looking for 20 gauge advice

[bk23103]

I bought my mom a Rem 870 Youth Express 20 gauge a few years back for Christmas. She is of a small build and is 58 years old and she shoots it well, though I've only taken her out to put holes in paper with it so far.

[pennstater]

Have you looked at the Weatherby SA-08 20ga? They come with two piston's, so you can switch between light and heavier loads. These may be worth a look.

[Ducky's Dad]

Remington 1100s are generally considered to be about the softest shooting guns you can get. And gun weight will reduce felt recoil, all other things being equal. So, if you really want to mitigate recoil, look for an original Remington 1100 20 gauge on the 12 gauge frame. I have the 870 version of that gun, and it's heavy for a 20 (good for your use), but swings real well with a 28" 20 gauge barrel on it.

[Iggy_M]

Benelli m2, recoil is nonexistent

[pennstater]

Remington 1100s are generally considered to be about the softest shooting guns you can get. And gun weight will reduce felt recoil, all other things being equal. So, if you really want to mitigate recoil, look for an original Remington 1100 20 gauge on the 12 gauge frame. I have the 870 version of that gun, and it's heavy for a 20 (good for your use), but swings real well with a 28" 20 gauge barrel on it.

^^^This is sound advice right there.^^^

[Bull Elk]

After my third rotator cuff surgery I switched from a 12g to a 20g and 28g. If you shoot a lot, you'll learn to appreciate the 20g. P.S. I still shoot a 12g on occasion, but not nearly as much as the 20g and 28g.

[L84CABO]

Well you certainly can't go wrong with anything Benelli. But yes, as others have said, I would definitely shoot the gun before you buy it. Some 20 gauges still have a pretty decent kick to them. It would be a bummer to spend the money and then find you're still having problems.

Also, speaking as someone who has had 1...2..yea, 5 shoulder surgeries, your shoulder isn't done healing and will likely continue to improve...albeit slowly. Generally I would say you're looking at a good year for a mostly full recovery. And I don't mean to imply that you will fully recover. Only that it generally takes a good year to get as good as it's going to get with respect to GENERAL activities, range of motion, etc.

BUT...I don't consider firing a shotgun a "general activity." Putting a shotgun over a damaged shoulder and pulling the trigger is a hell of an impact on a recovering shoulder...even one that is a year out. And particularly depending on what you had done. It can be a religious experience at the year mark. You will likely continue to improve slowly for the next year. So two years total to get as good as you will get with respect to firing shotguns.

Just my opinion and YMMV.

Also, a really good recoil pad can help tremendously.

[b.thomas]

Have you thought about just using lighter loads in your 12 gauge???

Considering a 20 is a fair amount lighter then a 12...........using the same load (say one ounce), the 20 will kick harder.
Want less recoil............................. Heavier shotgun, lighter load!

[shovelon]

Have you thought about just using lighter loads in your 12 gauge???

Considering a 20 is a fair amount lighter then a 12...........using the same load (say one ounce), the 20 will kick harder.
Want less recoil............................. Heavier shotgun, lighter load!

That is my thought as well. Cabela's sells a 12 gauge super light target load in the Herter brand. An economical break action gun shoots them well but an autoloader may not cycle them. Mine won't but my side x side eats the up.

http://www.cabelas.com/checkout/item_added_to_cart.jsp?result=success&categoryIds=104792580|104691780|104567580&productId=1545677&backToPreviousUrl=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D1545677&WTz_l=Chart

[k1dude]

Well you certainly can't go wrong with anything Benelli. But yes, as others have said, I would definitely shoot the gun before you buy it. Some 20 gauges still have a pretty decent kick to them. It would be a bummer to spend the money and then find you're still having problems.

Also, speaking as someone who has had 1...2..yea, 5 shoulder surgeries, your shoulder isn't done healing and will likely continue to improve...albeit slowly. Generally I would say you're looking at a good year for a mostly full recovery. And I don't mean to imply that you will fully recover. Only that it generally takes a good year to get as good as it's going to get with respect to GENERAL activities, range of motion, etc.

BUT...I don't consider firing a shotgun a "general activity." Putting a shotgun over a damaged shoulder and pulling the trigger is a hell of an impact on a recovering shoulder...even one that is a year out. And particularly depending on what you had done. It can be a religious experience at the year mark. You will likely continue to improve slowly for the next year. So two years total to get as good as you will get with respect to firing shotguns.

Just my opinion and YMMV.

Also, a really good recoil pad can help tremendously.

^This^

The only nitpick I might have is Benelli's are recoil operated, so they kick a little harder than gas systems. That's why they invented their Comfortech stock. But sometimes the Comfortech stock only helps with stout high brass loads. With lighter loads it often provides no benefit.

It typically takes a year or more for a shoulder injury to heal. I've been through a few rotator cuff injuries, and there's no way I'd want to be shooting a shotgun and potentially re-injure and/or lengthen my recovery period.

If I were you, I'd stick to semi-autos in .223 or less (like .22 LR rifles).

Handguns are OK if you shoot one handed with your good arm. I imagine it's too painful and difficult to lift your injured arm.

I'd take the opportunity to improve your rifle shooting and your one handed handgun shooting over the next year.