So, my wife is very eager to start hunting this season. She would like to start out with upland game and waterfowl. I would like to buy her a 20 gauge to start with, but do not know very much about them (ie: I have only shot and only own 12 gauges). I know she needs a gun on the lighter side, but is also afraid of the kick of a lighter gun. Any suggestions on a gun or where I should start looking?
A shotgun for my wife!
- Thread starter crossxguy
- Start date
I already have a wife or I might take you up on that. Got anything else?
Ooops! Sorry! I answered the wrong question!
My recommendation for women shooters starts to sound a little monotonous:
* Find a Remington 1100 20 gauge light, or a Browning Gold 20 gauge. Gas guns absorb most of the recoil, and either one of these are very slender and fit women quite well.
* Also, take a look at the new Weatherby autoloader, I have heard some good things about them.
* If she is able to carry and shoot a slightly heavier gun, an over/under might be just the ticket, they generally point and swing very well. Browning or Beretta are the entry-level guns to look for.
Go with a gas operated semi-auto(Beretta, Browning, Winchester, Remington, etc ) vs an inertia operated semi-auto like a Benelli.
In a gas gun / there isn't that much less recoil in a 12ga vs a 20ga. What difference there is / is more a function of the shell ( weight of the shot / and velocity ) than the gague. 7/8oz of shot out of a 12ga and a 20ga - hit exactly the same - downrange / and kick exactly the same ( if the weight of the gun is the same ). A heavier gun / even 1 lb heavier - will reduce recoil about 20% ...
But you need to find a gun / that she can swing and carry comfortably ...and most any of the gas operated semi's will fit that bill --- in 12ga or 20ga with 28" barrels. Rem 1100, Rem 11-87, Browning Silver or the older Gold series, the Win SX 3? , Beretta 390 or 391 series - would all be at the top of my list.
In a gas gun / there isn't that much less recoil in a 12ga vs a 20ga. What difference there is / is more a function of the shell ( weight of the shot / and velocity ) than the gague. 7/8oz of shot out of a 12ga and a 20ga - hit exactly the same - downrange / and kick exactly the same ( if the weight of the gun is the same ). A heavier gun / even 1 lb heavier - will reduce recoil about 20% ...
But you need to find a gun / that she can swing and carry comfortably ...and most any of the gas operated semi's will fit that bill --- in 12ga or 20ga with 28" barrels. Rem 1100, Rem 11-87, Browning Silver or the older Gold series, the Win SX 3? , Beretta 390 or 391 series - would all be at the top of my list.
Deerhunter
New member
I found the 11-87 to be heavy compared to others. If your using it for upland birds and ducks go with something lighter. I have Browning Maxus in 12 gauge and it is pretty light. Lighter than my 870 Express mag and it kicks a lot less.
crossxguy,
+ 1 to BigJimP's suggestions; however, I'd recommend against a 20-ga gun. You can always load a 12-ga down to a 20-ga equivalent or lower, but you can't load a 20-ga up to 12-ga equivalent. If you're wife wants to try waterfowl, then a 20-ga is really on the "too light" side. Get her a properly fit 12-ga gas gun and start off with some "lite recoil" loads.
+ 1 to BigJimP's suggestions; however, I'd recommend against a 20-ga gun. You can always load a 12-ga down to a 20-ga equivalent or lower, but you can't load a 20-ga up to 12-ga equivalent. If you're wife wants to try waterfowl, then a 20-ga is really on the "too light" side. Get her a properly fit 12-ga gas gun and start off with some "lite recoil" loads.
oneounceload
Moderator
Smart move - go with a 12, especially since you mention waterfowl where the ammo selection will be much greater. As mentioned, a gas-operated semi will help mitigate some of the "felt" recoil AKA kick, as will a gun that FITS and a nice recoil reduction system of some design. Only weight and light loads will actually lessen the actual recoil.
Start her off with light target loads to get used to the gun. Currently, the Beretta Series fo gas guns - 390, 391, and the new A-400 seem to be seen more on the sporting clays circuit, where guns get shot a lot. Might be a good group to explore. Jim's Benellis are another good choice, but they are not a gas gun - inertia driven - so that part of recoil mitigation is lessened. The 1100 is also a gas gun, but I do not have experience with it in waterfowl applications, so I am not sure of the O-ring may or may not present some problems there.
Waterengineer
New member
The main question has been answered by plenty of experienced folks in above posts.
I can add only two points.
1. Fit the gun for reach. She will be happiest, or as happy as she can be.
2. Frankly, buy the gun YOU want because chances are you will end up with it. Tis a rare woman that sticks with shotguns very long, seriously.
