shotgun for wife

W

woody wood

New member
my wife is getting into trap/skeet shooting and has used my mossberg 500 a few times.being 5 foot 2 in and with smaller handsand shorter arms, im thinking of getting her a youth model of some sort? what do you think? the 12 gauge does not bother her,but slight less recoil she might like better as her shoulder is bruised as we speak.
what do you think? 12 ga or 20 gauge? youth or standard model modified?price range $300- $600.
i will probably put on a limbsaver on what ever i do.
 
If she's really going to "get into" trap/skeet then she'll definitely want a 12-ga. For skeet, she'll be handicapped without an auto or an U/O because of the doubles. Since she's small, she might be able to take advantage of a bottom dollar super deal target gun: Beretta's 3901 Target RL youth gun. It's very attractively priced to encourage young shooters. Unfortunately, you're not going to find a decent target gun within your budget.
 
i will probably put on a limbsaver on what ever i do
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You need to stop and get your wife fitted - just assuming that the Limbsaver is the miracle isn't true. FIT is what makes a gun tolerable to shoot. As Zippy mentioned, the 3901 youth might be just the ticket - then again it might not - whatever gun SHE chooses, get it properly fitted and you'll have a lifetime shooting companion. Don't and she'll go do something else
 
shotgun for wife
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Sounds like a fair trade, but I already have a wife. Got anything else? ;)

Just kidding. Having gone through the same quandary a few years back, I would recommend a 20 gauge gas gun. Lighter, but will take most of the recoil oout of shooting it. I picked up a 20 gauge Browning A5 (Belgian, of course), a 20 gauge Rem 870, and by then she was tired of being beat up, so I started looking for a gas-operated shotgun. I ended up with a super clean 2-3/4" 20 gauge Remington 1100, and the wife loves it. And I got it for just about nothing (because nobody wants 2-3/4" guns anymore :rolleyes:).
 
her brother has these shotguns for sale-do you see any that might fit the bill?
have not see them yet so she would have to try them out.
what do you thing of these or any other model you have in mind?
20ga harrington and richardson single shot topper model
12ga mossberg 835 ultimag
12ga bernnelli pump nova model
12ga fie single shot
12ga pump cost to coast model 367h
12ga stevens 67 sieries e
12ga auto rem 1100
20 ga pump rem 870 wingmaster
i dont think any of these would help,but dont know my models all that well.
 
1100s are famed for soft recoil and long life, but they run a bit heavy. If your spouse likes it, get that one. A barrel threaded for tube chokes will be a big help.

New shooters should start off with the heaviest shotgun they can handle and the lightest loads they can find.

HTH....
 
+ 1 on Daves remarks ....it really depends on what she likes in terms of weight and balance...

Of the guns on your brother in laws list...maybe the Rem 1100 ...but they tend to be too heavy / and if it doesn't have screw in changeable chokes, I wouldn't recommend buying it. Nothing else on the list is too attractive ...

20ga's don't necessarily mean less recoil ....they are often lighter guns / and unless you pick a light load ...she may not like it at all. But you said she is already bruised ...so it needs to be fixed right away ....don't linger ...but I like the Beretta youth model that Zippy suggested ...as a very good option. But you might look around for a Rem 1100 or a Rem 11-87 in 20ga / there are lots of them around - and they're easy on the budget.
 
Woody Wood...

Zippy hit the nail on the head for a great starter gun for her... The Beretta 3901 Youth... If you want to "fancy" it up for her, have a gunsmith install a mid-bead for you... I teach a beginning shotgun class each month and have two of the 3901 youths that almost all of my lady shooters start with, and most go out and buy one...

The Remington 1100 is a classic gun and actually what I started shooting trap/skeet with more than 30 years ago... If you can get it at a good price, it will work as well as the 3901... I would look for a little shorter barrel for the wife, especially if you are going to be shooting skeet with it... Something in the 26" range would be a decent compromise...
 
20 ga.
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Why a 20-ga?
IMHO, it's a disservice to recommend anything other than a 12-ga as a first target gun for anyone without special needs. With modern gas auto-loaders and the availability of lite and reduced loads, the old argument that 20-ga guns kick less is moot. Why handicap them with a smaller gun? Of course, if you don't want them shooting as well as you do, that's a different story.
 
If you reload a 12ga can shoot loads as light as a 20ga and the extra weight makes it kick less. The 1100 and light loads should work, I know a couple women that shoot 1100s very well. Most likely the stock will need to be shortened.
 
I am thinking have her shoot before you buy and wondering if the guns the ladies Buck teaches chose to get a 12 or 20. Make sure your wife gets a chance to shoot, and not just a couple of shells, before buying if at all possible.
 
As Zippy mentioned, the HEAVIEST gun she an handle, coupled with the LIGHTEST ammo that will work the gun will result n the HAPPIEST wife...........and we all know what that means, because...................

"If momma ain't happy, ain't NO body happy"


Several women i shoot with are in their 60's plus (we'll leave it at that). Each one shoots a 12, each 12 weighs between 8 and 9 pounds. These women, are also all about 5'2 on a good day. Point is this.......if THESE women can handle heavy 12 gauges with target loads, your wife should be able (physical issues notwithstanding)

Have her shoot as many guns a she can, of every type and brand, and let HER decide
 
We started-off Trap Shooting sharing my Rem 1100. Now she has her own Rem 870. The semis take some of the kick out, plus using lighter loads will also help. I am cheap and buy the factory Target Loads which are about $5.00 a box. There are many lighter loads that cost about $10 to $12 a box. Either-way, I'd use a 12g. Does she have a shooting jacket to wear? The padding in the shoulder area will also help.
 
Forget the 20 gauge... If you are reloading you can load 7/8 ounce or even 3/4 ounce that will shoot as light as you want... Heck, I have my 13 year old son at not more than 120 lbs shooting the 3901 and 7/8 ounce loads all day long... Excellent combination....
 
If you can find one to try, I bought my wife (5' 4' 140Lbish) a Browining Golden Clays semi. It has a LOP of slightly under 14" and she absolutely loves it. The gun has really low kick and can handle all types of loads.

Yeah a semi is annoying to the person standing to your right, but can be fixed with a shell deflector.

I have introduced 5 other women to "shooting clays" with it and have had zero complaints about recoil.

If you look around they can be found for $500-$600. Trouble is, is that they are so women friendly I know 2 other people who own them, but won't sell them. They keep them around as an "Newbie Gun" for younger shooters or women shooters.

But definitely if possible have your wife "try before you buy". Another friend of mine who is a woman loves her Winchester Energy. So 1 shotgun does not please all.
 
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