Help me Pick a Shotgun for the Misses

David the Gnome · September 11, 2009, 06:54 PM

My better half has decided she will go rabbit/bird hunting with me this fall and I need to get a shotgun for her. We went to the shop today and she tried a few full-size pumps (Remington 870 and Mossberg 500) but she was having a lot of difficulty reaching the front hand-guard comfortably. She's only 5'7" so it's looking like she'll need a youth sized model in order to find one that will fit her. Bud's has a youth model 870 21" 20 gauge but I had hoped to find her a decent 12 gauge. The only other way I think we might find a gun to fit her is if we went with an over/under or semi-auto setup where she could hold the gun further back.

Any ideas?

Quick Edit: She's making the decision, not me, I just need some options to give her (there's a lot of shotguns out there and most of them probably won't be suitable for her). I am completely open to 12-20-28 gauge or whatever the suggestion may be. My own gun is 12 gauge and it would simplify things if we could both shoot the same shot.

oneounceload · September 11, 2009, 07:01 PM

Try taking her to your local shotgun club and explaining your/her situation. See if they have different models to rent/try/borrow either from them or members there. I know a woman who is maybe 5' and shoots a regular-stocked gun that fits her - granted it is an O/U, but nonetheless, if any gun fits, she will LOVE shooting and have a good time. If it doesn't and slaps her hard, she won't go back.....(been there, done that)

Micropterus · September 11, 2009, 07:39 PM

Have her try on a Benelli Nova ladies/youth model 20 gauge. The Nova is an extremely comfortable and soft shooting gun. For rabbit/bird/clays/anything else, the 20 is just fine.

RNB65 · September 11, 2009, 07:47 PM

12ga Remmie 11/87 or 1100. Take it to a gunsmith and get the stock cut down to fit her.

Shoot light target loads to keep recoil to a minimum. Teach her how to properly shoulder a shotgun. Start out a few shots at a time until her body learns how to handle recoil.

oneounceload · September 11, 2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

12ga Remmie 11/87 or 1100. Take it to a gunsmith and get the stock cut down to fit her.

Shoot light target loads to keep recoil to a minimum. Teach her how to properly shoulder a shotgun. Start out a few shots at a time until her body learns how to handle recoil.

First, Remington, (not Remmie), makes a youth stock

Second - you're assuming HE knows how to teach that aspect

Third - Bodies DON'T learn how to handle recoil. The effect is cumulative and not handled properly can lead to flinches and serious damage. Gun FIT is everything - if it doesn't fit, trying to "manhandle" the situation does nothing for her, except turn her off to shooting

RNB65 · September 11, 2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Gun FIT is everything

I agree that gun fit is critical, but bodies do indeed learn how to handle recoil. Even perfect gun fit will leave a sore shoulder until your body becomes acclimated to recoil and how to absorb it.

oneounceload · September 11, 2009, 09:13 PM

Unless you're shooting some magnum BS slug/buckshot/heman shells, perfect gub fit will NOT leave your shoulder sore......sounds like you've never had a gun that was fitted right...most folks never have and just assume that close enough is good enough and you just have to suck it up......that is SO wrong

vts · September 11, 2009, 09:49 PM

I think a H&R\New England Topper, 20ga is the perfect beginner shot gun.

Cheap, shoots well, light recoil and easy to carry all day.

Any most gunsmiths can fit it.

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/topper.asp

David the Gnome · September 11, 2009, 09:53 PM

What about this Browning BPS Micro 22"?

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...12&type_id=225

Maromero · September 11, 2009, 10:15 PM

Anything in 20. Beretta makes a Silver Pigeon o/u. A 1100 in 20 also.

Lee Lapin · September 11, 2009, 10:25 PM

First of all, IMHO you should let the missus pick out her own gun.

