Shotgun for the wife? Suggestions?
- Thread starter TimNelson
- Start date
If it's true that no semi's are allowed, I'd have to +1 for the Rem. 870 20 ga. I had an 870 Express combo gun that came with a 21" rifle sight barrel with IC choke. It would be ideal with foster slugs out to 100 yds. The other barrel was a 28" VR remchoke barrel.
A combo like that would be a perfect starter gun and would allow her to hunt just about anything later if she wanted. If she has short arms, the youth model might fit better. It's true that a heavy, gas operated automatic 12 ga. would feel gentle compared to an ultralight fixed-breech 20 ga. If you compare apples to apples, the 12 ga. will feel more harsh.
A combo like that would be a perfect starter gun and would allow her to hunt just about anything later if she wanted. If she has short arms, the youth model might fit better. It's true that a heavy, gas operated automatic 12 ga. would feel gentle compared to an ultralight fixed-breech 20 ga. If you compare apples to apples, the 12 ga. will feel more harsh.
Huntergirl
New member
I think simple economically price shotgun for starters. My favorite all time shotgun is my old Winchester model 120 youth in 20ga. It has taken more grouse and dove than anything else I've owned. It fits me to a T. My second favorite shotgun is my SKB model 505 field O/U 12GA. But I would start her out with a 20GA. WOOHOO! another woman hunter!
New to the thread--and the shotgun forum in general...
Or you can skip all the hooey and get her a new or used 16 ga Rem or Ithaca 37 pump
...Browning Citori Lightning O/U in same if you've got the jingle. Best of both worlds--12 and 20. I think Rem came out "anew" with the 16 pump after a long lay off, and maybe the Ithaca too a few years ago when it looked like the 16 was having a resurgence. Used Ithacas abound if not. Speaking of hooey, before it starts regarding ammo availability, can almost always find at least game load at the likes of Big 5, etc. The 16's relative lack of popularity (and of course related lack of broad availability of shotguns that shoot it) is the classic case of "once it gets started..." And speaking of classic, can't think of a more classic gun for your wife--or anyone for that matter. Though slugs not impossible (internet), I'll give you that one. So, find a source and load up--not going shoot a ton of those as practice anyway.
All of the posts have been good, offering fine but same ol' standard suggestions...just thought I'd shake it up with a little "16 talk." Love the 37 I've had for 40 years. No wilting violet, ...definitely no 20; you swear you've just shot a 12, until of course you shoot a 12! I don't shoot mine enough, but that's my doing what with other busy-ness...as I say, always can find shells for it, just not down at the local 7-11.
Or you can skip all the hooey and get her a new or used 16 ga Rem or Ithaca 37 pump
...Browning Citori Lightning O/U in same if you've got the jingle. Best of both worlds--12 and 20. I think Rem came out "anew" with the 16 pump after a long lay off, and maybe the Ithaca too a few years ago when it looked like the 16 was having a resurgence. Used Ithacas abound if not. Speaking of hooey, before it starts regarding ammo availability, can almost always find at least game load at the likes of Big 5, etc. The 16's relative lack of popularity (and of course related lack of broad availability of shotguns that shoot it) is the classic case of "once it gets started..." And speaking of classic, can't think of a more classic gun for your wife--or anyone for that matter. Though slugs not impossible (internet), I'll give you that one. So, find a source and load up--not going shoot a ton of those as practice anyway. All of the posts have been good, offering fine but same ol' standard suggestions...just thought I'd shake it up with a little "16 talk." Love the 37 I've had for 40 years. No wilting violet, ...definitely no 20; you swear you've just shot a 12, until of course you shoot a 12! I don't shoot mine enough, but that's my doing what with other busy-ness...as I say, always can find shells for it, just not down at the local 7-11.
guns and more
New member
I gotta refute the 20 ga. recommendation. I suggested a woman co-worker get a 20 ga. Mossberg pump for H/D. She found a youth model and bought it.
I think it kicks harder than my 12 ga. It's almost impossible to find 2 3/4" buckshot. Forget about reduced recoil.
