Too Much Recoil

[Donny1]

Thanks everyone!

Lots of great advice. To answer the question about holding it properly, yes she does and yes she has had instruction. Actually she is a fairly natural shooter. I think it's just the weight of it. For me even it recoils like the average 12 GA.

Sounds like the Limbsaver is the popular choice. That and getting it fitted properly, pitch, etc. will probably do the trick.

I will also look into the lighter loads. Never heard of specific "featherlite" loads.

[mjsweims]

LIght loads, proper fit, properly mounting the gun are all great things to try first.
A recoil pad like a limbsaver is also a good try.
You can also add lead to the hole in the stock where you get to the long bolt holding it to the action. A heavier gun will result in less felt recoil.

[jumpthestack]

I too have found that usually it's user error that causes people to freak out. They shoulder it wrong at first, then from then on they have a mental block that persists even once they learn how to shoulder it properly. From that point forward they are simply afraid of it.

Agreed. I went to sporting clays once with a woman who probably weighs less than 110 lb and was shooting for the first time, and she had no problem shooting 12 gauge birdshot(no pain or discomfort of any kind).

When holding the gun correctly(don't forget to hold the stock very firmly against your shoulder), the recoil will give you a strong push, but it should feel like a push, and not a punch, so it shouldn't be painful. If you start out already scared of it, then a strong shove feels uncomfortable and unpleasant. But if you have a non-scared attitude then getting shoved is no big deal. So mindset makes a big difference.