She's having to reach out so far on the guns she tried so far because the stocks are all way too long for her. She might also find that a steel receiver 12 gauge is too heavy for her to manage comfortably. If SHE likes the Youth model 20 gauge in the store... then let her shoot one somewhere and see if she still likes it. She doesn't HAVE to have a 12 gauge to kill a li'l ol' bunny wabbit, ya know.

And there's a Youth version of the 20 gauge 11-87 that would be nice, if recoil is a problem... if the family budget can handle it. Semiautos are pricier than pumpguns.

FWIW,

lpl

zippy13 · September 11, 2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Anything in 20…

I beg to differ, IMHO: With the proliferation of light 12-ga loads, I would recommend against the 20-ga. Learn with a heaver (and recoil eating) 12-ga. It's much easier to load down a 12-ga than it is to load up a smaller gun. In the long run, the versatility of the 12-ga will be appreciated.

rjrivero · September 11, 2009, 10:41 PM

I shoot mostly 20 guage these days. It just fits better and swings well. If I had an opportunity to get a 28 ga, then I definately would. They pattern well, and swing like a dream. Just sayin.

zombieslayer · September 12, 2009, 03:11 AM

if she likes the youth 20, go for it. hell, i hunt rabbbit, squirrel, quail, dove, etc, with a .410 bolt action. I personally wouldnt hunt rabbit with 12ga, but to each his own

dalecooper51 · September 12, 2009, 07:28 AM

I went through this a few years ago with an ex-girlfriend.

After shouldering and shooting a few guns, she had some ideas as what she liked but still wasn't really sure. We took a couple lessons together to get her shooting. After she was able to narrow down what she wanted, I picked up a nice used 1100 LT20 for her. I bought it from a gentleman at the gun club and had it fitted and added a pachmayr pad as it originally had a hard plastic butt plate. IIRC, I paid just over $300 for it.

Definitely let her make the choice. If you pick a gun for her and she's not a fan of it, neither of you will be happy and she won't keep shooting with you.

ArizonaRick · September 13, 2009, 09:21 PM

I have been a weekly shotgun shooter (sporting clays, trap, skeet, 5 stand) for the past 35 years and have always invested in the higher end over and unders. I bought my eight year old son a Mossberg Bantum 500 series shotgun in 20 ga and he master the gun very quickly. It has a 22" barrel (3 choke tubes), 5 shot capacity and 13" LOP stock. For $18 you can buy the adult sock. Due to the aluminum receiver, it is very light and "quick" and points quit well. Great for clays or hunting. My wife started shooting this gun and also loves the ergonomics of the design (tang safety & shorter reach for the pump. I bought it at Wal-mart for $139 three years ago and would highly recommend it to anyone for a beginers shotgun.

LanceOregon · September 14, 2009, 02:47 AM

A gas operated semi-auto will recoil much less, and thus be easier to teach her how to shoot.

Checkout the CZ 720 Youth Model. It is a 20 gauge with a 24 inch barrel. Great reliable and soft recoiling gas operated action. The action, chamber, and barrel are all even chrome plated, just like expensive shotguns.

And you can order one for only $383:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/18307

David the Gnome · September 14, 2009, 09:40 AM

Thanks Lance that looks like something she might like. I'm not too sure how excited she is about the pump-actions.

Evyl Robot · September 14, 2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

With the proliferation of light 12-ga loads, I would recommend against the 20-ga. Learn with a heaver (and recoil eating) 12-ga. It's much easier to load down a 12-ga than it is to load up a smaller gun. In the long run, the versatility of the 12-ga will be appreciated.

I tend to mostly agree with this statement. 20's are great as well, though. In my house, we have two 12's, a 20, and a .410. The 20 was the first, because I wanted my wife to be able to shoot it. Since then, she's given it up for her own 12. If we had it to do all over again, we probably wouldn't have gotten the original 20. But, it's still a great gun, and we do shoot it from time to time as well.

