20 gauge rentals?

[Davinho]

A friend of mine is looking to purchase a shotgun for home defense. He's not a gun guy, so this would be his first firearm. Also, the weapon would need to be something his wife could use. I introduced him to shooting with my variety of handguns, rifles, and my 12 gauge pump shotgun, and he doesn't much like the recoil of the 12 gauge. I can't fault him for this; I don't like the recoil of a pump 12 gauge. So I've recommended that he get a 20 gauge. Semi-auto or pump depending on the time/money he's willing to invest. But, I don't have a 20 gauge shotgun, and have never fired one. So we would like to rent one somewhere so that we can try it out before buying. So:

Does anyone know where in the LA area I can rent a 20 gauge shotgun, pump, or semi-auto, or preferably both?

LAX range doesn't have one, neither does The Firing Line in Burbank. Thanks
for your input.

[CSACANNONEER]

IMO, the difference in recoil between a 20g and a 12g is insignificant. The best thing for both you and he to do is find "low-recoil" rounds or develop your own. In other words, your choice of ammo will play a bigger role in the amount of recoil you feel than the choice between a 20g and a 12g. Even more important is properly shouldering a shotgun that FITS YOU correctly!

BTW, unfortunately the range I work(ed) at in Agoura Hills had a rental 20g but, the range is no longer open and the shop will be closing very soon. The 20g was sold for $75!

[Two Shots]

+1 to what CSA said if he does get a 12g besides the ammo, He can also have a good recoil pad installed.

[randy]

Oaktree has them for rent for trap and skeet. Call them and ask if you can shoot them for what you want to accomplish.

If his wife is small stature Remington and Benelli make youth model shotguns that should work.

[Davinho]

Oaktree has them for rent for trap and skeet. Call them and ask if you can shoot them for what you want to accomplish.

If his wife is small stature Remington and Benelli make youth model shotguns that should work.

Thanks for the tip. I'll give Oaktree a call.

[DedEye]

Sorry, Bullseye has a 20 gauge for rent but we're too far away .

[forgiven]

I do like the idea of a 20 gauge youth model auto loader or pump. My sons, nephews and nieces have been shooting both with 7/8 oz loads since they were 13.

[Redchevyman]

A friend of mine is looking to purchase a shotgun for home defense.

If your friend gets a 20 guage he will have trouble finding decent home defense rounds. Stick with a 12 guage so he can buy 00 buck shot.

[Coffee]

I've got 20ga, 16ga, 12ga...


The selection / availability / price for 12ga ammo is way better

[CSACANNONEER]

If your friend gets a 20 guage he will have trouble finding decent home defense rounds. Stick with a 12 guage so he can buy 00 buck shot.

There is plenty of slug and 00 available in 20g. I still think a properly fitted 12g is a better choice for most beginners. BTW, personally, I prefer my .410s for small bird and challenging clay breaking but, I've got 6 or 7 12g's around in case I want to throw more lead out at once.

[CSACANNONEER]

If your friend gets a 20 guage he will have trouble finding decent home defense rounds. Stick with a 12 guage so he can buy 00 buck shot.

There is plenty of slug and 00 available in 20g. I still think a properly fitted 12g is a better choice for most beginners. BTW, personally, I prefer my .410s for small bird and challenging clay breaking but, I've got 7 or 8 12g's around in case I want to throw more lead out at once.

[Davinho]

IMO, the difference in recoil between a 20g and a 12g is insignificant. The best thing for both you and he to do is find "low-recoil" rounds or develop your own. In other words, your choice of ammo will play a bigger role in the amount of recoil you feel than the choice between a 20g and a 12g. Even more important is properly shouldering a shotgun that FITS YOU correctly!

Well, fit isn't really going to be a concern since he's a big guy, and she's a small woman. So it just flat out won't fit right. If 20 gauge vs 12 gauge isn't significant, how about semi-auto vs pump? Recoil really is the top concern here. Perhaps I should be recommending a 9mm carbine instead?

[ysr_racer]

I live in OC and have plenty of 20ga's you can try, and a couple of 12ga's too. I'll be at either Raahauge's or Triple B this weekend.

[maxicon]

You can get around the fit problem with an adjustable stock, and if it's a Knoxx SpecOps, it reduces the recoil a good bit, too. That's probably the best bet for a situation like this.

I hate the recoil on pump 12 gauges, and my 20 gauge/.22 Savage 24C has some pretty dramatic recoil too. 20 rounds through it has me sore.

I'd definitely recommend a semi-auto for manageable recoil - I enjoy shooting my 1100 20G or 12G a lot more than any of my non-semi shotguns (except the .410s).