Remington 1100 ?

[jigggawatt]

I'm looking for a soft shooting . Trap gun for my wife. I've never shot an 1100 . How hard is the recoil ? I have an over and under and it kicks like a mule. It doesn't bother me , but bothers her.

[sargenv]

I;m assuming you don't reload. 12 gauge can be made to be very light recoiling by making up some very light target loads. 7/8 ounce at 1155 to 1200 fps is very light in the recoil dept and relatively inexpensive once items are bought. It's like shooting 20 gauge in a 12 gauge frame. Otherwise, the semi's are the way to go for light recoil. The 11-87 is also a good gun and is an updated version of the 1100. You did not mention how much you want to spend.

[jigggawatt]

I would like to find one for about 600-700. No I don't reload . Thanks for the help. I'm shooting my Dads Berreta O/U from the 70's.

[Fjold]

Any semiauto is going to recoil less than an O/U but 12 guages are not light recoiling guns. Think about a 20 gauge semi for the wife.

[buffybuster]

1oz 12ga loads are light recoiling but may not cycle the semi-auto action, since they are too light. Also, depending on how small your wife is and how long she'll be shooting, the weight of a 12ga M1100 may become fatiguing. A Beretta A391 with Aluminum alloy receivers might be easier to handle and it's still gas operated to soften the recoil. If she's very petite, a youth 20ga semi-auto would probably be the best balance.

[Sheepdog1968]

I've got a similar thread going. From the feedback I've gotten it appears people think a gas operated semi should have less recoil than a pump. Hope that helps.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

Winchester AA makes light trap loads in 12 GA. She would be good shooting these with a 1100. Or put a kick easy but pad.

[bohoki]

find her a 20 ga

[jigggawatt]

Thanks for all the info. My wife's 5'11" , and can hadle a gun fairly well.. We just joined the local gun club, so I think she wants to shoot quite a bit. She shot a buddies Berreta 391 and loved it. I've always liked Remington's but never shot a 1100.

[Revoman]

1100 or 11-87 would be within you price range, the 391 would probably not be.

As posted earlier, since the action of the shotgun requires a portion of the inertia to drive the bolt, a semi is softer recoiling.

Yes, AA does make a 12 gauge 'Light' round that still should cycle any one of the above guns. A 20 gauge still has some kick to it and softer recoiling rounds are not readily available.

If you are buying the standard 'on sale' 12 gauge hunting rounds, they will be heavier than the AA Lights. Look at the dram equivilent and the ounces of shot. That should give you a solid indication of the rowdiness of the round.
1-1/8 ounce and 3 to 3-1/4 dram would be a stiff round. 7/8 or 1 ounce with 2-3/4 dram would be pleasant.

The down side is that AA Lights will be more expensive than the standard 'on sale' stuff.........but it should be good on the shoulder/cheek.

By the way, if your wife is getting cheek slap, it's a strong indication that she is not putting her head on the stock and there is a slight gap. This will produce a slap every time. You want to be 'at one' with the wood, meaning tight to the shoulder and tight to the cheek. No more slapping.

[Timberwolf]

An 1100 should be fine for your wife with trap loads (AA 2 3/4 dr, 1 1/8 oz, 8 shot). I shot in the ATA for a few years starting at age 12 and my shotgun was a trap model 1100. I had no trouble handling it even on doubles. She should be fine.

[popeye4]

Remington 1100 is a fine shotgun, not at all punishing. But you've got to keep it clean.

I bought mine from an acquaintance a few years ago for $100. He thought he was ripping me off as the gun didn't function (he didn't tell me that at the time). The gun looked like someone had tarred a road inside the receiver. After tearing it down completely and cleaning (and replacing the gas rings/o-ring), it has functioned flawlessly ever since.

[BMC]

Personally I wouldn't go with a 20 gauge if you plan on shooting more than a half dozen times a year and don't reload. 20 gauge shells are often difficult to come by and some of the ranges you might visit might not stock them (in case you planned on buying range shells). Rem gun clubs in 1 oz target are really light. One thing you'll have to remind her of when using the lighter shells in an 1100 is that she has to keep the gun mounted securely for the gun to cycle properly. A lot of times women or youth new to shooting will have a tendency to pull the gun away from the shoulder after they've shot a few rounds. Of course if you are shooting trap you will only be loading one shell at a time so an occasional cycling error isn't any big deal.
Another thing you need to consider with any gas operated shotgun on a trap line is to get a shell catcher. Some people who might be shooting with you don't like the shells flying out at them.

[jigggawatt]

No cheek slap, she holds it tight against her shoulder. Thanks for all the help!

[midvalleyshooter]

The lighter shotguns and the smaller 20 gauges kick MORE than a light loaded 12 gauge gun like as 1100.

You are getting good advice that the 1100 is the way to go. Get the gun fit to her LOP and have a good recoil pad installed. The Winchester AA light trap loads are the ticket.

Keith