Mossberg Silver Reserve 26" for wife?

ihuntterrorists · March 21, 2011, 08:33 PM

Hey guys, this is my first post here.
I'm looking for a cheap O/U for my wife, I really like the looks (and price) of the Mossberg Silver Reserve O/U guns, the 26" barrels in 20 ga. Do you guys think this would be too big for her? She is 5'4", last time we went trap shooting she rented a Beretta youth gun and it was perfect for her. How do you guys think the Mossberg would fit? Thanks!

oneounceload · March 21, 2011, 08:41 PM

If the Beretta worked for her, why would you change that? The Mossberg has nowhere near the quality of the Beretta - you need to let momma pick out HER gun - not what YOU think she might like - I let momma pick out hers.........she went with a Beretta semi in 12 gauge

12's tend to kick less than 20 because 20's are lighter than most 12's in the same gun design

ihuntterrorists · March 21, 2011, 08:56 PM

Well the Beretta costs like 4x as much as the Mossberg haha, that's pretty much it.

Technosavant · March 21, 2011, 08:57 PM

I doubt that Mossberg will fit her well. It isn't a youth model; it's kind of a "one size fits all" type of thing, and that size won't be on the small end of the range. It might be a decent starter gun if it fits, but I doubt it will.

Probably better to try and find a used youth model Beretta. It might take some looking, but with quality guns, you can chop the price in half while still having 98% of its useful life left in it.

ihuntterrorists · March 21, 2011, 09:40 PM

Hmm okay.
Any other nice O/U in youth, that are relatively cheap?

TheKlawMan · March 21, 2011, 11:42 PM

The Mossberg Silver Reserve is actually made by Khan in Turkey. A few people report getting good ones, but many more report noting but grief.

oneounceload · March 22, 2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Well the Beretta costs like 4x as much as the Mossberg haha, that's pretty much it.

Buy once, cry once - cheap O/U that get any amount of use will break more often and not keep their resale value as well as the Beretta semi. Besides, this is supposed to be fun - if she is shooting something that doesn't fit her properly, she won't be having fun - now she'll be mad at you and you will have spent money on a gun she won't shoot and you can't sell and break even. When you look at it like that, the cheap O/U turns out more expensive.

BTW, my wife's Beretta, used, was more than all but one of my shotguns - and mine were bought new. When you calculate ammo and targets, etc. the price of the gun over the next 20-30 years or so is nothing

BigJimP · March 22, 2011, 10:49 AM

If cost is your primary issue ...at least look at Cabelas offering on the TriStar ...primarily because they have a 5 yr warranty.

There are a lot of good used guns out there as well ....Beretta, Browning, SKB ....even Ruger ...so you might find a value.

But its impossible for any of us - that haven't seen your wife shoot - to tell you what gun she needs / or what may be too long a length of pull / or what is too heavy for her to swing. You really need to let her pick up and shoot a lot of guns / so she can decide. Its also different after 10 targets, 50 targets / 150 targets...

But the Mossberg O/U's are highly suspect in terms of quality ...as are the Remington's, Stoegers, Baikals, etc ... Beretta and Browning have long set the mark on value guns for the dollar / and yes, they do cost more ...they'll also be worth way more down the road 10, 20 yrs ...

Dave McC · March 22, 2011, 10:53 AM

The Beretta does cost 4X as much, and will last 10X as long with less problems.

Those Mossbergs have a checkered rep. The 686 series Berettas have lots of happy owners, including me.

Do let her pick out her shotgun. Trust me....

k511 · March 22, 2011, 11:18 AM

+1 for the Baretta. you cant go wrong...

I also have a Stoeger Condor O/U that the my wife at 5'6" and 125lbs loves to shoot. Have around 4,000 through it without any problems. paid 300 OTD new for it

Couzin · March 22, 2011, 12:06 PM

If you want her to keep shooting with you and enjoying the range time - get a gun that fits. Just IMHO - the Mossbergs seem to recoil harder. I have a Browning XS 12ga (very little recoil) and a Beretta SV10 12ga light field gun that I swear recoils less than the Browning. My wife had a Beretta 390 12ga Target RL (reduced length) that she loved (until forced to give up shooting). Fit her perfectly and little felt recoil.

BigJimP · March 22, 2011, 12:10 PM

A semi-auto might be a better choice for a new shooter / especially a lady or a young shooter - that has limited upper body strength. So you might look at options in the semi-auto market ...Remington 11-87's, Rem 1100's, Beretta's, Browning Silver series, etc ...