I can add only two points.
1. Fit the gun for reach. She will be happiest, or as happy as she can be.
2. Frankly, buy the gun YOU want because chances are you will end up with it. Tis a rare woman that sticks with shotguns very long, seriously.
Not to ruffle any feathers, but I will partially disagree with those who say "just get a 12 gauge."
Actually, as was mentioned earlier, don't think in terms of gauge so much. Instead, just think in terms of gun weight and shells. There is no magical difference between a 12 and 20 gauge, however, 20 gauges are typically lighter and 12 gauge shells are typically more powerful.
While I won't disagree that typical 20 loads may be light for waterfowling, I will argue that even I don't like to haul a typical 12 gauge around while upland hunting (I prefer something under 7 lb., which is hard to come by in 12ga). If you buy a 12 gauge based on waterfowl hunting, it could hinder the upland hunting experience, so you may not really be gaining anything.
Since it sound like you maybe have multiple 12 gauges anyway, maybe you could see if she likes on of yours well enough for waterfowl hunting, and maybe she could get a 20 gauge more specifically intended for upland.
Actually, as was mentioned earlier, don't think in terms of gauge so much. Instead, just think in terms of gun weight and shells. There is no magical difference between a 12 and 20 gauge, however, 20 gauges are typically lighter and 12 gauge shells are typically more powerful.
While I won't disagree that typical 20 loads may be light for waterfowling, I will argue that even I don't like to haul a typical 12 gauge around while upland hunting (I prefer something under 7 lb., which is hard to come by in 12ga). If you buy a 12 gauge based on waterfowl hunting, it could hinder the upland hunting experience, so you may not really be gaining anything.
Since it sound like you maybe have multiple 12 gauges anyway, maybe you could see if she likes on of yours well enough for waterfowl hunting, and maybe she could get a 20 gauge more specifically intended for upland.
I bought a Remmington 870 20 Gauge Synthetic Magnum Express for me and my wife. It cost about $300.
I've had it for about a year and it has worked well for me.
The recoil feels way less than the autoloading 12 gauge I sold.
Gas operated guns have less recoil, but you won't be able to find a quality model for under $800. A had a NEF Auto 5 12 ga and it had many feeding problems so I got rid of it.
The 870 is lite-weight and easy to pump. Some other pumps I have used are pretty stiff.
The only downsides I can see to the Remmington 870 20 Gauge Synthetic Magnum Express are:
1) The finish isn't very durable
2) Accessories are usually only for the 12 Gauge model
I didn't beleive people on the internet when they said the Express models rust easily, but they do. Mine had lite surface rust NIB which took a couple hours to remove. Keep in mind that this is surface rust and not deep rust or pitting. A Wingmaster is better but about double the price where I live. Get her an Express, you won't be sorry. Just be sure to pay close attention when oiling and cleaning the shotgun.
Mossbergs are also good, but to me the Remmington feels and looks better. Just personal preference, either will work.
I've had it for about a year and it has worked well for me.
The recoil feels way less than the autoloading 12 gauge I sold.
Gas operated guns have less recoil, but you won't be able to find a quality model for under $800. A had a NEF Auto 5 12 ga and it had many feeding problems so I got rid of it.
The 870 is lite-weight and easy to pump. Some other pumps I have used are pretty stiff.
The only downsides I can see to the Remmington 870 20 Gauge Synthetic Magnum Express are:
1) The finish isn't very durable
2) Accessories are usually only for the 12 Gauge model
I didn't beleive people on the internet when they said the Express models rust easily, but they do. Mine had lite surface rust NIB which took a couple hours to remove. Keep in mind that this is surface rust and not deep rust or pitting. A Wingmaster is better but about double the price where I live. Get her an Express, you won't be sorry. Just be sure to pay close attention when oiling and cleaning the shotgun.
Mossbergs are also good, but to me the Remmington feels and looks better. Just personal preference, either will work.
But, we don't want to discourage their interest -- who knows, the OP's wife may be another Kim Rhode.
Since the OP didn't mention a budget, I'm gonna assume he wants to know which gun(s) are best suited to his wife's requirements. Let's not start trying to bargain basement the OP before we know his budget. Perhaps he wants something nice for his wife, and plastic and matte finished metal don't appeal to her. For now, let's keep his options as open as possible.
I mentioned olympic champion Kim Rhode as a woman who's maintained an interest in shot gunning. She's working to become the first American to medal in five consecutive olympics (London in 2012). I remember her as a little girl when she was just starting to shoot competitively -- perhaps if she'd been given an R-870 Express instead of a Perazzi, she'd have lost interest in shooting back then.
