Shotgun Purchase - Help!

[trapperjohn]

But take the So Cal Shotgun/skeet clinic FIRST. Maybe a few times - and shoot a variety of rental guns in between. Then you'll be able to make an informed and educated choice based on what fits and feels best for YOU. The money and time you'll ultimately save, and the confidence in the right gun for you, will be entirely worth the wait and effort.

I know because I did it the way most do - got the itch to shoot shotguns, convinced myself I needed a gun of my own, and bought what I thought was perfect. Until I learned what good and effective shotgun shooting (regardless of specific use) is all about (fit, fit, and fit, followed by consistent mounting).

If I'd taken the clinic first (the BEST $30 you'll ever spend) and been patient, I could've gotten where I wanted to be sooner, in the end.

I get my Fabarm XLR5 LR Velocity today, and cannot wait to shoot it. I know it's going to fit me well because I've shot about a dozen different guns in the past six months and learned what I need in a gun.

[Jules]

Try as many guns as you can before you go buy one. I have two women on my squad about your size. One likes semiautos, and bought a used Beretta 390 with a stock that had already been cut down, but before she bought that, she was borrowing a junior shooter's Beretta. A 391 is very similar and a little more available. We tried a Weatherby SA-08 for her, and it was terrible. Poor finish, poor function, everything. We looked it up after we had problems with it, and it has more bad reviews than any gun I've ever seen. You might give a Remington 1100 a try too, there are a lot of stocks available for those.

My other petite friend likes break action guns. She shoots a Winchester 101 with the stock cut down and a recoil reducing device installed for doubles, and a cut down Browning BT-99 in singles and handicap.

If you get out there and make yourself known, you'll probably find all sorts of people willing to let you try theirs. Juniors are a good place to start, and your uncle probably knows people.

You don't have to go buy one that fits perfectly to try the sport. Borrow as many as you can that aren't too ridiculously long for you. Once you find something you like, I'd look hard at used guns. You can get a lot more for your money that way - many have already been tricked out, and you just don't get your money back when selling one like that, so the advantage goes to the buyer. I have two heavily modified 391s that I couldn't have built for anything near what I paid.

Check out trapshooters.com too. They recently updated their site so it's not as ridiculously clunky. I see a guy in southern California with older Berettas for sale now and then.

[hattles]

I agree with Jules.

Another great discussion website is Shotgunworld.com forums

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/index.php?sid=cffceb4958b10c2f4c220ae68a5e59f7

There is a lot of professionals, advice and knowledge available on the website and the forum covers just about everything "shotguns".

[Legasat]

First, I would suggest a semi-auto. They don't kick as hard.

Also, a youth or compact model might be a good start, then have it adjusted from there.

One model that might be worth a look in the Winchester SX3 Field Compact. Comes in 12Ga and 20Ga.

Winchester SX3 Field Compact

There are others that might work also: Benelli M2 Field Compact, Remington 11-87 Sportsman Youth Compact, and a few others to check out.

[ysr_racer]

Buying a shotgun is like buying a car, test drive, test drive, test drive.

[ysr_racer]

Buying a shotgun is like marrying a woman, test drive, test drive, test drive.

[Bill Steele]

My wife is your size, also very athletic.

She really loves her Beretta AL391 Urika Youth Model 20ga. It fits her perfectly, comes with shims if you need more drop or cast on/off.

Having said that, I think RedFord150 had it right. Go see a specialist, you will get exactly what you need.

[Chubs T]

Yep, don't spend your money on the wrong gun. John will help you get the right one.

Most of the manufacturers make youth and lady models that have a reduce LOP and a slightly shorter barrel.

If you are ready to take up Sporting Clays seriously, John will probably put you on an A400 xcel(Smurf gun). They can be cut down and also have a reduced length model with a 13.5" stock. Easiest to clean and it's what the pro's use.

[bjl333]

Go to Pacific Sporting Arms!