inexpensive shotgun?

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wolfe 21

New member
my sister is looking to start shooting trap and wants a shotgun. This is way out of my comfort zone; I spend my time punching lots of little holes in paper targets past 100yds, so I don't have much use for a shotgun.
I have been letting her use an old ithaca pump that's been collecting dust in the closet and she seems to do OK with it. My question is what are the options for a low cost single or pump gun that she can use. She's 5'-4" and has small hands and short arms so Size is a concern. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks, James.
 
A good used Remington 1100 auto or 870 pump can be had in the $250 range. Look on bulletin at shooting clubs, used rack in gun stores ... and pawn shops. Have gotten some fair deals from the latter. Lots of 1100s and 870s around. Parts easy to get IF they ever fail. Since she is used to the pump I'd go 870. A bit simpler, too.

Remington make youth models, but my 5'2" spouse shoots an 1100 that I cut an inch then reinstalled and dressed the pad. Or, a compentent woodworker or stock maker can make it fit. Probably find a 870 or 1100 butt stock in a shops supply barrell that you can experiment on. Someone out there should give you one!

Some of he oldrer Ithaca pumps had quite a bit of drop at the comb so get her to try an 870/1100 ... someone she shoots with will have one.
 
Walmart has the 870 for $260.00 and the Maverick for $160.00. Both of these guns are good quality. The Maverick is a great starter gun that will last a lifetime of normal shooting. The 870 is a great keeper that will last two lifetimes (or more) of heavy shooting.

The only reason I mention Walmart is that their prices are usually much cheaper new than other shops charge used. They are usually not knowledgeable about their products. You need to know what you want before you go there. If you have a problem, they will send the gun back to the factory for you. They don't have a resident gunsmith like your gun dealer has. But for price, you can't beat them.
 
seems like the Remmy's are a pretty well liked gun. Never really had any experience with the brand myself, most of my stuff is either win, rugeror savage, and the old ithaca. Might have to look into one myself.
Oh, my local walmart just recently stopped selling guns, but my local shop has pretty decent prices.
As far as singles or doubles, anyone know anything about the Stoeger Condor (299. at Gander). Seems like it might be a good way to go if she'd prefer a break action and I'd kinda like something different myself. Might be good for rabbits and such.
 
The best trap gun I ever used was my dad's BT-100. But I have a Centurion o/u that I use for trap and it works just fine. My dad used to use a pump and added a cheek pad made of gause and wrapping tape to get that extra 10%rise for trap. My centurion was around 250 I think. Used at a gunshop and it works very well still.
 
Take her to a local trap range and start asking guys about shotguns. Withing 5 minutes she will have more offers to try guns than she has shells.

Trap shooters are a very helpful group of shooters. When my wife and I started shooting it was nothing for someone with a $10,000 gun to ask us if we would like to try it out.

My wife and I now continue this tradition with new shooters. While we do not shoot $10,000 shotguns we have no problem helping new shooters try different guns.
 
Russian stuff

I own an over 30 years old Toz 34 EP and a pretty new Baikal 43. I like both a lot and both are about U$ 300,-.
 
How many shells have you put through your "russian stuff"?

Trap is a high volume shooting sport and requires a gun that will hold up.
 
Weedwacker had the best response. Get her a good trap gun and forget the other stuff as they are not good trap guns. A new or used BT99, 870 or 1100 trap gun is what you should be looking at if you want her to progress in this sport.
 
How many shells have you put through your "russian stuff"?

Not that many. The Toz is over 30 years old and was shot once in a while. The Baikal is some months old and only fired 100-200 shells yet...
 
I agree with Oletymers recommendations. Any of the three he listed will do very nicely. I have both the Remington 1100 and the BT99 and both are very good for trap - I see quite a few shooters using both of them.

The 1100 will have the least recoil if that's a concern.
 
I have seen people use benelli's (regular hunting rigs) for trap. The stock is what really sets out a good trap gun from a hunting model. Adjustable cheek pad gives you an instant bead and having a dual bead system makes all the difference.
 
nuther for the pardner pump-i have one and it works fine....ACCURATE TOO! nono im just kidding haha! But really not a problem with it yet, and i drag it thru the marshes waterfowling. The things the frikin ak of shotguns! : D
 
A semi-auto is a good choice to cut down on recoil - but it needs to be fit to her or she won't be sucessful. The gas guns - Beretta or Remington are pretty good guns - and if you can find a decent used on that may be the ticket.

A BT-100 or the newer BT-99 are very good guns - but even used you are talking well over $1,000 . A Browning XT ( T for trap ) in a 30" barrel might work for her - and lots of them around used - but usually in that
$ 1,500 plus market. The XT is my favorite trap gun - but I wouldn't run out and buy one until you are reasonably certain what fits her.

One of the other responders suggested going to a range - and talking to folks - and you will probably get offers to shoot their guns. Gun fit is a big deal on trap and skeet guns - and if it doesn't fit - so she is looking down the rib correctly - correct length of pull, drop at comb, drop at heel it will not work. Most of us - shoot paralell comb guns for trap - but you can shoot field guns ( with drop at comb ) if it fits you - but it is all about fit.
 
Sportsmans warehouse - in Tucson - has the BT-99 without the adjustable rib for just under $1000. Used BT-99s can be found regularly under $1000 in the Tucson area.
 
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