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oneounceload
Moderator
Exactly - mine has taken an interest and is avidly interested and excited to shoot the next weekend - she now owns the most expensive gun in the house and does a decent job at sporting, considering she has very little experience but is eager to get a lesson and gain more knowledge.
Women make up 52% of the population - we NEED to get them heavily involved if our sport is to survive the onslaught from the antis......
One thing i can bring to this thread, is fit fit fit. PERIOD. I took my wife, who is 5'5" to gander mountain to look at shotguns for Hd. i wanted one we both could use. Im tall enough were i can make just about any stock and action work comfortably, but she could not. We looked at a mossberg 500 Persuader with the full stock and short barrel. Felt great for me, but for her it looked like she had to reach way way out there almost uncomfortably to get to the pump. I knew that what ever gun we get, will most likely have to have a custom fitted stock on it.
Please please remember that the fit is more important then price. It needs to fit her, if not it will be a bear to hold and to shoot and she will never want to shoot it.
Please please remember that the fit is more important then price. It needs to fit her, if not it will be a bear to hold and to shoot and she will never want to shoot it.
If an extra $400 is worth having bleuing to you fine. But calling a Remmington 870 Express a bargain basement gun is just plain incorrect. A bargain basement gun would be a Maverick 88 or another randomly imported gun. Besides, he did say that he wanted to buy her a 20 ga to start implying that he would eventually buy her something else. I'm sure he meant that he was looking for something inexpensive, but not necessarily cheap.
Like the post above says, be sure to find a gun that fits properly. If your wife is anything like mine she might need a youth gun if she has shorter arms.
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Perhaps you'd prefer the R-870 Express to be called an "economy model"? You're correct, Remington's Chinese version of the 870 is their "bargain basement" model.
There's a difference between finding a gun that fits properly and shooting a gun that fits properly. Many smaller women (and larger men) won't find a factory stock that fits them. That's why, when shopping for a gun, you have to keep in mind the possibility of needing to have the stock custom fit to the non-average sized shooter. Some stock materials and finishes are less amenable to custom fitting than others.
Touche!
You have many options to fix the LOP (length of pull).
Go with either a Remmington 870 or Mossberg 500 and there will be plenty of aftermarket stocks (in wood or plastic) with varying LOPs.
Some adventurous people even cut their own stock to adjust the length of pull. This works best on a wood stock; it can work on some plastic stocks, but some are hollow. Be sure to put masking tape over the area you wish to cut to avoid knicking and chipping. Also the shape of the recoil pad might need to be adjusted with a sander which can be difficult and dangerous. New holes for the pad screws might need to be drilled also. If done correctly, the stock won't need to be refinished. If you tried this method and failed the worst thing that would happen is you would need to buy a new stock, which would fix the problem anyways.
Probably the best solution is to buy a shotgun from a local gun shop (instead of a large sporting chain like Scheele's, Cabella's, Sportsman's, etc.) who has an in-house gunsmith. The gunshop should give you a discount on gunsmithing work, like shortening the LOP, if you are buying a gun from them. Choose a shotgun (with a wood stock) that your wife likes best while ignoring LOP issues. If you can find a nice used Browning BPS, Remmington Wingmaster, or other higher quality shotgun in 20 ga then go for it! Otherwise buy new.
FYI - old (pre 21st century) Remmington 870 Wingmasters usually sell for pretty cheap (I've seen them for around $150-$200) while still being high quality; the only real issue with them is the blueing and wood finish are usually very worn, but if you are going to shorten the LOP by cutting the stock and eventually get your wife another shotgun later I don't see how it is a problem. Some people purposefully buy these old "beaters" to fix them up by refinishing or changing the stock and refinishing the gun. I've thought about doing that more than once.
If you are really desperate to save money then the NEF Pardner Single Shot (NOT PUMP) Shotguns are of good quality, made in the USA, and come in 10ga, 12ga, 20ga, 28ga, and 410. The only problem with them is that they don't come with a recoil pad and they kick harder than a pump due to them being lighter weight. Just cut to the proper LOP and add a recoil pad or have a smith do it. I had one in 12 ga and sold it years ago which I now regret. Its a very good shotgun for a beginner. Can be had for around $100 NIB. The best deal in American made shotguns. Easy to clean too! Stay away from shells with aluminum bases, these guns will jam on those sometimes.
hardhat harry
New member
CZ makes an inexpensive 20 guage autoloader, and it seems to be well made. I have not (unfortunately) done any research on it.
oneounceload
Moderator
A load of equal weight and equal velocity will impart the same amount of force, regardless of whether it is a 12 or 20