Shotgun Size

[mbrown]

I don't yet own a shotgun, but will be buying one in the not too distant future. For background, I'm a small guy 5'6", about 145lbs. Should I get a youth model shotgun or a full size? I've shot several different 12 and 20 gauge pumps over the years, but I'm by no means an expert on sizing. When I shoot my cousin's Mossberg it feels like I have to reach way out just to aim it. I'd rather have a 12 gauge and it seems like most youth guns are 20 gauge. On the other hand, some/most of the full size 12 gauges I've shot seem hard for me to wield quickly.

[Thefeeder]

size

The best thing for you to is get out to a do good gunshop...tell the salesmen that you want to purchase a shotgun but have not found any that fell comfortable. if hes a good guy, he will spend some time with you and let you shoulder different ones.......remember your gun safety when you handle the guns......Are you in the Bay Area?

[CHS]

For most average shotshell loads, there is almost no difference between 20ga and 12ga in availability and recoil. You can go heavier in 12ga than you can in 20ga, but most hunting and target loads are pretty much equal in both gauges.

What are you wanting to use it for? Trap/Skeet? Hunting? Or home defense?

The Remington 870 youth model comes in both 12 and 20, and feels great! It's got a shorter rear stock, but not by a whole lot. Comes with a 21" barrel if I remember correctly.

You can also get a standard 20ga 870, which is a smaller gun overall than the 12ga 870. Smaller stock and forend, smaller receiver, shorter barrel (standard length is 26"). This is going to be my next trap shooting gun due to it being lighter and shorter, therefore faster and easier to point and swing around.

If you want this for home defense, get any 870 express defense model and then you can get the youth stock set directly from Remington, so just replace the furniture.

If you want to spend some money, check out the benelli ultra-light in 20ga. That thing is BEAUTIFUL. It's very small, and weighs nothing. The Benelli system is also extremely great at reducing recoil, so that shotgun won't batter your shoulder.

[sloguy]

what will you be using the shotgun for? ive found that for trap or skeet the fit of the gun matters more than if you plan to only use the gun for home def purposes.

i recommend going to a range that rents or loans out guns and trying as many as possible. if your near slo county, drop by slosa shotgun range. we have a lot of shotguns that we loan out.

[randy]

I don't know about Triple B but Oaktree has guns you can rent.

It would be helpful to yourself to list the area where you live and the intended use of the shotgun.

[Moonclip]

I feel 20ga generally has less recoil than a 12ga however reduced recoil or "tactical" buckshot might be an option for you and most game loads of birdshot are fairly mild.

A gun that fits you with a decent recoil pad will help a lot for starters. Talk to a gunsmith for more options as needed.

[sargenv]

A lot of people are suggesting that the OP get a lighter smaller gun. While In some cases getting a lighter gun is good, depending on the application, a lighter gun is NOT what you'd want. If this were to be a hunting gun, I'd stick with guns that weigh in at least 7 - 7.5 pounds. With hunting loads there will likely be a bit of recoil since you want the most effective load to take the game you are going after. Tactical stuff won't generally work for that.

Now if it is used for general plinking, target shooting etc, a light gun is ok, but will wear on you if you shoot it for an extended amount of time. I still prefer a gun that will soak up some recoil (semi-auto action or not) in it's weight so as not to depend on moving parts as much.

It is true that in target loads you will not likely feel much recoil in the smaller gauges, but once you change up to a field load, you will start to feel that recoil in a lighter gun especially if it is in a manual action like an 870. Best bet is to try diffferent guns before making a decision. The advice to go to a range that rents guns or to a gun shop that will spend the time to find the right gun is good advice. I've been lucky that most shotguns naturally fit me already. For us to give good advice, we kind of need to know more about what you plan on doing with it. Personally, I'd go with the 12 since you can download it to 20 gauge ballistics, but you can't make a 20 into a 12.

[mbrown]

Thanks

I appreciate the advice given. I will be primarily using it for shooting clay pigeons (fun). In a single session we may run through a box or two. We are lucky if we can get out three times in a year. In the future I may use it for hunting. For home defense I have a revolver.

I've recently shot both 20's and 12's and did not notice a huge difference in recoil, but maybe it was the loads we were using.

[Baron]

Buy a 12 guage and then just look for a youth stock.
You can usually find youth stocks on gunbroker

I perfer a shorter trigger pull when busting clays too, but that's just me...LOL
Although at 6'-1" the regulat stock seem fine for me. My wife who's 5'-4" looks like she's stretching when she shoulders the 500, but she does just fine.
Just like everyone else has mention, just try out a few and see what feels most comfortable for you... every shooter is different

[Moonclip]

A gas operated semi auto is suppose to reduce recoil some. For some reason the discontinued but resonably priced Winchester 1400 is suppose to be especially good in this department.

[Patriot]

When you say "hard to wield," is that in terms of fit, recoil, or what?

If you don't mind a pistol-grip stock and are looking at a pump shotgun, the Knoxx Spec-Ops (ignore the lousy name) stock measures 11.5" from the back of the receiver to the end of the pad. It is adjustable, that measurement is its most compact configuration. It will also help attenuate felt recoil.

[Utha Schleigle]

Not sure if they are out of style but a good shooting jacket and recoil pad could help for clays and trapp. Some stocks have shock absorbers in the but they are pricey. If you are thinking competing for ???? shooting then a fitted stock and padd by a seasoned shotgun smith is needed.

[The Cable Guy]

I'm about the same size as you. I shoot my mossberg fine with the full stock. But I do use a Knoxx Specops retractable stock, so that makes sizing a whole lot easier.

[xtalpimp]

Check out the gas actions as they tend to ease recoil compared to the manuals like an 870.

Also I agree with what has been posted; buy a 12 gauge and you can always shoot light loads and move up to heavier loads as you become comfortable with the recoil.

If you are shooting clays the smaller gauges make it acutually harder to hit than the 12 gauge.

[oldschool88]

Im not much bigger than you and I have a mossberg 500, nothing fancy mostly factory, and at first the recoil was terrible expecially with high power loads. Then i got a limbsavers pad for it and the difference is crazy. I shoot boxes of 00 buck and slugs and I dont feel it a bit. If you are worried about recoil get a limbsaver.

My only problem with the gun is the stock is a bit too long and can be uncomfortable when reaching the pump arm. An adjustable stock would fix this but its not that big of a deal.