Shotgun Size

[Chris M]

I have 4 shotguns...a Rem 870 express 12ga, a Mossberg Over/Under 12ga, a 20ga semi-auto Tristar Viper youth, and a 20ga Winchester model 12.

The over/under, by far, has the most recoil, but the option of 2 different chokes makes it great for switching between close/long shots.

The 870, when fitted with a Limbsaver recoil pad is actually very easy on the shoulder once you get your form down.

The Tristar by comparison has nearly no felt recoil...but I'm not a small guy - 6'2" and 280lbs.

It wouldn't be fair to compare the recoil of the Model 12, because i've only put 2.75" rounds through it, and it's got a 2.5" chamber, which makes the thing kick like a mule. The fact that it has a hard butt-plate doesn't help any, either.

If you want a nice shotgun that won't recoil much, I'd recommend the Benelli Montefeltro in 20 ga. The gun is very, very light and hardly has any recoil. I was going buy this one instead of the tristar, but the tristar was about $800 less...but I really do have to say, "you get what you pay for". The tristar is basically a Montefeltro knock-off. It looks a lot like it, but function is where it counts, and the benelli has it beat by a long shot.

[randy]

On youth guns down the road if you want to put on a mag extension or other accessories they will be hard to find if at all.

[scr83jp]

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.

My advice is get a Morgan Recoil Pad from Brownells I have them on my Custom Win Model !2 12g Trap shotgun, my 12g Rem Wingmaster Trap Shotgun & my 12g Rem 11-87 field shotgun they're fully adjustable .

[Chris M]

On youth guns down the road if you want to put on a mag extension or other accessories they will be hard to find if at all.

Not all of them. Some simply have a shorter stock and usually a shorter barrel, which can be easily replaced later.

[sargenv]

If you want a gas gun that is reasonable and you don't mind used, a Remington 1100 is a good gun to go with and if you want to upgrade later it will definitely hold it's resale value.

[CSACANNONEER]

The model of the gun is one thing. Fitting the gun to you is another. For best results, get the model of your choice and then have the stock fitted to you by someone who knows what they are doing. Before you buy a synthetic stock, make sure it can be cut down, if need be.

[Konnekery]

I would shoulder a lot of shotguns, find the right fit and get close to people who know. Go to ranges and try your friends guns or others. The right fit is important. I suspect a 20 guage semi-auto is probably the solution. The Benelli Super Nova pump is also worth considering or getting the right recoil pad. A lot of dealing with recoil is fit and technique. At your size, you can shoot a 12 guage, but a 20 will get the job done just as well for most tasks and you will likely shoot it more accurately.

[eccvets]

What you need is an adjustable stock or a shotgun made to fit you so that the gun fits you and your not trying to fit the gun which is awkward and uncomfortable. I highly suggest the knoxx specops stock as you can easily adjust it to fit your needs, it has a pistol grip so weilding it is faster/easier, and it helps a lot with recoil making the hardest hitting rounds manageable.