I’ve owned the Snake Slayer for a little over a month and kept it for night-time home protection. I also carried it for a few days as my CCW. I finally was able to get to the range and test it out and boy was I surprised. I shot Winchester 2 1/2″, 3″ PDX1 .410 Defender shot as well as Winchester Super X 45 Colt. I was ready for a bit of a kick, but after the first shot shell blast, I set the gun down for a minute to reconnoiter. Other shooters at the range also paused and asked what I was shooting. This is definitely NOT too much gun, my only recommendation is that you take it to the range to become acclimated to the power. Don’t use it for personal defense like I did without understanding its performance. At the range, I shot at a realistic 5 yards, which would be a typical distance if an intruder/culprit is your target. ONE shot with a .410 shell will most undoubtedly stop an invader (he will not ask for another). The sound alone coming at him will make him shake in his boots. Every shot I took at the range hit the target where I wanted…even the second shot (though I was still a little intimidated). This is a precision instrument…so well engineered. I am very glad I made this purchase. Once again, I recommend that you must get it to the range soonest and get some practice first before using it for self defense.