Semi Auto: Wife

[Bull Elk]

My wife is getting interested in shooting shotguns. She works and trains with our dogs all the time so this was a natural progression. I'm not sure if she will hunt, although she does have her hunting license, but wants to learn to shoot and possibly trap shoot. She has female friends who trap shoot and are encouraging her to try the sport and are willing to teach her. She's going to try it and knowing her, she will dive head first into it until she masters it or becomes proficient at it.

I'm looking for recommendations for semi auto's (we have plenty of over under shotguns) that she could use for trap shooting, but also upland game if she decides to go that route. Several shotguns that were recommended by others include the Beretta A300, but it comes in 12 gauge only; Beretta A400 Explorer 20 gauge or Benelli M2 20 gauge.

Your suggestions and recommendations are highly appreciated.

[MotoFahren]

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1178565

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=962240

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=816289

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1176135

Almost 3,500 posts and you don't search first?

[jarhead714]

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/....php?t=1178565

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=962240

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=816289

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1176135

Almost 3,500 posts and you don't search first?

That says more about you than he with links ready for him. You're a good Calgunner.

[Thefeeder]

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My advise is to let her go and shoot with her friends and discover for herself what shotgun she likes.

The best thing you can do is put a good enough fitting shotgun in her hands to start with and then leave her to learn from her friends, assuming they know enough to properly teach her, unless your asked, just sit back.

Ask any instructor and they will tell you who trained their wives or GF before they stepped in. As my wife stated " He said the same things you did, but said them to me differently".

[Horrendo Revolver]

My daughter(26) has a SX3 Compact and SA-08 Youth, both in 20 gauge. She prefers the Weatherby for its weight and slimmer forend. She's 5'7".

[ysr_racer]

Make sure she gets the shotgun SHE wants, not the one you want her to have.

[Tom-ADC]

Berreta 390 Sporting 20 ga.. Just saying!!!

[billped]

Agree with above on several points: 20 gauge and let her make the brand/model choice.

[Bull Elk]

Berreta 390 Sporting 20 ga.. Just saying!!!

She might like it too much!

[Bull Elk]

Berreta 390 Sporting 20 ga.. Just saying!!!

Tom, if you've got another let me know. That one has become a family favorite.

[XVIga_Rob]

Agreed...Let her pick the gun. As for the SA's the A400 will shoot softer that the M2. If the O/U fit's her well, she may just want to shoo it.

[L84CABO]

You had me at Benelli M2. It a very versatile gun with lots of options for it...barrels, stocks, etc. It could easily serve double duty as a home defense gun and a bird gun. Or go crazy and deck it out for 3 Gun too. Comes in a youth model too if she needed something shorter. They're not cheap but it's a fantastic weapon.

Disclaimer: I'm a huge Benelli fan.

[sleepur606]

Benelli M2 is a great gun and has plenty of support in the aftermarket.

I'd also recommend the Beretta A400, or A400 Xplor, as an option.

I have both the M2 in 12 gauge and the A400 Xplor in 28 gauge. The A400 is a fantastic and amazingly light gun and is probably a hair faster than the M2.

In the end, do like everyone else has said and let your wife get what she likes and what fits her.

[bigbearbear]

My wife shoots trap with a Benelli M2 Field Compact in 12 gauge, they have a 20 gauge version as well. She is 5' 4 and weighs around 110lbs, the 12 gauge shoots fine for her. You might want to consider having her use 12 gauge. Note that the Field Compact version has a shorter LOP for young or female shooters.

The M2 Field Compact is a great shotgun, reliable and very easy to maintain. If you go with it, there are a couple modifications you might want to do the shotgun:

- Mid bead. Strictly speaking, trap shooters shouldn't even need a bead but for new shooters, have the mid and front bead is useful because it allows them to check their gun mount. I had a gun smith put a mid bead on my wife's M2 field compact and it helped a lot.

- Extended bolt release. The M2 series come with the typical small round button for a bolt release, which can be difficult to manipulate for women with long finger nails. I put on an extended bolt release on her M2, I used a Dave Metalworks Speedbar (http://davesmetalworks.com/m12.html) which does not require any gunsmithing.

There is one very tiny issue with the M2 Field compact, the forearm can become a little loose. It will not affect the shotgun but can be irritating. I shim it with a couple of small pieces of cleaning cloth and it is now very tight with no movement.

[therealnickb]

My wife is getting interested in shooting shotguns. She works and trains with our dogs all the time so this was a natural progression. I'm not sure if she will hunt, although she does have her hunting license, but wants to learn to shoot and possibly trap shoot. She has female friends who trap shoot and are encouraging her to try the sport and are willing to teach her. She's going to try it and knowing her, she will dive head first into it until she masters it or becomes proficient at it.

I'm looking for recommendations for semi auto's (we have plenty of over under shotguns) that she could use for trap shooting, but also upland game if she decides to go that route. Several shotguns that were recommended by others include the Beretta A300, but it comes in 12 gauge only; Beretta A400 Explorer 20 gauge or Benelli M2 20 gauge.

Your suggestions and recommendations are highly appreciated.

My wife loves her M2 20ga. With little training she shoots clays OK. It's a very comfortable little shotgun to use. I'll probably take it for quail next time if there's a lot of walking.