Couzin · September 14, 2009, 11:40 AM

My wife (bless her short little arms...) has a Beretta 3901 RL 12ga that she picked out on her own (made so proud - her first gun...). Great fit for her and she can shoot it - wants to leave it to her grand-daughter someday (how's that for a twist). A little pricey at $850.00 to $1200.00 (depending on the seller) but a lot better than buying a gun and then hacking at the buttstock to attempt to make it fit.

JagFarlane · September 14, 2009, 09:31 PM

Hmmmm is there any chance you could give us a price range in mind?

Couple suggestions:

Browning Silver Micro 20ga, 26" barrel, semi-auto, weighs all of 6lbs.

BPS Micro Trap 12ga, pump action, 8lbs, 26" barrel

BPS Upland Special Just an off the wall thought, its about a 1/4" longer length of pull than the BPS Micro, however its available in 12ga, 16ga, and 20ga. The 12ga and 20ga are 22" barrels, two models of 16ga at 24" and 26". Both 16ga's and the 20ga weigh under 7lbs.

And since you're taking input as far as chambering, just gonna plug the ol' 16ga. Used to have one when I was a pre-teen to teenager and loved it. Just a little less power than the 12ga but that also means less recoil and still putting some more pellets in the air than the 20ga.

Good luck to her in her choice!

olddrum1 · September 14, 2009, 10:53 PM

I've never had a problem finding a shotgun for the Misses, its finding a shotgun for the hits I have problems with.

5RWill · September 14, 2009, 10:58 PM

My mom shoots a 1100 skeet B 20 GA. She's about 45. Doesn't kick at all.

apr1775 · September 15, 2009, 06:23 AM

My wife had the same issue with my home protection shotgun. She ended up choosing the Mossberg 500 youth and ladies size in 12ga. So now both home protection guns are basically the same model with different stock demensions and can use the same ammo. For sporting use there may be other considerations. My advice: take her gun shopping.

LanceOregon · September 15, 2009, 06:09 PM

That CZ 720 is definitely the most affordable decent semi-auto with reduced dimensions for a woman.

The Browning Micro Silver would definitely be a fantastic gun, but is way more expensive.

Other more expensive options that are slightly less expensive than the Browning Micro Silver are:

The Franchi 720 Short Stock:

The Franchi Model 48 AL Field Short Stock: ( this gun is sort of an improved and updated Browning Auto-5 )

September 11, 2009, 06:54 PM	#1
David the Gnome Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 3,092	Help me Pick a Shotgun for the Misses My better half has decided she will go rabbit/bird hunting with me this fall and I need to get a shotgun for her. We went to the shop today and she tried a few full-size pumps (Remington 870 and Mossberg 500) but she was having a lot of difficulty reaching the front hand-guard comfortably. She's only 5'7" so it's looking like she'll need a youth sized model in order to find one that will fit her. Bud's has a youth model 870 21" 20 gauge but I had hoped to find her a decent 12 gauge. The only other way I think we might find a gun to fit her is if we went with an over/under or semi-auto setup where she could hold the gun further back. Any ideas? Quick Edit: She's making the decision, not me, I just need some options to give her (there's a lot of shotguns out there and most of them probably won't be suitable for her). I am completely open to 12-20-28 gauge or whatever the suggestion may be. My own gun is 12 gauge and it would simplify things if we could both shoot the same shot. __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum. Last edited by David the Gnome; September 11, 2009 at 10:59 PM.

September 11, 2009, 07:01 PM	#2
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Try taking her to your local shotgun club and explaining your/her situation. See if they have different models to rent/try/borrow either from them or members there. I know a woman who is maybe 5' and shoots a regular-stocked gun that fits her - granted it is an O/U, but nonetheless, if any gun fits, she will LOVE shooting and have a good time. If it doesn't and slaps her hard, she won't go back.....(been there, done that) Last edited by oneounceload; September 11, 2009 at 07:44 PM.

