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.410 Shotguns
- Iber Arms
- .410 Shotguns
A .410 shotgun is a shotgun chambered for the .410 bore, the smallest widely used shotgun shell. The bore measures .410 inch (about 10.4 mm), so it is technically a caliber rather than a gauge; expressed as a gauge it would be roughly 67. It fires 65 mm (2½”) or 76 mm (3″) shells with very light recoil.
.410 shotguns at a glance
- Bore 0.410″ (10.4 mm); sold as “36 gauge” or “Cal. 36” in much of Europe and Türkiye.
- Shells 65 mm (2½”) and 76 mm (3″); a 3″ chamber fires both.
- Strengths very light recoil and light guns; ideal for small game at close range and skeet.
- Limits small payload and short effective range; shells often cost as much as, or more than, 12 gauge.
- Iber .410 models magazine-fed semi-auto IB-MF20, revolving-cylinder IB-RV01 to RV03, and over/unders IB-OU01 to OU04 in .410 bore.
What does .410 mean? Bore, gauge and the “36 gauge” label
Most shotguns are described by gauge, which is the number of lead balls of the bore’s diameter that together weigh one pound. A 12 gauge bore is the diameter of a lead ball weighing 1/12 lb, and a 20 gauge bore that of one weighing 1/20 lb. The .410 breaks that system. Its name is simply the bore diameter in inches, 0.410″ or about 10.4 mm, which is why it is correctly called a bore or caliber. Converted to the gauge system, a 0.410″ bore works out to roughly 67 gauge (often quoted as 67.5), but nobody sells it under that name.
In much of continental Europe and in Türkiye, .410 guns and shells are commonly labeled “36”, as in “36 gauge”, “Cal. 36” or “.410/36”. This is a long-standing trade name, not a measurement, since a true 36-gauge bore would be about 12.9 mm (0.506″), far larger than the 10.4 mm .410. The shell is the same, so check the chamber length marked on the gun rather than the name. Iber’s catalog lists its .410 over/unders as “36 gauge”, while we write “.410 bore (36 gauge)” to avoid confusion.
| Name you may see | What it describes | Value |
|---|---|---|
| .410 bore | Bore diameter in inches | 0.410″ (10.4 mm) |
| 36 gauge / Cal. 36 | European and Turkish trade name for the same shell | Same as .410 bore |
| About 67 gauge | Theoretical gauge equivalent of a 0.410″ bore | Not used commercially |
| True 36 gauge | Bore of a lead ball weighing 1/36 lb | About 12.9 mm (0.506″), not the .410 |
.410 shells in 2½-inch (65 mm) and 3-inch (76 mm) lengths
Two shell lengths dominate. A gun with a 76 mm (3″) chamber, like every Iber .410 model, fires both; a 65 mm (2½”) chamber takes only the shorter shell. Never fire a shell longer than the chamber marked on the barrel.
| Shell | Typical lead shot payload | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 65 mm (2½”) | Up to about 14 g (½ oz) | Skeet and light small-game loads; the softest-shooting option |
| 76 mm (3″) | Up to about 19 g (11/16 oz) | Hunting and pest control; more pellets for denser patterns |
| Slugs | Light slugs, typically ⅕–¼ oz (6–7 g) | Short range only; check point of impact |
| Tungsten (TSS) and buckshot loads | Varies by maker | High-density TSS has made the .410 a niche turkey option where regulations allow |
Some revolving carbines made by other companies are designed for both .410 shells and .45 Colt cartridges. Never assume a .410 shotgun accepts anything other than the shells marked on its barrel.
What is a .410 shotgun good for?
Small game and pest control
Rabbits, squirrels, rats and feral pigeons at close range, around farm buildings and gardens, where a light gun and a small payload are an advantage.
Skeet
The .410 is one of the four classic skeet gauges, alongside 12, 20 and 28. It is the hardest class, which is exactly why experienced shooters enjoy it.
Learning, with caveats
Recoil is very light, but the small pattern makes moving targets harder to hit. Many coaches start beginners on a 20 gauge or light 12 gauge loads and keep the .410 for later.
Turkey with dense loads
Tungsten super shot loads let a tightly choked .410 take turkey at moderate range where local rules permit the gauge.
Compact and novelty platforms
Low recoil makes the .410 suitable for compact formats such as magazine-fed semi-autos and revolving-cylinder guns.
