The best .410 shotgun for most people is a light gun they will happily carry all day: a single shot for a first gun or a truck gun, or a pump or double for grouse and rabbits. The .410 kicks the least and weighs the least of any common shotgun, which is why it is the classic small-game gun. It is also the least forgiving, so it pays to know what it does well before you buy. Here are the .410s we stock, from $178.88 up.
What a .410 is good for
The .410 is the only common shotgun named for its bore diameter, .410 inch, rather than by gauge. Shells come in 2½ inch, usually carrying ½ oz of shot, and 3 inch, at about 11/16 oz. A typical 20 gauge field load carries about twice as much shot as the short .410 shell. That means fewer pellets and a thinner pattern, so keep shots close, about 25 metres.
Inside that range it is a great small-game gun: ruffed and spruce grouse, rabbits and squirrels, and pests around the farm. It is quiet, light and gentle on the shoulder. A gun chambered for 3 inch shells fires both lengths; a 2½ inch chamber takes only the short ones.
The best .410 shotgun picks we stock
Charles Daly 101 .410 single shot, $178.88
The Charles Daly 101 is a break-action single shot with a 20 inch barrel, weighing about 5 lb. It has a manual safety, a fibre optic front sight and Beretta/Benelli-pattern choke threads. It is the cheapest way into a .410 and a good first gun.
🛒 Buy the Charles Daly 101 .410 single shot, $178.88
Khan Field pump .410, $664.00
The Khan Field pump has a 3 inch chamber, a 26 inch barrel with four choke tubes, a Turkish walnut stock, an aluminium receiver and a red fibre optic sight. At 6.6 lb it gives you a fast second and third shot on grouse without much weight.
🛒 Buy the Khan Field pump .410, $664.00
Stoeger Uplander .410 side-by-side, $675.00
The Stoeger Uplander Field .410 is a traditional English-style double with 26 inch barrels, 3 inch chambers and an A-grade satin walnut stock. Two shots, two chokes, and the look of a much more expensive gun.
🛒 Buy the Stoeger Uplander .410 side-by-side, $675.00
Kel-Tec KSG410 bullpup, $719.88
The Kel-Tec KSG410 is a bullpup pump with two tubes of five 3 inch shells each, an 18.5 inch barrel and an overall length of 26.1 inches. It weighs 5.4 lb, ejects downward for left- and right-handed shooters, and is non-restricted.
🛒 Buy the Kel-Tec KSG410 bullpup, $719.88
Khan Arista .410 over/under, $938.00
The Khan Arista AL is a light over/under with 26 inch barrels, extractors, interchangeable chokes, a Turkish walnut stock and a red fibre optic sight. It is the step up for someone who wants a fine-handling .410 without spending much more.
🛒 Buy the Khan Arista .410 over/under, $938.00
Franchi Instinct L .410, $2,180.00
The Franchi Instinct L is the premium pick: an over/under with a colour case-hardened steel receiver, A-grade satin walnut and a Prince of Wales grip. It is a .410 to hand down.
🛒 Buy the Franchi Instinct L .410, $2,180.00
Best .410 shotgun for grouse and small game
The best .410 shotgun for grouse is one with a second shot, so the Khan pump, the Stoeger double or the Arista over/under make the most sense. For walking logging roads with a light gun over the shoulder, the Charles Daly is hard to beat. Our best grouse gun guide compares the .410 with the 20 gauge, 12 gauge and .22 for that job.
Best .410 shotgun for a new or young shooter
The light recoil helps, but the small pattern makes misses more likely, which can put a beginner off. For many new shooters a light 20 gauge is the better first shotgun. If you go with a .410, a single shot is the traditional choice: one shell at a time and an action that is easy to check. Anyone under 18 needs a licensed adult to buy the gun, and youth licensing rules depend on age and province. The RCMP firearms pages cover licences.
.410 vs 20 gauge
The 20 gauge carries more shot and patterns more evenly, so it is easier to hit with and reaches a little farther. The .410 is lighter, quieter and softer. If you will only own one small shotgun and plan to hunt with it, the 20 is the safer bet. If you want the lightest possible gun for close shots, or a second shotgun to go with a 12, the .410 is a joy to carry. Our 12 gauge vs 20 gauge guide covers the bigger bores.
Best .410 shotgun loads
For grouse and rabbits, #6 or #7½ lead is the usual choice. Buy 3 inch shells if your gun is chambered for them, since they carry more pellets. Shop shotgun ammo for what is in stock.
Prices current as of November 2026.