The wife & I are are interested in trap and our sportsman club has a nice clay thrower. The problem is we don't own a shot gun. She is petit (5'2") so I want to get her something comfortable to shoot but she doesn't want me to purchase a gun especially for her. We went to Dick's to get an idea of models/costs/etc. but the young guy behind the counter didn't know squat. From reading on-line I learned that a trap gun stock differs from a field gun. Since we don't hunt I'm looking for something specifically for trap. The wife has riot gun experience (former Navy) and likes the pump action. I'm concerned with recoil, overall length, weight, handling, etc. I am on a budget and expect it will be necessary to purchase 2 shot guns but I'll get her's first (and tell her "oh we can both use it.") I am open to all suggestions. I hope to pick up something used but foresee that it may be a bit more difficult. You guys have given me good advive in the past so I look forward to hearing your suggestions. Thanks!
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Trap gun for me & Wife
- Thread starter tbinder
- Start date
oneounceload
Moderator
If the two of you are going to be shooting, two guns will be a necessity, especially if you are not the same size.
Getting her fitted would be an up front expense, but worth it in the long run. If you are talking specifically trap singles, then a trap-specific gun is the ticket. IIRC, Browning makes a BT-99 micro with a smaller stock for youths and small-statured folks. It may still need to be adjusted for the best fit, but that should help scores rise quickly.
A lesson or two can't hurt either.
Getting her fitted would be an up front expense, but worth it in the long run. If you are talking specifically trap singles, then a trap-specific gun is the ticket. IIRC, Browning makes a BT-99 micro with a smaller stock for youths and small-statured folks. It may still need to be adjusted for the best fit, but that should help scores rise quickly.
A lesson or two can't hurt either.
I learned a long time ago that when my wife tells me not to do something just because of her it means she does not want to do it but about once or twice a year. I would say she enjoys watching you do something you like. I would go out and buy one trap gun that fits you and then later if it looks like she is going to shoot then buy her a trap gun.
If you buy her a gun when she said not to you may be messing up a good thing. Let us know how this works out for you. An 870 TC would be suitable for the both of you I believe.
If you buy her a gun when she said not to you may be messing up a good thing. Let us know how this works out for you. An 870 TC would be suitable for the both of you I believe.
oneounceload
Moderator
Let me add this - you won't find a decent trap-specific gun at Dick's. Go to your local trap club. Talk to everyone there, (especially any of the women), ASK questions. Find out where they bought their gun(s). Find about if anyone offers 1-on-1 lessons. Check out the club's bulletin board for someone selling a used trap gun - IMO, better to get a used trap-gun in good shape than something else new that doesn't really fit the bill. Those folks will turn you on to gunsmiths, stock fitters, etc. They all have a favorite gun, recoil device, etc. TRY as many as you can and each of you decide what works best. Even if you have to buy one now and the other at a later date - it's OK if you both don't like the same thing. To be successful at ANY of the clay games means having the right tool for the job, especially one built specifically for it, not something that you're trying to make do with. When it comes to that, there are no right or wrong questions or answers. See what the top shooters are using - ask them why they chose a particular gun or recoil device - they'll be glad to share that info. I'll wager that the top shooters are shooting trap-specific guns, altered to fit them - not some off-the-shelf all-purpose gun.
Good luck, don't rush it, do it right the first time, and you won't have to do it over......(and pay attention to my signature line - Gucci had it right)
Good luck, don't rush it, do it right the first time, and you won't have to do it over......(and pay attention to my signature line - Gucci had it right)
You've gotten good advice - and like others said, its hard to find a big box store that really has any idea about "Trap" specific guns / or any clay target guns for that matter ....
My favorite Trap gun - is a Browning XT with an adj comb / but even in 30" barrels it's a 9 lb gun ( and personally, I like the 32" a lot better than the 30" barrels ). 5'2" isn't tall - but the question is how much upper body stength does she have ? Mounting, swinging and following thru with a 9 lb gun / if she has relatively short arms and not a lot of upper body strength - is probably going to be a problem. But used / you can find some XT's in the $ 2,000 range ( they list now for about $ 3,100 ).
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=008B&cat_id=013&type_id=057
For your wife - I think ideally you probably want to keep the gun in the 7 1/2 lb range / maybe 8 lbs max ....but you can judge that by letting her borrow and shoot a few guns at your local club. She'll identify quickly what suits her and what doesn't.
I think you're going to need to look for some semi-auto options / to keep the weight manageable for her - and keep the gun versatile enough to maybe fit you as well. A versatile gun I like a lot is the Benelli Super Sport, synthetic stock, comfort tech recoil supression system in it - and they make it in 12 and 20ga ( the 12ga is around 7 lbs / the 20ga is 6.2 lbs ). Its a gun that I use for some of my grandkids / as they approach 13 yrs old or so - still have limited upper body strength .... and both the 12 and 20ga are guns they like to shoot. In my 12ga, I load a shell with 7/8 oz of shot at 1200 fps - and it cycles the gun just fine / gives the kids a little less recoil.
