Firearms International .410
My father purchased a .410 made by Firearms Intl back in 1972. I've never seen anything like it before and was wondering if anyone has any background on them. Single shot .410, wire stock. It has a trigger type assembly that breaks it open sideways. It is pretty much a barrel and a trigger (very simple design). It's by far my favorite shotgun as it's light as a feather and great for pounding through the brush. I'd like to pick another one up for my son if there are any similar type shotguns out there. I'll post some pictures once I get them sent to me. Thanks in advance for any info.
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Hello Bullride8
Frist welcome to the forum. Yes i also have one in 410. They also made one in a 22, which I also have. They also made a 22/410 over under and a 22mag/410 over under. I have never seen either of the combo guns.Bauer made a similar 22/410 called the bauer rabbit. And I believe garica also imported a 22/410 which is about the same as the firearms international gun. Any verision is tought to find, they don't last long when they come up for sale. I tramp a lot of shows and you just don't see them.I think people hang on to them since they are neat little guns. I have seen a single 22 or 410 for sale every now and then on the net, but never a combo 22/410, and have never seen a combo at a gun show,for sale.The only reason I found mine is that I saw a ad for the two guns for sale in the gun list and they listed in a catogorey completley out of place. The old guy had bought them in 1972 for his grandson who shot them very little and grew up and showed no interest in guns so he sold them. I also surf the internet gun sites and you will see the singles for sale now and then, thier again I've never seen a combo for sale on the net either.Thier is a gentleman on this forum (a great guy ) by the name of outdoortexas, who also has a passion for these guns and who could also give you some more info. My advise surf the net and the gun shows and you might find paydirt.Good luck and happy hunting.0 -
bullride,
It took a lot of searching but I now have at least one of every model, NIB. The 22 LR's are fairly common and will go for $80 to around $150, depending on condition. Same for the 410's on price,
but they are harder to locate.
I've only seen one 22 mag for sale and was fortunate enough to win that auction. I say all this hoping someone can still help me find a 22/410 as a shooter for canoe trips. Not concerned with looks as long as the bores are good.
Now, if the Capt. won't poof me for saying that...[;)],
I do have an extra 410 that I'd part with...
but not until I find the O/U I need for the river, right now it's used for getting supper.
If you'll send me your addy I'll keep it on file, if and when I find the O/U, I'll turn loose of the extra 410. And, if I see another 410 for sale I'd be happy to point you in the right direction.
Long winded here, but I actually have been offering a $100 reward now for months just for the lead to finding the extra O/U I'm looking for. So far, no luck although several here have been helpful in the search.
BTW, beltfed, thanks for the kind words! [:D]0 -
beltfed or tex.. hello, I just bought a 410 version of the gun you speak of. A gunsmith friend of mine was selling it for another friend and I talked him out of it for $50 bucks. It's nothing to brag about but the bore is good. Listen I know nothing about this gun other than the basic design caught my eye. there isn't much written on it accept the letters "410" and the number three. I assumed that was the load length. I am curious to know more about these. can any replacement parts be bought.. how sturdy are they for such a little thing... and can I shoot slugs through it.. not sure I even want to, but just handy info to have. also anything I can do to it to make it last longer or "tune" it up. It seems solid. just curious. any help I can get is greatly appreciated 0 -
Received your email Sam...been a while since I was in the Captain Kirk's backyard... Needed to check in on him anyway...[;)] Thanks for the excuse to drop in...
beltfed's and my old old post cover a good part of the story...but there's more. LOcated in Washingto DC of all places, Firearms International was a 'Front' company for the CIA in the days when Ollie North was shipping and trading for the Central Americans around Nicaragua, so the story goes. Regardless, these are sweet little guns.
There is no 22 Mag/410 that I am aware of, although there were a couple of companys who's name shows up on the 22, 22 Mag., 410 and 22/410,FI, Garcia, and Bauer. All weigh right at 3-1/2 #'s. One model, a little different than the others, which I have, is a Garcia with a plastic "wood looking" insert in the stock. Actually does nothing functionally, but does look different.
FI also imported a combo in 1960 which was a 'Unique Model L 22 LR pistol with a rifle conversion kit. Crap...I would think, but honestly have not held one, so that's only a personal assumpsion.
I did finally locate an extra 'used' 22/410 for my canoe trips and it's a great 'supper getter' on the river...frogs to whatever. In fact, I regularly shoot young wild pigs with the 410 bbl...slugs do a good job on them, especially the 3-inchers.
The only thing I have found that bears watching on the older/worn versions...is that the bbl may be misaligned as the guns wear. I have one that is really beat up, but all you have to do is apply a bit of pressure under the barrel and it then lines up on target. Still safe to shoot even if this pressure is not applied. But, I wouldn't take a chance on selling it.
I do have an extra 410 model that is slick as new...might be talked out of it...[:D] Prices are continuing to climb...like on every thing else. In 1971, the shotgun sold for $24.95, I don't think you'll find a decent one now for less than $150, if you're lucky. The 22 sold for $15.95, but is about the same as the 410 now.
The O/U will be hard to find...and even harder to buy as most gun nuts wouldn't part with theirs for such small prices...they're just to unusual.
www.ALLFOURFEET.com
www.TheShootersClub.com0 -
cool thanks for the info. like I said I ran across this from a smith and he thought pretty little of it and took the $50 I offered him. I'm not looking to start a collection of them. I just want to be safe with the one I got. I figured ift they were prone to a specific failure you would know. I do a lot of boar hunting but I'm not sure this little gun would make me feel very good if that was all that was between me and a big russian. 0
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