Home and property protection
Some owners choose a .410 for its low recoil where this use is lawful, but it delivers far less payload than a 20 or 12 gauge. Local law governs both ownership and use.
Recoil, range and patterns
Felt recoil depends mainly on payload, velocity and gun weight. Because a .410 shell carries roughly a third to a half of a typical 12 gauge field load, recoil is very light even in a light gun. The trade-off is range and forgiveness. With fewer pellets and a long, narrow shot column, patterns thin out quickly. With standard lead loads, small game is best taken within about 25 to 30 m (roughly 25 to 35 yards), and pattern-testing your gun with your chosen shells is worth more than any rule of thumb. A tighter choke helps keep patterns usable, but it also makes misses easier at close range.
.410 vs 20 gauge vs 12 gauge
| Feature | .410 bore | 20 gauge | 12 gauge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bore diameter | 10.4 mm (0.410″) | 15.6 mm (0.615″) | 18.5 mm (0.729″) |
| Typical field payload | 14–19 g (½–11/16 oz) | 24–28 g (⅞–1 oz) | 28–36 g (1–1¼ oz) |
| Recoil | Very light | Moderate | Heaviest |
| Practical range on small game | Short | Medium | Medium to long |
| Gun weight | Lightest | Light | Medium to heavy |
| Shell cost and choice | Fewer loads, often costly per shell | Wide choice | Widest choice, usually cheapest |
| Best for | Small game at close range, skeet, compact guns | Upland, smaller shooters, all-round light gun | Everything, including waterfowl, turkey and slugs |
| Main drawback | Small pattern, unforgiving | Less versatile than 12 | Recoil and weight |
For most first-time buyers a 20 gauge is the easier all-rounder. The .410 makes sense when low recoil, low weight or a compact platform matter more than payload.
Types of .410 shotgun
The .410 is built in almost every action type. Here is what each offers and where Iber fits.
- Break-action single shot the classic first .410. Iber’s single barrel shotguns are cataloged in 12 gauge.
- Over/under two shots, two chokes, a favorite for skeet and walked-up small game. All four Iber over/unders are offered in .410 bore.
- Magazine-fed semi-auto fast follow-up shots with detachable box magazines. Iber offers the IB-MF20.
- Revolving cylinder five shots in a rotating cylinder. Iber offers the IB-RV01 to RV03.
- Pump, lever, bolt and bullpup also made in .410 by various makers. Iber’s lever actions and bullpups are 12 gauge only.
Magazine-fed and semi-auto .410 (IB-MF20)
The IB-MF20 is a gas-operated, AR-pattern .410 with detachable box magazines in 2+1, 5+1 or 10+1 configurations, 47 cm (18.5″) or 51 cm (20″) 4140 steel barrels, a 76 mm (3″) chamber and Mobil-type chokes with a slug option. A .410 shell produces much less gas than a 12 gauge, so small-bore gas guns are more sensitive to load choice; test the shells your market uses. More in our magazine-fed shotguns range.
410 revolver shotgun models IB-RV01 to RV03
The IB-RV series holds five .410 shells in a revolving cylinder, with 47 or 51 cm barrels and 76 mm (3″) chambers. The IB-RV01 is a classic with a walnut stock and bronze-finish metalwork; the IB-RV02 and IB-RV03 use a tactical chassis with adjustable stock, pistol grip and railed handguard. Keep hands and face clear of the gap between cylinder and barrel when firing. See our new shotguns page for details.
410 over under in the .410 bore IB-OU series
Every Iber over/under is offered in .410 bore (36 gauge), with a boxlock action, ventilated rib, Turkish walnut stock, ejector or extractor, and barrels of 47, 51, 55 or 61 cm (18.5–24″). A .410 over/under gives two shots with different chokes in a very light gun, which suits skeet practice and small game.
Is there a 410 bullpup or lever action from Iber?
Not at present. Iber’s bullpup shotguns (IB-BP01, BP02) and lever action shotguns are 12 gauge only. For a compact .410, consider the magazine-fed IB-MF20 or the IB-RV revolving-cylinder models.