Now she thinks birdshot is the way to go (because of recoil) and I fear she might not have the firepower she may need.
If I had to do it over, I'd have gone for the 410 pump. (Pellets are traveling just as fast, there are Just fewer of them.)
I think it kicks harder than my 12 ga. It's almost impossible to find 2 3/4" buckshot. Forget about reduced recoil.
Now she thinks birdshot is the way to go (because of recoil) and I fear she might not have the firepower she may need.
If I had to do it over, I'd have gone for the 410 pump. (Pellets are traveling just as fast, there are Just fewer of them.)
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
Lots of women shoot 12 gauges without problems. I would at least have her try a 12 gauge first. I took a young female shooter out to shoot trap about a week ago and she did quite well with my 12 gauges and had only fired a 22 rifle previously. Honestly, she handled it better than I did my first few time out. She was very careful to shoot the gun correctly though.
Nite Ryder
New member
Shotguns for women
I've been a 'Cowboy Shooter' for several years, I've seen many women who can handle a 12 gauge pump or a 12 gauge SXS very well. Not all of them use reduced loads because reduced loads and knock down targets don't work well together. Before CAS I shot Sporting Clays every two weeks in the summertime. My favorite shotgun was a Beretta 687EELL, but most Beretta's seem to recoil abit more than some of the other O/U. I've shot clays with Remington 1100's & 11-87's. I've even used a Winchester 97 pump (pumps are not good clay guns). I personally don't think your wife would be happy with a 20 gauge, and I suspect for her the felt recoil would be about the same. I have two 20 gauge guns, a Stoeger SXS and a Remington model 11 (semi auto, recoil operated). The 20 gauge SXS has plenty of recoil with factory ammo, I think as much as my Stoeger SXS in 12 gauge. For my wife I got an 1100 Remington, cut down the stock, and had the barrel ported and the forcing cones lengthened, and put on a good recoil pad. She has never complained about the recoil, but she never did as well with a shotgun as she did with a rifle. We found she was left eye dominant, and that was the end of shooting a shotgun. I still have many shotguns, my 97 Winchesters are my favorites even though they are cheap compared to some of the others.
NR
I've been a 'Cowboy Shooter' for several years, I've seen many women who can handle a 12 gauge pump or a 12 gauge SXS very well. Not all of them use reduced loads because reduced loads and knock down targets don't work well together. Before CAS I shot Sporting Clays every two weeks in the summertime. My favorite shotgun was a Beretta 687EELL, but most Beretta's seem to recoil abit more than some of the other O/U. I've shot clays with Remington 1100's & 11-87's. I've even used a Winchester 97 pump (pumps are not good clay guns). I personally don't think your wife would be happy with a 20 gauge, and I suspect for her the felt recoil would be about the same. I have two 20 gauge guns, a Stoeger SXS and a Remington model 11 (semi auto, recoil operated). The 20 gauge SXS has plenty of recoil with factory ammo, I think as much as my Stoeger SXS in 12 gauge. For my wife I got an 1100 Remington, cut down the stock, and had the barrel ported and the forcing cones lengthened, and put on a good recoil pad. She has never complained about the recoil, but she never did as well with a shotgun as she did with a rifle. We found she was left eye dominant, and that was the end of shooting a shotgun. I still have many shotguns, my 97 Winchesters are my favorites even though they are cheap compared to some of the others.
NR
We have a Remington 870 Police 12 ga that was my father-in-laws. My wife fired it quite a bit and doesn't like the recoil. Also, she is left handed and the fire controls are poorly suited to us (I'm LH as well) even with the LH safety trigger group available. Our kids are RH.
I wanted a shotgun to keep locked in our bedroom and recently purchased a Mossberg 500 20 ga model 50452. It's easy for lefties or righties to operate, and firing 2 3/4" #3 buckshot, is very manageable. There seems to be more loads available for the 20 ga lately, although the 12 ga still has a lot more. I don't need to start WWIII, just keep the family safe, so what's available works for me.