Personally, I like a Benelli Super Sport in 20ga ...semi-auto / but new they're around $ 1,800 ....unless you got a real good deal on a used one / but a gas operated gun ( Benelli is an inertia gun ) is probably a better choice anyway. But my granddaughters have started shooting the Benelli super sport ( because it looks cool ) in 20ga / and they've moved up to the 12ga version at around 15 yrs old. The 20ga version is real light a hair over 6 lbs ..and they can swing it easily / the 12ga version is right at 7 lbs - and they both have the Comfort tech stocks. Another gun I use is a 28ga O/U but unless you're into reloading / cost of shells are prohibitive.

But I wouldn't focus just on O/U's ....until she really get serious about this.

Remember that a 12ga might kick less than a 20ga ... you can shoot 7/8 oz loads in a 12ga ...and depending on weight and balance she might like a 12ga. 1/2 lb or 1 lb is a lot sometimes in terms of gross weight / but the heavier the gun - the less recoil there is for a given shell. Adding 1lb of gross weight reduces recoil about 20% which is a lot...

But she is still the one that has to say how it feels ...too heavy, too clumsy, too whippy ... hard to tell...

zippy13 · March 22, 2011, 12:24 PM

My Beretta 682x has served me flawlessly, and it was 4x less than my comp guns.

ihuntterrorists · March 23, 2011, 07:51 PM

Hmm thanks everybody...lots of good ideas here. Guess I will get ready to look for a Beretta, or something in that $ range

ihuntterrorists · March 23, 2011, 07:59 PM

Yeah she definitely likes O/U though.
Are there always youth sizes for these guns? Or do I just look for one with a 26" barrel?

Technosavant · March 23, 2011, 08:17 PM

There aren't always youth sizes. One other option might be to get something like a nice used Browning or Beretta and have a good smith cut down the stock and install an adjustable buttplate.

seansean1444 · March 25, 2011, 09:06 AM

look at the savage stevens 512 goldwing.. i am 5 foot 5 and in 28inch barrel it fits me fine.. only about 50 bucks more to get also

ihuntterrorists · March 27, 2011, 11:21 AM

Okay I think I have decided on a Beretta 686, in 20 ga w/ 28" barrels.

.300 Weatherby Mag · March 27, 2011, 01:26 PM

deleted

Dave McC · March 27, 2011, 07:52 PM

Good choice. I was shooting a 20 gauge 686 WO the other day that is new to a student/friend. Nice shotgun, easily as good as my 12 gauge version for me and better for her.

March 21, 2011, 08:33 PM	#1
ihuntterrorists Junior Member Join Date: March 21, 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 6	Mossberg Silver Reserve 26" for wife? Hey guys, this is my first post here. I'm looking for a cheap O/U for my wife, I really like the looks (and price) of the Mossberg Silver Reserve O/U guns, the 26" barrels in 20 ga. Do you guys think this would be too big for her? She is 5'4", last time we went trap shooting she rented a Beretta youth gun and it was perfect for her. How do you guys think the Mossberg would fit? Thanks!

March 21, 2011, 08:41 PM	#2
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	If the Beretta worked for her, why would you change that? The Mossberg has nowhere near the quality of the Beretta - you need to let momma pick out HER gun - not what YOU think she might like - I let momma pick out hers.........she went with a Beretta semi in 12 gauge 12's tend to kick less than 20 because 20's are lighter than most 12's in the same gun design

March 21, 2011, 08:56 PM	#3
ihuntterrorists Junior Member Join Date: March 21, 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 6	Well the Beretta costs like 4x as much as the Mossberg haha, that's pretty much it.

March 21, 2011, 08:57 PM	#4
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	I doubt that Mossberg will fit her well. It isn't a youth model; it's kind of a "one size fits all" type of thing, and that size won't be on the small end of the range. It might be a decent starter gun if it fits, but I doubt it will. Probably better to try and find a used youth model Beretta. It might take some looking, but with quality guns, you can chop the price in half while still having 98% of its useful life left in it.

March 21, 2011, 09:40 PM	#5
ihuntterrorists Junior Member Join Date: March 21, 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 6	Hmm okay. Any other nice O/U in youth, that are relatively cheap?

March 21, 2011, 11:42 PM	#6
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	The Mossberg Silver Reserve is actually made by Khan in Turkey. A few people report getting good ones, but many more report noting but grief.

March 22, 2011, 10:49 AM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	If cost is your primary issue ...at least look at Cabelas offering on the TriStar ...primarily because they have a 5 yr warranty. There are a lot of good used guns out there as well ....Beretta, Browning, SKB ....even Ruger ...so you might find a value. But its impossible for any of us - that haven't seen your wife shoot - to tell you what gun she needs / or what may be too long a length of pull / or what is too heavy for her to swing. You really need to let her pick up and shoot a lot of guns / so she can decide. Its also different after 10 targets, 50 targets / 150 targets... But the Mossberg O/U's are highly suspect in terms of quality ...as are the Remington's, Stoegers, Baikals, etc ... Beretta and Browning have long set the mark on value guns for the dollar / and yes, they do cost more ...they'll also be worth way more down the road 10, 20 yrs ...

March 22, 2011, 10:53 AM	#9
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	The Beretta does cost 4X as much, and will last 10X as long with less problems. Those Mossbergs have a checkered rep. The 686 series Berettas have lots of happy owners, including me. Do let her pick out her shotgun. Trust me....

March 22, 2011, 11:18 AM	#10
k511 Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 461	+1 for the Baretta. you cant go wrong... I also have a Stoeger Condor O/U that the my wife at 5'6" and 125lbs loves to shoot. Have around 4,000 through it without any problems. paid 300 OTD new for it

March 22, 2011, 12:06 PM	#11
Couzin Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2006 Location: Terrell, Texas Posts: 240	If you want her to keep shooting with you and enjoying the range time - get a gun that fits. Just IMHO - the Mossbergs seem to recoil harder. I have a Browning XS 12ga (very little recoil) and a Beretta SV10 12ga light field gun that I swear recoils less than the Browning. My wife had a Beretta 390 12ga Target RL (reduced length) that she loved (until forced to give up shooting). Fit her perfectly and little felt recoil.

March 22, 2011, 12:10 PM	#12
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	A semi-auto might be a better choice for a new shooter / especially a lady or a young shooter - that has limited upper body strength. So you might look at options in the semi-auto market ...Remington 11-87's, Rem 1100's, Beretta's, Browning Silver series, etc ... Personally, I like a Benelli Super Sport in 20ga ...semi-auto / but new they're around $ 1,800 ....unless you got a real good deal on a used one / but a gas operated gun ( Benelli is an inertia gun ) is probably a better choice anyway. But my granddaughters have started shooting the Benelli super sport ( because it looks cool ) in 20ga / and they've moved up to the 12ga version at around 15 yrs old. The 20ga version is real light a hair over 6 lbs ..and they can swing it easily / the 12ga version is right at 7 lbs - and they both have the Comfort tech stocks. Another gun I use is a 28ga O/U but unless you're into reloading / cost of shells are prohibitive. But I wouldn't focus just on O/U's ....until she really get serious about this. Remember that a 12ga might kick less than a 20ga ... you can shoot 7/8 oz loads in a 12ga ...and depending on weight and balance she might like a 12ga. 1/2 lb or 1 lb is a lot sometimes in terms of gross weight / but the heavier the gun - the less recoil there is for a given shell. Adding 1lb of gross weight reduces recoil about 20% which is a lot... But she is still the one that has to say how it feels ...too heavy, too clumsy, too whippy ... hard to tell...

March 22, 2011, 12:24 PM	#13
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	My Beretta 682x has served me flawlessly, and it was 4x less than my comp guns.

March 23, 2011, 07:51 PM	#14
ihuntterrorists Junior Member Join Date: March 21, 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 6	Hmm thanks everybody...lots of good ideas here. Guess I will get ready to look for a Beretta, or something in that $ range

March 23, 2011, 07:59 PM	#15
ihuntterrorists Junior Member Join Date: March 21, 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 6	Yeah she definitely likes O/U though. Are there always youth sizes for these guns? Or do I just look for one with a 26" barrel?

March 23, 2011, 08:17 PM	#16
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	There aren't always youth sizes. One other option might be to get something like a nice used Browning or Beretta and have a good smith cut down the stock and install an adjustable buttplate.

March 25, 2011, 09:06 AM	#17
seansean1444 Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2010 Location: ithaca, new york (home of the ithaca shotguns!) Posts: 395	look at the savage stevens 512 goldwing.. i am 5 foot 5 and in 28inch barrel it fits me fine.. only about 50 bucks more to get also

March 27, 2011, 11:21 AM	#18
ihuntterrorists Junior Member Join Date: March 21, 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 6	Okay I think I have decided on a Beretta 686, in 20 ga w/ 28" barrels.

March 27, 2011, 01:26 PM	#19
.300 Weatherby Mag Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Posts: 1,777	deleted

March 27, 2011, 07:52 PM	#20
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Good choice. I was shooting a 20 gauge 686 WO the other day that is new to a student/friend. Nice shotgun, easily as good as my 12 gauge version for me and better for her.