Type Revolver Manufacturer MIL, Inc. Weight 48 Ounces | Place of origin United States Produced 1992—1998 | |
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Variants California-approved model | ||
The MIL, Inc. Thunder 5 is a large, double-action revolver chambered in the .410-bore shotshell cartridge. It is also designed to fire the .45 Colt revolver cartridge. It is similar to a Taurus Judge, but is not a copy of the gun, as the Thunder 5 predates the Judge by a decade.
Description
The revolver, somewhat unusual for the type of weapon, features a manual safety lever. It also features Pachmayr decelerator grips. The Thunder 5 comes in either matte or bright stainless steel finish and has fixed sights.
The Thunder 5 is a considerably large revolver, especially for a snub nose; at nine inches in length. As the barrel is rifled, the Thunder 5 is not considered a short-barrelled shotgun under United States federal law, but is under California statutes. However, a variant was produced in .45/70 Government that is legal in California. Production of the .45/70 variant started in 1994.
Sub-caliber sleeve inserts in 9mm Parabellum, .38 Special/.357 Magnum and .38 Super were produced and available until 1998. In more recent years, the Thunder 5 has become a hotter collector's item, and has even appeared in a few movies.