Any Suggestions for Lady's shotgun?

A

Andy Johnson

Member
My wife wants to take up duck hunting with me next year. I have several shotguns, but as I am 6'4" and she is 5'4", I am pretty sure that my Benelli will not fit right for her. I think I would prefer to get her an o/u 20 gauge, I have an old Fox Savage sxs, but the butt cap is slippery and I had on occassion let it slip out of my shoulder pocket and leave a nice bruise on my arm. I dont think that a couple of arm welts will encourage her to keep shooting. I have a slip on recoil pad for it now, but it now fits my frame and not hers.

Any ladies out there? What do you shoot?
 
I have a daughter who started hunting about that size. I gave her a 20ga 870 that I cut down for her. If she continues to hunt I'll get her a youth model autoloader.
I think the reduced recoil of an autoloader would be an advantage over the double gun.
Don't shoot all the birds in Geneva!! John
 
Andy,

I started out with an 870 Express in 20 ga and shot lots of 3" shells. I can have a nasty flinch. Very bad. Not all the time but it pops up from time to time. And always gets comments when people see it.

I have a 20 Red Label that I have shot pretty well but I need to get it cut down for me. It used to be my skeet instructors gun and he passed it on to me. It's really long, but has a great recoil pad on it.

I primarily shoot a Benelli M2 in 20 ga these days. I shoot it pretty well and the recoil is very light compared to the 870. I'm a biiiiiiig fan of the M2 for how well I shoot it, how easy it is to maintain it and the "light" recoil compared to the 870.

I use the 870 still for marsh hen. I have an unfortunate habit of tripping and falling in the water, or flipping the boat when marsh hen hunting and I don't want my Benelli to suffer the saltwater like that 870 has. It's a very reliable gun though.

If you want to go O/U for her, I think you ought to also consider a very nice recoil pad for it. Just a thought. Might make a lot of difference. But i'm more of a fan of the auto loader. Take her out though with a couple 12 ga and 20 gauges and see what she likes better...

Dani
 
Andy,

I have taught hundreds of women how to shoot, so here is some advice. Take her to a local trap/skeet field which has several range guns to lease/rent. Have her try several and let HER pick HER gun out. As helpful as we want to be in this effort men have a tendency to pick what THEY want and not necessarily what SHE wants.After all, she has made the decision to hunt with you, keep her in the decision process in firearm selection. Happy wife, happy life. Good luck.
 
One thing to keep in mind about youth model shotguns, the barrels may be shorter than the adult models.

I bought a youth model 870 20 guage for my sons and the short barrel is something I constantly have to watch in the boat and in the blind. With a longer barrel it is much easier to keep the muzzle outside of the blind, or up above everyone.
 
I bought a Benelli Nova youth 20 ga for my teenage daughter to use when Bass Pro had them on special for $200 a few years ago. It has a shorter stock and a 24" barrel, she handles it ok and doesn't notice the recoil when hunting. If I had to do it again however I would consider getting an auto, just one less thing to think about when shooting.
 
I would recommend you have your wife try alot of guns before investing in one. A gas operated auto loader would be less recoil. Try borrowing a few guns and going to the range.
After figuring out what she wants, get it fitted. A ill fitted gun doesn't help alot...
 
1o gauge 3 1/2" shells and no recoil pad. One hunt with this gun and she'll not want to go back. I thought we hunted to get away from the wife. Couldn't resist.

I second Dani's M2 20 gauge. That gun is so light and points so true. The montrefeltro (spell) version of that gun is also a winner. Or, if you are looking for used, the earlier M1 is a great little gun.

Mark W
 
Andy, I picked up a CZ 20g 3" canvasback w/ Stock cut down for my youngest son to which he promptly out grew. My wife then quickly claimed o/u and now uses for skeet shooting. She also shoots a 12 gauge weatherby auto w/3" without a problem . Boy, does she burn through the ammo with it. She's like 5'5 for reference. I should be at Pymmy next week hunting if you and her like to see it or shoot to see if she's comfy with o/u recoil and feel. It's not for sale but there common on gunbroker used.

Gene R
 
a 20 gauge light semi auto - many like the venerable Remington 1100 came in a short stock version.

be aware of two issue for new lady shooters -

Many, if not most, woman need less drop than men and less than factory stocks come with, resulting in more felt recoil

and cross eye dominance is much more common in women than in men, this can make learning to shoot frustrating

if you can, spring for a lesson or two with an instructor experience in teaching female beginners
 
As stated already, gun fit is the most important. Try all the 20ga autos , til she finds the one she likes, and if she gives up on hunting you will have a dove and rabbit gun.
 
My hunting partner is a 5'7" and very thin, her choice of new gun was a Weatherby Sa-08 youth in 20ga. I know you specifically asked about o/u's but thus gun deserves a look if you decide to consider semi's. It's well made, and inexpensive too boot.
 
Andy, I know you are interested in an o/u, but if you do consider a pump, consider Winchester's 1300 Ranger Youth not only does it have a shorter butt stock but they actually move the forend grip back about an 1.5". I bought that and a Browning gold hunter 20 ga. for a lady once. It should still come down to what fits her best and what's in budget. Enjoy, happy hunting.
 
some of the slappiest shooting guns I have shot were 20ga pumps or SS guns. For some reason they seem to slap a shoulder more that push a shoulder. An O/U in 20 is one gun I have never shot and is probably better. I have a Charles Daily 20ga youth in camo, the oldest daughter never has complained. will see how the middle daughter likes shooting it soon. If the oldest won't give it up I guess I will be buying a new 20ga auto loader.
 
Is the recoil of a 3" 20ga that much lighter than a 2 3/4" 12ga? I was thinking a Winchester SX3 compact in 12ga would be more versatile than a 20. I tried the 20ga Benelli route. My wife has better success with my 870 12ga.
 
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