Looking for first shotgun

[thatryan]

First off, at a range are shotguns only allowed to shoot trap/skeet?

I would be looking for something in an autoloader style, as not sure I have the arm strength to pump.

I like the idea of a pistol grip with the butt stock as well.

Difference in "kick" of a 20 gauge vs 410? Worth exploring or too close to bother?

Thank you!

[NapalmCheese]

1) Every range has different rules. The ranges I go to have a separate area for shooting clay games, but don't ban shotguns from the rifle range (so you can practice with and sight in your slug loads).

2) You unless you have a medical condition, you have the arm strength to work a pump shotgun.

3) If that's what your into… I would suggest you try one before you buy one. If you want to shoot clays pistol grips are not an advantage IMO.

4) I prefer the (lower perceived) recoil of a full sized 12 gauge to the kick of a compact or youth sized 20 gauge. I've not shot a .410, so I can't comment on that.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

First off, at a range are shotguns only allowed to shoot trap/skeet?

I would be looking for something in an autoloader style, as not sure I have the arm strength to pump.

I like the idea of a pistol grip with the butt stock as well.

Difference in "kick" of a 20 gauge vs 410? Worth exploring or too close to bother?

Thank you!

The pump action on most shotguns is virtually effortless. It requires more weak arm strength just to hold the weapon up on target than it does to pump it. I wouldn't bother with anything lower than a 12 GA either. Birdshot and low recoil buck are both easy to shoot.

Also, at Burro Canyon for example you can shoot shotguns at regular targets rather than just skeet.

[JagerDog]

What's your goal? A defensive piece?

20g is capable. Forget 410. 12g has wider selection of ammo, but effective 20g can be found. Limited aftermarket accessories in 20g.

[thatryan]

I have Muscular Dystrophy, so yeah, a medical condition Affects my upper body and arms significantly.

As for pistol grip, my ignorant assumption was it would be easier to hip fire as opposed to shoulder/site aim if necessary?

The pump action on most shotguns is virtually effortless. It requires more weak arm strength just to hold the weapon up on target than it does to pump it. I wouldn't bother with anything lower than a 12 GA either. Birdshot and low recoil buck are both easy to shoot.

What is the difference between these two types of shells?

What's your goal? A defensive piece?

20g is capable. Forget 410.

Mostly, yes. I will want to fire at the range to practice, but at targets not skeet or trap.

Thank you all again for your input.

[calif 15-22]

You really need to go shoulder a few at the Gun Store. Pistol grip pump might be easier with your MD but only you can tell. Try both pistol grip and non pistol to get a feel for how you shoulder the gun.

After that the autoloader might be better with your MD. With the pump you do need some strength to rack and eject and if you get a jam, you will need significantly more strength to clear that jam. So I would say autoloader might be best for you.

Brands there are many. If you are just going to shoot paper then any 18"-22" would be perfect. Benelli M2/M4 on the high end, or a Remington 1170 or Mossberg 930 on the lower end of cost.

You can get low recoil slugs, 00 and target loads. The recoil should not matter based on your condition. Shouldering and holding might so no advantage to 20ga.

If this is your first I would say a Mosseberg 930 is the way to go. You get new for under $700.



Good luck . . .

[NapalmCheese]

I would think that a light 20 gauge would be the way to go. Companies make effective self defense loads for the 20, less so for the .410 and the 20 is going to be lighter (if you get the right one) than a 12 gauge. Barring that, I'd pick the lighter of the two between 12 and 20. You're going to have to check out the weights of any shotgun you choose.

From a liability standpoint you're going to want to learn to shoot with the shotgun shouldered and aimed. You are accountable for every pellet that goes downrange and in the event of an encounter you'll want to be able to say that you both positively identified your target AND you were aiming at it. I don't know if MD would keep you from shouldering a shotgun, but if it doesn't that's what I'd practice. One advantage for having a pistol grip/shoulder stock set up is that you can shoulder a shotgun and aim, and some people find it easier to hold the shotgun one handed while you do other things (cell phone, door locks, etc.) with the other hand. Go check out a couple and see what you think.

In a nutshell: birdshot is for birds and bird sized animals (emu's and ostriches potentially excluded). Buckshot is for bucks and buck sized animals. People are generally more buck sized than bird sized.

If this is for home defense; and weight and recoil (and ease of use?) are factors, why not consider a handgun?

I have Muscular Dystrophy, so yeah, a medical condition Affects my upper body and arms significantly.

As for pistol grip, my ignorant assumption was it would be easier to hip fire as opposed to shoulder/site aim if necessary?



What is the difference between these two types of shells?



Mostly, yes. I will want to fire at the range to practice, but at targets not skeet or trap.

Thank you all again for your input.

[SA227driver]

My first shotgun was a Maverick (Mossberg) 88. Turners's usually has them for around $210 on sale. When I decided that a shotgun is something that I enjoyed I upgraded to a Mossberg 930 SPX.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

With physical limitations, it would be worth considering a short barreled (18") side by side. Not a lot of moving parts or complicated manual of arms, yet still awesomely effective as a HD weapon.

[TMB 1]

With physical limitations, it would be worth considering a short barreled (18") side by side. Not a lot of moving parts or complicated manual of arms, yet still awesomely effective as a HD weapon.

I agree and they just cant be beat getting off second shot.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I agree and they just cant be beat getting off second shot.

The original scattergun aka street howitzer.

[kellyhachihachi]

Heres my Mossberg Model 88 (about 200 bucks from big5)
And my Hatsan Escort Semi-Auto (about 430ish from big5)


Both have been great so far

[Medics197]

i absolutely love my rem 1100 410 to death, but it has a major flaw the ammo is semi scarce and extremely expensive in comparison to any other guage minus 28g. it runs about 17-18 bucks a box.

however it handles like a dream and i use it to hunt quail and rabbit.

if i were you i'd grab a 1100 in 12g with a 3" receiver. you can do so much more with a 12g than you can with a 410. plus the ammo is less than half the price of 410.

[shovelon]

Well if you do get a 20 ga. pumper, these Winchester Featherlite shells are pretty soft yet break clays. I have my daughter and her friend shooting skeet with me and they love it. I doubt they would cycle thru an auto though.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Winchester-AA-Featherlite-Target-Ammo-20-Gauge-2-3/4-7/8-oz-8&i=614284&r=view

[bigbearbear]

Use of shotgun depends on the range, in the SF Bay area where I shoot:
1. Reed's Indoor range. You can use basically anything up to 3" magnum. Birdshots, buckshots or slugs etc. They only ask that you don't go for head shots due to danger of ricochets from the pellets.

2. Los Altos Rod and Gun. This is the most fun range if you're shooting shotguns but not really that keen on trap of skeet. They let you use your shotgun with slugs on the rifle lands, and anything you want on their tin can range. The tin can range is rather unique, you bring your own containers (eg. coke cans, milk jugs etc) and you can fill them with water (bring your own water during winter as their turn off the tap close to the lanes during winter) and you can shoot them. 40 yards distance, really fun.

3. Coyote Valley. This is a shotgun only range. It is more like a golf course and you'll see people driving golf carts around with shotguns. You can shoot trap, skeet or sporting clay. Good place if you like clay shooting.

I don't have 20 gauge or .410 but from I've seen, it cost a lot more to buy .410 shells and that is if you can even find them at all or at decent price. 20 gauge shells are fairly easy to find, though with less variety.

WARNING: All the ranges above DO NOT allow hip fire. Don't try it there, you'll be ejected from the range by angry safety officers.