Iber .410 shotgun models
| Model | Type | Action | Capacity | Barrels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IB-MF20 | Magazine-fed, AR-pattern | Gas-operated semi-auto | 2+1 / 5+1 / 10+1 | 47 / 51 cm |
| IB-RV01 | Revolving cylinder, walnut classic | Revolving cylinder | 5 | 47 / 51 cm |
| IB-RV02 | Revolving cylinder, black tactical chassis | Revolving cylinder | 5 | 47 / 51 cm |
| IB-RV03 | Revolving cylinder, olive camouflage tactical chassis | Revolving cylinder | 5 | 47 / 51 cm |
| IB-OU01 to IB-OU04 | Over/under in .410 bore (36 gauge) | Break action, boxlock | 2 | 47 / 51 / 55 / 61 cm |
All use 4140 steel barrels and 76 mm (3″) chambers, with Mobil-type interchangeable chokes and a slug option listed in the catalog.
How to choose a .410 shotgun
- Purpose skeet and small game suit an over/under; fast follow-up shots suit the magazine-fed semi-auto; a compact five-shot format suits the revolver.
- Chamber choose a 76 mm (3″) chamber so you can use both shell lengths.
- Chokes interchangeable tubes let you tighten patterns for hunting or open them for skeet.
- Fit and weight a very light .410 is easy to carry but harder to swing smoothly; fit matters more than weight.
- Ammunition supply check which .410 loads are available and affordable in your market before choosing a platform.
- Legal category the action type, not the bore, usually decides the license category.
.410 shotgun laws (general information)
In most countries a .410 is regulated exactly like any other shotgun of the same action type. The summary below is general information as of October 2026, not legal advice; verify with the competent authority before buying, importing or exporting.
| Country | General position for .410 shotguns |
|---|---|
| United States | Same rules as other shotguns, so the barrel must be at least 18″ and overall length at least 26″ to stay outside the NFA. Imports need an ATF Form 6 permit and must meet “sporting purposes” criteria, and semi-autos assembled with imported parts are subject to 922(r). State laws vary. |
| Canada | Classification by the RCMP Firearms Reference Table; semi-automatic centerfire shotgun magazines are limited to five shells, and newer detachable-magazine semi-auto designs may fall under the prohibited definition introduced in December 2023. |
| Australia | Category follows the action, not the bore. Break actions are Category A, lever actions B or D, and pump and self-loading C or D. Confirm revolving-cylinder designs with the state or territory registry. |
| United Kingdom (Great Britain) | A break-action .410 with barrels of at least 24″ falls under a Section 2 shotgun certificate (only the 61 cm Iber over/under barrels qualify). Revolver guns and guns with detachable magazines need Section 1, and self-loading smooth-bore guns with barrels under 24″ are prohibited. |
| South Africa | Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000; the self-defense license (s13) excludes semi-automatic shotguns. Break-action .410s can be licensed for self-defense, hunting or sport shooting. Imports need a SAPS import permit. |
Why are 410 shotguns illegal in some states?
Generally, they are not. Ordinary .410 shotguns with barrels of at least 18″ and an overall length of at least 26″ are legal wherever other shotguns are. The confusion comes from related products. Smooth-bore handguns that fire shotshells are regulated under the NFA as “any other weapons”. Some handguns designed to fire .410 shells, such as certain .410/.45 Colt revolvers, are restricted by state law; California, for example, treats firearms designed to fire shotgun shells with barrels under 18″ as short-barreled shotguns. Some hunting regulations also set minimum gauges for particular game. Check your state and local rules.
Sourcing .410 shotguns from Iber Arms
Iber Arms has built shotguns in Beyşehir, Konya, Türkiye’s main shotgun-making region, since 2000 and has exported since 2010. Our .410 range covers three action types, with 4140 steel barrels, in-house finishing and assembly, and test-firing at the factory. We supply importers, distributors, licensed dealers and government buyers, offer samples for evaluation and private-label builds with your logo and finish, and accept orders of any quantity. Ask our export team which proof marks and certificates are available for your market. For related reading, see Turkish shotgun manufacturers, private label shotguns and how to import shotguns from Turkey.
Request the Iber .410 technical sheets
Tell us which .410 models, configurations and quantities you need and your destination country. Send your inquiry, browse our catalogs or email export@iberarms.com.
Reviewed by the Iber Arms technical & export team — October 2026.
.410 Shotgun FAQ
What does .410 mean on a shotgun?
It is the bore diameter in inches, 0.410″, or about 10.4 mm. Unlike 12 or 20 gauge, which are based on the weight of a lead ball that fits the bore, the .410 is named by direct measurement, so it is technically a caliber. It is the smallest widely used shotgun bore.
Is a .410 the same as a 36 gauge shotgun?
Yes, in practice. In much of Europe and in Türkiye, .410 guns and shells are sold as “36 gauge” or “Cal. 36”. It is a trade name rather than a measurement, since a true 36-gauge bore would be about 12.9 mm. The shell is the same .410, so check the chamber length marked on the gun.
What gauge is a .410 really?
If you convert a 0.410″ bore into the gauge system, it works out to roughly 67 gauge, often quoted as 67.5. That figure is only a curiosity, because shells and guns are sold as .410 bore, or as 36 gauge in Europe and Türkiye, never as 67 gauge.
Why are 410 shotguns illegal in some states?
Generally they are not. Normal .410 shotguns with barrels of at least 18″ and an overall length of at least 26″ are legal wherever other shotguns are. The confusion comes from .410 handguns and short configurations, which fall under the NFA or state rules, such as California’s, and from hunting regulations that set minimum gauges for some game.
Can you shoot 2½-inch shells in a 3-inch .410?
Yes. A 76 mm (3″) chamber safely fires both 65 mm (2½”) and 76 mm (3″) .410 shells, which is why all Iber .410 models use 3″ chambers. The reverse is not true, so never fire a 3″ shell in a gun chambered for 2½”. In semi-autos, test shorter shells for reliable cycling.
Is a .410 a good shotgun for beginners?
It has very light recoil and the guns are light, which helps. But the small pattern makes moving targets harder to hit, which can discourage new shooters. Many coaches prefer a 20 gauge or light 12 gauge target loads for learning and treat the .410 as a specialist small-game and skeet gun.
Is a .410 good for home defense?
A .410 can work at close range and its low recoil appeals to some owners, but it delivers far less payload than a 20 or 12 gauge, and many instructors recommend a larger gauge where defensive ownership is lawful. Laws on keeping and using firearms for defense vary widely, so check local rules first.
Is there a magazine-fed semi-auto .410 shotgun?
Yes. Iber’s IB-MF20 is a gas-operated, AR-pattern .410 with detachable box magazines in 2+1, 5+1 or 10+1 configurations, 47 or 51 cm barrels and a 76 mm (3″) chamber. Small-bore gas guns are more sensitive to load choice than 12 gauge, so test the shells you plan to use.
Does Iber make a .410 bullpup or lever action shotgun?
No. Iber’s bullpups, the IB-BP01 and BP02, and all of its lever action shotguns are 12 gauge. For a compact .410, the options are the magazine-fed IB-MF20 and the IB-RV01 to RV03 revolving-cylinder shotguns, and all four Iber over/unders are offered in .410 bore.
What is a .410 revolver shotgun?
It is a long gun that holds .410 shells in a revolving cylinder behind the barrel. Iber’s IB-RV series has a five-shot cylinder, 47 or 51 cm barrels and 76 mm chambers, in a walnut classic or a tactical chassis. It is cataloged for .410 shells only, not .45 Colt.
Can importers order Iber .410 models under their own brand?
Yes. We build private-label versions of the IB-MF20, IB-RV series and .410 over/unders with your logo and finish options, send samples for evaluation and accept orders of any quantity. Send your requirements through the inquiry form and our export team will confirm configurations and documents.
Does Iber Arms sell .410 shotguns to individuals?
No. Iber Arms is a B2B manufacturer supplying importers, distributors, licensed dealers and government buyers. Private buyers should contact a licensed dealer in their country, who can check that the model is legal locally, order it through an importer and handle the registration and transfer.
Why Choose Iber Arms as Your Turkish Shotgun Manufacturer
Why Source .410 Shotguns from Iber Arms
Iber Arms is a Turkish shotgun manufacturer based in Beyşehir, Konya, building shotguns since 2000 and exporting since 2010. Our .410 range covers a magazine-fed semi-auto, a five-shot revolving-cylinder family and four over/unders, all with 4140 steel barrels and 76 mm (3″) chambers.
We work only with importers, distributors, licensed dealers and government buyers. Samples are available, orders of any quantity are accepted, and private-label builds with your logo and finish are standard.
Use the form to request technical sheets and a quotation for your market.
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