Looking for pump shotgun without strong recoil

tlon7 · August 20, 2006, 02:32 AM

A few years ago I went skeet shooting, and ended up with a black and blue upper arm pit area. This is my inquiry. I am looking for a shotgun for home protection and occasional range shooting, but I recently had a diagnosis of disk degeneration in my spine. The doc said to avoid trauma to my back. Given this situation (I'm not disabled, just have to be careful), can anyone recommend a pump action shotgun that does not have a powerful kick so I can spend an hour or two on the range without unnecessary stress on my spine.

Thanks,

Al

DWARREN123 · August 20, 2006, 03:15 AM

Start with a 20 or 28 gauge then add a recoil pad. A gas operated gun is generally more recoil friendly.

webbee · August 20, 2006, 07:20 AM

Another option is to put a Knoxx recoil reducing stock on a 12ga 870. I like the COPstock for it's folding abilities, or the SpecOps which softens recoil to a push. Police trade-ins are plentiful, costing from $150-200 and the SpecOps is about $125. You are into a great home defence weapon for about the price of a new 870.
12ga ammo is cheapest because it is the most used. That makes practice more affordable. Since practice is the most important element, you need to put your money there.
To quote an Internet sage, "Shooting things is fun!"

Ricebrnr · August 20, 2006, 07:52 AM

All things being equal, I thought recoil in a pump shotgun was more about load selection vs brand model selection?

That said I understand the new Benelli's with the recoil absorbing inserts built into the stock do feel lighter. Also some pumps can have a recoil reducer added to the butt stock (essentially a shock absorbing sytem).

HTH

Dave McC · August 20, 2006, 08:52 AM

Any shotgun larger than a 28 gauge will knock the bejeebers out of someone if bad form and fit are there and compounded with heavy loads.

Learn good form, get your shotgun fitting and use lighter loads.

After a few decades of teaching folks to shoot shotguns, I have to say that few folks are incapable of shooting shotguns effectively. Mindset, form, training and commitment are the keys. Good fit and sane loads help.

FYI, I've two herniated discs,some pinched nerves and ripped back muscles. I can shoot my 870s for hours.

HTH....

pwelsh4hd · August 21, 2006, 05:18 PM

Try Remington "reduced recoil" loads. Though they sometimes don't want to cycle a tight auto, they shoot really nice from a pump. They make it in a 00buck, which makes it pretty tame for defense.

radshop · August 22, 2006, 11:33 AM

Based on your post, I'm inferring that you only went skeet shooting once and therefore have probably tried only 1 shotgun. In that case, the black and blue might have been as much to do with (1) poor fit of the gun and (2) improper technique. So in addition to the other suggestions, get some expert advice on fit (search the internet for starters) and technique.

dad23honu · August 26, 2006, 01:41 AM

I'd definitely go with a Knoxx stock. I put one on my Mossy 500 and love it. I also have the detachable 6 round box mag conversion. Love that too. Check out www.knoxx.com.

You won't be sorry.

Frenchwrench · August 26, 2006, 09:18 AM

This last week my daughter and wife both shot 12 gauge 00 buck and slugs.The Limbsaver pad I installed made the difference for both of them.My daughter went through a 20 full power rounds.Couldn't get enough.Try Limbsaver or any other quality recoil reducer. I've had 2 back surgeries and shoot 12 gauge for hours.

rick_reno · August 26, 2006, 09:24 AM

Benelli make a mercury recoil reduction tube that I know goes in their Nova's. I had one in mine.

ammo.crafter · August 26, 2006, 09:40 AM

It's not the style of shotgun, but the loads fired. Recoil from a 12 and a 20 can be misleading. Remington 1100 is designed to cycle consistantly with light target loads. Lots of 'em on the used market, too, if $$$ is a consideration.

FYI>Pumps "kick" just as hard as O/U and SxS do.

