Gun For My Wife

[535shooter]

Well as I stated in another post I just got A new 535. My wife bought it for me for christmas *such a great wife* and as she was searching for a new one for me she became interested in them herself. We have talked about it and we have decided to get her one also. She would be using it for skeet/trap and clay and maybe to deer and rabbit and upland bird hunt with me. We've decided on a 20 gauge but what model.. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[Waterengineer]

If money is not an object then the Benelli Cordoba - it is the same innerworkings as a Supersport. It will be easy to disassemble/reassemble. It will likely beone of the softer shooting guns you will find. Nice gun.

If money is one of the limiting criteria then I suggest a Remmy 1000, perhaps fitted with a nice(r) pad or the limbsaver thing that screws to the end of the magazine.

[BigJimP]

I like the Benelli super sport, comfort tech stock, in 20ga as well - my 13 year old grandaughter shoots it very well.

Remington 1100 is never a bad option / Beretta has some nice semi-auto's both gas operated guns and some models have lengths of pull, etc built more for new shooters or ladies.

Benelli super sport is my # 1 choice ( but around $ 1800 new around here ). Most gas guns are probably $ 1000 - $1200 depending on model.

[InSoMNiaX23]

I was at my gunshop the other day and I had a chance to handle a Beretta 391 in 20 gauge. I have been looking for a semi-auto for my girl friend and I have heard they are very soft shooting. It was a beautiful gun and was right at $900. The gun felt awesome to me but I think it is very important that she likes the feel/fit. I just upgraded to a Browning O/U and she has since taken over my Benelli M1. It is a 12 gauge, but I reload my shells down to 7/8oz at 1200-1250fps and she says she can't feel it kick at all. 12 gauge might be a lot more versatile for her. Just a thought.

[535shooter]

i've thought about geting her the mossberg 500 in black synthetic.. she liked the feel of it against her shoulder and the weight...

[zippy13]

I'm surprised that some feminist group doesn't raise a big stink every time someone suggest handicapping a woman with a 20-ga gun in sports where the 12-ga is standard. Why not put a governor on her car and restrict her to the slow lane, too?

If she was getting a gun only for Skeet, then a 20-ga might makes sense -- It could be used in both the 20 and 12-ga events. But, a tubed 12-ga can shoot all events. If looking for a general purpose gun, then a 12-ga makes sense.

Anyone who's been around shotgun tournaments has seen ladies successfully compete with 12-ga guns. I remember when Olympic Champion Kim Rhode was beginning to compete in NSSA Skeet. She was about 10-years old and shot a 12-ga gun. What would have happened to her career if someone had said: Since she was a little girl she shouldn't be shooting a 12-ga. IMHO, unless someone has a note from their doctor, for a general purpose gun the first choice should be a 12-ga.

Be they man, woman, boy or girl, a new gun must fit correctly. A lady shooter may have a little more trouble finding a gun that fits and have to pay more. But, doesn't that typically apply to ladies apparel, too? Everyone should be aware of the availability of 12-ga reduced, or lite loads if recoil proves to be intolerable. There are numerous ways a shotgun can be adapted to accommodate those (male and female) requiring a non-standard size.

[BigJimP]

I was only responding in terms of a 20ga because he said he had already made that decision / I didn't think bigger picture like you did.

I agree with you Zippy ...and as you say, a 12ga with 7/8oz loads, is a perfect compromise - and let them work into competitive 12ga loads as soon as possible.

I only raised boys - and by the time they were 12 they were built like I am ( Buffalo sized ....not like the "Old Bull" ...but still pretty big kids for their age...) so over 6' and 175lbs plus / but since I have 4 granddaughters now from age of 7 - 13, some petite, some tall and skinny - I am starting to figure out teaching young ladies to shoot is very different. Some of my grandsons may not be big guys either / although at 16, one of them is 6'5' and 175 lbs and getting stronger all the time. I can't say I've got this figured out - but it is true, the young ladies don't want a "girls gun" - they want to compete and be treated just like their older counsins..

However, with new shooters - especially younger kids, kids of friends, grandkids, etc. (and some of them grow very quickly) making a gun that will really fit them for more than 6 months ( or tennis shoes, etc), is a pretty expensive option - having some compromise guns / like a good 28ga or a good 20ga with shorter length of pull, lighter weight - is a good option - and let them move into a 12ga when they are ready. But that's a different conversation than getting a gun for a mature woman / or a serious competitive shooter like Kim when she was young.

In my case - with 9 grandkids now ( and probably 2 or 3 more to come ).... and involved sometimes helping out to instruct a group of new youth shooters - I keep an old Rem 28ga semi-auto, a Rem 20ga semi-auto with a short length of pull and a newer Benelli Super Sport 20ga - primarily to take to the club when instructing youth groups as backup guns / or for my own grandkids as they express interest. I have my own primary 28ga and .410 O/U's as well.

I agree, a 12ga is by far the most verstaile option for a mature shooter - and probably a mistake to do anything else if you were buying a gun to fit her specifically.