September 11, 2009, 07:47 PM	#4
RNB65 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 167	12ga Remmie 11/87 or 1100. Take it to a gunsmith and get the stock cut down to fit her. Shoot light target loads to keep recoil to a minimum. Teach her how to properly shoulder a shotgun. Start out a few shots at a time until her body learns how to handle recoil. __________________ THR refugee.

September 11, 2009, 09:49 PM	#8
vts Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 242	I think a H&R\New England Topper, 20ga is the perfect beginner shot gun. Cheap, shoots well, light recoil and easy to carry all day. Any most gunsmiths can fit it. http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/topper.asp __________________ California, The Land Of the Not So Free. Flinch and you'll be chasing your head down Fifth Street! Joe Friday. http://www.chuckhawks.com/825_magnum.htm Why not a .88 magnum?

September 11, 2009, 09:53 PM	#9
David the Gnome Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 3,092	What about this Browning BPS Micro 22"? http://www.browning.com/products/cat...12&type_id=225 __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum.

September 11, 2009, 07:39 PM	#3
Micropterus Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2009 Location: Newport News, Virginia Posts: 306	Have her try on a Benelli Nova ladies/youth model 20 gauge. The Nova is an extremely comfortable and soft shooting gun. For rabbit/bird/clays/anything else, the 20 is just fine.

September 11, 2009, 09:13 PM	#7
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Unless you're shooting some magnum BS slug/buckshot/heman shells, perfect gub fit will NOT leave your shoulder sore......sounds like you've never had a gun that was fitted right...most folks never have and just assume that close enough is good enough and you just have to suck it up......that is SO wrong

September 11, 2009, 10:15 PM	#10
Maromero Junior member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Location: Outside the continental U Posts: 752	Anything in 20. Beretta makes a Silver Pigeon o/u. A 1100 in 20 also.

September 11, 2009, 10:25 PM	#11
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	First of all, IMHO you should let the missus pick out her own gun. She's having to reach out so far on the guns she tried so far because the stocks are all way too long for her. She might also find that a steel receiver 12 gauge is too heavy for her to manage comfortably. If SHE likes the Youth model 20 gauge in the store... then let her shoot one somewhere and see if she still likes it. She doesn't HAVE to have a 12 gauge to kill a li'l ol' bunny wabbit, ya know. And there's a Youth version of the 20 gauge 11-87 that would be nice, if recoil is a problem... if the family budget can handle it. Semiautos are pricier than pumpguns. FWIW, lpl __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.

September 11, 2009, 10:41 PM	#13
rjrivero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,399	20 ga is fine.....but I'd rather get a 28 ga. I shoot mostly 20 guage these days. It just fits better and swings well. If I had an opportunity to get a 28 ga, then I definately would. They pattern well, and swing like a dream. Just sayin.

September 12, 2009, 03:11 AM	#14
zombieslayer Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,198	if she likes the youth 20, go for it. hell, i hunt rabbbit, squirrel, quail, dove, etc, with a .410 bolt action. I personally wouldnt hunt rabbit with 12ga, but to each his own

September 12, 2009, 07:28 AM	#15
dalecooper51 Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2007 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 318	I went through this a few years ago with an ex-girlfriend. After shouldering and shooting a few guns, she had some ideas as what she liked but still wasn't really sure. We took a couple lessons together to get her shooting. After she was able to narrow down what she wanted, I picked up a nice used 1100 LT20 for her. I bought it from a gentleman at the gun club and had it fitted and added a pachmayr pad as it originally had a hard plastic butt plate. IIRC, I paid just over $300 for it. Definitely let her make the choice. If you pick a gun for her and she's not a fan of it, neither of you will be happy and she won't keep shooting with you.