Benelli Supersport ( not the Sport II - its a different gun )...
http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_supersport_and_sport_2.php
Most semi-autos don't come as a "Trap" gun configuration / but some of that is marketing vs reality. The idea on Trap targets is to shoot them as they are rising / so most of us like a Trap gun that shoots a little high ( like 70%/30% on the pattern's point of impact ). Some guns have adjustabilty / and some don't ....but you can shoot Trap with a gun that shoots 50%/50% patterns as well - you just have to cover the target vs float it over the barrels ...
But look at some of the other semi-autos as well / like a Beretta 391 - and if you can keep the gun around 7 lbs / it should work for you.
Its not a "Trap" gun specifically - but the Browning BPS Hunter model, with 28" or 26" barrels is a good solid pump gun.
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=011B&cat_id=012&type_id=211
They do make a BPS Trap - but its a heavier gun ...and probably too much weight for your wife ( or, if she can handle 8 lbs plus / then go back to the Citori XT Trap models ).
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=011B&cat_id=012&type_id=242
My favorite Trap gun - is a Browning XT with an adj comb / but even in 30" barrels it's a 9 lb gun ( and personally, I like the 32" a lot better than the 30" barrels ). 5'2" isn't tall - but the question is how much upper body stength does she have ? Mounting, swinging and following thru with a 9 lb gun / if she has relatively short arms and not a lot of upper body strength - is probably going to be a problem. But used / you can find some XT's in the $ 2,000 range ( they list now for about $ 3,100 ).
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=008B&cat_id=013&type_id=057
For your wife - I think ideally you probably want to keep the gun in the 7 1/2 lb range / maybe 8 lbs max ....but you can judge that by letting her borrow and shoot a few guns at your local club. She'll identify quickly what suits her and what doesn't.
I think you're going to need to look for some semi-auto options / to keep the weight manageable for her - and keep the gun versatile enough to maybe fit you as well. A versatile gun I like a lot is the Benelli Super Sport, synthetic stock, comfort tech recoil supression system in it - and they make it in 12 and 20ga ( the 12ga is around 7 lbs / the 20ga is 6.2 lbs ). Its a gun that I use for some of my grandkids / as they approach 13 yrs old or so - still have limited upper body strength .... and both the 12 and 20ga are guns they like to shoot. In my 12ga, I load a shell with 7/8 oz of shot at 1200 fps - and it cycles the gun just fine / gives the kids a little less recoil.
Benelli Supersport ( not the Sport II - its a different gun )...
http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/benelli_supersport_and_sport_2.php
Most semi-autos don't come as a "Trap" gun configuration / but some of that is marketing vs reality. The idea on Trap targets is to shoot them as they are rising / so most of us like a Trap gun that shoots a little high ( like 70%/30% on the pattern's point of impact ). Some guns have adjustabilty / and some don't ....but you can shoot Trap with a gun that shoots 50%/50% patterns as well - you just have to cover the target vs float it over the barrels ...
But look at some of the other semi-autos as well / like a Beretta 391 - and if you can keep the gun around 7 lbs / it should work for you.
Its not a "Trap" gun specifically - but the Browning BPS Hunter model, with 28" or 26" barrels is a good solid pump gun.
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=011B&cat_id=012&type_id=211
They do make a BPS Trap - but its a heavier gun ...and probably too much weight for your wife ( or, if she can handle 8 lbs plus / then go back to the Citori XT Trap models ).
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=011B&cat_id=012&type_id=242
Last edited:
Jeremiah/Az
New member
You will need 2 guns for sure. I would get a semi-auto for her. There are some Remington 1100 trap guns to be had pretty reasonably.That's what my wife shoots. The Beretta 391 is a good gun also. Stay with 2 3/4 drm. loads of 1 oz. or 7/8 oz. if you can find them. Nothing turns a woman off to shooting quicker than too much recoil!
oneounceload
Moderator
Let your wife pick out HER gun - a semi might work, or she might prefer an O/U or trap unsingle.....doesn't matter what any of us say here - it matters what SHE wants. Use light loads since they will break targets just as well....
My wife and I are 4-H Shooting Sports Advisors and we have been instructors for a Junior camp 9-12 yrs of age the past two years. I have found the kids really enjoy the autoloaders compared to the pumps. I took my Mossberg SA20 and the teenage (17-21 yr old) counselors tried it out and did very well. No...it isn't a trap gun, but it serves well for a budget. It has shims for the stock and comes with (5) tubes. I paid $384 toal out the door for mine. It comes in Bantam shorter stock/barrel version also. It is very light, swings well, but recoil is very low since gas operated. It appears to be a clone of a Beretta patent to everyone that looks it over. The kids also really like the Rem 1100 Youth gun. I see them regularly in the under $400 range USED. One thing about used YOUTH gun is......unless they had 15 kids or belonged to a trap club, they arent very used!