If you would consider reloading, the possibilities are infinite!

john1911 · August 26, 2006, 09:30 PM

Another Knoxx fan here. I shot my 20 ga slug gun today, followed by my 12 w/ the Knoxx Specop stock. 12 had a lot less felt recoil. I was shooting 2 3/4" Rem Buckhammers in the 20 and 2 3/4" Brennecke slugs and Fed. 00 buck in the 12. Knoxx is the way to go.
John

scotts_4x · August 27, 2006, 12:38 AM

all else being equal (weight, fit, etc.) you are not going to find one pump gun that recoils more than the other, as they are both solid breech weapons. what IS goin gto make a difference from brand to brand is how well each gun happens to fit you and how much they weigh. both of these are huge factors in fighting off recoil, so get a gun that fits you. also, if it's just for shooting clay, get the heaviest gun you are comfortable with. the more a guy weighs the less it will kick.

-Scott

wacki · August 27, 2006, 04:45 PM

Holy crap dude. Just put one of these on an 870.

http://www.graco-corp.com/gracoil.htm
or
http://www.danuser.com/products/coil/counter_coil.htm

Don't be cheap and mess with your spine. It's not worth the risk.

kozak6 · August 27, 2006, 06:08 PM

Are you sure it has to be a pump shotgun?

The semiauto's really do tend to kick a lot less.

Jeepmark2005 · August 28, 2006, 09:00 AM

I hate the recoil of a 12ga. I installed the specops stock on my Mossberg 590 and recoil in now just a push with full power slugs or 00 buck.

Tired of recoil? Get the Knoxx stock.

dad23honu · August 28, 2006, 09:56 AM

Yup. You'll find Knoxx praises all over.

Jeepmark has it right. It feels like a push, rather than a punch.

August 20, 2006, 02:32 AM	#1
tlon7 Junior Member Join Date: August 20, 2006 Posts: 2	Looking for pump shotgun without strong recoil A few years ago I went skeet shooting, and ended up with a black and blue upper arm pit area. This is my inquiry. I am looking for a shotgun for home protection and occasional range shooting, but I recently had a diagnosis of disk degeneration in my spine. The doc said to avoid trauma to my back. Given this situation (I'm not disabled, just have to be careful), can anyone recommend a pump action shotgun that does not have a powerful kick so I can spend an hour or two on the range without unnecessary stress on my spine. Thanks, Al

August 26, 2006, 01:41 AM	#8
dad23honu Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 124	Knoxx Stocks is the way to go I'd definitely go with a Knoxx stock. I put one on my Mossy 500 and love it. I also have the detachable 6 round box mag conversion. Love that too. Check out www.knoxx.com. You won't be sorry. __________________ I'm a pheasant plucker. I'm a mother pheasant plucker. I'm a pleasant mother pheasant plucker. I'm the most pleasant mother pheasant plucker that ever plucked a mother pheasant.

August 26, 2006, 09:18 AM	#9
Frenchwrench Member Join Date: January 19, 2005 Location: Indiana but my land is in Colorado Posts: 80	This last week my daughter and wife both shot 12 gauge 00 buck and slugs.The Limbsaver pad I installed made the difference for both of them.My daughter went through a 20 full power rounds.Couldn't get enough.Try Limbsaver or any other quality recoil reducer. I've had 2 back surgeries and shoot 12 gauge for hours. __________________ When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.

August 26, 2006, 09:40 AM	#11
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	light recoil pump It's not the style of shotgun, but the loads fired. Recoil from a 12 and a 20 can be misleading. Remington 1100 is designed to cycle consistantly with light target loads. Lots of 'em on the used market, too, if $$$ is a consideration. FYI>Pumps "kick" just as hard as O/U and SxS do. If you would consider reloading, the possibilities are infinite! __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

August 26, 2006, 09:30 PM	#12
john1911 Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Location: The relatively sane part of IL Posts: 383	Another Knoxx fan here. I shot my 20 ga slug gun today, followed by my 12 w/ the Knoxx Specop stock. 12 had a lot less felt recoil. I was shooting 2 3/4" Rem Buckhammers in the 20 and 2 3/4" Brennecke slugs and Fed. 00 buck in the 12. Knoxx is the way to go. John __________________ Almost any problem can be solved by a liberal dose of .45 230 gr JHPs.

August 20, 2006, 03:15 AM	#2
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 1,758	Start with a 20 or 28 gauge then add a recoil pad. A gas operated gun is generally more recoil friendly.

