Shotgun for Small Frame Women

[BigBear]

Okay, need some suggestions on lightweight shotguns for my wife.

Need some info on proper gauge, whether to a semi or pump, etc...

She's fairly new to firearms. Can handle my 12 ga., but not on an all day shoot. Primary use will be skeet/trap. She is about 5'7, 120lbs dripping wet with cement shoes on, very petite.

Really looking for something fairly cheap... probably won't even purchase for a year or so. Black is good, no pink shotguns, she'd kill you. HAHA.

Any questions to guide, post 'em and I'll answer.

Thxs,
Bear

[SA Friday]

12 Ga over/under if you can swing the price of one. A Semi like a Beretta 391 would be another good choice. It's essentially a trade off; heavier guns recoil less, but swing like shit and take it out of their arms if carried all day. FWIW, my wife got a HK/FABARM Red Lion. It's a semi, light, and gas operated with a gas buffer to lower the recoil. I use it more than her for upland hunting. It swings like a dream, really easy on the arms, and shoots really nice patterns. Unfortunately, it only carries 3 rounds in it as the front of the tube mag is taken up by the gas buffer.

If in doubt, Rem 870 or 1187 is pretty hard to beat for the prices. If you can find an old 1100 in good shape, that's pretty good too. Can't really go wrong with anything that says Benelli on the side of it either.

[blackford76]

My wife shoots a Charles Daly 20ga auto. She is 5'2", and has had 4 wrist surgeries.

[StagLefty]

Auto will take a lot of the recoil away for smaller folks.

[Daniel_187]

Youth 870 in 20 Ga maybe

[gnihcraes]

Youth 870 in 20 Ga maybe

My suggestion... ^^ cheap and seem to be good quality.

[Great-Kazoo]

My suggestion... ^^ cheap and seem to be good quality.

i ended up with a mossy 20ga youth. cut the bbl down to 18.5" put the hi-viz front sight back on to the VR installed a side folding stock and she has another firearm she feels comfortable using as necessary. of course i lucked out scoring 300rds of 20ga from a CL ad for $35.00.

[BigBear]

12 Ga over/under if you can swing the price of one. A Semi like a Beretta 391 would be another good choice. .....
If in doubt, Rem 870 or 1187 is pretty hard to beat for the prices.

Trying to find something smaller than a 12ga, but can still be used in shooting clays. I've checked out the 870. Looking at your other suggestions. Thanks.

My wife shoots a Charles Daly 20ga auto. She is 5'2", and has had 4 wrist surgeries.

Very good to know, my wife has bad wrists as well due to her work.

Auto will take a lot of the recoil away for smaller folks.

I've heard that. Is there a reason for it?

Youth 870 in 20 Ga maybe

Youth just means shorter stock correct? I would like to find a short stock and a 18.5 barrel. I think that'd be good for her.

of course i lucked out scoring 300rds of 20ga from a CL ad for $35.00.

Wow, great find!!!





Okay, so consensus seems to be 20ga in a youth stock and 18.5 barrel... time to browse the web. Still need to find her a .22lr pistol as well. Man, maybe I shouldn't have introduced her to guns.... $$$ hehe

[cowboykjohnson]

A substantial amount of recoil is used up sending the BCG back, so less recoil is felt in the semi.

Yes youth is just a shorter stock.

A Beretta 391 is awesome, thats what I bought the GF, with a youth stock. I like it so much I use it for doves and pheasant because I can swing it so fast.

I also own an 870 youth that I love for doves, and home defense.

[BigBear]

A substantial amount of recoil is used up sending the BCG back, so less recoil is felt in the semi.

A Beretta 391 is awesome, thats what I bought the GF, with a youth stock. I like it so much I use it for doves and pheasant because I can swing it so fast.

I also own an 870 youth that I love for doves, and home defense.

Interesting on the explaination of reduced recoil in a semi. I have teh Beretta 390L in a 12 guage, but it's too barrel heavy for my wife and still kicks a lot for her. I may look into the Rem 870 youths in 20... do they make a semi model? Links?