If a pump is your budget....they make recoil reducing add-ons that will effectively reduce felt recoil. I've seen one called the Poormans recoil reducer that goes into the mag tube. It does work! I've shot a Winchester 1300 12g pump with it in and it felt like a 20 g. Their are also many light trainer loads to help there also. Fiocchi has some and Federal also has some I know of. They work wonders for recoil sensitivity!
H&R has a NEW TRAP Special single shot. Pricing is about the same as a Mossberg SA20. They may have come down a little in price by now going on the second year out. So, they aren't priced at $89.99 like their other singles, but they are built as a TRAP gun. We call them "Hillbilly Kreighoffs" but I've seen guys improve using them instead of a field gun they were using. You could probably cut the stock down easily to fit her better. Proper fit will enhance her shooting and help reduce recoil. As it goes with kids.......if she does well, she's more likely to enjoy it and keep doing it. Females tend to take lessons far better than males in our experience. Us males have this pre-conceived shooting experience that really screws us up! Too many cowboy action and WWII movies growing up!
Also something we do right away is check her eye dominance! Make sure you're starting out right! It wont matter what gun you buy if she's using the wrong eye to point with!
Fundementals in the beginning will get her further than an expensive gun.
If a pump is your budget....they make recoil reducing add-ons that will effectively reduce felt recoil. I've seen one called the Poormans recoil reducer that goes into the mag tube. It does work! I've shot a Winchester 1300 12g pump with it in and it felt like a 20 g. Their are also many light trainer loads to help there also. Fiocchi has some and Federal also has some I know of. They work wonders for recoil sensitivity!
H&R has a NEW TRAP Special single shot. Pricing is about the same as a Mossberg SA20. They may have come down a little in price by now going on the second year out. So, they aren't priced at $89.99 like their other singles, but they are built as a TRAP gun. We call them "Hillbilly Kreighoffs" but I've seen guys improve using them instead of a field gun they were using. You could probably cut the stock down easily to fit her better. Proper fit will enhance her shooting and help reduce recoil. As it goes with kids.......if she does well, she's more likely to enjoy it and keep doing it. Females tend to take lessons far better than males in our experience. Us males have this pre-conceived shooting experience that really screws us up! Too many cowboy action and WWII movies growing up!
Also something we do right away is check her eye dominance! Make sure you're starting out right! It wont matter what gun you buy if she's using the wrong eye to point with!
Fundementals in the beginning will get her further than an expensive gun.
mr kablammo
New member
I recommend a gas-op semi-auto in 20 ga with a shorter barrel. You should be able to find a used Beretta 390/3901/391 for $300-600 depending on your luck/bargain hunting skills. Don't over look the Beretta 303 too. The 20 ga guns CAN be used for trap.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=beretta a303
Franchi has made a nice recoil semi-auto in 20 ga with the AL 48. Again, look used and be patient. It is a nice light gun. More recoil than the gas but get her a nice pretty vest. Plus, it is durned good looking gun.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=franchi al 48
The BPS Micro is a good suggestion. Perhaps the 870 Youth model. If you can be patient, sit it out for a Wingmaster. A good looking gun will encourage her. Heck, slip people dollars on the side for complimenting her gun.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=bps micro
The Remington family is a standing standard: 11-87, 1100, Youth models.
I have guested petite females and they tend to get fatigued with the upfront weight of the pumps, even 20 gauges, by the end of the trap round.
Try putting a 'want to buy' sign up at the club. You might get a good surprise. And check the 'net selling sites once a week.
Dadgum, now I feel like buying some new-to-me 20 ga.s.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=beretta a303
Franchi has made a nice recoil semi-auto in 20 ga with the AL 48. Again, look used and be patient. It is a nice light gun. More recoil than the gas but get her a nice pretty vest. Plus, it is durned good looking gun.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=franchi al 48
The BPS Micro is a good suggestion. Perhaps the 870 Youth model. If you can be patient, sit it out for a Wingmaster. A good looking gun will encourage her. Heck, slip people dollars on the side for complimenting her gun.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=bps micro
The Remington family is a standing standard: 11-87, 1100, Youth models.
I have guested petite females and they tend to get fatigued with the upfront weight of the pumps, even 20 gauges, by the end of the trap round.
Try putting a 'want to buy' sign up at the club. You might get a good surprise. And check the 'net selling sites once a week.
Dadgum, now I feel like buying some new-to-me 20 ga.s.