I may be opening a big can of worms here but, hey, that's what forums are all about!

I occasionally shoot sporting clays and skeet but have pretty much been out of the "know everything about all of the shotguns on the market" mode for several years.

A lady friend shot at some clay targets at a recent church outing and is now bugging me to death about what kind of shotgun she should get. She wants a 20 gauge (less recoil) and she wasn't thrilled about a pump. I'm thinking about an auto or O/U. Back in my day, a Remington 1100 would have been the choice hands down but the industry has come a long way since those times.

I'm suggesting that she buy a good quality brand that doesn't depreciate in value as much when she walks out of the store with it.

I'm open to suggestions from the group as to what to suggest for her (provided, of course that it fits her OK). She's average height but pretty thin and in her 60's.

All assistance is appreciated.

JDS

First off, let's try and get her away from the 20 gauge. Sure they throw a lighter charge, but the gun is also much lighter, so the recoil is as much, and often MORE than a 12.

In my opinion, the Beretta 391, with a good recoil pad, is the current "hands down".

Then, spend your time chasing down the various light recoil loads, and see which will run the action. MOST 7/8'ths light loads WILL cycle a 391. If you find one that works, order a year's supply.

Don't get a ported barrel. Too loud, too much cleaning. HTH, Dutch.

my gunsmith has a Remington 870 20 gauge 3" I have been eying that could be at your FFL holder for about $250. Guarantee you, she will be much happier with the 20 if that is what she asked for. The 870 is about bulletproof.

Rich
DRSS

oh yeah, smaller frame, etc. Will fit her much better to start. When she wants a 12, she'll ask.

Rich
DRSS

I appreciate the replies. I was leaning toward the Beretta but didn't know if there were other quality options out there that I wasn't aware of.

The 870 is definitely a quality shotgun! She doesn't want to have to deal with the "racking" as she calls it.

What's the status of the Remington 1100? I'm told they aren't made anymore and the 11/87 is not as good. Comments?

Thanks again. Please feel free to keep 'em coming.

JDS

The 1100 is still the 1100. It's a little heavier than the 391 and the Browning Gold, a little less versatile (i.e. range of shot weights), and needs cleaning a little more often. In other words, if you know the 1100, like the 1100, get her an 1100. If your house is anything like my house, you'll be doing the cleaning, anyway. FWIW, Dutch.

I am with Dutch that a 12 will do as well in the 'comfort' department as a 20 for the reasons he stated. As an old 1100 user I would ordinarily recommend it for most field use -but I see where your friend wants to shoot skeet as well. The few times that I ventured over to the trap range with my 1100 (I regularly used it for 16 yard trap mostly for practice)I didn't like the needed activity of loading (yanking back the bolt at first loading and then releasing the bolt) and guarding against flipping an empty. (I never liked the shell guard attachment) The same thing might bother her on a skeet range. What I mean is that she might be more comfortable with an O/U. I used to shoot trap for real with a single shot trap gun and my scores were very appreciably higher. Just my thoughts.

I shoot with a woman on a regular basis. She is pretty small and recoil sensitive. She shoots a 391 12ga. with light loads with no complaint. She usually outshoots me in sporting clays and really rubs it in! I would go with a beretta hands down, and if she wants a 20ga. go with one.

There are several O/U shotguns in 12 gauge that come with different barrel lengths, relatively lightweight. Entry level O/Us like the Browning or the Beretta are great shotguns, hard to wear out if maintained properly, and a good investment as well. Get a 26 barrel model and I bet she gets real good real fast.

A nice light Beretta 391 in 20ga is a good solution. However, if the budget will run to a Beretta 20ga OU in 686 or 687 that might be the best solution.

The issue is not so much recoil but weight. 12ga auto's can be on the heavy side for a lightly built woman to handle. I have a 687 20ga with 29.5" barrels. Weighs exactly 6# with a 14.75" stock.

The other single most important thing is to make sure the gun fits the lady, particularly at the toe of the stock where typical male dimensions can dig into a ladies chest.

Recoil is a funny thing, it becomes more of a factor the more tired you get. The above are all good suggestions, but I would like to add the following. Get the proper gear. Get a good vest with a recoil pad and even a shirt with a recoil pad built into it. I also suggest to look at Brownells web site for a recoil reducer. Some need to be installed by a gun smith, some just fit into the butt stock. My old BT-99 never bothered me until about 200 rounds then it wore me out. I bought a recoil reducer, dead mule I believe is the brand and it made abig difference.

Great suggestions! I appreciate the input. I'm a Browning O/U fan myself and I'm going to arrange for her to shoot a 20 ga O/U to see what she thinks.

The Beretta is also way up on the list if it fits her OK. We're planning on going to the range this weekend.

I hand't thought of the shooting vest but that is dead on - it should really help her with the recoil (both real and perceived) plus I think just having a "real shooting vest" on will give her some confidence (you would have to know this lady for that to make sense. She's a friend of my wife and I and wants to do it "right")

Thanks again!

JDS

In Europe there is a Browning Model B525 and it is sold in several variations, the Classic Light (alloy receiver) probably being the model which would most accomodate a women looking for a light shotgun. The B525 Classic Light comes with either 66cm or 71cm barrels and is available in 12 and 20 gauge. The gun is made in Japan by Miroku but I don't know under what Browning model number or name it is sold in the USA. I think this is the gun I would try.