Winchester Defender .410 gauge shotshells are engineered as a mixed-payload solution for close-range protection in .410-compatible handguns and shotguns. By combining rigid plated Defense Disc projectiles with plated BB-size shot in a single shell, this load is designed to create a defined central impact zone surrounded by a wider pattern, helping to balance penetration, pattern density, and controllable recoil in compact defensive platforms.
Key Features
Mixed projectile payload – Combines three rigid plated Defense Disc projectiles with twelve plated BB-size pellets to deliver both concentrated impact and a surrounding pattern at typical defensive distances.
Short-range optimization – Payload composition and velocity are tuned for close-quarters use, prioritizing immediate disruption over long-range shot dispersion.
Handgun and shotgun compatibility – Designed to function reliably in .410-bore revolvers, pistols, and shotguns, including compact defensive firearms chambered for .410.
Plated Defense Discs – Disc-shaped projectiles are engineered to resist deformation, contributing to straight-line penetration and a well-defined core impact area.
Plated BB-size shot – Surrounding BB pellets expand the effective hit zone, helping to compensate for minor aiming errors or movement under stress.
Distinctive black hull – Black plastic hull with a black oxide high-base head provides quick visual identification as a defensive load and supports smooth feeding and extraction.
Personal-defense focus – Overall design, including payload configuration and pressure, is oriented toward personal protection rather than hunting or general-purpose target use.
Specifications
Model number – S410PDX1.
Gauge – .410 bore.
Shell length – 2.5 inches (2 1/2").
Payload weight – Approximately 1/4 ounce total projectile weight.
Payload composition – Three plated Defense Disc projectiles stacked over twelve plated BB-size pellets in a mixed-projectile column.
Projectile material – Copper-plated lead discs and copper-plated lead BB shot.
Muzzle velocity – Approximately 750 feet per second from a standard test barrel.
Hull and head – Black plastic shotshell hull with a black oxide high-base metal head.
Rounds per box – 10 cartridges per box.
Rounds per case – 100 cartridges per case (10 boxes per case).
Primary application – Personal defense and home protection in .410-compatible handguns and shotguns; also suitable for close-range varmint and pest control where appropriate.
Competing Items
Hornady Critical Defense .410 Triple Defense – Defensive .410 load using a stacked system of an FTX projectile over two round balls, configured to provide controlled expansion and deep penetration from .410 handguns.
Federal Premium Personal Defense .410 Handgun – Line of .410 personal-defense shotshells using copper-plated buckshot or specialized shot columns, optimized for pattern control and reliability in revolvers and short-barreled .410 firearms.
Remington Ultimate Defense .410 Buckshot – Defensive .410 buckshot load featuring large-pellet buckshot configured for tight, short-range patterns in both handguns and compact shotguns.
Winchester Defender .410 gauge shotshells provide a specialized mixed-payload option for users who rely on .410 firearms for close-range protection. The combination of plated Defense Discs and plated BB-size shot in a compact shell is intended to deliver a strong central strike with a supportive pattern, while the distinctive black hull and purpose-built specifications clearly distinguish this load from general-purpose .410 ammunition.
Please visit the manufacturer's website for more information.
