The Rossi Tuffy

Back when traveling by automobile was an adventure, a number of companies marketed guns especially for use by travelers, much as they had marketed bicycle pistols for early cyclists to defend themselves against wild dogs. These automobile guns were typically short barreled shotguns like the Ithaca "Auto & Burglar Gun." The Ithaca, like most similar guns, was nothing more than a short (12.2") barreled variant of a standard Ithaca 20 gauge double, with a pistol grip replacing the shoulder stock. But in 1934 the National Firearms Act made the transfer of such guns subject to a $200 transfer tax- about $3143 in 2011 dollars- and Ithaca, realizing that it would be impossible to sell a $30 guns with a $200 tax, quit making the Auto & Burglar.

The idea of a short shotgun has hung on, as it's a very useful arm, and not just for the Prohibition-era gangsters targeted by the NFA. As Ithaca noted, it's a good choice for home protection, being easier to maneuver indoors than a full length gun, and the shot from an unchoked barrel is far less likely to penetrate a wall than a slug from a 9mm pistol. The compact size means they can make good survival guns, too. H&R used to make a short stocked single shot shotgun called the "Snake Charmer" and variations of it have been made off and on by H&R's successor, NEF. These guns are really more like long barreled pistols with a stub of a stock added to bring them to a legal length. Often they're marketed as youth guns, but their real market is as defensive and survival guns.

The most recent entry in this market is a clone, in .410, of these H&R guns from Rossi. It's called the Tuffy, and it's a tiny, light, and apparently well made gun. I was handling one over at Gander Mountain the other day, and when I saw the price- $149- I was sorely tempted to buy it then and there.  I've been looking,, casually, for a single barrel .410 for use as a squirrel or rabbit gun, and it occurred to me that the Tuffy might be a handy gun for just that purpose. Then I found an interesting video on YouTube of a fellow who says he lives in the woods, and who modified his by attaching a stock extension with Gorilla tape:



Might just have to go back to Gander and buy one.