Hubby wants a shot gun.

[pistolpackin29]

Ok, I am fairly new to gun owner ship and I must admit Im still a bit nervouse about them but I am getting used to the idea of having the hand guns around they do make me feel safer in my home but hubby now wants a shot gun and those just freak me out! Had a bad experience with them when I was a kid and I have bad shoulders so he says most likely I wont be able to shoot it any way, but because of bad experiences I am not sure if I should let him get one. What do you think?

[JWT]

Shotguns are no more or no less 'dangerous' than handguns or rifles assuming one has good training and uses common sense and proper safety measures. Firearms tend to be as safe as the individual handling or shooting them.

[mwar410]

i'd feel alot safer with a shotgun around. Its alot easier to keep the business end pointed in the right direction. And if it is used for HD there's less of a risk of shooting through walls.

[pistolpackin29]

Oh trust me I realize that they are no less dangerous than a hand gun but I think its the size of them that freak me out.

[fisherman66]

I'd surmise a shotgun is LESS dangerous than a handgun in the hands of an irresponsible gun owner. In the hands of a safety conscious gun owner there should be no difference.

Even though my wife does not share my passion (she has no disdain, thank goodness); I'm a proponent of getting the family involved as much as they are willing. I don't know how bad your shoulders are, but I hope you keep an open mind and consider enjoying shotgun sports with your husband. A 28 gauge should be manageable for many shooters, but that's usually found in more expensive double shotguns. A 410 can be found in many platforms and recoils less, but offers a less dense pattern in many loads. If you can handle a 20 gauge that's the route I'd go, but you won't know until you try it.

Stock fit makes a huge difference. If I were your hubby, I'd try to make my new shotgun fit YOU if you are willing to enjoy the shooting sports or hunting with me.

[DiscoRacing]

my girl dont like the fact that i have 8 guns in the house.. .i have her agreeing to the idea tho... that the guns are only as safe/unsafe as the people around them.... respect and knowlege of use/misuse of the guns make them as safe as anything else round the house... we also have three children around the house... youngest being 13 now.... and we have taught them all to respect the weapons and not mess with them if you dont know proper use and if you fear them.

[OnTheFly]

Please don't take this as an insult, but you need to recognize an irrational fear and over come it. ANY firearm is capable of taking a life if the dangers involved are not respected. I'm guessing that if you look at the incident which fostered this fear, you would likely find that you or someone else made an egregious error. Maybe it was lack of safe handling or maybe you didn't receive the proper instruction before firing a shotgun. Whatever it was, you have to understand that shotguns are as prevalent in our society as any other firearm. Especially in the Midwest. I would imagine most rural homes have at least one shotgun. It is highly likely that a person was the cause of your fear and not the gun itself.

If you can't or don't want to shoot it, then please don't. I have no desire to shoot a 50 cal revolver so I don't. Though I wouldn't deny my spouse the pleasure :rolleyes: of owning/shooting one if that's what she wanted. My irrational fear is swimming in the ocean. Just the thought of creatures with big sharp teeth that could eat me is enough to send shivers up my spine. Though, when we go to the beach, I recognize it for what it is...irrational, and go in the water with my kids.

Fly

[oletymer]

Fear of an inanimate object is something that can be cured. Just think about it. It is no different than a handgun except for size. Both guns can help you in a time of need. Both can also cause problems when handled incorrectly. Try shooting a small gauge as some suggested and you will see that it is just an object that is under your controll.

[Lee Lapin]

Ummmm....

Please excuse me, for being the loutish sort of individual that I am, and accustomed to speaking my mind as I am, but... let him get one, did you say? LET your husband get a shotgun?

Seriously, and I do not mean to sound snide here- but is your husband a competent adult? If so, why would you possibly object to him having the most effective defensive weapon available to protect you and your household? Or one of the most versatile of firearms, suitable for a variety of sporting purposes?

I completely agree that important decisions in a marriage should be discussed, and agreement reached. But I could just see myself telling my wife she couldn't have a shotgun if she wanted one. That would be a truly memorable occasion- for me, the neighbors, the rest of the family... 8^). No way would she- or I- think, or act, in terms of 'letting' each other do anything. In fact, our mutually agreed upon guidelines are pretty simple- unilateral action need not be discussed in regard to anything that 1) does not have a heartbeat, and 2) costs less than a month's income.

But maybe we're weird...

lpl

ETA: My wife says upon reading the above that in fact I AM being loutish, as I sometimes am (but she is going to keep me anyway). She wants to know which it is you might be afraid of- your husband, or the shotgun? She thinks you ought to be more afraid of your local thugs than either one, unless something is going on you aren't telling us about. And she said I should remind you that shotguns are inanimate objects, just like handguns, and aren't going to do anything that some human doesn't make them do.

And she says I should tell you that with proper teaching, and a properly fitted shotgun and loads, that you might be able to shoot a shotgun as well as anyone else. And that you shouldn't be afraid of it no matter what.

[tote'n a roscoe]

size does not matter

[Katrina Guy]

THEN you'll be begging hubby to get a shotgun, or two!

[levrluvr]

The best way to get over your fear of a prior experience is to get right back at it again- the old 'get right back on the horse' cliche'.
One of the biggest problems with shotguns and women is fit. I think if you had one fitted to you (correct length of pull) and a slightly shorter barrel i.e. offerings from H&R/NEF compacts you might find you'll enjoy ownership of one as much as your husband. My wife grew up on a farm with 5 brothers, shot often, and is quite proficient with rifle and shotgun, however her problem was always in using guns that were fitted much more for a 6' man than a 5'2" woman. We made a simple trip to a competent local gunsmith with a new 20 gauge 870 and a new Limbsaver recoil pad. He shortened the length of pull to fit her, and she enjoys the heck out of it. Keep an open mind, give it a try. You might find you'll like it.;)

[oneounceload]

IF you're thinking of shooting them again, DO NOT get something short and light.....weight, plus light load= low recoil. Get a stock that FITS, use light loads for practice......a gas gun like 1100 will also help to absorb felt recoil; otherwise, you rely on your handgun and let husband use his shotgun

[NavyLT]

size does not matter

Keep tellin' yourself that :D Just don't try to tell a woman that.

[protectedbyglock]

My fiancee loves her little mossy .410. It's her favorite gun.
She's not big into my 12's, but willing to try her hand at my 20ga, although I'd like to get her into something a little smaller (size wise).

I also agree with Lee Lapin. (no, you're not weird Lee....well maybe, but not based on the above post) :D
I LET my 10yr old have his first shotgun this year. My fiancee, on the other hand, doesn't need me to tell her what she can or can't have.