Buying my first shotgun

[Jeffy]

I don't think they're for me. I saw shotguns at the firing range when I was there. the way the guys' shoulders moved back every time they shot. A little too intimidating for me. I think I'll start with a handgun and work my way up.

I wouldn't let what you see at the range sway you. You don't know what type of ammo he was using. full power buck, slugs or magnums will have some kick to them. You really need to go out and try it with some low-power bird shot to get accustom to it. Maybe go out with someone who has some youth model 20 gauges. You really need to find someone who can help you choose one. You'll have more options available with a 12 gauges but they don't make youth models so you might have to have someone cut the stock.

If you've shot 30 cal rifles then it's similar to that.

[FloridaEllie]

I wouldn't let what you see at the range sway you. You don't know what type of ammo he was using. full power buck, slugs or magnums will have some kick to them. You really need to go out and try it with some low-power bird shot to get accustom to it. Maybe go out with someone who has some youth model 20 gauges. You really need to find someone who can help you choose one. You'll have more options available with a 12 gauges but they don't make youth models so you might have to have someone cut the stock.

If you've shot 30 cal rifles then it's similar to that.

Hi Jeffy! Thanks for the feedback. I've heard 20 gauges are easier to fire. I was searching on youtube to see shotguns fired with "bird shot" but haven't been able to find anything. What does "cut the stock" mean? Does that mean to shorten the gun, and isn't that illegal? Sorry to sound so stupid, but I'm learning so much here.

[Jeffy]

Hi Jeffy! Thanks for the feedback. I've heard 20 gauges are easier to fire. I was searching on youtube to see shotguns fired with "bird shot" but haven't been able to find anything. What does "cut the stock" mean? Does that mean to shorten the gun, and isn't that illegal? Sorry to sound so stupid, but I'm learning so much here.

by cutting the stock, I mean just that. The length from the trigger to the butt pad is known as the LOP or Length of Pull. If your arms are short like with kids and shorter people the reach can be a bit uncomfortable. So by cutting the stock down a bit you can adjust the LOP for a shorter armed person. You can cut down the stock as long as the overall length is still over 26".

You can see in the example below how the Compact model has a shorter stock then the one below. They are both 18.5" barreled though.



I'm not sure if you'll find any specific video's that say they're using bird shot or other. But like I said earlier, an autoloader will have less recoil then a pump or break-action since the feeding system soaks some of it up to feed the next round. If I was going to look at autoloaders, I'd probably look at FN/Winchester, Beretta and Benelli although these shotguns do cost more but they are of nice quality as well.

Beretta - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s13Y7SKrFls
Winchester SX3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2QPvuEk5dg
Benelli - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMIzdnrmH-k