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Iver Johnson Revolver Shotgun in Depth
The new Iver Johnson 1000 .410 GA Revolver Tactical Shotgun landed with a bamg because it does something most shotguns simply do not. It uses a revolver action. That’s right. A shotgun with revolver mechanics. And that quirk is exactly what makes it fascinating, controversial, and instantly talking-point material at gun shops and online forums alike.
It’s up for sale at about $550 and it’s listed at Firearms Depot
Revolvers are reliable, simple, predictable and they’re also normally handguns chambered in 44 Magnum, or 357 Magnum. But transplanting that idea into a shotgun? That’s bold. The Iver Johnson 1000 keeps a 20-inch barrel, which gives it enough length to handle slug loads cleanly and still stay compact. It chambers .410 GA cartridges.
The revolver action changes the game in a few ways. First, there’s the cylinder. Instead of a tube magazine under the barrel, you get a rotating cylinder with six chambers. That means loading in a way that feels familiar to anyone who’s spun rounds into a six-gun. It also means less fiddling with tubular loading rods or springs. With the 1000, you load each round into the cylinder, rotate, click, and you’re ready. It’s almost tactile in a nostalgic way, and we like it a little more than we should.
Gimmick or Good Engineering? Why Not Both?
Sit down with a group of shooters and the reactions vary. Some see it as a novelty. Others see it as a genuinely smart alternative for people who want a “different” shotgun experience without weirdness. And that’s the tipping point. It isn’t trying to compete directly with semi-autos or classic pumps action shotguns. It’s carving a niche, and it’s mechanically interesting.
But who is Iver Johnson, the brand behind this? They are a name with deep roots in American firearms history. Iver Johnson was founded in the late 1800s, and for decades the name has been associated with solid, no-nonsense guns built for reliability and everyday carry. That legacy continues today with a catalogue that ranges from classic revolvers to rugged rifles. Their unique selling point has always been dependable performance at friendly prices.
They also make some pretty cool shotguns that pay tribute to funs from yesteryear, and plain old mash-ups of old ideas and new presentation like this one.
Biggest sellers for Iver Johnson over the years tell that story. Their M Ranchero revolvers are perennial favorites, simple six shooters with enough steel and enough nostalgia to satisfy both new shooters and seasoned ones. Their Lever-Action rifles remind people that repeatable mechanics never go out of style. Now the 1000 Revolver Tactical shotgun joins that lineage, the oddball sibling that somehow fits.
In a market crowded with semi-auto tactical shotguns and hyper-modded rigs, the Iver Johnson 1000 .410 GA stands apart. Not because it’s trying to outgun the competition. But because it gives shooters something they rarely see: a shotgun with revolver soul. You may love it or scratch your head at it. But you won’t forget it.