August 20, 2006, 07:20 AM	#3
webbee Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2005 Posts: 218	Another option is to put a Knoxx recoil reducing stock on a 12ga 870. I like the COPstock for it's folding abilities, or the SpecOps which softens recoil to a push. Police trade-ins are plentiful, costing from $150-200 and the SpecOps is about $125. You are into a great home defence weapon for about the price of a new 870. 12ga ammo is cheapest because it is the most used. That makes practice more affordable. Since practice is the most important element, you need to put your money there. To quote an Internet sage, "Shooting things is fun!"

August 20, 2006, 07:52 AM	#4
Ricebrnr Member Join Date: June 13, 2004 Posts: 86	All things being equal, I thought recoil in a pump shotgun was more about load selection vs brand model selection? That said I understand the new Benelli's with the recoil absorbing inserts built into the stock do feel lighter. Also some pumps can have a recoil reducer added to the butt stock (essentially a shock absorbing sytem). HTH

August 20, 2006, 08:52 AM	#5
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Any shotgun larger than a 28 gauge will knock the bejeebers out of someone if bad form and fit are there and compounded with heavy loads. Learn good form, get your shotgun fitting and use lighter loads. After a few decades of teaching folks to shoot shotguns, I have to say that few folks are incapable of shooting shotguns effectively. Mindset, form, training and commitment are the keys. Good fit and sane loads help. FYI, I've two herniated discs,some pinched nerves and ripped back muscles. I can shoot my 870s for hours. HTH....

August 21, 2006, 05:18 PM	#6
pwelsh4hd Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2005 Location: Idaho Posts: 146	Try Remington "reduced recoil" loads. Though they sometimes don't want to cycle a tight auto, they shoot really nice from a pump. They make it in a 00buck, which makes it pretty tame for defense.

August 22, 2006, 11:33 AM	#7
radshop Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Posts: 84	Based on your post, I'm inferring that you only went skeet shooting once and therefore have probably tried only 1 shotgun. In that case, the black and blue might have been as much to do with (1) poor fit of the gun and (2) improper technique. So in addition to the other suggestions, get some expert advice on fit (search the internet for starters) and technique.

August 26, 2006, 09:24 AM	#10
rick_reno Junior member Join Date: May 28, 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 917	Benelli make a mercury recoil reduction tube that I know goes in their Nova's. I had one in mine.

August 27, 2006, 12:38 AM	#13
scotts_4x Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Posts: 71	all else being equal (weight, fit, etc.) you are not going to find one pump gun that recoils more than the other, as they are both solid breech weapons. what IS goin gto make a difference from brand to brand is how well each gun happens to fit you and how much they weigh. both of these are huge factors in fighting off recoil, so get a gun that fits you. also, if it's just for shooting clay, get the heaviest gun you are comfortable with. the more a guy weighs the less it will kick. -Scott

August 27, 2006, 04:45 PM	#14
wacki Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2004 Location: Moving out of Indiana Posts: 426	Holy crap dude. Just put one of these on an 870. http://www.graco-corp.com/gracoil.htm or http://www.danuser.com/products/coil/counter_coil.htm Don't be cheap and mess with your spine. It's not worth the risk.

August 27, 2006, 06:08 PM	#15
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	Are you sure it has to be a pump shotgun? The semiauto's really do tend to kick a lot less.

August 28, 2006, 09:00 AM	#16
Jeepmark2005 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 171	Knoxx stock I hate the recoil of a 12ga. I installed the specops stock on my Mossberg 590 and recoil in now just a push with full power slugs or 00 buck. Tired of recoil? Get the Knoxx stock. __________________ Ed Brown Special Forces .45 - Glock 22 .40 - Bushmaster Modular AR15 5.56 - Benelli M1 Super90 - Ruger 10/22 - Ruger 22/45

August 28, 2006, 09:56 AM	#17
dad23honu Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 124	Yup. You'll find Knoxx praises all over. Jeepmark has it right. It feels like a push, rather than a punch. __________________ I'm a pheasant plucker. I'm a mother pheasant plucker. I'm a pleasant mother pheasant plucker. I'm the most pleasant mother pheasant plucker that ever plucked a mother pheasant.