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Looking for a 12ga for trap / HD for a small woman.
4/13/2012 4:02:23 PM
I’m having a hell of a time finding a 12ga for my wife. She’s a bit under 5’ and only about 100lbs.
She’s pretty tough and wants a 12ga; but I can find one that fits her.
I need to keep it pretty cheap too, so I can go all custom, nor can I get an automatic. (I’m thinking pump).
It’s going to be primarily a trap shooting gun, but like any gun, it should also be a viable HD weapon.
I installed a collapsible stock for her on my 870 but that didn’t do the trick, she’s still got too reach too far with her left hand. I also go a youth stock on my Mossberg, but same problem on the pump hand. Any ideas?
4/13/2012 4:12:20 PM
You may have to give up the idea of a pump gun. Fit is everything in the shotgun game. Going cheap and not having it fit gets you nowhere.
If it has to be a pump try the 20 gauge 870 youth models. I run 20 gauge for everything but deer hunting and don't think I'm giving up any significant performance. If that doesn't fit, you're going to have to look at auto loaders or doubles.
If it has to be a pump try the 20 gauge 870 youth models. I run 20 gauge for everything but deer hunting and don't think I'm giving up any significant performance. If that doesn't fit, you're going to have to look at auto loaders or doubles.
4/13/2012 4:14:19 PM
Look for a used Remington 1100 or 11-87 and add a youth stock. Should be as cheap as a new pump, and can be made very reliable. Will be relatively soft shooting too.
4/13/2012 10:44:12 PM
A short barreled 870 with a cut-down youth stock with recoil pad would work fine. Just keep trimming it down until it fits her. Of course there are many people who can do a professional job on the stock but it depends how much you want to spend.
The best 12 gauge shotgun work I've ever seen was from a girl not much heavier than your wife.
Of course once the fit is right her technique must be very consistent. A 220 pound 6' 3" man can get away with more screwups and not go home bruised!
The best 12 gauge shotgun work I've ever seen was from a girl not much heavier than your wife.
Of course once the fit is right her technique must be very consistent. A 220 pound 6' 3" man can get away with more screwups and not go home bruised!
4/14/2012 8:50:26 AM
There are two lengths to consider. First length of pull, which is adjusted by stock length. Thats the length to the trigger. Will have the most to do with the fit of the gun. Will make a huge difference in comfort when shooting. The second is the off hand length (left in her case). Length of pull can help with the off hand but not neccesarily fix it. What forearm do you have? Remington makes an extended length forearm for shorter arms. Check out thier line (specially Compact Models) to see the different length forearms. The one comes right up to the edge of the receiver. Doesnt run well with side saddles though. The Knoxx forearm is also extended but not as much. Magpuls soon to be released forearm will also be extended a little but not as much as Remingtons.
If one of them dont fix the problem, then I would look to a Stoeger over/under. Compact and easy to use.
Tac Length
Mid Length
Ext Length (comes in black too)
She'd really like this one in 20ga
If one of them dont fix the problem, then I would look to a Stoeger over/under. Compact and easy to use.
Tac Length
Mid Length
Ext Length (comes in black too)
She'd really like this one in 20ga
4/14/2012 10:39:48 AM
I was at a national shoot and was squadded with this gal... http://www.shootingsuppliesbysheila.com/photos.htm
She stands about 4' 10" and shoots either a Kreighoff (really heavy gun) or a Beretta auto.
Given my experience in coaching women, once you get the Length of Pull (LOP) short enough, it becomes a matter of supporting the weight of the gun...not the size of the gun itself. Women don't have the upper body strengh that men do to athletically swing and follow through with shotguns weighing 7-10 lbs. So they compensate by using their hips to support the weight while their hands hold the gun...this is why women often shoot with a weird lean. they are holding the weight of the gun with the skeletal structure that is stout enough to support the weight gained during a pregnancy.
You can discourage women from participating very easily at this point, and you're thinking about keeping it a 12 ga. and keeping it a pump are off base. You need to lighten the gun, shorten the reach AND LOP, and keep recoil down. Wal Mart sells (or can order you) a Beretta 3901 Citizen Youth model for significantly less than seen here - http://www.mackspw.com/Item––i-BERJ390C26
She will be able to participate in all shotgun disciplines with this gun, and still cut people in half if she needs to.