September 13, 2009, 09:21 PM	#16
ArizonaRick Member Join Date: November 1, 2006 Location: Southern Missouri - Ozarks Posts: 89	Take a look at the Mossberg 500 Bantum in 20 GA I have been a weekly shotgun shooter (sporting clays, trap, skeet, 5 stand) for the past 35 years and have always invested in the higher end over and unders. I bought my eight year old son a Mossberg Bantum 500 series shotgun in 20 ga and he master the gun very quickly. It has a 22" barrel (3 choke tubes), 5 shot capacity and 13" LOP stock. For $18 you can buy the adult sock. Due to the aluminum receiver, it is very light and "quick" and points quit well. Great for clays or hunting. My wife started shooting this gun and also loves the ergonomics of the design (tang safety & shorter reach for the pump. I bought it at Wal-mart for $139 three years ago and would highly recommend it to anyone for a beginers shotgun.

September 14, 2009, 02:47 AM	#17
LanceOregon Junior member Join Date: May 10, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,774	A gas operated semi-auto will recoil much less, and thus be easier to teach her how to shoot. Checkout the CZ 720 Youth Model. It is a 20 gauge with a 24 inch barrel. Great reliable and soft recoiling gas operated action. The action, chamber, and barrel are all even chrome plated, just like expensive shotguns. And you can order one for only $383: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/18307

September 14, 2009, 09:40 AM	#18
David the Gnome Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 3,092	Thanks Lance that looks like something she might like. I'm not too sure how excited she is about the pump-actions. __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum.

September 14, 2009, 11:40 AM	#20
Couzin Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2006 Location: Terrell, Texas Posts: 240	My wife (bless her short little arms...) has a Beretta 3901 RL 12ga that she picked out on her own (made so proud - her first gun...). Great fit for her and she can shoot it - wants to leave it to her grand-daughter someday (how's that for a twist). A little pricey at $850.00 to $1200.00 (depending on the seller) but a lot better than buying a gun and then hacking at the buttstock to attempt to make it fit.

September 14, 2009, 09:31 PM	#21
JagFarlane Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Posts: 282	Hmmmm is there any chance you could give us a price range in mind? Couple suggestions: Browning Silver Micro 20ga, 26" barrel, semi-auto, weighs all of 6lbs. BPS Micro Trap 12ga, pump action, 8lbs, 26" barrel BPS Upland Special Just an off the wall thought, its about a 1/4" longer length of pull than the BPS Micro, however its available in 12ga, 16ga, and 20ga. The 12ga and 20ga are 22" barrels, two models of 16ga at 24" and 26". Both 16ga's and the 20ga weigh under 7lbs. And since you're taking input as far as chambering, just gonna plug the ol' 16ga. Used to have one when I was a pre-teen to teenager and loved it. Just a little less power than the 12ga but that also means less recoil and still putting some more pellets in the air than the 20ga. Good luck to her in her choice! __________________ Too many to list...enjoy em all!

September 14, 2009, 10:53 PM	#22
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Shotgun for the misses I've never had a problem finding a shotgun for the Misses, its finding a shotgun for the hits I have problems with.

September 14, 2009, 10:58 PM	#23
5RWill Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,654	My mom shoots a 1100 skeet B 20 GA. She's about 45. Doesn't kick at all. Last edited by 5RWill; September 14, 2009 at 11:05 PM.

September 15, 2009, 06:23 AM	#24
apr1775 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 425	My wife had the same issue with my home protection shotgun. She ended up choosing the Mossberg 500 youth and ladies size in 12ga. So now both home protection guns are basically the same model with different stock demensions and can use the same ammo. For sporting use there may be other considerations. My advice: take her gun shopping.

September 15, 2009, 06:09 PM	#25
LanceOregon Junior member Join Date: May 10, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,774	That CZ 720 is definitely the most affordable decent semi-auto with reduced dimensions for a woman. The Browning Micro Silver would definitely be a fantastic gun, but is way more expensive. Other more expensive options that are slightly less expensive than the Browning Micro Silver are: The Franchi 720 Short Stock: The Franchi Model 48 AL Field Short Stock: ( this gun is sort of an improved and updated Browning Auto-5 )

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