John3754 0 Posted October 24, 2014 my wife is interested in learning to shoot a shotgun, she has experience wth handguns but not long guns. I'm thinking that a 20g semiauto would be a good way to go for her, any suggestions on models would be greatly appreciated, or if you think there might be a better way to go I'd appreciate hearing your opinion. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varna 9 Posted October 24, 2014 John, Really depends on what you want the gun for. Her only? Home defense only? Shooting clays? Hunting? All of these? Makes a big difference in your choice. I have a Remington 1100 20 ga. Magnum that I bought for deer hunting with a Hastings slug barrel and scope. It came with a 26" remchoke barrel. I use it to hunt and shoot sporting clays. Kids love to shoot it, less intimidating. My wife was using it to shoot clays that we would throw on our own and liked it a lot. Funny thing, we went to shoot sporting clays last week and she preferred using my 12 ga Browning Maxus........ the 20 stayed in the trunk. You need to be more specific in what you want to do with it. I suggest to get one that can do multiple tasks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,872 Posted October 24, 2014 Mossberg SA-20. Made in Turkey - supposedly a copy of the Beretta A300 series. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John3754 0 Posted October 24, 2014 John, Really depends on what you want the gun for. Her only? Home defense only? Shooting clays? Hunting? All of these? Makes a big difference in your choice. Primarily education and home defense, might shoot some clays too, it wouldn't be for hunting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newtonian 453 Posted October 24, 2014 20 gauge is a good choice. If it's just for fun why not a two-shot? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted October 24, 2014 12 ga with lite shells. Every adult I ever trained on a shotgun ended up going to a 12 gauge in no time. Only time the 20 gauge is used anymore is to start a youngin' in the sport, mostly due to the LOP. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy 44 Posted October 24, 2014 I love my 12 gauge 590A1 Mariner .Rather than worrying about gauge and all that , make sure the gun is the correct LOP so that she can shoulder it properly . Shouldering it properly is really what makes a difference. I can shoot buckshot and slugs ( not the reduced recoil ones) out of my 590A1 with zero issue because it has an adjustable stock that goes down to 11" LOP . I have shot it in 4 hour tactical classes with no soreness.However , my husband's 12 gauge Mossberg semi auto (which should technically be a softer shooter) kicks my butt because the stock is too long and I can't tuck it into my shoulder the way it should be.You don't "need" to get her a 20 gauge in other words. Nothing wrong with one , but I would rather a 12ga just like the big boys , personally. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smokin .50 1,907 Posted October 24, 2014 Sandy is 100% right. Fit is EVERYTHING. Small-framed and/or short-armed folks need a "youth model", a custom or adjustable stock w/ spacers, or some other adaptation to hit well. If your wife has a smaller frame she'll benefit from the shorter LOP for sure. Any gas operated 12 ga. that can shoot 2 3/4 dram low-brass & have 100% reliability will do, even if that means you need to go to a smith to have it "chopped" to shorten the stock. If you do decide to alter the gun, have someone who has done this before work on it and save the pieces so that they can be refinished and used as "spacers". These spacers can then be used to accommodate all types of apperal, from T-shirts in the summer to Gortex insulated parkas in the winter, giving her the "custom fit" she needs to have a really fun time. Buying a "minty" used 12 ga. gas gun and then putting some money into stock work is better money spent IMHO. Also, If you're willing to spend some nice coin to go for a Benelli or a Beretta (I wouldn't for a "first gun"), make sure the model you buy has the spacers for the stock. Dave Shotgunner for 30+ years Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newtonian 453 Posted October 24, 2014 12 ga with lite shells. Every adult I ever trained on a shotgun ended up going to a 12 gauge in no time. Only time the 20 gauge is used anymore is to start a youngin' in the sport, mostly due to the LOP. When I got into shotguns 24 years ago the 12 gauge was a surprise. To this day I wear recoil pads and I still have bruises for a week after shooting 100+ rounds. Not saying to go out and buy a new gun for this purpose, just something to consider. IMO it's smart to start new shooters on lower calibers. A 20-gauge can do a lot of damage. Not like they're going to win the battle at the OK Corral tomorrow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
illy 1 Posted October 24, 2014 Only time the 20 gauge is used anymore is to start a youngin' in the sport, mostly due to the LOP.As well as all manner of birds and small game.Also clays. And home defense. About the only thing I wouldn't use a 20 gauge for is big game with buckshot. Though in a rifled barrel shotgun with 3" sabots, the 20 is still plenty gun. See e.g. http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob120.html http://www.chuckhawks.com/drive_20_gauge.htm http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/2013/08/twenty-plenty http://www.thewellarmedwoman.com/shotgun-basics And in case H.E. drops by Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newtonian 453 Posted October 24, 2014 As well as all manner of birds and small game. Also clays. And home defense. About the only thing I wouldn't use a 20 gauge for is big game with buckshot. Though in a rifled barrel shotgun with 3" sabots, the 20 is still plenty gun. See e.g. http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob120.html http://www.chuckhawks.com/drive_20_gauge.htm http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/2013/08/twenty-plenty http://www.thewellarmedwoman.com/shotgun-basics And in case H.E. drops by I don't know the lingo but YES SIR! This post banishes the caliber fags. Now I gotta get me one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buell508 6 Posted October 24, 2014 I got my wife a 20ga 870 youth model it fits her well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John3754 0 Posted October 25, 2014 Measured her LOP, looks to be about 15.5 inches. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy 44 Posted October 25, 2014 Well , that is more than most men . Average LOP for guys is 14" or a hair more. Off the shelf LOPs on long guns are about 14.5 inches. A) Is she very tall ? B) Are you sure you measured correctly? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John3754 0 Posted October 25, 2014 Well , that is more than most men . Average LOP for guys is 14" or a hair more. Off the shelf LOPs on long guns are about 14.5 inches. A) Is she very tall ? B) Are you sure you measured correctly? She's 5' 8", I had her bend her right arm and measured from the inside of her elbow to the pad of her index finger. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy 44 Posted October 25, 2014 She should be fine with an off the shelf then. If someone shows her how to shoulder it well she would have no trouble , 20 or 12 ga. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaddyNick 406 Posted October 25, 2014 youth model in either Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. 20 ga. barrel is shorter (home defense). both have different placement of the safety. comes down to personal preference. with todays ammo the 20ga can keep up with the 12 on the clay/skeet field. as for home defense 20ga does have a factory loads for buckshot. #2 and or #3 buckshot. I've used it on deer out to 25 yards no problem. Im fairly certain the bad guys cannot tell the difference between 12ga or a 20ga in the dark or between 12ga buck or 20ga buck. especially inside of 30'. lol. Nick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
notmetoo 41 Posted October 26, 2014 Perfect timing on this thread! My wife went to a NRA Women on Target class and decided she wanted a shotgun for clays and HD. 12GA is too much for her so I am looking for a 20GA that fits under the Christmas tree. Thanks to all who contributed here! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varna 9 Posted November 5, 2014 Sorry it took so long to reply but...... as it turns out......no need to, you have several excellent replies already to help you out. Happy shooting Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
10X 3,278 Posted November 5, 2014 So was I wrong to read the title of this thread and think "Good trade!"? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jgofnj 5 Posted November 6, 2014 Def the 20 GA if just for education and home defense. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jgofnj 5 Posted November 6, 2014 So was I wrong to read the title of this thread and think "Good trade!"? Haha! Would nee to see a picture first (of the shotgun that is). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JayWilling 33 Posted November 7, 2014 A few years ago I picked up an Escort semi-auto 20 ga youth model. My wife loves it. Cheap, and always goes bang. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad G 345 Posted November 7, 2014 My wife has a 20ga 870 Youth. It fits her but what we have discovered is that whatever recoil you lose from the smaller 20ga you gain back because most of the 20ga guns are lighter. I think go with a proper fitting 12 is the answer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
W2MC 1,699 Posted November 7, 2014 If its not for hunting and just for familiarization (or to repel boarders), what about a .410? I like my lil Stevens 311 SxS; not much kick but packs a pretty good punch. Mossberg also offers a .410 pump. Thoughts? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parker 213 Posted November 7, 2014 I would recommend a 20 ga., despite it being the less popular and less versatile when compared to the 12 ga. The combination of velocity, powder charge weight, payload weight and shotcup weight all have a bearing on the amount of recoil energy the shooter feels, the combination of which are dissipated by the weight of the gun and any gas system that may mitigate felt recoil. (Just plug in any known values to a recoil calculator and you can determine what kicks less and what kicks more.)The phenomenon of perceived recoil is what a shooter experiences usually by holding the gun improperly, or when dealing with an ill-fitting or poorly designed buttstock. Anyone who believes that a "one-size fits all" buttstock exists is mistaken. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smokin .50 1,907 Posted November 10, 2014 Gun "Fit" is EVERYTHING and always has been. Plenty of Ladies use a 20 ga. gas gun to great effect. And those that don't like a HEAVY double to dissipate any felt recoil. Female Trap Shooters shoot all day long w/o issues, because the gun FITS and doesn't "slap" up against their cheek bones. That's what that piece of scrap tire is for...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy 44 Posted November 10, 2014 Scrap tire? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smokin .50 1,907 Posted November 10, 2014 Yeah Sandy, it's quite common to see a small square piece of old car tire at each shooting position at a Trap or Skeet Field. It's used by both sexes to rest the muzzle of the gun on while waiting your turn to load, raise and call for your bird. In fact you'll see it get kicked back and forth when a Lefty is shooting on a Squad. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy 44 Posted November 11, 2014 Oh . Never been trap or skeet shooting. One of these days. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites