I'm thinkin'of getting a 20ga.semi for my wife to start trap shooting with me--would a barrel length of 26"-28" be too short for a small frame beginner at 16yds. ? I probably know the answer to this but gotta ask. Shane

28".

But you might want to consider a 12ga. You can load or get loads that are just as soft. If she takes to the game, she'd want a 12ga anyways and if she doesn't it will probably be easier to sell.

Here are some good choices for women's trap guns:

Though not a semi-auto, the Browning BT-99 Micro is a good choice. I've recently seen the BPS Pump in a Micro Trap version available too.

The Beretta AL391 Urika is available in a Trap version (12ga) or a Parallel target version (20 or 12ga).

Whatever you do, get the gun fitted for her so that the recoil doesn't hurt/bruise her. She'll be more likely to enjoy the game.

I'm with going with a 12ga aswell and just loading up some light 7/8oz or 1 oz loads. The 12ga will kick less than the 20ga with the same wieght shells. My 12yr old son thats 4'8" shoots a Beretta 391 Parralle Target RL. The RL (reduced length) is shorter in the stock and wrist and comes with a 28" barrel. If you do go with a 20ga get the 28" barrel for sure. A 26" 20ga would just be too light and whippy for good shooting form on the trap field.

Tim

20 guage will work just fine for 16 yard singles.

Either a 26" or 28" barrel on a semi-auto will do OK. I suggest you get you'r wife to pick up and "heft" guns with the different guages and bbl lenths to see what she likes? Main thing is to go with something that fits her and suits her tastes.

John C. Saubak

A 20 gauge is fine for 16 yard trap. Most 20 ga autos come with 26 inch barrels. My 20 ga 11-87 has a 26 inch barrel and it works fine for 16 yd trap. There is a big difference in size and weight between a 20 ga auto and a 12 ga auto.

A 20 ga montefeltro is a really sweet gun with a very narrow forearm. For less money the 20 ga Remys are a good choice. These guns would also do well on the skeet range where they give up nothing to a 12 ga.

My first choice would be a Silver Pigeon S with 28 inch barrels. It is on my short list.

If available, I would think a 28" would be the best choice but that also depends on the gun, the Beretta 20's are quite light with a 28".