I shot a short barrel blued 4410 last week at the range. The accuracy with .45 Colt 250gr LRNFP commercial 'cowboy' loads was not awe-inspiring. The rounds made a 1ft diameter circle around the small steel target plate at 12yd (15yd to the berm where the impacts were noted.). Shooting the #6 .410 (2.5") at a man-sized target sheet left impacts swirled - maybe 4" plus apart. At that distance, a family of copperheads would likely be safe.
Most 'cowboy' loads are mild - less than 800 fps from 4.6"-5.5" for 250gr LRNFP. I load a tad warmer loads - usually at the upper limit of the SAAMI spec for .45 Colt (14 kpsi) - and can get a 255gr LSWC to 820+ fps from my 625 Mountain Gun's 4" barrel. With a wood grip, the 2.5 lb steel S&W rates between mild and barely noticeable with said load, which I shot at 12" steel plates at 100yd - standing - freehand hold. I could hit them 3 of 6 shots both before and after shooting the Taurus, all shooting being DA. Oddly, the day-shooter who had the new 4410 didn't do very well with my S&W, either. I can't blame my poor results with his Taurus on 'my' marksmanship... probably the trigger deserves some blame, as it was 'typically Taurus new'. In my experience, Taurus' will improve - especially so for the new 66 we resprung at the range last winter. night and day.
Recoil was a bit higher with the #6 .410's - I feel that may be due to the 'lightness' of the 4410 - perhaps an Al frame(?). In any case, I'd get a .45 Colt, if that is what I thought appropriate for 'protection'. I love the 625MG so-chambered, actually now having two of them, but the Tracker would be a fair substitute for it's price - if it is still available. The 4410 - and the 3" chamber 4510 due out this fall - are a novelty to me... there won't be one here.
Stainz