I wanted a shotgun to keep locked in our bedroom and recently purchased a Mossberg 500 20 ga model 50452. It's easy for lefties or righties to operate, and firing 2 3/4" #3 buckshot, is very manageable. There seems to be more loads available for the 20 ga lately, although the 12 ga still has a lot more. I don't need to start WWIII, just keep the family safe, so what's available works for me.
oneounceload
Moderator
IF where you hunt, you can use a rifle, then a 243 will fill the bill with adequate power and low recoil. IF it's shotgun only, then get a 12, youth stock to fit, and shoot low recoil rounds - less recoil than a 20, more selection, and greater availablilty.
Just read the bold print if you don't feel like reading everything.
Anything with a good recoil pad will be fine. But the most important thing will be fit.
If the above criteria are met, ask her if she's comfortable with a little extra weight. More weight will usually result in less perceived recoil (at least that's what I found to be true). But do not go overboard, or you'll end up carrying her gun.
Comfort is rather subjective. I am comfortable with my 870 Wingmaster, even with 3" slugs and a piece of crap recoil pad. However, my friend is only comfortable with a "comfortech" recoil pad.
Shooters are usually uncomfortable with the setup, not the cartridge.
Anything with a plethora of customizable features (recoil pad, stock, sights, replacement barrels, etc.) will be fine. Because you can find a way to make the gun fit your wife without having to spend a fortune.
I know you asked for specific shotguns, so...here goes (oh, and it's not in order of best to least, or vice versa):
1. Remington 870 Wingmaster. If you are not allowed to use a rifle where you live, you can consider a rifled barrel. Also, I do not recommend the express line because in that price range, the Mossberg 500 is just as good, if not better.
2. Mossberg 500. I would recommend synthetic (since the wood version isn't too heavy either), and then replace it with the Knoxx CompStock or just a nice recoil pad. Again, you can consider a rifled barrel.
3. Ithaca 37 in 20 gauge with a nice recoil pad. I can accurately shoot it with one hand
. I would not recommend 12 gauge because lightweight + powerful cartridge usually doesn't benefit the shooter.
4. Semi autos such as Remington 1100/1187, Beretta 39X, and anything else that gives you the option of swapping out parts. Benellis are fine too, but I've been told that they recoil more. I don't feel it, but...that's something to think about.
I have not purchased an O/U yet
, so I'll let others chime in on that.
Hope that helps.
Anything with a good recoil pad will be fine. But the most important thing will be fit.
If the above criteria are met, ask her if she's comfortable with a little extra weight. More weight will usually result in less perceived recoil (at least that's what I found to be true). But do not go overboard, or you'll end up carrying her gun.
Comfort is rather subjective. I am comfortable with my 870 Wingmaster, even with 3" slugs and a piece of crap recoil pad. However, my friend is only comfortable with a "comfortech" recoil pad.
Shooters are usually uncomfortable with the setup, not the cartridge.
Anything with a plethora of customizable features (recoil pad, stock, sights, replacement barrels, etc.) will be fine. Because you can find a way to make the gun fit your wife without having to spend a fortune.
I know you asked for specific shotguns, so...here goes (oh, and it's not in order of best to least, or vice versa):
1. Remington 870 Wingmaster. If you are not allowed to use a rifle where you live, you can consider a rifled barrel. Also, I do not recommend the express line because in that price range, the Mossberg 500 is just as good, if not better.
2. Mossberg 500. I would recommend synthetic (since the wood version isn't too heavy either), and then replace it with the Knoxx CompStock or just a nice recoil pad. Again, you can consider a rifled barrel.
3. Ithaca 37 in 20 gauge with a nice recoil pad. I can accurately shoot it with one hand
. I would not recommend 12 gauge because lightweight + powerful cartridge usually doesn't benefit the shooter.4. Semi autos such as Remington 1100/1187, Beretta 39X, and anything else that gives you the option of swapping out parts. Benellis are fine too, but I've been told that they recoil more. I don't feel it, but...that's something to think about.
I have not purchased an O/U yet
, so I'll let others chime in on that.Hope that helps
.