Shotgun recommedations for my daughter

[aghauler]

My daughter (new to shooting, but wants to do more!) wants a shotgun so she can go shooting with her hubbie. He inherited a Belgium Browning Light Auto 5 12ga from her grandfather. I'm not well versed in shotguns so looking for input. First my kid is 5'3" and is all of about 115lb soaking wet. On a brief trip through Scheels Reno 2 months ago we kind of thought "youth" length shotguns seemed to fit her best. I'm thinking this is what we'll be looking for.

Either Semi or Pump (recommendations for both)

20ga or lower

Something with easily exchangable barrels depending on what they want to do as far as shooting them. I'm familiar with the Mossberg 500 line.

Moderate price range also

Any places in Henderson, Las Vegas with knowledgeable staff, to go shopping for shotguns? We'll be down there late next week.

[CK_32]

How old is she?

Assuming she's around teens or older I'd say 20 guage 500 or 870 should be good.

[aghauler]

28 and in 4th year medical school. I keep telling her to hurry up and graduate so she can support me in my up comming retirement!

[bjl333]

A Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 in a 20ga might work for her. I would definitely put a GOOD recoil pad on the gun and fitting the stock. At the very least have the angle trimmed for a woman.

Most 20ga autos are build on a smaller frame, so any recoil advantage would be wiped out by the light weight. That said, I would also recommand a Remington 1100 in a 12ga with a good recoil pad & stock mods.

A good recoil pad is a Kick-Ezz.

28 and in 4th year medical school. I keep telling her to hurry up and graduate so she can support me in my up comming retirement!

[Newshooter]

I agree with above. Go for the auto. The pump, even in 20 gauge, will kick. My wife shoots a 12 ga Beretta auto all day long yet can't shoot an over/under 20 gauge because it beats her up. Beretta makes a really nice RL3901 Target shotgun but it is mainly a clay shooting gun. The regular 3901 with the stock fitted would work well too.

[ysr_racer]

Rem 1100 20ga youth model

[foxtrotuniformlima]

My 12 year old has shot both a 20ga Beretta 391 youth & an 1100 12ga with a youth stock. She liked the 1100 better. you can get 12ga shells that are very low recoil.

[Ribkick]

I agree with above. Go for the auto. The pump, even in 20 gauge, will kick. My wife shoots a 12 ga Beretta auto all day long yet can't shoot an over/under 20 gauge because it beats her up. Beretta makes a really nice RL3901 Target shotgun but it is mainly a clay shooting gun. The regular 3901 with the stock fitted would work well too.

Rem 1100 20ga youth model

^^These^^

I have Beretta's in my autos and Remington 870's in my pumps. The Beretta's are a work of art and gentle. The 870's kick like my O/U's.

[TZL]

What do you consider mid priced?

Beretta A400 Xtreme $1500
Remington Versamax $1200

Both are 12's that kick less than most 20's

[not-fishing]

What do you consider mid priced?

Beretta A400 Xtreme $1500
Remington Versamax $1200

Both are 12's that kick less than most 20's

At those prices you might even look at a used 20 ga Browning Citori. My mother used one as her duck/pheasant gun when she was in her 40's.

The extra weight of the second barrel softens the recoil.

[Jeepergeo]

An over/under is a great way to go. You can get a Stoeger Condor Supreme with two sets of barrels for a pretty fair price. If regular 12 ga presents a recoil problem, it won't matter if its an auto, o/u, or single shot. Address the kick with some light target loads. A 12 and 20 ga changeable barrel set gives you tons of one gun flexibility.

[Ribkick]

If regular 12 ga presents a recoil problem, it won't matter if its an auto, o/u, or single shot. Address the kick with some light target loads. A 12 and 20 ga changeable barrel set gives you tons of one gun flexibility.

That's blatant FUD. An auto is much more gentle. I'm not going to go into the physics, you should know. If you don't, google it. I own many of all actions and the gas autos are gentle by comparison.

Your target load advice is good but I would expect if the OP's daughter is going to play the clay games, that's a given.

[Thefeeder]

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I would get to a range with rentals or firends with differant shotguns.

The shotgun for her is the one she likes, fits her and feels comfortable shooting for her.

Try many, buy once.....once means the one SHE likes.




Here is some info that may be useful in your quest

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=425953

[-hanko]

I would get to a range with rentals or firends with differant shotguns.

The shotgun for her is the one she likes, fits her and feels comfortable shooting for her.

Try many, buy once.....once means the one SHE likes.

Here is some info that may be useful in your quest

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=425953

Thefeeder, thanks for injecting a bit of fact into this thread.

OP, this might seem like a radical idea, but why don't you consider hooking your daughter up with an experienced coach/trainer...they'll have a selection of guns she can try and, more importantly, they should be able to fit the gun to your daughter...that's the most important step after selecting the gun.

A trainer actually working with here one-on-one is going to help her get her ideal weapon v. multiple opinions on a website from people (me included) who have zero idea of her build, etc.

hth and let us know what she likes.

-hanko

[aghauler]

Wow! What a wealth of information and opinions and ideas in the replies to my question. Now all I have to do is "digest" it in 3 days. Thanks all for the replies and help! BB