TSS (Tungsten Super Shot). I was wondering how much tungsten small shot cost. The price scared me off. We need to smoke topics, maybe someone tried this while hunting for feathers in the Russian Federation. Here are a couple more videos on this topic.

So the 410 caliber is a hunting caliber, no matter what the blogosphere theorists say. I still can’t understand why Tekhkrim and BPZ produce 410 caliber cartridges with one and three shot? The accuracy of such a projectile is not worthy of a shot at a 100-length target. This is simply disrespect for the gunsmith A.A. Zernov. I shot at a “hare” target, one at a time, and not a single pellet hit the hare, everything scattered. And this is at 25 meters (sorry, no photo, lost)! Why didn’t our gunsmiths, when developing the 410 caliber, think about hunting ammunition for it? It turns out they made guns from the military-industrial complex and poured them into the masses, so they can figure it out themselves. Yes, we've already figured it out. Only the rumor about the “non-hunting 410 caliber” spread throughout the Russian Federation, and it can no longer be erased. All topics are filled with reloads, wads made from any material on planet Earth, bullets of all shapes, peeling Saiga so that she shoots the motherfucking bitch. In short, ours abused the 410 caliber and suffered from it themselves; there is no demand for 410 among hunters now. It's a shame Zin! You won’t find single-barreled guns in 32 and 28 calibers, they’re all gone hunting, “half the region runs with 32 and hits from deer to squirrel,” and “We won’t buy 410!, it’s not for hunting...”, it’s “for recreational shooting.” ...

Maybe I should have told the truth right away. Guys, here's the Saiga 410 for self-defense (and for subsequent criminal prosecution in the Russian Federation) and recreational shooting (in a shooting range for money), and here's a small-caliber 410 hunting rifle for hunting small game, for fishing, training for growing youth. Here are the cartridges for you: these are for posters: bullets, buckshot, shot 1-7, rubber, confetti, and these are for real hunting Lee belt bullets, cartridges with shot numbers 9-11, for long-range shooting in the USA TSS style. Where is the care for the hunter?, such and such a mother. After all, they buy guns with a “hunter” ticket, in the application for carrying and storage they write that the purpose is “hunting”, there is a smooth-bore “hunting” one hanging in the store...

I don’t want to speak for everyone, but it seems to me that the gunsmiths’ intentions did not/do not coincide with the needs of the hunter. What did the 410 caliber bring to gunsmiths? Sales of Kalashnikov assault rifles of all stripes, tuning, reload, upgrade... What did the 410 caliber bring to a real hunter? Myths, disappointment, misunderstanding... I am sorry that on the counter of gun stores there are supplies of the 410 NOT FOR HUNTING. Because I know him well and he is a hunter!

Basic weapon options

It was already mentioned above that this carbine is available in several modifications. Each has certain distinctive characteristics that make it unique and a good choice for specific shooters. Now it's time to tell you more about them.

The very first and most common version is the classic “Saiga-410” of 410 caliber. It has a standard hunting stock without a pistol grip. Like the forend, the stock can be made of either wood or plastic. The total length is 1170 mm with a barrel length of 570 mm, which provides the greatest firing range.

“Saiga-410S” is not very different from it. The only innovation is that the stock can be folded for easy storage and transportation. The barrel length is exactly the same, but the overall length is slightly less - 1080 mm.

Saiga-410K is more suitable for home defense. It has not only a folding stock, but also a shortened barrel - only 330 mm. Because of this, the total length is 840 mm, and with the stock folded - 595 mm. In order for the weapon to comply with the weapons legislation of the Russian Federation, the carbine is equipped with a special device that blocks the trigger when the butt is folded. It is used extremely rarely for hunting, but for home defense it is quite a good option. That is why several modifications were released.

For example, “Saiga-410-01” received a slightly elongated barrel – 404 mm. In addition, the design was as close as possible to the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle.

According to reviews, the characteristics of Saiga-410-02 are more different. The butt here can be either plastic or metal, framed. In addition, there is a muzzle brake-compensator, which additionally brings the carbine closer to the AKS-74 in appearance.

The “03” and “04” versions have a rather short barrel – 351 mm. Together with the decorative muzzle and the front sight located on the gas chamber, this makes the weapon as similar as possible to the Kalashnikov “hundredth” series assault rifles. The short barrel significantly limits the shooting range, making carbines not the best choice for hunting.

They differ from each other only in the type of butt. In version “03” it is plastic and folding. And “04” has a metal frame. However, this does not affect the characteristics and firing range of the Saiga-410-04. Typically, private individuals purchase them either for amateur shooting at a shooting range or for home defense. In this case, this choice can be called very successful.

Finally, it’s worth talking about the characteristics of Saiga-410 KV. It has a comfortable pistol grip, a folding stock and a fairly short barrel - 330 mm with a total length of 840 mm.

Purpose

The scope of use of this weapon is quite wide. After all, the inherent characteristics of the Saiga-410, firing range and low recoil, are highly valued by a variety of people.

Of course, the main purpose is hunting. True, a small caliber leads to a low bullet mass (from 6 to 7.5 grams) and a small amount of shot. Therefore, the list of animals and birds that can be successfully hunted with this weapon is significantly reduced - we’ll talk about this a little later.

It is an excellent choice for people who simply love to shoot and who want to bring weapons culture to their family and social circle. The fact is that 410 caliber Saiga-410 cartridges provide very little recoil. For an experienced, strong man weighing 70-90 kilograms, this factor cannot be called very important.

But if your goal is to teach the art of shooting to a teenager or a fragile woman, then giving them a 12-gauge gun for the first shot in their life is not the best idea. Still, in inexperienced hands, powerful recoil may well lead to injury or at least fear of the weapon. When using a 410 caliber carbine, recoil is minimal, so everyone can master shooting and fall in love with shooting.

They often buy “Saiga-410” to protect their home from a sudden invasion of robbers. This is also a good choice here. Still, in most cases, the owner of the house sets the goal of scaring off burglars, and not killing them

A shot from 2-5 meters from a 12-16 caliber gun (no matter whether shot, bullet or buckshot) almost always leads to death, even if it is aimed not at the body or head, but at the limbs

“Saiga-410” in this sense is much more humane - the bullet weighs only a little more than in a Makarov pistol, and therefore is suitable for inflicting a non-fatal wound.

Some critics believe that this caliber is too small for self-defense. But here they are wrong. Yes, the 410 caliber is not suitable for hunting large animals - bear, elk. But man is a much less resilient creature. In addition, often even a slight injury forces attackers to abandon their original plans, simply give up and wait for the arrival of law enforcement officers under the supervision of the weapon owner.

However, thanks to its excellent characteristics, this carbine has found use not only among private individuals. For example, in Lithuania, “Saiga-410” is a service weapon in many private security companies. Exactly the same picture is observed in Kazakhstan. And in Russia, many paramilitary non-departmental units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are armed with these weapons.