She stands about 4' 10" and shoots either a Kreighoff (really heavy gun) or a Beretta auto.
Given my experience in coaching women, once you get the Length of Pull (LOP) short enough, it becomes a matter of supporting the weight of the gun...not the size of the gun itself. Women don't have the upper body strengh that men do to athletically swing and follow through with shotguns weighing 7-10 lbs. So they compensate by using their hips to support the weight while their hands hold the gun...this is why women often shoot with a weird lean. they are holding the weight of the gun with the skeletal structure that is stout enough to support the weight gained during a pregnancy.
You can discourage women from participating very easily at this point, and you're thinking about keeping it a 12 ga. and keeping it a pump are off base. You need to lighten the gun, shorten the reach AND LOP, and keep recoil down. Wal Mart sells (or can order you) a Beretta 3901 Citizen Youth model for significantly less than seen here - http://www.mackspw.com/Item––i-BERJ390C26
She will be able to participate in all shotgun disciplines with this gun, and still cut people in half if she needs to.
4/14/2012 9:19:04 PM
youth 20ga 870 or 1100
4/14/2012 9:23:02 PM
Originally Posted By SevenMaryThree:
I was at a national shoot and was squadded with this gal... http://www.shootingsuppliesbysheila.com/photos.htm
http://www.shootingsuppliesbysheila.com/images/browningbriley1.jpg
I was at a national shoot and was squadded with this gal... http://www.shootingsuppliesbysheila.com/photos.htm
http://www.shootingsuppliesbysheila.com/images/browningbriley1.jpg
she needs to get the muzzle off her foot
4/14/2012 11:50:52 PM
The practice is only prohibited in Scholastic Clay Target Programs because kids are kids.
We even put our hands in front of the muzzles of our action open shotguns in order to change and tighten choke tubes.
In Olympic bunker trap, you can even move between stations with a "loaded" gun, so long as it is broken open.
The most dangerous creature in shotgun sports is a trap shooter with a release trigger.
And these doo dads protect your shoe...expressly made for that purpose.
....and yet, no one shoots their toes off like they do when their slings turn their AR safties off during transition drills or when reholstering a pistol. Compared to the rifle / pistol crowd, the shotgun folks are generally a little safer to be around on the public ranges.
Personally, I try not to do it as I am an SCTP coach and try to lead by example. Most ranges will have racks or rubber mats for your gun muzzles at the shooting stations if you don't have a scabbard on your buggy.
We even put our hands in front of the muzzles of our action open shotguns in order to change and tighten choke tubes.
In Olympic bunker trap, you can even move between stations with a "loaded" gun, so long as it is broken open.
The most dangerous creature in shotgun sports is a trap shooter with a release trigger.
And these doo dads protect your shoe...expressly made for that purpose.
....and yet, no one shoots their toes off like they do when their slings turn their AR safties off during transition drills or when reholstering a pistol. Compared to the rifle / pistol crowd, the shotgun folks are generally a little safer to be around on the public ranges.
Personally, I try not to do it as I am an SCTP coach and try to lead by example. Most ranges will have racks or rubber mats for your gun muzzles at the shooting stations if you don't have a scabbard on your buggy.
4/15/2012 12:23:16 AM
My wife and daughter are both 5'. My daughter shoots a youth model 870 express, and does OK with it. My wife wanted something even shorter so her 12 ga 870 HD gun has the short Hogue stock with a 12 inch LOP. Standard 870 has a 14 inch LOP, youth models are 13 inches and the Hogue is 12.
4/15/2012 3:14:06 AM
I am an 1100 fan but I saw a Beretta 1200 the other day that would make a fine womens guns. Light and cheap enough that cutting the stock
for LOP would not be to big a deal. I agree that 12guage pump would be the last gun I set a women up with. If a O/U is out of your price range I
would be looking for a light weight auto that I could modify the stock on. Trap with an auto is fine so long as you keep the hulls from beening
squad mates. A rubber band around the reciever works or shells loaded light enough to not cycle the action.
for LOP would not be to big a deal. I agree that 12guage pump would be the last gun I set a women up with. If a O/U is out of your price range I
would be looking for a light weight auto that I could modify the stock on. Trap with an auto is fine so long as you keep the hulls from beening
squad mates. A rubber band around the reciever works or shells loaded light enough to not cycle the action.
4/15/2012 3:23:52 AM
