Who started their shooting career by learning with a .410? Here are some reviews of this classic calibre.

Holland & Holland's .410 side-by-side shotgun

Few things are more enjoyable than a .410 driven day. The gauge encourages camaraderie and curiosity over contest. Performance may exceed expectation. Provided sensible limits are imposed on range, you may soon forget that you are using a smaller bore. A .410, like a 28-bore, can make the average more…

Rizzini BR221

For the November 2025 issue of The Field, I was testing two new BR221 guns from Rizzini imported by Anglo Spanish Imports (ASI) of Snape: one is a 28-bore, the other a .410. These guns are light; the 28-bore weighs just 5lb 4oz and the .410 5lb 7oz (a little…

Manor & Co .22 revolving carbine

The test gun is a bespoke Manor & Co .22 revolving carbine – a most unusual (but repeatable) custom creation. It is built on a centrefire-sized frame with interchangeable .22 Long Rifle (LR) and .22 Magnum cylinders (in .22 LR the cylinder capacity is nine shots; in .22 Magnum, eight).…

Smith & Torok .410

This test gun is a London-made 30in .410 side-by-side sidelock by Smith & Torok. It is made on the Purdey-Beesley self-opening system with a rounded action bar. Maker Alex Torok is one of a team of ex-Purdey men who set up independently in 2013. Sadly, Mike Smith died a few…

Yildiz Pro 20-bore

The Yildiz Pro 20-bore in depth This test looks at a type of gun that I have long used for much of my own game shooting: a 32in 20-bore over-and-under. This one is made by Yildiz, a Turkish firm best known in the UK for its well-priced, lightweight, alloy actioned…

RB EM and Regal

This month we look at two Italian-made Rizzini over-and-unders: the RB EM and Regal from Anglo Spanish Imports. The latter is sideplated but the RB EM features a round-bar. Both guns under our spotlight are 30in 12-bores with 3in chambers, multichokes, steel shot proof, and inertia-operated single triggers. The guns…

Rizzini BR550 side-by-side 16-bore

This test features a Rizzini BR550 side-by-side 16-bore. Weighing a handy 6lb 5oz, it has 30in barrels, a single selective trigger, concave rib, multichokes and an open radius pistol grip (28in barrels are an option, as are a straight-hand stock and double trigger). With a laser scroll-engraved action that is…

Miroku MK38 Sporter

We look at a Grade 3 30in Miroku MK38 Sporter. Featuring Teague multichokes and 3in chambers proofed for steel, this competition gun has a single selective, inertia-operated trigger and a 10mm ventilated sighting rib. The comparatively reasonable bottom line is £2,880. Miroku has always offered value for money and enjoys…

EJ Churchill Hercules

This month we look at two EJ Churchill Hercules guns. The guns, a 12-bore and a 20-bore, are over-and-unders made in association with Battista Rizzini in northern Italy but benefit from EJ Churchill’s gunmaking, game-shooting and instructional experience. EJ CHURCHILL HERCULES REVIEW Both guns are sideplated and profusely engraved with…

smith & torok 28-bore

SMITH & TOROK 28-BORE SIDE-BY-SIDE SIDELOCK This review focuses on a pair of Smith & Torok 28-bore side-by-side sidelocks. Weighing a fraction under 6lb each, they are 30in self-opening guns based on the Purdey system made by Alex Torok, whose delightful .410 double we reviewed in the November 2021 issue.…